Trickster (2016)
A futuristic anime mystery rooted in classic Japanese detective fiction, following young sleuths facing an immortal enigma and a legendary criminal mastermind.
Trickster - Series Information
- Original Title: Trickster -江戸川乱歩「少年探偵団」より-
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2017
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 4, 2016 (United States - TV-PG), October 4, 2016 (Canada - 14+), October 4, 2016 (United Kingdom - 12), October 4, 2016 (Australia - PG), October 4, 2016 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: Tokyo MX
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: ОБМАНЩИК «ЮНЫЕ ДЕТЕКТИВЫ» РАМПО ЭДОГАВЫ (RU), Trickster (US), TRICKSTER ー江戸川乱歩「少年探偵団」よりー (JP), Шахрай: за мотивами "Юнацького детективного агенства" Едоґави Рампо (UA)
Trickster - Plot
It is the 2030s. The Boy Detectives Club gathers under Kogorō Akechi, the mysterious detective. The group solves cases great and small using their unique skills. One day, a member of the club, Kensuke Hanazaki, meets the boy Yoshio Kobayashi. Kobayashi's body cannot die due to the effects of the "Unidentifiable Mist," but he yearns for death, and shirks from contact with other people. Taking an interest in him, Hanazaki invites him to join the Boy Detectives Club. Their meeting is connected to the fate tying together Kogorō Akechi, and the era's greatest villain, the Fiend With Twenty Faces.
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Trickster - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Ryota Osaka
- GACKT
- Daiki Yamashita
- Ibuki Kido
- Azusa Tadokoro
Writers
- Erika Yoshida
Trickster - FAQs
What classic work is Trickster based on?
Trickster is adapted from Edogawa Ranpo's beloved "Boy Detectives Club" stories, a cornerstone of Japanese mystery fiction first published in the 1930s. The anime reimagines those iconic characters — including Kogorō Akechi and the Fiend With Twenty Faces — in a futuristic 2030s setting, blending classic detective fiction with modern sci-fi anime sensibilities.
Who voices the main characters in Trickster?
Ryota Osaka voices the enthusiastic Kensuke Hanasaki, while Daiki Yamashita brings the death-seeking Yoshio Kobayashi to life. Perhaps most striking is the casting of GACKT — the iconic Japanese rock musician — as the menacing Fiend With Twenty Faces, lending the villain a distinctive, theatrical presence that fans of the source material will find memorable.
What makes Yoshio Kobayashi such a unique character?
Kobayashi is rendered immortal by a mysterious phenomenon called the "Unidentifiable Mist," which prevents his body from dying no matter what. Rather than embracing this ability, he desperately yearns for death and isolates himself from others. This tragic contradiction — an immortal who craves mortality — forms the emotional core of the series.
Where can you stream or watch Trickster?
Trickster is available to buy through the Apple TV Store. Availability may vary depending on your region, so it's worth checking local digital storefronts for the latest purchasing options.
How many episodes does Trickster have?
Trickster ran for a single season of 24 episodes, airing from October 2016 through March 2017 on Tokyo MX. The series also includes 2 special episodes collected in Season 0, bringing the total episode count to 26 across all available content.
Who is the Fiend With Twenty Faces in Trickster?
The Fiend With Twenty Faces is the era's most feared criminal mastermind and the central antagonist of the series. Voiced by rock legend GACKT, this enigmatic villain is deeply intertwined with the fate of detective Kogorō Akechi. His true identity and motives gradually unravel across the series, driving much of its overarching mystery.
How was Trickster received by critics and audiences?
Trickster received a mixed reception. While the futuristic reimagining of Edogawa Ranpo's classic characters drew curiosity, some viewers felt the pacing and tonal shifts between lighthearted detective cases and darker psychological themes were uneven. GACKT's villainous performance and the show's atmospheric visuals were frequently highlighted as standout elements.
What anime series are similar to Trickster?
Fans of Trickster may enjoy The Future Diary for its psychological edge and mortal-stakes tension, or ODDTAXI for its clever mystery-driven narrative. Aoi Bungaku Series offers another anime take on classic Japanese literary works, while GetBackers delivers a similar blend of action, supernatural abilities, and episodic case-solving with an engaging cast dynamic.
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