Top 20 Most Underappreciated Anime Of All Time

Many fantastic TV series didn’t get the attention they deserved when they originally aired, and they’re still easy to overlook. This list showcases shows with compelling stories, high-quality production, and original concepts that never quite broke into the mainstream. You’ll find insightful science fiction, engaging historical dramas, and gentle, character-driven stories that are well worth watching. Consider this a guide to discovering hidden gems that have been available all along.

‘Kaiba’ (2008)

Directed by Masaaki Yuasa and animated by Madhouse, this sci-fi series centers on a traveler who mysteriously wakes up with amnesia in a futuristic world where people can transfer their consciousness into different bodies. The show, with its simple art style, delves into themes of identity, social class, and the buying and selling of memories. It’s a complete story told across 12 episodes.

‘Den-noh Coil’ (2007)

This 26-episode series, created by Mitsuo Iso, is set in a future town where augmented reality is everywhere. The story follows children who discover strange glitches, forgotten information, and local myths that start to affect their everyday lives. It’s a blend of mystery and technology, built on a detailed and immersive world, and it fully resolves its central storyline.

‘Planetes’ (2003–2004)

This 26-episode series, created by Sunrise and adapted from Makoto Yukimura’s manga, centers on a team that collects space debris in Earth orbit. It stands out for its realistic portrayal of space work, focusing on the practical challenges and engineering details. The show explores the characters’ professional lives, the pressures of working for a corporation, and the personal sacrifices they make to achieve their goals, all while maintaining a strong commitment to scientific accuracy.

‘Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit’ (2007)

This fantasy anime, created by Production I.G and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, follows a skilled female bodyguard who is tasked with protecting a prince burdened by a powerful, ancient spirit. They are both on the run from those seeking to control or harm them. The show takes its time exploring the world, its unique cultures, and local legends over its 26 episodes.

‘Haibane Renmei’ (2002–2003)

Haibane, created by Yoshitoshi ABe, is a thoughtful series set in a walled town inhabited by beings with halos. Over 13 episodes, it explores themes of community, guilt, and finding forgiveness through the characters’ everyday lives. The show’s peaceful but slightly unsettling atmosphere is enhanced by its music and sound design.

‘Texhnolyze’ (2003)

This dark and dramatic series, created by Madhouse, takes place in a crumbling city hidden underground, where different groups are constantly fighting for control. The story follows a skilled fighter with artificial limbs who finds himself caught in a web of political intrigue and forced to confront big questions about life. The show relies heavily on its visuals and mood, with minimal dialogue, and consists of 22 episodes that conclude with a clear resolution.

‘Now and Then, Here and There’ (1999–2000)

This 13-episode anime, created by AIC and directed by Akitaro Daichi, transports a boy to a desert world ravaged by war. It tackles difficult themes like child soldiers, limited resources, and oppressive government with a direct and honest approach. The story centers on the struggle to survive, the importance of understanding others, and making tough decisions when everything is on the line.

‘Kaiji’ (2007–2011)

This anime, based on a manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto and produced by Madhouse, centers around a wandering gambler who gets involved in intense, high-pressure games. Unlike typical action-packed gambling stories, this series focuses on the mental strategies, how players interact, and the sheer stress of each game. The unique, sharp-edged art style perfectly complements the show’s anxious and desperate atmosphere. The complete story is told across two seasons, totaling 52 episodes.

‘Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo’ (2004–2005)

Okay, so Gonzo’s taken a classic story and really thrown it forward in time, placing it amongst a super-stylish, futuristic aristocracy. Visually, it’s striking – they’ve gone all-in on digital effects, layering textures and patterns to create a really unique look. The plot centers on money, broken promises, and incredibly complex schemes for payback, all unfolding amongst the Parisian upper class. And the best part? It’s a full 24 episodes, but don’t worry, everything gets wrapped up nicely in the end. It’s a satisfying watch!

‘Mononoke’ (2007)

This animated anthology series from Toei Animation follows a wandering exorcist called the Medicine Seller. Each story explores a spirit created by intense human feelings, solved through investigation and careful observation. The show has a unique visual style, inspired by classic art and using creative camera angles. It consists of 12 episodes, each presenting a complete, standalone case.

