The Best Underrated Anime Perfect for Your Next Watch

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Anime expert Cedric Han shares his favorite hidden-gem anime
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Have you ever found an anime you adored, but no one talked about it? We wanted to round up the best hidden gems in the anime fandom so everyone can share the love. But we know “underrated” can be a controversial term—so for this article, we partnered with an anime expert to help us explore shows that don’t get quite as much mainstream attention as they deserve. Ready to come along for the ride? Let’s get started!

What are the most underrated anime?

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An illustration listing some of the best underrated anime series.

Anime expert Cedric Han says his favorite underrated anime are Mishishi, Skip and Loafer, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, and Sarazanmai. Other popular anime fan choices include World Trigger, Death Parade, Blood Blockade Battlefront, xxxHOLiC, and Summer Time Rendering.

1

World Trigger

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  1. World Trigger is a shonen anime that follows a group called Border as they try to protect the world from aliens called neighbors that enter the world through a portal. The main characters are Osamu Mikumo, Yuma Kuga, and Chika Amatori, who work hard to climb the Border ranks. The series is fantastic, especially because of the careful world-building that makes it so deliberately realistic.
    • Release Year: 2014
    • MAL Rating: 7.58
    • What fans are saying: One Redditor theorizes that World Trigger isn’t as popular as it could be because of the inconsistent publishing schedule (due to the manga creator’s health problems), slow first season, and underdog protagonist.

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Cedric Han, who goes by Sedg Hog online, is an anime expert and content creator. He has been researching and creating content about anime for 4 years.

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2

Death Parade

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  1. Death Parade is a 12-episode anime that explores Quindecim, a realm in the afterlife. As people’s souls arrive in Quindecim, they’re made to participate in games—and as they reveal their pasts, judges decide whether they should be reincarnated or sent to the “void.”[1] The sleek visual styling and upbeat score make this a true masterpiece.
    • Release Year: 2015
    • MAL Rating: 8.13
    • What fans are saying: As one Redditor points out, “This show is built on style. Even some of the most hackneyed scenarios presented are rendered interesting, or at least enjoyable, by the visual and musical flair lavished on them.”
3

Blood Blockade Battlefront

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  1. Blood Blockade Battlefront is an anime set in Hellsalem’s Lot, which is basically a monster-infested NYC. The main character is Leonardo Watch, a reporter who works with a crime-fighting group called Libra. It’s detailed, fast-paced, and stylish, with exciting monster fights and excellent animation. It’s not exactly unpopular, but we still think it should have a bigger fanbase.[2]
    • Release Year: 2015
    • MAL Rating: 7.59
    • What fans are saying: YouTuber kamalu sums it up by saying, “This is animated so crazily well. Everything looks so cool, and the entire world looks hellish … It has this Gothic City Vibe and it is incredible to watch.”
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4

xxxHOLiC

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  1. xxxHOLiC is based on the CLAMP manga of the same name. It’s about a boy named Watanuki Kimihiro who can (reluctantly) see spirits. He meets Yuko Ichihara, a witch, who tells Watanuki she’ll grant his wish to stop seeing spirits, but he must work part-time in her shop to pay her fees. As he works there, he learns more about the magical world of the underground.[3]
    • Release Year: 2006
    • MAL Rating: 7.98
    • What fans are saying: There’s a whole Reddit thread debating whether xxxHOLic is underrated!
5

Summer Time Rendering

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  1. Summer Time Rendering is a smart, fast-paced sci-fi series. The anime follows Shinpei as he heads back to his hometown for the funeral of his close childhood friend. Just as he starts to suspect foul play, he wakes up at the start of the previous day. The twists and turns are fun, and Shinpei is a smart, sympathetic main character. We’ll say this one is more underwatched than underrated.[4]
    • Release Year: 2022
    • MAL Rating: 8.46
    • What fans are saying: As one Redditor explains, “People don’t talk about it because it missed its window for discussion while it was airing, since there were no legal streams for it at the time. It just kind of came and went.”
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6

From the New World (Shinsekai Yori)

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  1. Shinsekai Yori is a slow build of a series. It begins by following protagonist Saki Watanabe and her classmates through a beautiful utopia—but as the story gradually unfolds, the audience discovers that all is not as it seems. The careful world-building allows the horror in this show to build gradually, creating an absolutely masterful sense of dread.[5]
    • Release Year: 2012
    • MAL Rating: 8.24
    • What fans are saying: In this TikTok from Silkymochi, the creator recommends Shinsekai Yori, saying, “You grow so attached to these characters because you start out the series with them being kids, and the series ends with them in their 30s.”
7

