Top Prison Anime Recommendations

ONE PIECE

Also known as ONE PIECE.

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy

Gold Roger was known as the Pirate King, the strongest and most infamous being to have sailed the Grand Line. The capture and death of Roger by the World Government brought a change throughout the world. His last words before his death revealed the location of the greatest treasure in the world, One Piece. It was this revelation that brought about the Grand Age of Pirates, men who dreamed of finding One Piece (which promises an unlimited amount of riches and fame), and quite possibly the most coveted of titles for the person who found it, the title of the Pirate King.

Enter Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy that defies your standard definition of a pirate. Rather than the popular persona of a wicked, hardened, toothless pirate who ransacks villages for fun, Luffy’s reason for being a pirate is one of pure wonder; the thought of an exciting adventure and meeting new and intriguing people, along with finding One Piece, are his reasons of becoming a pirate. Following in the footsteps of his childhood hero, Luffy and his crew travel across the Grand Line, experiencing crazy adventures, unveiling dark mysteries and battling strong enemies, all in order to reach One Piece.

*This includes the following special episodes:
- Chopperman to the Rescue! Protect the TV Station by the Shore! (Episode 336)
- The Strongest Tag-Team! Luffy and Toriko's Hard Struggle! (Episode 492)
- Team Formation! Save Chopper (Episode 542)
- History's Strongest Collaboration vs. Glutton of the Sea (Episode 590)
- 20th Anniversary! Special Romance Dawn (Episode 907)

Tags: Pirates , Travel , Shounen , Ensemble Cast , Super Power , Found Family , Male Protagonist , Ships , Conspiracy , Tragedy , Slapstick , Prophecy , Politics , Time Skip , Royal Affairs , War , Slavery , Dystopian , Fugitive , Crime , Gods , Lost Civilization , Swordplay , Henshin , Philosophy , Cyborg , Monster Boy , Primarily Adult Cast , Shapeshifting , Anti-Hero , Food , Animals , Robots , Anthropomorphism , Skeleton , Anachronism , Guns , Desert , Medicine , Samurai , Prison , Post-Apocalyptic , Espionage , Indigenous Cultures , Drugs , Marriage , Artificial Intelligence , Kuudere , Monster Girl , Fairy , Revenge , Aromantic , Dragons , Assassins , Battle Royale , Demons , Adoption , Mermaid , Ninja , Time Manipulation , Angels , Kabuki , Dinosaurs , Kaiju , Clone , Zombie , Gender Bending , Arranged Marriage , Blackmail , Trains , Unrequited Love , Human Experimentation , Interspecies , Fake Relationship , Brainwashing

Sword Art Online

Also known as Sword Art Online.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy , Romance

In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...



Tags: Virtual World , Death Game , Video Games , Male Protagonist , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Isekai , Urban Fantasy , Primarily Female Cast , Rescue , Unrequited Love , Fairy , Female Harem , Artificial Intelligence , Found Family , Prison , Time Skip , Tragedy , Travel , Fishing , Amnesia , Medieval , Inseki

Yakusoku no Neverland

Also known as The Promised Neverland.

Studio: CloverWorks
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Thriller

Emma, Norman and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as “Mom,” all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn—what more could an orphan ask for? One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing.



Tags: Dystopian , Survival , Primarily Child Cast , Orphan , Tragedy , Found Family , Prison , Demons , Coming of Age , Female Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Gore , Shounen , Tanned Skin , Male Protagonist

Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari

Also known as The Rising of the Shield Hero.

Studio: Kinema Citrus
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

Naofumi Iwatani, an uncharismatic Otaku who spends his days on games and manga, suddenly finds himself summoned to a parallel universe! He discovers he is one of four heroes equipped with legendary weapons and tasked with saving the world from its prophesied destruction. As the Shield Hero, the weakest of the heroes, all is not as it seems. Naofumi is soon alone, penniless, and betrayed. With no one to turn to, and nowhere to run, he is left with only his shield. Now, Naofumi must rise to become the legendary Shield Hero and save the world!

