What is Future Diary?#
Future Diary (also known as Mirai Nikki) is a high-stakes supernatural thriller that blends psychological drama with a brutal survival game. The story follows Amano Yukiteru, a lonely high school student who spends his time recording everything in a cell phone diary. His life takes a drastic turn when his imaginary friend, Deus Ex Machina (the Lord of Time and Space), grants him a real ability: his diary can now predict events in the near future.
However, this gift comes with a price. Yukiteru is forced into a deadly game where he and other diary holders must fight for survival, with the ultimate winner becoming the successor to Deus.
If you enjoy stories involving assassins, time travel, and tragic twists, you can watch the anime on Prime Video to see how Yukiteru fares in this game of gods.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
For those wondering if they can commit to the series without leaving the story on a cliffhanger, the answer is yes. The anime adaptation provides a narrative arc that leads into a definitive sequel.
While the main series establishes the conflict and the survival game, the anime experience is complemented by Mirai Nikki Redial, which serves as a sequel to the primary anime run. This allows anime-only viewers to reach a conclusion. However, for those who want every single detail and exploration of the universe, the original manga and various spinoffs provide additional context.
If you want to dive deeper into the lore beyond the screen, you can buy the Future Diary manga.
Who is this Anime For?#
Future Diary is not for the faint of heart. It is best suited for audiences who appreciate the following:
- Psychological Thrills: The series focuses heavily on the mental state of the characters and the desperation inherent in a survival game.
- Dark Themes: With themes of gore, death, revenge, and tragedy, this is a dark series designed for mature viewers who enjoy horror and suspense.
- Supernatural Mystery: The involvement of gods and the mechanics of the future-predicting diaries create a compelling mystery.
If this sounds like your kind of story, you might also want to pick up some Future Diary merchandise to show your support for the series.
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Depending on how much of the franchise you want to consume, there are several ways to approach this series. You can refer to the relationship tree on this page for a visual guide to these connections.
The Release Order#
If you want to experience the series as it was released to the public:
- Mirai Nikki (2010)
- Future Diary (2011-2012)
- Mirai Nikki Redial (2013)
The Recommended Order (For New Viewers)#
For the most streamlined experience, we recommend starting with the main anime adaptation:
- Future Diary (2011-2012): The core story and survival game.
- Mirai Nikki Redial (2013): The anime sequel that provides further closure.
The Completionist Order#
For those who want to consume every piece of media available, including the source material and spinoffs:
- Future Diary Manga (2006): The original source material.
- The Anime Adaptations: Including the main series and the Mirai Nikki Redial anime.
- Mirai Nikki Redial Manga: The manga version of the sequel.
- Spinoff Mangas: Explore Mirai Nikki Paradox, Mirai Nikki Mosaic, and Mirai Nikki Mosaic Keshi for additional perspectives and stories.
The Hybrid Path (Anime + Manga)#
If you don’t mind switching mediums, start with the original 2006 manga for the full depth of the story, then watch the anime adaptations to see the events brought to life.
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Future Diary • manga • 2006-07-21
└─(adaptation)→ Mirai Nikki • anime • 2010-12-09
└─(spinoff)→ Mirai Nikki Paradox • manga • 2008-12-09 to 2009-03-11 (serialized in Ace Assault)
└─(adaptation)→ Future Diary • anime • 2011-10-09 to 2012-04-15
└─(sequel)→ Mirai Nikki Redial • anime • 2013-07-24
└─(spinoff)→ Mirai Nikki Redial • manga • 2013-07-24
└─(spinoff)→ Mirai Nikki Mosaic • manga • 2008-11-26
└─(spinoff)→ Mirai Nikki Mosaic Keshi • manga • 2011-12-02
