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.

The Top Ten

  1. Kekkaishi

    This is the most underrated anime on the planet. It deserves more attention.

  2. Tegami Bachi

    Set in the mysterious land of AmberGround, "Tegami Bachi" is a touching anime that follows Lag Seeing, a Letter Bee tasked with delivering messages across a dangerous world. The series combines elements of fantasy and adventure, showcasing unique creatures and a visually rich, steampunk-inspired setting... read more

  3. Tsuritama

    Tsuritama (Japanese: つり球, lit. "fishing ball") is a Japanese anime television series that aired from April 13, 2012, to June 28, 2012.

    The series was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America, by MVM Films in the United Kingdom, and by Hanabee in Australia and New Zealand.

  4. Haibane Renmei

    Haibane Renmei (Japanese: 灰羽連盟, translated as "Charcoal Feather Federation") is a Japanese anime television series. It was based on Yoshitoshi ABe's dōjinshi manga The Haibanes of Old Home (オールドホームの灰羽達), which ran from 1998 to 2002 but remained unfinished when work on the anime began. The anime was directed... read more

  5. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

    Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is an anime television series produced by Production I.G. It is based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell. The series first aired in 2002 and features a futuristic world centered around cybercrime and artificial intelligence.

  6. Fate/Stay Night (2006)

    Fate/stay night is a Japanese visual novel and anime series developed by Type-Moon. The visual novel features three main storylines titled Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel. Studio Deen produced a 24-episode anime series based on the Fate route and a film adaptation of Unlimited Blade Works.... 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.

  7. World Trigger

  8. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

    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.

  9. Katekyō Hitman Reborn!

  10. Samurai 7

    It's a retelling of a classic but in a fantastical setting, including mechs and whatnot.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Transformers: Armada

    Why does everyone hate this show?

  12. ?

    Oban Star-Racers

    The most underrated anime of all time. Its story is emotional, its animation is cutting-edge, and its music is epic.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Air (2005)

  14. Dragon Ball GT

    Dragon Ball GT is a Japanese anime series based on Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga. It was produced by Toei Animation and premiered in Japan on Fuji TV on February 7, 1996. The series ran for 64 episodes and concluded on November 19, 1997.

    Out of all the Dragon Ball series, this is the one that gets overlooked and that people don't really care for.

    While I find DBZ to be pretty overrated, GT is underrated.

    Very underrated and much better than Super, which gets way too much praise.

    This is the most underrated anime of all time.

  15. Nabari no Ō

    The ending is heartbreaking, but it is definitely worth the watch!

  16. Arata: The Legend

  17. Hell Girl

    An amazing series. The main character, Ai Enma, is a great and tragic protagonist.

  18. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

    Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Japanese: マギ, Magi) is a Japanese fantasy adventure anime television series based on the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Shinobu Ohtaka. The anime adaptation was produced by A-1 Pictures and aired in Japan from October 2012 to March 2013. It was followed... read more

  19. Shaman King

    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.

  20. Samurai Champloo

    Samurai Champloo is a Japanese anime series developed by the animation studio Manglobe. The series is set in an alternate version of Edo-era Japan that features anachronistic elements, including a strong hip hop influence in its soundtrack and themes. It follows the journey of Mugen, a wild and unpredictable... 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.

  21. Doraemon

    Doraemon is a fictional character in the Japanese manga and anime series of the same name created by Fujiko Fujio, the pen name of the writing team Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko. The story follows a robotic cat named Doraemon who travels back in time from the 22nd century to help a young boy named... read more

    It's one of the longest-running and most popular anime in Japan, but it is unknown in the West.

  22. The Law of Ueki

    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.

  23. YuYu Hakusho

    Yu Yu Hakusho is a manga series created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The anime adaptation, which includes 112 episodes, was directed by Noriyuki Abe and co-produced by Fuji Television, Yomiko Advertising, and Studio Pierrot.

    It aired on Fuji TV in Japan from October 10, 1992 to December 17, 1994. The... read more

  24. Digimon Frontier

  25. Nichijou

    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 received praise for its inventive animation techniques and absurdist humor.

  26. Chibi Maruko-chan

    Chibi Maruko-chan was originally a shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Momoko Sakura. It was adapted into an anime that first aired on January 7, 1990. The original anime series ran until September 27, 1992, and had a total of 142 episodes.... read more

  27. Terror in Resonance

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