Mushishi

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  1. According to Han, Mushishi is an underrated anime with a slower pace and an X-Files type of vibe.[6] The anime follows Ginko, a man who spends his life wandering Japan studying Mushi, which are unique elemental creatures. Only certain people can see Mushi, but villagers are often affected by them, and Ginko meets with them to cure them and help them understand what has happened. It’s quietly thoughtful, deeply emotional, and overall just a beautiful story.[7]
    • Release Year: 2005
    • MAL Rating: 8.65
    • What fans are saying: This Reddit post is titled, “Is it just me or is Mushishi severely underrated.” (It’s not just you!)
    • To give you an idea of how unique Mushishi is, Han explains one of the early episodes. It focuses on the idea that when you close your eyes, you don't see total blackness–you see little white dots, and those little white dots are supernatural beings. When Ginko meets someone who only sees total blackness when they close their eyes, he must help them figure out why.[8]
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8

Cross Game

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  1. At first glance, Cross Game is a sports anime about baseball. But the story is really more about the characters and themes like friendship, love, and the weight of expectations. Some people might have slept on this one because of the sports aspect, but it’s a beautiful story that deserves more attention.
    • Release Year: 2009
    • MAL Rating: 8.37
    • What fans are saying: “I found Cross Game to be one of the most unobtrusive sports animes,” says one Redditor. “Yes baseball was the central focus but it felt a lot more natural and developed vs. a lot of the modern sports anime.”
9

Akudama Drive

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  1. Akudama Drive is a unique cyberpunk series that’s set in a criminal society where everyone is expected to do their part. In fact, characters don’t have names—they’re just referred to by profession. It’s fun and flashy, but also explores themes of class warfare and individuality in a really interesting way.[9]
    • Release Year: 2020
    • MAL Rating: 7.56
    • What fans are saying: This TikTok from @blurreddeath_ describes Akudama Drive as “such a peak anime that you finished it in one [sitting].”
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10

86

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  1. 86 isn’t exactly a light-hearted watch, which may be part of the reason it doesn’t have broader mainstream appeal. (That said, it is highly rated among people who’ve watched it.) It explores themes of racism and dehumanization through the eyes of the 86, a race of people who have had their rights taken away. It might be heavy, but it’s deep, meaningful, and all too relevant in today’s world.[10]
    • Release Year: 2021
    • MAL Rating: 8.35
    • What fans are saying: One Redditor explains why they think 86 is underrated: “While [the] fandom is absolutely passionate and we even managed to have few haters, the fandom is small. While the fandom and fans were going nuts on the second half of S1, the general companies and distribution didn’t make much notice of it.”
11

Terror in Resonance (Zankou no Terror)

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  1. Terror in Resonance isn’t for everyone, which is probably why it isn’t more popular. It’s a heavy psychological thriller centered on a domestic terrorism group called Sphinx, who are out for revenge on the government for experimenting on children. But if you’re in the mood for something dark, it’s a really spectacular atmospheric watch.[11]
    • Release Year: 2014
    • MAL Rating: 8.08
    • What fans are saying: TikToker @sscholar.of.ohara included Terror in Resonance on Day 33 of their “100 Days, 100 Underrated Anime” list.
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12

Shiki

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  1. Shiki is a great choice if you’re in the mood for a horror anime. People in the town of Sotoba keep mysteriously dying, just as the Kirishiki family moves to the area. As Toshio Ozaki starts investigating, he discovers that the deaths are caused by vampires called shiki. It’s pretty gory, so it’s not for everyone—but it’s a gem if you’re into that kind of thing.
    • Release Year: 2010
    • MAL Rating: 7.72
    • What fans are saying: One Redditor says that Shiki has “astonishing art for the eyes that really sell the emotions, as well as such an unpredictable story and emotional damage hardcore.”
13

Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers (Rokka No Yuusha)

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  1. Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers starts out looking like it will be an action-adventure series, but it’s actually more of a locked-room whodunit. The way the series plays with the viewer’s expectations is really fun, and the final reveal is satisfying. Unfortunately, it didn’t have great sales, so there probably won’t be any follow-up seasons—but you can always read the light novels!
    • Release Year: 2015
    • MAL Rating: 7.25
    • What fans are saying: One Redditor says, “For such a short show with such a large cast, it did a surprisingly good job of making them all unique and interesting.”
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14

