Top 20 underrated anime
- Qiu Shi
- Mar 21, 2019
- 13 min read
Updated: Mar 23, 2019
Even with so many lists out there, I have yet seen a proper list that truly include animes that are "underrated" and unknown. Which is why I decided to put together my own list of amazing series that more people need to know of.
1. March comes like a lion (2017)
This is one of the most popular anime I have in my list, hence I decided to put it first. The art style in this anime is utterly adorable and the story had this sort of sweet and sour taste to it that made me crave more.
The series is set in Tokyo, following the everyday life of a 17-year-old shōgi player, Rei. After losing his parents in a traffic accident, he drowns himself in playing shōgi for it is the only thing he knows how to do. Its a sad yet heartwarming scene to see a young man live alone in his lonely apartment, feeling empty and lost until he reconnects with the vibrant people around him. As he stumbles around awkwardly trying to sort out his own problems, he found solace with a small yet tightly knitted family, the Kawamotos. The sweet family helped him through his issues while he influences them as well.
2. Hanasaku Iroha (2011)
Another slice-of-life anime which I absolutely love is Hanasaku Iroha. For how well done the anime was, I was surprised it was aired in 2011. Art style is important to me and this anime did not disappoint.
Hanasaku Iroha centers around Ohana Matsumae, a 16-year-old living in Tokyo, who is left in the care of her estranged grandmother, following her mother's elopement with her boyfriend. Ohana arrives at her grandmother's country estate to realize she is the owner of a Taishō period hot spring inn called Kissuisō. She begins working at Kissuisō at her grandmother's request, but finds herself at odds with many employees and customers at the inn. Despite the many difficulty faced, Ohana faced them all head-on without being discouraged. This led to her discovering more about herself and her own dreams as well as building a closer relationship with the other members of the inn.
3. Irozuku: The world in colours (2018)
This anime's art was absolutely gorgeous. I fell in love with how magical and soft the show was. The characters are sweet and easy to dote on.
Despite the kaleidoscopic magic ingrained in everyday life, a monochrome world deprived of emotion and feeling is reflected in Hitomi's eyes. On a night as dull as any other, amidst the fireworks spreading across the sky, Hitomi's grandmother Kohaku conjures a spell, for which she has spent 60 years to create, to send Hitomi back in time to when Kohaku was in high school. There she meets an artist who brings colour back to her world. Its a melancholic but saccharine tale of love and hope.
4. Yozakura Quartet (2013)
This image is owned by Zeiphyr, Zerochan. https://www.zerochan.net/2005350
The supernatural abilities of those characters are unique and interesting. This anime was one of the first few I have watched and I was immediately addicted.
The world of Yozakura Quartet is actually not one, but two worlds: one of humans, and one of youkai. Despite appearing mostly human, youkai may have animal like physical traits, along with a number of special abilities. Normally youkai are confined to their world, but some have found their way into the realm of humanity. As a symbol of peace, and a bridge between the two realms, a city was constructed within the protective barrier of seven magical trees, otherwise known as the Seven Pillars. This city of Sakurashin is home to both humans and youkai, with the peace between them maintained by the Hizumi Life Counseling Office.
The director of this office is Akina Hiizumi, a teenager with the inherited family ability to perform “tuning,” which can send harmful youkai back to their world permanently. He is aided by a group of girls, including the town’s 16 year old youkai mayor, Hime Yarizakura, their town’s announcer and resident telepath, Ao Nanami, and Kotoha Isone, a half-youkai who can summon objects just by stating the object’s name. (Synopsis from Myanimelist)
5. Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation
This image is owned by Trickster of Thieves, Zerochan. https://www.zerochan.net/1687456
The main character, Sakurano Kujo is the very definition of cool beauty. Smart is the new sexy. The way she solves mystery makes my inner fangirl go wild. She is girl-crush No. 1!
Sakurako Kujō is a genius beauty in her mid-twenties who is utterly obsessed with bones. With little tolerance for others, she lives her life isolated in her study full of skeletons with the exception of a worrywart high school boy, Shotaro. Why exactly she has taken a shine to him remains a mystery, but one thing is clear: whenever the two go out together, the chances are high that they will come across a human corpse.
The two unlikely partners then work together to show in their own way that bones can tell how one died. Though, how one had lived can only be told by those still alive. It is a story shrouded in mystery upon mystery which leaves you at the edge of your seat.