Note:
- The first episode was pre-aired on December 27th, 2018. Regular broadcast began on January 9th, 2019.
- The first episode aired with a runtime of ~47 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Isekai , Male Protagonist , Conspiracy , Travel , Medieval , Revenge , Magic , Crime , Politics , Exiled , Anti-Hero , Tragedy , Kemonomimi , Bullying , Henshin , Spearplay , Swordplay , Cult , Matriarchy , Female Harem , Slavery , Ojou-sama , Villainess , Tsundere , Language Barrier , Prison , Fugitive , Found Family , Cultivation , Medicine , Economics , Religion , Nekomimi , CGI , Heterosexual , Gore , Monster Girl , Love Triangle , Afterlife , Cohabitation

Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Part 2

Also known as Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Cour 2.

Studio: Studio Bind
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Ecchi , Fantasy

After the mysterious mana calamity, Rudeus Greyrat and his fierce student Eris Boreas Greyrat are teleported to the Demon Continent. There, they team up with their newfound companion Ruijerd Supardia—the former leader of the Superd's Warrior group—to form "Dead End," a successful adventurer party. Making a name for themselves, the trio journeys across the continent to make their way back home to Fittoa.

Following the advice he received from the faceless god Hitogami, Rudeus saves Kishirika Kishirisu, the Great Emperor of the Demon World, who rewards him by granting him a strange power. Now, as Rudeus masters the powerful ability that offers a number of new opportunities, it might prove to be more than what he bargained for when unexpected dangers threaten to hinder their travels.



Tags: Isekai , Reincarnation , Magic , Travel , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Rehabilitation , Tragedy , Survival , Hikikomori , Medieval , Foreign , Demons , Gods , Swordplay , Tsundere , Female Harem , Language Barrier , Post-Apocalyptic , Curses , Gore , Slavery , Kemonomimi , Polyamorous , Nudity , Desert , Nekomimi , Dragons , Prison , Elf , Maids , Prophecy

Fumetsu no Anata e

Also known as To Your Eternity.

Studio: Brain's Base
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Supernatural

In the beginning, an "orb" is cast unto Earth. "It" can do two things: change into the form of the thing that stimulates "it"; and come back to life after death. "It" morphs from orb to rock, then to wolf, and finally to boy, but roams about like a newborn who knows nothing. As a boy, "it" becomes Fushi.

Through encounters with human kindness, Fushi not only gains survival skills but grows as a "person". But his journey is darkened by the inexplicable and destructive enemy Nokker and cruel partings with the people he loves.



Tags: Shapeshifting , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Travel , Philosophy , Agender , Rural , Ensemble Cast , Survival , Body Horror , Shounen , Medieval , Time Skip , Animals , Yandere , Gore , Orphan , Indigenous Cultures , Afterlife , Zombie , Prison , Language Barrier , Adoption , Historical , Snowscape , Memory Manipulation , CGI , Battle Royale , Demons

BANANA FISH

Also known as BANANA FISH.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Psychological , Thriller

Nature made Ash Lynx beautiful; nurture made him a cold ruthless killer. A runaway brought up as the adopted heir and sex toy of "Papa" Dino Golzine, Ash, now at the rebellious age of seventeen, forsakes the kingdom held out by the devil who raised him. But the hideous secret that drove Ash's older brother mad in Vietnam has suddenly fallen into Papa's insatiably ambitious hands—and it's exactly the wrong time for Eiji Okamura, a pure-hearted young photographer from Japan, to make Ash Lynx's acquaintance...



Tags: Gangs , Mafia , Tragedy , Crime , Conspiracy , Drugs , Male Protagonist , Urban , Criminal Organization , Primarily Male Cast , Revenge , LGBTQ+ Themes , Guns , Rescue , Foreign , Shoujo , Noir , Anti-Hero , Fugitive , Coming of Age , Primarily Adult Cast , Assassins , Boys' Love , Orphan , Classic Literature , Prison , Ensemble Cast , Photography , Motorcycles , Cars , Tanned Skin

Deadman Wonderland

Also known as Deadman Wonderland.

