Day by day, anime’s popularity soars, as streaming services facilitate viewing content originating globally. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals are immersing themselves in the expansive universe of anime.
On the other hand, despite popular series such as Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen being the talk of the town, there are numerous underrated anime gems that often slip beneath our radar.
Certain titles boast distinctive narratives or exceptional visuals, but often fail to garner the acclaim they rightfully earn. Perhaps they were eclipsed by more prominent launches or failed to capture a broad viewership, these undervalued masterpieces merit your attention. Here’s a list of 10 animated series that deserve greater recognition.
10. Cells at Work!
Battle Inside Your Body
Have you ever pondered about the internal activities happening in your body when you get a cold? This extraordinary anime provides an exciting exploration through the human body, where red and white blood cells are not merely microscopic beings; instead, they’re well-developed characters with distinct personalities and engaging backstories.
The tale unfolds around AE3803, a sprightly and accident-prone cell responsible for circulating oxygen across the body, and U-1146, a tenacious guardian constantly on the lookout for intruding pathogens. Accompanying them are the Platelets, miniature yet charming builders, who mend injuries, while the Killer T Cells act as formidable warriors, swiftly dealing with potential dangers.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at what makes Cells at Work! truly exceptional – the masterful blend of enlightenment and excitement. It transforms intricate biological processes into pulse-pounding conflicts, turning something as formidable as cancer into an electrifying showdown against a captivating antagonist.
The sequel of the show delved into a darker narrative, exploring the consequences within a malfunctioning system.
9. Nanbaka
Riot of Colors and Chaos
Stories about jailbreaks often focus on inmates trying to escape their dismal cells, but the anime “Nanbaka” offers a unique twist. Instead of yearning for freedom, the prisoners in this series find joy within the walls of Nanba Prison. After all, why would they leave? Nanba Prison is not just any ordinary penitentiary; it’s a state-of-the-art, lavish fortress brimming with eccentric characters, vibrant visuals bathed in neon hues, and laughter-inducing absurdity.
In the series Nanbaka, we follow the antics of four unconventional characters: Jyugo, a master at eluding capture but never actually escaping, Uno who has an addiction to gambling, Rock who loves a good brawl, and Nico, an anime enthusiast with a touch of insanity. This group thrives on absurdity, and their encounters with warden Hajime Sugoroku provide some of the funniest moments in the show.
The show is distinct for its one-of-a-kind artistic flair, featuring characters adorned with brightly colored hair and an abundance of shimmer, which beautifully clash against the backdrop of a penitentiary. Over its 25 episodes, Nanbaka skillfully blends humor with thoughtful narrative exploration on themes like camaraderie and rehabilitation.
8. Black Bullet
Post-Apocalyptic World Filled with Monsters
Black Bullet delves into this bleak scenario, establishing it in a future that’s been taken over by fearsome beasts known as Gastrea, transforming the world into a haunting landscape.
This anime focuses on Rentarou Satomi, a young warrior and Civil Security agent, who teams up with his partner, the extraordinary Enju Aihara – a girl endowed with superhuman powers by the Gastrea virus. Jointly, they embark on perilous assignments to safeguard the remnants of humanity’s civilization.
2014 saw the broadcast of Black Bullet, a series spanning only 13 episodes, hinting at its potential as a blockbuster. Unfortunately, due to its short length, many intricate aspects of its dark fantasy world didn’t get fully fleshed out. If you’re into tales rich in action and dark fantasy elements, I’d recommend giving it a try, despite the fact that a second season might be what some viewers would have hoped for.
7. The Millionaire Detective – Balance: UNLIMITED
Rich, Handsome, and Totally Insane
Imagine a scenario where Batman, devoid of any moral conflicts, solves crimes not through detective work or physical prowess, but by simply pouring an endless amount of wealth onto the problem. This is essentially the premise of “The Millionaire Detective – Balance: UNLIMITED.
Daisuke Kambe stands apart from typical detectives, boasting a fortune that allows him to effortlessly cover costs, acquire entire businesses, and utilize advanced technology on demand. Teamed with the principled yet formal Haru Katou, these two form an unconventional team tackling crimes in Tokyo.