Its such a good show that I am still waiting for a second season.
6. Gatchaman Crowds (2013)
The art style of this anime is odd but it slowly become addicting. I was drawn in by the main character's personality and from there I was hooked. I usually avoid sci-fi but I would make an exception for this anime.
Hajime Ichinose's ordinary life is in for a change when a transcendent being named J.J Robinson hands her a small book called NOTE—a device which transforms her into one of the Gatchaman, the legendary protectors of Tachikawa City. Stressing that the existence of their group must remain a secret, fellow Gatchaman Sugane Tachibana takes Hajime to their base of operations, where Paiman, the panda-like alien leader of the Gatchaman, reveals their purpose: to eliminate aliens that pose a danger to humanity. These existential threats, called MESS, are becoming increasingly dangerous, destroying everything they touch. Now it's up to the Gatchaman and their new recruit to stop them before the world is engulfed in chaos.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
7. Children of the Whales (2018)
I first found this anime on Netflix so I watched it with dubbing. It was truly regretful because I do prefer Japanese voice acting. The show is pretty good in my opinion, considering the fact that I watched through the whole thing despite the characters speaking in dub. The main character's face being adorable may or may not have influenced me though...
The story focuses on a boy called Chakuro, who lives on a giant vessel called a Mud Whale that drifts over the sea of sand. In the Mud Whale, society is divided into two kinds of people: the Marked, who can move objects with their minds using a strange power called "thymia", at the expense of shortened lifespans, and the Unmarked, people who lack thymia but enjoy longer lifespans. Chakuro and his friends have never seen anyone from the outside world, and they spend their days yearning to explore and learn about it. In year 93 of the vessel's exile, the Mud Whale encounters a lonely island and Chakuro finds a girl inside, starting an adventure that changes the lives of everyone. (Synopsis from Wikipedia)
8. Cuticle Detective Inaba (2013)
There aren't many synopsis that can explain this anime properly, so let me try. It is a mix of bl (yaoi or...gay if you really don't know), comedy, and cuteness. If there is a perfect mix of Acchi Kochi cuteness, Danshi Koukosei no Nichijou's cheap yet greatly amusing jokes, and the kind of BL that toes the line to the max, this anime would be it.
However for the those who still don't understand and aren't convinced, here is the synopsis.
In a world where half-human, half-animal chimeras live and work alongside normal people, there are sure to be a few bad apples in the bunch. Unfortunately, half-human criminals means non-human clues that often leave the police stumped. That's where lone wolf detectives like Hiroshi Inaba come in. He's literally part wolf and has the amazing ability to extract critical information just by examining or tasting a sample of someone's hair! Of course, that ability has also resulted in Inaba having a little bit of a hair fetish, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for his two assistants. (Well, at least the cross-dressing one isn't complaining much.) And it's nothing compared to the strange tastes of Inaba's nemesis, the omnivorous (and half goat) crime boss Don Valentino, who has an appetite for green legal tender instead of tender young greens!
(Source: Sentai Filmworks)
9. Servant x Service (2013)
If Italy from Hetalia has a human character, it will be the male lead. The female lead is an airhead, workaholic, basically Germany (Hetalia) reincarnated. Its no wonder I ship this couple to the max.
Frustrating, insufficient, and irritating is how most citizens would describe civil servants. However, three new employees are about to discover what really happens behind the scenes. Lucy Yamagami, bent on revenge against the civil servant who allowed her comically long name to be put on her birth certificate; Yutaka Hasebe, an easygoing guy always on the lookout for a place to slack off; and Saya Miyoshi, a nervous first-time worker, are about to experience the underwhelming satisfaction of being government employees. (Synopsis from Kissanime)
10. No-Rin (2014)
If you are in the mood for comedy, romance and fluff, I would 100% recommend this anime. The 'boke' and 'tsukkomi' is well done and the romance in this anime may seem a little cliche but it gives you the kind of satisfaction that a typical Disney romance movie will provide.