Studio: Manglobe
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

Ganta is the only survivor after a mysterious man in red slaughters a classroom full of teenagers. He's framed for the carnage, sentenced to die, and locked away in the most twisted prison ever built: Deadman Wonderland. And then it gets worse.

At Deadman Wonderland, convicts are forced into brutal deathmatches for the amusement of the masses, the cheers of the crowd drowning out the screams of the dismembered. Even when Ganta befriends Shiro, an unusual female inmate, his dark fate crushes all hope —until he discovers the strange ability to wield his spilled blood as a weapon. Ganta learns his new skill might be related to the murderous man in red and uncovers disturbing secrets that could expose those who stole his freedom. He's determined to see justice served —but first he'll have to fight for his life in a prison that holds a million ways to die.



Tags: Prison , Tragedy , Survival , Super Power , Gore , Death Game , Anti-Hero , Body Horror , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Dissociative Identities , Orphan , Urban Fantasy , Memory Manipulation , Nudity , Guns , Rehabilitation , Tanned Skin , LGBTQ+ Themes , Human Experimentation

Prison School

Also known as Prison School.

Studio: J.C.STAFF
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Ecchi

Hachimitsu Private Academy was a revered and elite all-girls' boarding school on the outskirts of Tokyo...once upon a time. But with the new school year comes a revision to school policy: Boys are to be admitted into the student body for the first time ever. But on his first day at Hachimitsu, Kiyoshi Fujino discovers that he's one of only five boys enrolled at the school. Their numbers overwhelmed by the thousand girls in the student body, is it heaven or hell that awaits these five (un)fortunates?!.



Tags: School , Prison , Surreal Comedy , Nudity , Parody , Male Protagonist , Femdom , Torture , Heterosexual , Ensemble Cast , Slapstick , Seinen , Primarily Male Cast , Matriarchy , Primarily Female Cast , Yandere , Love Triangle

Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari Season 2

Also known as The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2.

Studio: Kinema Citrus , DR Movie
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

With another Wave happening in a week, Naofumi Iwatani and his party have no time to waste. However, when bat familiars raid Lurolona Village and the Wave countdown comes to a halt, the Four Cardinal Heroes reconvene with the queen, Mirelia Q Melromarc, for a quick briefing. The queen presumes that the odd occurrences are linked to the Spirit Tortoise—a threatening creature that has awakened from its slumber, back to cause havoc once again. A plan to put the Spirit Tortoise to rest is devised—but out of the four men, only the cursed Shield Hero agrees to help.



Tags: Isekai , Male Protagonist , Magic , Travel , Medieval , CGI , Kaiju , Kemonomimi , Slavery , Revenge , Female Harem , Kingdom Management , Age Regression , Prison , Gore , Politics , Nudity , Fishing , Shapeshifting

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Stone Ocean

Also known as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: STONE OCEAN.

Studio: david production
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Supernatural

In Florida, 2011, Jolyne Kuujou sits in a jail cell like her father Joutarou once did; yet this situation is not of her own choice. Framed for a crime she didn’t commit, and manipulated into serving a longer sentence, Jolyne is ready to resign to a dire fate as a prisoner of Green Dolphin Street Jail. Though all hope seems lost, a gift from Joutarou ends up awakening her latent abilities, manifesting into her Stand, Stone Free. Now armed with the power to change her fate, Jolyne sets out to find an escape from the stone ocean that holds her.

However, she soon discovers that her incarceration is merely a small part of a grand plot: one that not only takes aim at her family, but has additional far-reaching consequences. What's more, the mastermind is lurking within the very same prison, and is under the protection of a lineup of menacing Stand users. Finding unlikely allies to help her cause, Jolyne sets course to stop their plot, clear her name, and take back her life.



