35 Most Underrated Anime Series

Summary

• Sonny Boy is an underrated anime with stunning animation and an engaging story that deserves more attention.

• A deep series that explores identity and class disparity, Kaiba is a masterpiece that more anime fans should watch.

• Wolf’s Rain is an underrated anime with beautiful animation, a compelling cast, and dark story, making it one of the hidden gems for adult entertainment.

Not everyone Anime Shows can achieve the mainstream success of some of the most popular anime like One piece, My hero academiaOr Attack on TitanEven if they really deserve it. As a result, There are a lot of underrated anime gems out there Waiting for fans to discover and enjoy them. There seems to be an almost constant stream of highly acclaimed anime series these days, more than anyone interested in the art form will have enough time to consume, in fact.

This inevitably causes a lot of anime to slip through the cracks and go unnoticed, although there are a lot of niche anime. More than worth someone’s time due to their writing, animation or a combination of the two. These types of anime often become the best shows a person can watch, and there are many of them worth highlighting.

35

AnoHana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2011)

Original anime series by Mari Okada​​​​

After the tragic death of their friend Menma when they were children, Jinta Yadomi and his friends grew apart. Jinta himself has become a recluse until the ghost of an elderly Menma comes to him one summer day, asking for his help in granting her “wishes.” Anohana is a moving coming-of-age story that deals with grief and growing upAnd the Super Peace Busters are all well-written characters whose individual experiences of grief are just as heartwrenching as their collective experiences.

Watch on Crunchyroll

34

Air Gear (2006)

Based on the manga by Oh! Great

Air Gear is a case of a fun anime concept saddled with debuting at the wrong time, due to facing industry heavy-hitters like the Shonen Big Three, Naruto, One pieceAnd bleach Despite this, Air Gear is a high-octane stunt extravaganza where Itsuki “Ikki” Minami feels the call to adventure with the revolutionary new extreme sports tech, “Air Treks” or A-Ts, which are the next evolution of inline roller skates. Ikki soon finds himself encountering more and more gangs who use their A-Ts for competitive sports and lead fights.

Fan service moments that range from saucy to silly.

But Ikki’s adventures are more than action and stunts. He is also joined by four adoptive sisters secretly part of the notorious Sleeping Forest AT gang, along with many gorgeous love interests. Air Gear is one of the most underrated anime of the mid-2000s, however It is more intended for mature audiences Due to fan service moments that range from saucy to silly.

33

Sonny Boy (2021)

Original anime series by Shingo Natsume

Few anime are as beautiful to watch in motion as Sonny Boy. The series is ostensibly about a class of high school students who are one day transported to a featureless world. While the students quarrel and form hierarchies, the main character of the series Nagara shuts himself away from everyone except for his only friend, Nozomi.

Sonny Boy Didn’t get as much attention as other anime released in 2021 like Funny taxi And Ranking of kingsHowever with Sonny BoyIt’s engaging story and stellar animation and directionIt is more than worth any anime fan’s time. The series was directed and created by Acclaimed One-punch man Director Shingo Natsume, so anyone impressed by the animation in this or Place Dandy should give Sonny Boy A try.

Watch on Crunchyroll

32

Kaiba (2008)

Original anime series by Masaaki Yuasa

Comes from acclaimed animator Maasaki Yuasa of The Tatami Galaxy And Devilman: Crybaby honor, Kaiba is an intense series that gained more attention when it was released. The series follows a young man named Kaiba who wakes up one day with a hole in his chest and his memories missing. What goes in Kaiba is a beautiful exploration of identity and class disparity like Kaiba Travels around an imaginative science-fiction universe.

Yuasa is a masterful animator whose unique style is always incredible. Although Kaiba May not be his earliest work, it is a hallmark title that contains many of the themes Yuasa constantly explored throughout his work. While Kaiba May not have received as much acclaim as it deserved, it is truly a masterpiece that more anime fans should watch.

Watch on Amazon Prime

31

Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits-

Based on the light novel and manga by Midori Yuma

Aoi Tsubaki is no ordinary college student, as she is able to see Ayakashi, essentially yokai who live above water. However, this leads to her being kidnapped by one particular Ayakashi, an ogre inn from Tenjin-ya named Odanna, who reveals that her grandfather, from whom she got her abilities, promised him Aoi’s hand in marriage. What starts as an arrangement tire with friction, lightens in An entertaining romantic comedy in Kakuriyo -bed & breakfast for spirits-.

However, despite Ayakashi’s initial distrust of Aoi, their connections deepen as the series continues. Most important of all is Odana’s bond with Aoi, growing more romantic as episodes go on, progressing from wanting to devour her for her spiritual abilities, to wanting to be her protector. It doesn’t hurt that Odanna is among the most lovable ogres Mike Myers has never heard of.