The sudden retirement of the famous idol Yuka Kusakabe from the entertainment business shocks the world and devastates her biggest fan, a teenager named Kosaku Hata. His classmates at the Tamo Agriculture School manage to get him out of his depression and bring him out of his room to attend his classes. However, as he does, Kusakabe enters their class under the name Ringo Kinoshita as a transfer student. Kosaku realizes he has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to personally know his dream girl. With his group of friends, and under the persuasion of his teacher, he tries to find out why she came to the agricultural school and become more than just classmates. (Synopsis from Wikipedia)
11. Log Horizon (2011)
The reason I included this anime despite it being not as obscure is because of its more popular counterpart, Sword Art Online. The 2 anime start out the same, with real-life people being sucked into a game where they cannot escape but as the story progresses, I begin to love Log Horizon more. To be fair, I am weak to smart characters and the brilliance of the main character made it impossible for me to resist...
In the blink of an eye, thirty thousand bewildered Japanese gamers are whisked from their everyday lives into the world of the popular MMORPG, Elder Tale, after the game's latest update—unable to log out. Among them is the socially awkward college student Shiroe, whose confusion and shock lasts only a moment as, a veteran of the game, he immediately sets out to explore the limits of his new reality.
Shiroe must learn to live in this new world, leading others and negotiating with the NPC "natives" in order to bring stability to the virtual city of Akihabara. He is joined by his unfortunate friend Naotsugu, having logged in for the first time in years only to find himself trapped, and Akatsuki, a petite but fierce assassin who labels Shiroe as her master. A tale of fantasy, adventure, and politics, Log Horizon explores the elements of gaming through the eyes of a master strategist who attempts to make the best of a puzzling situation.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
12. Princess Principal (2017)
If you are interested in Old England, Steampunk and badass girls, this anime should check all boxes. I really enjoyed watching the good art style and mysterious storyline.
In the early 20th century, the discovery of the substance Cavorite allowed the production of advanced military technology and steered the country toward conflict. London is now divided by a wall, and the Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Albion battle a silent war where espionage is the only weapon that can destabilize the enemy. A group of girls from the prestigious Queen's Mayfaire school work as undercover spies for the Commonwealth.
Led by Dorothy, an experienced driver with a striking personality, their group includes the talents of Ange le Carré, a cold-blooded liar and expert sharpshooter; Chise, a proficient samurai; and Beatrice, a voice-mimicking specialist. They use their unique individual skills for the Commonwealth to survive in a dark world filled with conspiracy, mystery, and infiltration. In the shadow of the war, they have only one goal in mind: completing their mission.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
13. Gakkou Gurashi (2015)
If Puella Madoka is your thing...
This anime is equally as messed up...
It basically revolves around a club which consists of the president Yuuri Wakasa, the athletic Kurumi Ebisuzawa, the mature junior Miki Naoki, the supervising teacher Megumi Sakura, and the club dog Taroumaru, that prides itself on making the most of life at school. However, this illusion of endless bliss is just a bubble waiting to be burst because in reality, the girls are in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and have barricaded themselves inside the school as the sole survivors. Takeya Yuki, the anime's main character is a girl who had managed to delude herself to seeing an imaginary world where everyone is still alive. In order to protect Yuki, the club members work together to keep the illusion alive...But for how long more can that last?
14. Death Parade (2015)
After death, there is no heaven or hell, only a bar that stands between reincarnation and oblivion. There the attendant will, one after another, challenge pairs of the recently deceased to a random game in which their fate of either ascending into reincarnation or falling into the void will be wagered. Whether it's bowling, darts, air hockey, or anything in between, each person's true nature will be revealed in a ghastly parade of death and memories, dancing to the whims of the bar's master.
15. Caligula (2018)
The art in this is amazing and so is the song. I fell for the animation which led me to become hooked onto the story.
Mobius is a perfect digital world for the imagined benefit of humanity by μ, a virtual idol program that attained sentience and self-awareness. Only humans who are suffering in the real world and strongly relate to μ's songs are lured into Mobius.
Once they enter, people often forget that the real world exists. Regardless of age or gender, they are turned into students and forced to experience school life over and over, which μ considers "the most radiant time in a person's life."
16. Kiznaiver (2016)
If you enjoyed the animation of Kill La Kill, this will be right up your alley!
Katsuhira Agata is a quiet and reserved teenage boy whose sense of pain has all but vanished. His friend, Chidori Takashiro, can only faintly remember the days before Katsuhira had undergone this profound change. Now, his muffled and complacent demeanor make Katsuhira a constant target for bullies, who exploit him for egregious sums of money. But their fists only just manage to make him blink, as even emotions are far from his grasp.