Tags: Super Power , Female Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Foreign , Police , Urban Fantasy , Crime , Prison , Fugitive , Primarily Adult Cast , Shounen , Revenge , Time Manipulation , Tragedy , Body Horror , Gore , Memory Manipulation , Ensemble Cast , Shapeshifting , Surreal Comedy , Ghost , Nudity , Masturbation , Agender , Disability , CGI

Akudama Drive

Also known as Akudama Drive.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Sci-Fi , Thriller

Many years ago, a Great Civil War ravaged Japan, leaving the country fragmented between two regions: Kansai and Kanto. In Kansai, a group of six Akudama carry out missions given to them by a mysterious black cat, while evading the police. But a dangerous journey is about to unfold when a civilian girl becomes twisted into the Akudama’s way of life and witnesses their criminal drives.



Note: On May 28, 2021, a director's cut of the final episode was released which included approximately 5 minutes of new content.

Tags: Anti-Hero , Crime , Urban , Cyberpunk , Fugitive , Dystopian , Tragedy , Female Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Gore , Politics , Conspiracy , Prison , Yandere , Tomboy , Artificial Intelligence , Found Family , Unrequited Love , CGI , Motorcycles , Trains , Virtual World , Kuudere , Space , Tanned Skin

Yuusha Kei ni Shosu: Choubatsu Yuusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku

Also known as Sentenced to Be a Hero.

Studio: Studio KAI
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy

In a world where heroism is a punishment, Xylo Forbartz, a condemned goddess killer, battles endless hordes of monstrous abominations as part of Penal Hero Unit 9004. Death is no escape, only a cycle of resurrection and relentless combat. But when Xylo encounters a mysterious new goddess, their unlikely alliance sparks a rebellion that could shatter the chains of eternal punishment.



Notes:
- The first episode aired with a runtime of ~58 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.
- Initially scheduled to air in October, 2025

Tags: Medieval , Conspiracy , Male Protagonist , Demons , Anti-Hero , Gods , Gore , Revenge , Ensemble Cast , Tragedy , Crime , Military , Cosmic Horror , Body Horror , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Isekai , CGI , Tsundere , Prison , Seinen

Baki

Also known as BAKI.

Studio: TMS Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Sports

The protagonist, Baki Hanma, trains with an intense focus to become strong enough to surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma, the strongest fighter in the world. Five of the world's most violent and brutal death row inmates are gathering to face Baki. Their objective is to taste defeat -- their unmatched strength and skill have led them to grow bored of life itself, and they now seek out Baki in the hopes that he can overwhelm and utterly crush them. In this crisis, other underground martial art warriors gather to fight by Baki's side: Kaoru Hanayama, Gouki Shibukawa, Retsu Kaioh, and Doppo Orochi. An epic showdown between violent death row inmates and Baki and his friends begins!



Tags: Martial Arts , Fugitive , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Shounen , Gore , Delinquents , Revenge , Crime , Judo , Surreal Comedy , CGI , Boxing , Nudity , Foreign , Guns , Prison , Super Power , Crossdressing , Circus

Isekai Oji-san

Also known as Uncle from Another World.

Studio: Atelier Pontdarc
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

​Seventeen years ago, Takafumi's uncle fell into a coma, but now he's back like a man risen from his grave. Soon, Takafumi discovers two bizarre things: His uncle treasures video games above all else, and, while comatose, he was actually transported to another world as some heroic guardian! Now, not only does Takafumi have to room with an uncle who is literally magical, he also has to catch the guy up on two decades of history—smartphones, high-speed internet, modern anime tropes…and the traumatic outcome of the '90s console war!



Tags: Isekai , Parody , Magic , Meta , Male Protagonist , Seinen , Video Games , Primarily Adult Cast , Otaku Culture , Surreal Comedy , Tsundere , Elf , POV , Memory Manipulation , Satire , Female Harem , Heterosexual , Slapstick , Reverse Isekai , Nudity , Urban Fantasy , Tragedy , Achronological Order , Dragons , Crossdressing , Gender Bending , Shapeshifting , Prison , Virtual World

Tantei wa mou, Shindeiru.

Also known as The Detective Is Already Dead.

