7 [Similar Anime] Like Case File nº221: Kabukicho

The same character relation ship between super genius guy to average Joe dumb guy who serves as the super genius's side kick and all the adventures that they will experience.

Both have similar moods, have both serious and goofy moments, and require a fairly large amount of suspension of disbelief to enjoy. Still, they are both enjoyable for what they are, and if you are in the mood for a neon lights downtown crime-solving (or committing) adventure, either one will suffice. They also both have pretty good jazzy soundtracks, including the openings.

After the first episode of "Kabukichou Sherlock" I looked if "Ace Attorney" maybe had the same director or if both were adaptations of the same kind of game or something else like that, because they seemed so simular. I couldn't find anything but watching more episodes they seemed even more simular.
Both have interesting mystery cases with an overall story, starting of throwing a newby in. The characters and their deisgn are rather mature and there is the same kind of humor with silly names, gay characters, etc... At times both seemed to be made with a female audience in mind.

Both have premises that are on the darker side of the world.
Both touches on sensitive (possibly taboo or mature in some cultures) subjects in the show. But Kabukichou does it in a very nonchalant way while in Banana Fish, those sensitive subjects are what makes the story.

Both have a dark premise
Both takes patience to watch as the story tends to unfolds at its own pace
Both explores the psychotic element blatantly
Kabukichou is much more diverse in its genres and settings and storylines, it isn't as straightforwardly dark or thrilling as Monster

For the first episodes, everything happens very quickly and spontaneously. You look and don't understand what is going on. We also have a bunch of "colorful" ... Freaks (even a trans-barman is present!) and interesting murder mysteries.

Both are mystery anime in which they both investigate cases. The main characters of each anime, Sakurako and Sherlock, go through a in-depth phase when they are explaining how they solve their case.