Heist anime captivates audiences with thrilling escapades as the characters plan and execute daring thefts. This genre masterfully blends intricate strategy, suspense, and a dash of humor or romance, setting it apart from typical action-packed titles. These anime pitch brilliant thieves against equally formidable opponents, like law enforcement or criminals.
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The stakes are always high, with dynamic character development and unforeseen twists. From classics like Lupin III to newer titles likeCyberpunk: Edgerunnersthat redefine the boundaries of the genre, heist anime promises a roller-coaster of emotions. Let’s dive into the world of heist anime to experience exhilarating tales of grand theft.
10The Castle Of Cagliostro
The Castle of Cagliostro film features the renowned thief Arsene Lupin III. After a successful casino heist, Lupin and Jigen discover that the money they’ve stolen is counterfeit. Determined to trace the source, they head to the tiny country of Cagliostro, known for its ancient castle and rumored counterfeit operation.
Upon arrival, they save a runaway bride, Clarisse, from car chasers, only to learn she’s the princess of Cagliostro, promised to the sinister Count Cagliostro. Lupin embarks on a daring heist to uncover the castle’s mysteries and thwart Count Cagliostro’s plans.
9Great Pretender
Great Pretender follows Makoto Edamura, a skilled Japanese con artist. After trying to scam a Frenchman named Laurent Thierry, Makoto realizes he’s been outdone by a master swindler. Laurent recruits Makoto into his international team. Together, they embark on elaborate cons targeting morally bankrupt individuals.
Each arc takes place in a different city, from Los Angeles, Singapore, and London to Tokyo, where they face gang lords, shady auction houses, and drug cartels. Amidst the heists, Makoto grapples with his morality and the ghosts of his past, ultimately seeking redemption.
8Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebopis acyberpunk animeset in 2071 and follows a group of bounty hunters, Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Edward, and a dog named Ein, aboard the spaceship Bebop. The series navigates the challenges and perils of capturing bounties.
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While not every episode focuses on heists, many involve the Bebop crew pursuing criminals with intricate plans, hidden motives, or valuable contraband. The essence of Cowboy Bebop is more about the lines between right and wrong, the past haunting the present, and the existential journeys of its characters.
Baccano! unfolds in early 1930s America, featuring anexpansive castand intertwining storylines. The narrative revolves around two incidents: an immortal alchemist conflict aboard the train Flying Pussyfoot and a turf war between mafia groups in New York. Characters unwittingly cross paths, contributing to a larger, chaotic tale.
Immortality elixirs, eccentric thieves, relentless mafia members, and alchemists converge, resulting in thrilling heists, kidnappings, and battles. The anime’s unique storytelling, where events aren’t presented chronologically, enhances the excitement and mystery, requiring viewers to piece the story together like a puzzle.
6Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is set in the seedy underworld of Southeast Asia, revolving around a group of mercenaries known as the Lagoon Company. The story starts when Rokuro Okajima, a Japanese businessman, is kidnapped by the crew of Revy, Dutch, and Benny. After a turn of events, Rokuro, now Rock, joins them.
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Operating from their boat, the Black Lagoon, they take on various heists, from smuggling to combat, often tangling with dangerous foes like mobsters, warlords, and assassins. The city of Roanapur, where lawlessness reigns, serves as their base.
5Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners unfolds in the sprawling metropolis of Night City in 2076, featuring an expansive cast. A young street kid named David Martinez dreams of becoming an edgerunner, an outlaw mercenary. He joins a crew of edgerunners led by the notorious Maine and starts pulling dangerous heists and cybernetic augmentation operations.
However, tragedy strikes when Maine is gravely injured during a job. Seeking revenge, David descends into Night City’s criminal underworld. With help from Lucy and other edgerunners, David stages a climactic heist on the mega-corporation behind Maine’s downfall.
4Jing: King Of Bandits
Jing: King of Bandits follows a young and seemingly unassuming boy named Jing, who is an infamous thief. Along with his wisecracking albatross sidekick, Kir, they steal valuable treasures. Each episode introduces a new setting, filled with surreal landscapes and fantastical heists, as Jing seeks out the mythical items he desires.
However, it’s not just about the heist; it’s about the journey and the characters Jing encounters along the way. While Jing may be a thief, he often acts with more honor and integrity than those who seek to catch him.
3Magic Kaito 1412
Magic Kaito 1412 centers on Kaito Kuroba, a high school student with exceptional sleight-of-hand skills. He discovers that his late father was the original Kaito Kid, a legendary gentleman thief renowned for stealing rare jewels but always returning them afterward.
After learning that his father was killed by an unknown organization seeking a gemstone with mystical powers, Kaito dons the Kaito Kid mantle to lure out his father’s enemies, using grand thefts to get their attention. Each episode involves a complex heist or a duel of wits with the police.
2Cat’s Eye
Cat’s Eye follows three sisters, Hitomi, Rui, and Ai Kisugi, who run a cafe by day but transform into the notorious art thieves Cat’s Eye by night. Their primary objective is to retrieve artworks previously owned by their missing father. Each artwork contains a clue about his mysterious disappearance.
While executing their intricate heists, they leave a calling card to notify the police of their intentions, making it a challenging game of cat and mouse. What complicates matters is that Hitomi’s boyfriend, Toshi, is a detective hell-bent on catching the thieves.
1Lupin III
Lupin III, a popular70s animechronicles the escapades of Arsene Lupin III, the world’s most accomplished thief, and grandson of the legendary burglar Arsene Lupin. Teaming up with expert marksman Jigen, the master swordsman Goemon, and the seductive Fujiko Mine, Lupin travels the globe to steal rare treasures, often with a humorous twist.
However, their heists are never easy, as relentless Inspector Zenigata of Interpol is always hot on their trail, determined to bring Lupin to justice. The series seamlessly combines action, comedy, and drama, set against exotic locales and intricate heists.