30

Wolf’s Rain (2003)

Original anime series by Keiko Nobumoto

Not every adult swim anime was a major hit, either Wolf’s rain is a prime example of that. The series is about the last group of wolves trying to find paradise before the world ends. With a bleak premise and an uncomfortable plot, it’s easy to see how the series got lost in the shuffle. Despite the darker elements of the series, Wolf’s rain is ultimately about hope in the face of impossible odds. With beautiful animation, a compelling cast and dark storytelling, Wolf’s rain is easily one of Adult Swim’s most underrated anime.

Watch on Crunchyroll

29

Yurikuma Arashi (2015)

Original anime series by Kunihiko Ikuhara

Yurikuma Arashi is a wild anime series from Kunihiko Ikuhara that is entirely focused on Explore what it means to be a lesbian in Japan. The series has an absolutely ridiculous plot about a society where a race of alien bears that can transform into people are separated from society for fear of the danger they pose to the social order.

Despite how goofy the series often is, Yurikuma Arashi is a surprisingly thoughtful exploration into LGBTQ+ issues in JapanAnd fans of LGBTQ anime will definitely want to give Yurikuma Arashi A try.

Watch on Funimation

28

RahXephon (2002)

Original anime series by Yutaka Izubuchi

Many mecha anime made in the wake of Neon Genesis Evangelion Tried to replicate the series’ mix of mech action and deep psychology, but few made the combination look better than RahXephon. The series follows a man named Ayato whose normal life in Tokyo is disrupted by a sudden invasion of aircraft. What follows is a whirlwind as Ayato comes into contact with the series’ titular mech, and pilots it to take down giant beings made of clay named Dolems. RahXephon Stands out for its beautiful animation and unique focus on musicAnd overall, it’s a highly underrated mecha anime.

Watch on HIDIVE

27

Hell Girl (2005)

Original anime series by Takahiro Omori & Kenichi Kanemaki

Hell girl is an episodic series that revolves around people who reach out to the mysterious Hell Girl, Ai Enma, for help with their various torments. Ai offers to send their tormentors to Hell if they enter into a contract with her, though the price is steep, as they also damn their own souls to Hell once they die. Hell girl is an amazing series that shows the hold revenge can have on a person; There is some dark satisfaction in seeing some genuinely evil people get “what they deserve,” but it also questions one’s morality and the nature of revenge.

26

Skip Beat! (2008)

Based on the manga by Yoshiki Nakamura

Kyoko Mogami lives to support her boyfriend, an up-and-coming pop star. However, once his stardom begins to manifest, he betrays Kyoko, abandoning her despite her years of total support. Then, she vows revenge and embarks on a quest to become a star famous enough to eclipse her former lover. While the anime is relatively short, Skip Beat! Also has drama CDs that continue the story, but if the show was less underrated, it could have had more seasons. An engaging and humorous tale of love, loss and revenge, Skip Beat! Deserves more attention than it got.

Watch on Crunchyroll

25

Skate Dance (2011)

Based on the manga by Kenta Shinohara

The simplest sales pitch for Sket dance As an underrated anime is essentially “GintamaBut in high school, Which should be music to the ears of anyone looking for uniquely wild, crazy comedy. Sket dance is a wild series based on a relatively simple premise: a high school club called “Sket-Dan” that completes campus odd jobs for free. However, these tasks typically involve an unusual twist, with the eccentric trio of Sket-Dan’s primary members, Yusuke Fujisaki, Hime Onizuka and Kazuyoshi Usui.

But this is no typical anime trio; Yusuke, aka Bossun, relies on his glasses to improve his concentration, allowing him to pull off incredible feats of accuracy. Hime, aka Himeko, is a formidable melee combatant with a penchant for lollipop candy flavors that range from weird to downright revolting, like fried oyster or century egg. Kazuyoshi, or Switch, relies entirely on his computer to speak and is the brains of the operation, with a surprising backstory. The whole series has this high-energy silliness Gintama Fans will readily appreciate, As well as anyone who desires a unique slice-of-life comedy.

24

Haganai (2011)

Based on the light novel by Yomi Hirasaka

A group of wayward, socially awkward high school students come together to form a club with the goal of teaching each other how to make friends. Full of fan service and dark humor, it’s not exactly the most approachable series, but it’s had a passionate fanbase over the years, and it’s way more underrated than it deserves to be. Hagnai Features a dry, sarcastic brand of humor that contrasts sharply with many of his very tall contemporariesAnd while it’s certainly not for everyone, those who value humor above all else may want to give it a go Hagnai a walk

Watch on Crunchyroll

23

Girls Band Cry (2024)

Original anime series by Kazuo Sakai, Jukki Hanada and Toei Animation

Girls Band Cry is one of the biggest, most pleasant surprises of the spring 2024 anime season. It follows the formation of Togeari Togenashi with a particular focus on Nina Iseri, the main vocalist of the band, and Momoka Kawaragi, the main guitarist of the band, before expanding to its other members. The viewers can strongly relate to Nina’s story, a country girl who came to Tokyo with plans to get into university. She is enamored with the siren song of city attractions, delicious beef bowls and her favorite band, Diamond Dust, her own form of musical rebellion.

