Summary
Many tremendousanimeout there are killing in terms of its fan reception, overall quality, and sheer popularity.While these anime are all exceptional,they are all relatively well-known and have reached a staggering number of people, placing them in a league of their own.
But what about the lesser-known gems that deserve the same level of attention and praise but have been passed over by fans who would otherwise love them? There is a great deal of underrated and underappreciated anime out there that are certified bangers, begging to be binged and talked about, and we aim to highlight some of them here!
Streaming
Kicking our list off, we have Ergo Proxy, a cyberpunk thriller set in a post-apocalyptic world that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout its 23 episodes.
This anime follows Re-L, who begins the story as an investigator for the Intelligence Bureau of Romdeau before a series of unfortunate events has her start uncovering the mysteries of Proxies, having her team up with members outside the controlled walled of Romdeau, leading to a path of chaos, sorrow, and answers.
If you have yet to tackle Ergo Proxy, we cannot recommend it enough, especially as it is one of the few psychological thrillers in the space that delivers from start to finish, giving a satisfactory ending and lots of discussion to chew on and join afterward!
From the New World is our next entry. Many viewers may have started and quit out on it far too early because the first several episodes are pure world-building and character development. But believe us when we say that it is worth sitting through, as everything after is worth all that buildup.
This is one of those anime that you will either love unconditionally or absolutely despise after you roll its credits and no in-between. From the New World offers some of the deepest and darkest moments in the series, making some of its moments genuinely hard to watch or get through.
However, all of that is worth it, as you will feel immersed and just as uneasy and on edge as the characters do, making the payoffs and execution feel earned and impactful. If you’re a fan of dystopian thrillers, then From the New World is made for you!
Do you need another underrated post-apocalyptic anime? Casshern Sins is here to give you more of that and then some in its digestible 24 episodes.
Casshern Sins takes place in a distant future where Earth has been eradicated of humanity, leaving only sentient robots who were promised immortality behind. However, after a girl named Luna passes on, they begin rusting, leaving them to contemplate their deaths.
Thus enters Casshern, our main protagonist, who is rumored to be the savior of the robots, and wakes with no memories, pressing forward in a sea of death and mystery, striving to find answers, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in this premise!
Time to shift gears from all the death and destruction to shine a bright light on Space Patrol Luluco,which is likely one of Studio Trigger’s lesser-known works,that is an absolute banger and must-watch.
Despite each episode only running for a measly seven minutes on average, its 13 episodes are nothing but pure fun and joy, offering some of the prettiest animation and use of colors you could imagine on top of it all.
Space Patrol Luluco is fun, chaotic, action-packed, and jolly. And, thanks to its very short runtime, you can get through all of its episodes in a little over an hour, making it the perfect show to binge and fall in love with!
Kaze no Stigma rolls in next, offering your typical action/romance set in a fantasy world. While it doesn’t provide much of anything new regarding this formula, the overall story and adventure are worth following if you’re a fan of this genre.
Kazuma Kannagi is this tale’s main protagonist, who can control the wind, making for excellent combat encounters and character development. As you progress through the story, you will uncover more secrets of Kazuma’s troubled past, making for endearing and grounded moments.
Again, Kaze no Stigma is largely on par for the course of this type of story, but what’s here is solid and worthy of your attention if you are a fan of these types of anime and had it fall under your radar!
Looking for another dark fantasy magical anime that isn’t Madoka Magica? While Yuki Yuna is a Hero isn’t nearly as traumatic as that, it is a phenomenal entry in the genre, making it worth watching if you’re a die-hard fan of the genre or want a good jumping-on point.
With three seasons, you can sit back and binge through many episodes if you have yet to watch this hidden masterpiece. If you like an adorable slice-of-life with a dark twist looming on the horizon and excellent animation and combat sequences, this one is for you.
Furthermore, the OST for Yuki Yuna is a Hero is composed by Keiichi Okabe, whom you may recognize from theNierseries and the recently releasedStellar Blade. And, as you may have guessed, his music helps heighten and punctuate massive moments in the show for added emotional pain and triumph!
We’re back on the post-apocalyptic, dystopian, dark fantasy grind with Wolf’s Rain, arguably the grandfather of hidden gems in anime. If you’re a fan of more abstract and convoluted tales, it offers one of the best-told stories in the space.
Additionally, the animation for Wolf’s Rain is spectacular and has a killer soundtrack to go along with it, thanks to Yoko Kanno, whom you may be familiar with if you’ve watched Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell.
If you’re up for another dark and sad tale, then Wolf’s Rain will give you just what you asked for and more. It is one of the most profound and thorough stories, and we cannot believe it’s not more known than it is!
Airing not all too long ago in 2020, Somali and the Forest Spirit was brilliantly adapted by Satelights and Hornets, bringing the tale of Golem and Somali to life with stunning visuals and animation.
If you’re a fan of shows like Spy x Family, The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting, and Buddy Daddies, you must give Somali and the Forest Spirit a go. It is one of the best ‘parent/child’ anime out there, especially if you like drama, fantasy, and adventure.
Somali and the Forest Spirit’s premise pits humans as a delicacy, but when Golem stumbles upon Somali, he is immediately enraptured by her pure enthusiasm, having him take her under his wing, kicking off their adorable journey together!
The Beast Player Erin is likely our most unique show on this list, and that’s primarily due to how unexpected it is, not only in its plot but also how emotionally invested you get from the jump and how much joy and sorrow it will make you feel with its beautifully impactful moments.
If you were expecting a magical girl type story or a more action-focused one, you are off the mark. The Beast Player Erin is more of a slice-of-life drama than anything, and they flawlessly execute that vibe and atmosphere.
Experiencing the ups and downs of Erin’s life is raw and poignant, giving you a wave of emotions through its 50 episodes that will keep you locked in and engaged, ready to bawl your eyes out from the sheer sadness or happiness unfolding on the screen before you. Do not sleep on this masterpiece!
Closing our list is Made in Abyss, which is likely the most popular anime on this list but is still grossly underrated in the grand scheme of things. With nothing but darkness, despair, and hope, Made in Abyss is one of the best dark fantasy adventures you may go on.
Made in Abyss follows Riko, an orphaned girl who is determined to travel to the bottom of the Abyss to find her mother, seeing nothing but horrors, death, and despair on her way down. However, within the darkness of the Abyss is sheer beauty, hope, and some of the most breathtaking moments in anime.
We seriously cannot recommend Made in Abyss enough. Even if it is one of the more popular of the unpopular, we still wanted to give it the spotlight and attention it deserves. If you haven’t yet, stop what you’re doing and watch some Made in Abyss!