One Outs

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  1. One Outs is another baseball anime. Toua Tokuchi is a pitcher by trade, but a gambler at heart. And when he makes a high-stakes wager, it raises the stakes for every ball he throws. Being a sports anime might have held it back from a larger audience—but that’s a shame, because you don’t need to know anything about the game to get into this psychological story.
    • Release Year: 2008
    • MAL Rating: 8.32
    • What fans are saying: This Reddit thread is titled, “Nomination for Most Underrated anime EVER: One Outs”
15

Ghost Hunt

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  1. Ghost Hunt is about a student named Mai who meets a ghost hunter named Kazuya while he’s investigating paranormal incidents at her school. When Mai starts working as Kazuya’s assistant, she discovers a secretive world of paranormal researchers. There’s only one season—but it feels like a complete story, so it’s worth a watch.
    • Release Year: 2006
    • MAL Rating: 7.74
    • What fans are saying: This Redditor says, “Just finished watching Ghost Hunt and it’s so under rated.”
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16

Future Boy Conan (Mirai Shounen Conan)

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  1. Future Boy Conan is the directorial debut of Hayao Miyazaki, the beloved writer, director, and animator of some of Studio Ghibli’s most well-known movies. It’s a post-apocalyptic story that follows Conan as he tries to rescue his new friend Lana, the only other kid he’s ever met. It’s a story that’s full of heart and hardship, and one that will feel instantly familiar to Miyazaki fans.[12]
    • Release Year: 1978
    • MAL Rating: 8.11
    • What fans are saying: TikToker Rebecca Sugar says that Future Boy Conan is one of her favorite anime of all time.
17

Darker than Black (Kuro no Keiyakusha)

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  1. Darker than Black is a sci-fi series set in a world where mysterious portals have opened—Heaven’s Gate in South America and Hell’s Gate in Tokyo—and the real night sky has been replaced with an artificial one. It’s gritty and dark, with well-written characters and excellent animation. Don’t sleep on this one!
    • Release Year: 2007
    • MAL Rating: 8.04
    • What fans are saying: This Reddit thread puts it simply—”Darker Than Black is criminally underrated.”
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18

Now and Then, Here and There (Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku)

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  1. Now and Then, Here and There is about a sweet boy named Shu who finds himself on a war-torn desert planet, where he attempts to save a blue-haired girl named Lala-Ru from kidnappers. But this isn’t as much an adventure anime as it is a dark look at the horrors of war. It’s a heavy watch, but beautifully done.[13]
    • Release Year: 1999
    • MAL Rating: 7.58
    • What fans are saying: This Redditor says that Now and Then, Here and There “manages to touch upon very dark themes in a very mature and subtle way. It didn’t try to be oppressive or overdone in any way.”
19

Yatagarasu: The Raven Doesn’t Choose Its Master

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  1. Yatagarasu: The Raven Doesn’t Choose Its Master is a stunningly animated political fantasy turned murder-mystery. It follows a villager named Yukiya, who’s chosen to serve as crown prince in the land of Yamauchi, which is ruled by a group of shape-shifting, three-legged ravens. Yatagarasu is a deep story with complex characters and a unique fantasy setting—we’re not sure why more people haven’t seen it!
    • Release Year: 2024
    • MAL Rating: 8.05
    • What fans are saying: “I think the underrated anime of the year is Yatagarasu: The Raven Doesn’t Choose Its Master. A really good anime with an intriguing storyline, great twists, and solid characters,” raves one Redditor.
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20

Last Exile

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  1. Last Exile is a story about two young pilots—Claus and Lavie—who are tasked with bringing a girl named Alvis to a battleship. It’s a gorgeous steampunk dream with a gripping story, celebrated world-building, and characters who are easy to pull for. Give this one a try if you’re looking for an immersive watch that won’t weigh you down.
    • Release Year: 2003
    • MAL Rating: 7.78
    • What fans are saying: This Reddit thread asks, “Why is Last Exile so under-discussed?”
21

Skip and Loafer

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  1. Han says Skip and Loafer is an overlooked gem.[14] The anime follows teenager Mitsumi, a girl from a small town, who moves to Tokyo to attend high school where she must navigate her social anxiety, past insecurities, and new friendships. The show depicts Mitsumi’s experience in a very wholesome and empathetic way. Han says it also portrays teenage students realistically and has excellent trans representation.[15]
    • Release Year: 2018
    • MAL Rating: 8.10
    • What our expert says: Han says Skip and Loafer showcases themes that teenagers often encounter when transitioning into adulthood, like how to live in the moment, be mindful, manage your time, and so on.[16]
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22