The universal messages in Girls Band Cry aren’t the only appeal, thanks to Toei Animation’s brilliant use of fluid, expressive CGI animation. The fascinating backstories of the rest of Togeari Togenashi’s gang enrich the experience and make for a compelling story for any anime fan to watch. However, international audiences have yet to gain streaming access Girls Band Cry Outside Japan and its surrounding areas.

22

Hikaru No Go (2001)

Based on the manga by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata

Anime series based on card games is quite common, but one notable anime based on a board game is Hikaru no go. The series provides an interesting and entertaining spin on the game, following middle schooler Hikaru as he enters the world of professional Go players under the guidance of a ghost from the Heian era. Hikaru no go is probably the most in-depth look at the sport of walking in any animeAnd the fact that it makes it interesting through its cast and writing makes it a great sports anime.

Watch on Hulu

21

The Twelve Kingdoms (2002)

Based on the light novel by Fuyumi Ono

The Twelve Kingdoms is an underrated gem based on the manga of the same name that stars Yoko Nakajima, a red-haired girl who discovers she is an empress after finding herself transported from Japan to another world.

Inspired by Chinese mythology, this underrated isekai Anime series is a little on the eccentric side, but with great character writing and stellar direction courtesy of Tsuneo Kobayashi, The Twelve Kingdoms Has a lot to offer fans of high fantasy in terms of writing and visuals.

Watch on Crunchyroll

20

Kaleido Star (2003)

Original anime series by Junichi Sato & Reiko Yoshida

Everyone has a dream, and Sora Naegino, a teen from Japan, dreams of being a top performer at the world-famous Kaleido Stage. Although she dreams big, she finds that realizing her ambitions to become a world-famous performer will take blood, sweat and tears.

While Kaleido Star Has the vibe of a typical shoujo anime, it has a fairly down-to-earth story Which really makes fans empathize with all the trials and tribulations Sora and the other characters endure. For fans of Oshi no Ko want something less dark, Kaleido star is a perfect choice.

Watch on Crunchyroll

19

Moshi-Shi (2005)

Based on the manga by Yuki Urushibara

Moshi-shi is a slow-paced anthology series following the travels of a man named Ginko who can see ethereal spirits called mushi, and he makes it his profession to help people besieged by their negative effects. There isn’t much of an overarching plot, and the series instead focuses on the lives of the people Ginko helps. Moshi-shi Trades action and suspense for beautiful animation and small-scale storytellingAnd the series proceeds at an unhurried pace that lets fans soak in the atmosphere. Its unique style may make it underrated, but that’s exactly why anime fans should watch it.

Watch on Crunchyroll

18

School Rumble (2004)

Based on the manga by Jin Kobayashi

It is a two-season romantic comedy series featuring two main protagonists, Tenma and Kenji, who are embroiled in a love triangle with their enigmatic classmate Oji. It is told in a series of sketches, and it follows not only the main character, but also an extensive supporting cast and their ridiculous exploits. It has been described by reviewers as both shounen and shojo, so it appeals to a wide variety of audiences with its content.

Most fans agree that School RumbleIt’s fast and fun energy and a slightly surreal brand of humor succeedAnd it easily stands as an underrated masterpiece.

Watch on Crunchyroll

17

Tsuritama (2012)

Original anime series by Kenji Nakamura & Toshiya Ono

Apparently a sports anime, Tsuritama Focuses on the very underappreciated activity of fishing, However Tsuritama Doesn’t have the same kind of bombastic drama and action sequences other sports anime favor, instead with a narrow, personal focus. It follows high school student Yuki, who has moved around all his life and has a terrible time making friends. When he and his grandmother settle in Enoshima, a transfer student named Haru shows up claiming to be a foreigner, and insists on living in their house. The zany setup gives way to an underrated but heartfelt series about friendship and dealing with anxiety.

16

Yakite!! Japan (2004)

Based on the manga by Takashi Hashiguchi

A 2004 food-based comedy series, Yakite!! Japan is vastly underrated compared to anime titles like Food Wars! The main character, Kazuma, is still pursuing his dream of making the national bread of Japan and securing a place in the most prestigious bread bakery in the country. Kazuma also has a special power called “sun hands” that makes his hands a little hotter than a normal person’s. As useless as it sounds, it helps his bread to ferment faster. Yakite!! Japan is a sweet, funny series about making and enjoying foodAnd it features tons of over-the-top food-tasting reactions for fans’ viewing pleasure.

Watch on Crunchyroll