‘House of Five Leaves’ (2010)

This 12-episode anime, created by Manglobe, is a historical drama about a shy samurai who falls in with a group that kidnaps people for money. It’s a story about the bonds they form, what it means to be a criminal, and life in old Japan. The show takes its time, focusing on developing the characters and building a subtle sense of suspense.

‘The Eccentric Family’ (2013–2015)

This animated series, created by P.A. Works and inspired by Tomihiko Morimi’s novel, is set in modern Kyoto and features a mix of humans and mythical creatures like tanuki and tengu. It beautifully combines family drama, traditional festivals, and recognizable city locations with Japanese folklore. The show is praised for its loving depiction of Kyoto and its complex, well-developed characters. Over two seasons, it tells a complete story spanning multiple generations.

‘Time of Eve’ (2008–2009)

Yasuhiro Yoshiura directed this story, which started as a series of short online episodes before being released as a complete film. It’s set in a cafe where humans and androids mingle, and each encounter explores the unwritten rules and hidden biases surrounding robots and their place in society. The main storyline unfolds over six episodes.

‘Space Brothers’ (2012–2014)

This series, created by A 1 Pictures, tells the story of two siblings pursuing their dreams of becoming astronauts. Over 99 episodes, it realistically portrays the rigorous process – from studying and training to working with international teams – mirroring how real space agencies operate. The show focuses on their consistent progress and development as professionals.

‘Silver Spoon’ (2013–2014)

The creator of the popular series ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ brings us a heartwarming school drama set at a high school focused on agriculture in Hokkaido. The show follows students as they learn everything about farming – from raising animals and growing crops, to understanding the business side of food production. It portrays farming life with realism and attention to detail, covering the first major storylines from the original manga across two seasons.

‘Girls’ Last Tour’ (2017)

As a huge anime fan, I recently checked out this series from White Fox, and it really stuck with me. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where we follow two girls as they journey through these eerily empty, abandoned industrial cities. What’s fascinating is how the show builds its world – it’s all about the practical stuff like how they get food, what machines are still working, and little hints about what life used to be like. Each episode is a mix of them just trying to survive day-to-day and uncovering bits and pieces of the past, especially about the technology that existed before. It’s 12 episodes long and faithfully adapts some of the most important parts of the original manga.

‘Aoi Bungaku Series’ (2009)

This collection reimagines famous works of Japanese literature, with each story directed by a different filmmaker and brought to life with a unique visual style. Featuring stories based on writings by Osamu Dazai and other celebrated authors, the series consists of twelve episodes that can be enjoyed individually or as part of shorter story arcs.

‘The Beast Player Erin’ (2009–2010)

Okay, so I just finished watching this amazing fantasy series! It’s based on novels and follows a girl named Erin as she grows up learning about and taking care of these incredible, powerful creatures. What I really loved is that it’s not just about cool monsters; it digs into how we treat animals, how governments use power, and the importance of keeping nature in balance. It originally aired on NHK and somehow manages to be something the whole family can enjoy without feeling dumbed down. It’s a pretty long watch – 50 episodes total – but it’s totally worth it to see Erin’s journey from a kid to an adult.

‘Bokurano’ (2007)

As a huge fan of the genre, I was really intrigued by ‘Gonzo’ – it takes a fresh look at the classic giant robot story. It’s based on Mohiro Kitoh’s work and focuses on a group of kids who are piloting these mechs, but it’s not just about the action. It really digs into the emotional toll these battles take on them – things like consent, keeping secrets, and how it affects their families. The whole story unfolds over 24 episodes and thankfully, it actually wraps up the main conflict, which is always satisfying!

‘Hyouge Mono’ (2011–2012)

This animated series, created by Bee Train, takes place during Japan’s Sengoku period and explores the world of tea ceremony, art, and politics. It centers on Furuta Oribe and his journey through ambition and loyalty, with a detailed look at tea utensils, pottery, and the principles of wabi sabi. The show is 39 episodes long and covers a large part of the original manga.

Share the overlooked gems you would add to the list in the comments.

2025-11-05 02:23