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

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  1. Han says this underrated seinen anime follows three high school art students who are trying to make their own animation studio. It explores the intricacies and nuances of animation, providing a realistic look at the difficulties and situations artists encounter.[17] The show features energetic and imaginative sequences where the style shifts into a sketchy, watercolor aesthetic based on what the girls are discussing or creating. Essentially, the girls are pulled right into the world of their designs!
    • Release Year: 2020
    • MAL Rating: 8.13
    • What our expert says: Han says he particularly likes this one because it shows realistic situations in the creative world, which he feels is important in the current age of AI. The show explores the very human side of art that AI may never be able to replicate.[18]
23

Sarazanmai

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  1. Han says Sarazanmai is about three kids who meet a Kappa, which is a creature from Japanese folklore.[19] The Kappa transforms the boys into frog-like creatures who must fight "Kappa-zombies" created by the rival Otter Empire in order to regain their human forms. Han says the show focuses on themes like the importance of memories and the value of human connection. It’s also a quick watch with only 12 episodes.[20]
    • Release Year: 2019
    • MAL Rating: 7.46
    • What our expert says: Han says he also likes Sarazanmai because it focuses on queer themes that resonate and feel relatable to a lot of people.[21]
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24

Honorable Mentions

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  1. We could go on all day about the anime that fans seem to overlook—and while we have to stop somewhere, we couldn’t leave these off the list. Our favorite underrated honorable mentions include:
    • Katanagatari (2010): A boy joins a journey to search for twelve legendary swords called Deviant Blades.
    • Land of the Lustrous (2017): Han says this unique anime explores gender expression, Buddhist themes, and much more.[22] It takes place on a future Earth inhabited by immortal, genderless, humanoid beings called The Lustrous who are physical representations of gemstones.
    • Tale of the Heiki (Heiki Monogatari) (2022): A girl who can see the future and a young man who can see the dead meet against a backdrop of a brewing criminal war.
    • Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007): A boy who hosts a water demon fights to survive in a civilization that’s on the verge of being wiped out by drought.
    • Heavenly Delusions (Tengoku Daimakyou) (2023): Children try to survive in a world filled with man-eating monsters.
    • Haibane Renmei (2002): An angelic being is born from a cocoon and tries to understand her surroundings.
    • Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu (2016): A former criminal trains to become a rakugoka, or comedic storyteller.
    • s.CRY.ed (2001): A boy named Kazuma uses his special gifts to stand against an organization called HOLY.
    • Ghost Hound (Shinereigari) (2007): Three children learn to travel to the “Unseen World,” where they can see ghosts.
    • Love Flops (Renai Flops) (2022): A harem comedy with a surprisingly emotional story.
    • The Eccentric Family (Uchouten Kazoku) (2013): Follows a shapeshifting family in modern-day Japan.

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.thepopverse.com/best-underrated-anime-shows-crunchyroll-cautious-hero-death-parade-86-my-first-girlfriend-is-a-gal
  2. ↑ https://www.cbr.com/most-underrated-new-gen-anime-must-watch-now/
  3. ↑ https://xxxholic.fandom.com/wiki/XxxHOLiC
  4. ↑ https://www.ign.com/articles/summer-time-rendering-full-season-review
  5. ↑ https://www.cbr.com/best-written-anime-series-set-gold-standard/
  6. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://sabukaru.online/articles/mushishi-the-most-beautiful-anime-ever-made
  8. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://www.cbr.com/modern-cyberpunk-anime-series-for-new-fans/
  1. ↑ https://www.thepopverse.com/best-underrated-anime-shows-crunchyroll-cautious-hero-death-parade-86-my-first-girlfriend-is-a-gal
  2. ↑ https://www.cbr.com/anime-that-proved-fans-wrong/
  3. ↑ https://www.cbr.com/hayao-miyazaki-best-work-future-boy-conan-anime-series/
  4. ↑ https://myanimelist.net/anime/160/Ima_Soko_ni_Iru_Boku
  5. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  10. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  11. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  12. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview
  13. ↑ Cedric Han. Anime and Manga Expert. Expert Interview

About This Article

Cedric Han
Co-authored by:
Cedric Han
Anime and Manga Expert
This article was co-authored by Cedric Han and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger, BA. Cedric Han is an anime and manga expert based in Los Angeles, CA. For the past 4 years, Cedric has been an anime-based content creator delving into the deeper moral, psychological, and cultural influences of anime. From examining hidden political commentary to highlighting queer characters across the medium, Cedric shares his insightful analysis with more than 400k followers across platforms.
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Co-authors: 2
Updated: August 26, 2026
Categories: Anime
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