Studio: ENGI
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Romance , Supernatural

Thwarting a hijacking with the beautiful, silver-haired detective, Siesta, transforms Kimihiko’s young life. Their success kicks off years of crime-solving and confronting syndicates around the world—until Siesta dies. Left with questions, Kimihiko moves on. But now, a new case may open healed wounds as it connects to an assassin, a world conspiracy, and his dead partner!



Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of ~46 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Detective , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Achronological Order , Body Swapping , Crime , Female Protagonist , Terrorism , Dissociative Identities , Super Power , Urban Fantasy , Female Harem , Aliens , Artificial Intelligence , Guns , Amnesia , Love Triangle , Police , VTuber , Idol , Prison , Age Gap , Super Robot , Robots

ID: INVADED

Also known as ID: INVADED.

Studio: NAZ
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Thriller

Welcome to Kura, an organization that investigates crime using the Mizuhanome system which senses the drive to kill. Sakaido is a brilliant detective and pilot of the Mizuhanome. To solve a case, he enters the world of the killer's unconscious mind: the id well. In the shadows of brutal and puzzling cases lurks John Walker, the Serial Killer Creator. Where will Sakaido's pursuit lead?



Tags: Detective , Virtual World , Crime , Alternate Universe , Police , Tragedy , Memory Manipulation , Urban Fantasy , Augmented Reality , Prison , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Meta , Revenge , Anti-Hero , Philosophy , Amnesia , Gore , Cyberpunk , CGI , Guns , Time Manipulation , Suicide

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Stone Ocean Part 2

Also known as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: STONE OCEAN Part 2.

Studio: david production
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Supernatural

The legacy of the Joestar family continues with Jolyne as she and her companions take on new Stand users behind the bars of Green Dolphin Street Prison.



Tags: Super Power , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Time Manipulation , Primarily Female Cast , Alternate Universe , Revenge , Prison , Shounen , Urban Fantasy , Cosmic Horror , Twins , Gore , Foreign , Amnesia , Urban , Ensemble Cast , Memory Manipulation , Primarily Adult Cast , Incest , Body Horror , Heterosexual , Assassins , CGI , Vampire , Torture , Kemonomimi

Lazarus

Also known as LAZARUS.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Sci-Fi , Thriller

The year is 2052 — an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.

Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned — this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world — and coming soon.

As a response to this threat, a special task force of 5 agents is gathered from across the world to save humanity from Skinner’s plan. This group is called “Lazarus.” Can they find Skinner and develop a vaccine before time runs out?



Tags: Ensemble Cast , Crime , Medicine , Urban , Fugitive , Environmental , Drugs , Found Family , Anti-Hero , Parkour , Male Protagonist , Episodic , Philosophy , Cyberpunk , Espionage , Guns , Foreign , Homeless , LGBTQ+ Themes , Assassins , Military , Rescue , Death Game , Prison , Cult , Artificial Intelligence , Circus , Dissociative Identities , Bisexual , Gore , Yuri , Crossdressing

Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

Also known as Kaiji - Ultimate Survivor.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Psychological , Thriller

Itou Kaiji is a bum who steals car emblems and slashes tires on what seems to be a regular basis. This routine changes one day when he is paid a visit by a man in a trench-coat. Once the two get talking, it seems that the visitor (Calling himself Endou) is a debt collector. The reason for his visit is an unpaid loan which Kaiji had previously co-signed for a work-mate (Furuhata Takeshi). The original loan was 300,000 yen and once Takeshi had disappeared, the loan then fell on Kaiji.

Kaiji is then told of a way to clear the interest compounded debt (which stood at 3,850,000 yen), which involved getting on a boat with others in his position. Once on the boat the debtors would then have to gamble with loaned money, which would end with a few winning, and others getting into deeper debt and having to work to pay off their debts. After some coercion Kaiji accepts a position on the boat, in order to clear his debt and make a bit of money as well...

Tags: Gambling , Survival , Primarily Adult Cast , Class Struggle , Primarily Male Cast , Seinen , Male Protagonist , Death Game , Philosophy , Tragedy , Crime , Card Battle , Revenge , Yakuza , Torture , Urban , Work , Anti-Hero , Body Horror , Ships , Athletics , Prison , Nudity