However, one day Katsuhira, Chidori, and four other teenagers are abducted and forced to join the Kizuna System as official "Kiznaivers." Those taking part are connected through pain: if one member is injured, the others will feel an equal amount of agony. These individuals must become the lab rats and scapegoats of an incomplete system designed with world peace in mind. With their fates literally intertwined, the Kiznaivers must expose their true selves to each other, or risk failing much more than just the Kizuna System.
17. GJ-Bu (2013)
If Toradora was good, this will be your next favourite anime!
Shinomiya Kyōya is forced to become a new member of the GJ-bu (lit. GJ Club), an unidentified club that dwells in a room of the former building of a certain school. There he meets four girls: Mao, Megumi, Shion and Kirara. Time flies with these unique girls around. The series follows the everyday, though unusual, antics of this band of friends. (Synopsis by Wikipedia)
18. Working!! (2010)
Yet another slice-of-life, love comedy...
Due to his love for small, cute things, Souta Takanashi cannot turn childlike Popura Taneshima down when she recruits him to work for Wagnaria, a family restaurant located in Hokkaido. Takanashi takes particular joy in doting on the older Popura, which only fuels her complex over how young she looks. He also quickly learns he must stay on his toes once he meets the rest of his colleagues, including the katana-wielding floor chief Yachiyo Todoroki, the intimidating head chef Jun Satou, the dangerously well-informed and subtly sadistic sous chef Hiroomi Souma, the adamantly lazy manager Kyouko Shirafuji, and the waitress Mahiru Inami who has a "painful" fear of men.
Powered by an eccentric cast, Working!! is a unique workplace comedy that follows the never-dull happenings within the walls of Wagnaria as Takanashi and his co-workers' quirky personalities combine to create non-stop antics, shenanigans, and hilarity.
19. Flying Witch (2016)
I may have a bias for slice-of-life but hear me out. This one is really good!
In the witches' tradition, when a practitioner turns 15, they must become independent and leave their home to study witchcraft. Makoto Kowata is one such apprentice witch who leaves her parents' home in Yokohama in pursuit of knowledge and training. Along with her companion Chito, a black cat familiar, they embark on a journey to Aomori, a region favored by witches due to its abundance of nature and affinity with magic. They begin their new life by living with Makoto's second cousins, Kei Kuramoto and his little sister Chinatsu.
While Makoto may seem to be attending high school like any other teenager, her whimsical and eccentric involvement with witchcraft sets her apart from others her age. From her encounter with an anthropomorphic dog fortune teller to the peculiar magic training she receives from her older sister Akane, Makoto's peaceful everyday life is filled with the idiosyncrasies of witchcraft that she shares with her friends and family.
20. A Place Further than the Universe (2018)
Can you imagine being able to go to the edge of the world, Antarctica at age 16? Well these girls did it. It was such a wonderful journey to see how these brave teenagers overcome all odds and paved the road to Antarctica. This is truly a special story and I felt utterly inspired at the end of the series.
Mari Tamaki is a second-year high school student who wants to make the most out of her youth but is usually too afraid to do so. One day, she meets Shirase Kobuchizawa, a girl who has been saving up to travel to Antarctica, where her mother disappeared three years ago. Joined by two other girls, Hinata Miyake and Yuzuki Shiraishi, they join an expedition headed towards the Antarctic.
(Synopsis by Wikipedia)
Special mentions: Laid-Back Camp
Not that this anime was worse than the others listed, it is just...20 is such a nice whole number hehe.
While the perfect getaway for most girls her age might be a fancy vacation with their loved ones, Rin Shima's ideal way of spending her days off is camping alone at the base of Mount Fuji. From pitching her tent to gathering firewood, she has always done everything by herself, and has no plans of leaving her little solitary world.
However, what starts off as one of Rin's usual camping sessions somehow ends up as a surprise get-together for two when the lost Nadeshiko Kagamihara is forced to take refuge at her campsite. Originally intending to see the picturesque view of Mount Fuji for herself, Nadeshiko's plans are disrupted when she ends up falling asleep partway to her destination. Alone and with no other choice, she seeks help from the only other person nearby. Despite their hasty introductions, the two girls nevertheless enjoy the chilly night together, eating ramen and conversing while the campfire keeps them warm. And even after Nadeshiko's sister finally picks her up later that night, both girls silently ponder the possibility of another camping trip together.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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