Top 10 Most Underrated Anime Series
Sometimes it feels like the same big-name anime get all the love while plenty of incredible shows fly under the radar. Sure, the classics and chart-toppers are popular for a reason, but there's a whole world of lesser-known series that deserve way more attention than they get. These are the shows that might not have made a huge splash when they first aired or didn't catch on with mainstream audiences, but they've got something special that fans in the know really appreciate.Maybe it's a series with a gripping story that didn't get enough promotion, a show with stunning art and music that went unnoticed, or an anime that just hit at the wrong time. Whatever the reason, they deserve a bigger share of the spotlight.
This is the most underrated anime on the planet. It deserves more attention.
Set in the land of AmberGround, "Tegami Bachi" is a heartwarming anime that revolves around the adventures of Lag Seeing, a Letter Bee whose job is to deliver letters in a perilous world. The series blends elements of fantasy and adventure, featuring unique creatures and a distinct, steampunk-inspired... read more
Tsuritama (Japanese: つり球, lit. "fishing ball") is a Japanese anime television series that aired between April 13, 2012, and June 28, 2012.
The anime was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America, by MVM Films in the United Kingdom, and by Hanabee in Australia and New Zealand.
Haibane Renmei (Japanese: 灰羽連盟, lit. "Charcoal Feather Federation") is a Japanese anime television series. It is based on an original dōjinshi manga series by Yoshitoshi ABe, The Haibanes of Old Home (オールドホームの灰羽達, Ōrudo-hōmu no Haibane-tachi), which was released from... read more
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is an anime television series produced by Production I.G and based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell.
Fate/stay night is a Japanese visual novel and anime series by Type-Moon. There are three story lines in the visual novel: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel. A 24-episode anime series based on the Fate route and a film based on the Unlimited Blade Works route were made by Studio Deen. A... read more Fate/stay night originated from a game that came out in 2004.
Within a span of 13 years, there's also Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel, Fate/Zero, Fate/Grand Order, Fate/Apocrypha, Fate/strange Fake, Fate/Extra, Fate/Extra: Last Encore, Fate/Extella, Fate/Hollow Ataraxia, Fate/Unlimited Codes, Fate/tiger colosseum, Fate/labyrinth, Fate/school life, Fate/kaleid, Fate/Koha Ace, and Fate/Prototype.
With all of these prequels, sequels, and spinoffs that take form as anime, manga, novels, games, and movies - not to mention its overwhelming popularity in Japan - how this franchise is rarely talked about on this site will forever baffle me.
I don't hear many people praise or talk about this anime, but it certainly is worth the watch. Even the reviews of it on YouTube don't have many comments about it.
It's a retelling of a classic but in a fantastical setting, including mechs and whatnot.
The Newcomers
The most underrated anime of all time. Its story is emotional, its animation is cutting-edge, and its music is epic.
One of, if not the best, shounen-ai anime out there.
The ending is heartbreaking, but it is definitely worth the watch!
An amazing series. The main character, Ai Enma, is a great and tragic protagonist.
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Japanese: マギ, Magi) is a Japanese fantasy adventure manga series written and illustrated by Shinobu Ohtaka. It was serialized by Shogakukan in the shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from June 2009 to October 2017, with its chapters collected and published... read more
People tend to overlook this shonen gem. It's got great characters, humor, action, and spirituality. It needs to be in more critics' top lists.
Samurai Champloo is a Japanese anime series developed by Manglobe. Samurai Champloo is set in an alternate version of Edo-era Japan with an anachronistic, predominantly hip hop, setting. It follows Mugen, an impudent and freedom-loving vagrant swordsman; Jin, a composed and stoic rōnin; and Fuu, a... read more This anime is full of action, witty comedy, and is overall very entertaining. Even though its story and ending were lacking, fans still loved watching it the entire way through.
Unfortunately, all people wanted to watch at the time in terms of action anime were Naruto and One Piece, which is why Samurai Champloo didn't gain much attention.
Everyone should watch it. That's all that can be said about it.
Despite its positive morals, it has failed to gain popularity outside of East Asia.
Airing in 2011, Nichijou is a Japanese anime based on a manga by Keiichi Arawi. Unlike typical plot-driven shows, it focuses on the surreal and comedic daily lives of three high school girls. It gained praise for its inventive animation techniques and absurdist humor.
Doraemon is a fictional character in the Japanese manga and anime series of the same name created by Fujiko Fujio, the pen name of writing team Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko. It's one of the longest-running and most popular anime in Japan, but it is unknown in the West.
Yu Yu Hakusho is a manga franchise created by Yoshihiro Togashi. An anime adaptation consisting of 112 television episodes was directed by Noriyuki Abe and co-produced by Fuji Television, Yomiko Advertising, and Studio Pierrot. The television series originally aired on Japan's Fuji TV network from October... read more
Most underrated in my opinion! This anime is so good!
I think it's one of those shows that is amazing the first time you watch it, and it remains amazing when you rewatch it! It's pretty layered if you look for it. I also think people of any age, gender, or background can enjoy this! There is something in it for everyone!
Critics were too harsh on this one. It has entrancing fights, unique superpowers, and themes about justice.