These are Japanese animated series or films where the storytelling is based in the United States. These animations include the culture, events, locations, and themes in their account.
In this article, I will introduce you to 7 anime series and films that take place in America. I’ve included information about their genre, producers, directors, release dates, streaming availability, ratings, and where to watch them.
Baccano!
- Directed by: Takahiro Omori
- Produced by: Shuko Yokoyama
- Release date: 26 July 2007 – 01 November 2007 (original run)
- Original Network: Wowow
- Episodes: 16
- No. Of seasons: 1
- IMDb rating: 8.2/10
- MyAnimeList: 8.4/10
- Genre: Thriller, mystery, adventure, crime action, and supernatural.
- Brief overview: The story revolves around the supernatural immortal alchemist “Grand Panacea,” allowing consumers to become immortal but also triggering violent and unpredictable events.
Gangsta
- Directed by: Shuko Murase, Koichi Hatsumi
- Produced by: Natsumi Mori, Hirotsugu Ogisu, Masayuki Nishide, Yoshiyuki Shioya
- Release date: 1 July 2015 – September 2015 (original run)
- Original Network: Tokyo, ABC, MX, TV Aichi, BS11.
- Episodes: 12
- No. Of seasons: 1
- IMDb rating: 7.2/10
- MyAnimeList: 7.4/10
- Genre: Thriller, adventure, crime.
- Brief overview: Ergastulum city is divided between different mafia families and Twilights (individuals with superhuman abilities). The story follows two handymen, Nicolas Brown (handicapped), and Worick Arcangel, as they get entangled in the conflicts between mafia families and the struggles of Twilights.
91 Days
- Directed by: Hiro Kaburagi
- Produced by: Toshio Iizuka, Toshihiro Maeda
- Release date: 9 July 2016 – October 1st (original run)
- Original Network: JNN.
- Episodes: 12 + 1 OVA.
- No. Of seasons: 1
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
- MyAnimeList: 7.8/10
- Genre: Action, Drama, Mafia, Thriller.
- Brief overview: The series revolves around a young man, Angelo Lagusa, who has been underground since the spread of Sicilian crime. He returns after 7 years when an anonymous letter reveals that his parents were slaughtered by the Vanettis, setting him on a path of revenge.
Eden of the East
- Directed by: Kenji Kamiyama
- Produced by: Koji Yamamoto, Tomohiko Ishii
- Release date: 9 April 2009 – June 11, 2009 (original run of 1st season)
- Original Network: Fuji TV.
- Episodes: 11 (1st season)
- No. Of seasons: 3
- IMDb rating: 7.5/10
- MyAnimeList: 7.8/10
- Genre: Action, Drama, Comedy, Animation, Science Fiction, Mystery, Adventure.
- Brief overview: On 22 November 2010, ten missiles strike Japan with no recorded casualties. The story begins when Saki Morimi encounters a naked, memory-loss Japanese man near the White House, Washington DC. The man introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, possessing vast digital money and a unique game connection called ‘Selecao.’ They return to Japan to find it hit by missiles, and the story revolves around the mysterious game they become involved in.
Tiger and Bunny
- Directed by: Kiichi Sato, Kunihiro Mori.
- Produced by: Hiroo Maruyama, Chinatsu Matsui, Kazuhiko Tamura.
- Release date: 3 April 2011 – September 11, 2011.
- Original Network: MBS, BS11, Tokyo MX
- Episodes: 25
- No. Of seasons: 2
- IMDb rating: 7.2/10
- MyAnimeList: 7.8/10
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Superhero, Science Fiction.
- Where to watch: Netflix
- Brief overview: Superheroes known as ‘NEXT’ participate in a popular Reality TV Show named Hero TV. The story follows Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a veteran hero known as Wild Tiger, and Barnaby Brooks Jr., a newcomer. Heroes earn points for their crime-fighting efforts, and Bunny and Tiger are paired as a duo facing various challenges like sponsorships, public expectations, and uncovering the tragic past of Barnaby.
Speed Grapher
- Directed by: Kunihisa Sugishima.
- Produced by: Naomi Nishiguchi, Taichi Hashimoto.
- Release date: April 7, 2005 – September 29, 2005 (original run)
- Original Network: TV Asahi
- Episodes: 24.
- No. Of seasons: 1.
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10
- MyAnimeList: 7.3/10
- Genre: Psychological, Supernatural, Suspense.
- Brief overview: The story follows a spoiled war photographer named Tatsumi Saiga, who investigates an ultra-wealthy Roppongi club. His objective is to photograph a beautiful 15-year-old girl named Kagura. As he is about to meet his demise, Kagura kisses him, granting him the ability to destroy anything he photographs. With these supernatural powers, he becomes the target and a potential weapon in power struggles within the Roppongi club. Together, they face numerous challenges and navigate the dark and dissipated underworld of Tokyo.
Monster
- Directed by: Masayuki Kojima.
- Produced by: Hiroshi Yamashita, Toshio Nakatani, Manabu Tamura, Takuya Yui, Masao Maruyama.
- Release date: 7 April 2004 – September 28, 2005.
- Original Network: Nippon Television.
- Episodes: 74 episodes
- No. Of seasons: 1
- IMDb rating: 8.7/10
- MyAnimeList: 8.9/10
- Genre: Crime, Mystery, Psychological, Thriller.
- Brief overview: The story revolves around Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a young brilliant neurosurgeon living in West Germany. He is engaged to the daughter of the hospital director. His life takes a dark turn after he operates on a boy who dies. Consequently, he loses his job and financial stability. Facing further challenges, he becomes the prime suspect when the doctors who fired him are poisoned.