The collision of their beliefs generates both intriguing scenes and insightful reflections about the influence of affluence within our social structures.
Although released in 2020, Balance: UNLIMITED was eclipsed by the pandemic, failing to garner the recognition it truly merited. With its unique blend of stylish animation, crime-solving adventures, and comedic elements, this anime offers a refreshing perspective on detective stories that should not be underestimated.
6. 86 (Eighty-Six)
Cost of Freedom
As a devoted fan, I’d like to share that 86 isn’t your typical war anime; it’s a profoundly emotional narrative diving deep into themes of oppression, sorrow, and the essence of combat. The setting is the Republic of San Magnolia, which claims its battles are bloodless, but the truth is much more sinister. This war is borne by the 86th district: young soldiers, dehumanized and sent to perish on the battlefield.
The narrative centers around Vladilena Milize, a high-ranking supervisor who oversees these troops from her home’s safety, and Shin Nouzen, commander of the 86th squadron. As Lena uncovers the harsh truths of warfare, she starts to doubt everything she was previously taught.
This show stands out due to its skillful exploration of weighty themes without resorting to didacticism. It’s visually captivating, thanks to the exceptional animation by A-1 Pictures, and emotionally resonant with a hauntingly melodious soundtrack composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.
5. Link Click
Time Travel, Regret, and Fate
Often, Chinese animated shows don’t receive the appreciation they ought to, with Link Click being a notable instance of this. Released in 2021, this anime creatively redefines the concept of time travel, transforming it into an intense emotional journey.
Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang operate a peculiar photographic studio which grants them the ability to delve into the past via photographs. Their role involves living another person’s life and accomplishing tasks for their patrons. However, it’s important to note that the past isn’t something that can be altered without repercussions, and each mission has an emotional impact on them.
Although Link Click’s compelling narrative is not widely recognized, being on the fringes of mainstream Japanese anime, many who eventually watch it describe it as one of the finest contemporary thrillers within the anime genre.
4. No Game, No Life
A World Without Rules
In my gaming world, I’d be living the tale of two genius siblings who outsmart and conquer every corner of a realm, all thanks to their unparalleled intellect – that’s essentially what No Game, No Life is about.
In a twist of fate, Sora and Shiro – legendary shut-ins in gaming – are mysteriously transported to a realm known as Disboard. This extraordinary world operates under an unusual rule: disputes are settled not by violence, but through games. With their exceptional tactical minds and unyielding synergy, they swiftly climb the ranks, taking on deities and monarchs alike in these thrilling contests.
Although it boasted breathtaking graphics and an intriguing plotline, the anime series No Game, No Life concluded after just one season in 2014, followed by a prequel movie. Fans have long clamored for another installment, making it a highly sought-after unfinished project.
3. Dororo
A Soul Worth Fighting For
As a child, marked with a curse and left behind, Hyakkimaru’s existence was riddled with pain. Ripped of his limbs, sight, and voice by evil spirits, he roamed the feudal Japan, relentlessly pursuing them to regain what was unjustly taken from him.
However, his odyssey revolves around discovering his human qualities. Accompanied by the tricky orphan Dororo, he encounters ethical quandaries that deeply question the heart of his pursuit.
2019’s reboot of the classic Osamu Tezuka manga “Dororo” has brought it back to life with renewed vigor, yet it continues to be eclipsed by other prominent historical anime series.
2. Tomodachi Games
Trust No One, Not Even Yourself
The bond of friendship is pushed to its limits in an extreme fashion within the narrative of Tomodachi Game, a gripping psychological thriller, where maintaining trust becomes a rare and costly commodity.
In a chilling turn of events, Yuichi Katagiri and his companions find themselves unwittingly ensnared within a lethal competition, propelled by the enigma of an ominous debt compelling their involvement in perverse trials. Unlike conventional death games, Tomodachi Game centers around the themes of betrayal, deceit, and unmasking one’s friends’ hidden shadows.
This show stands out from others due to its exploration of human psychology instead of excessive physical conflict. With just 12 episodes in a single season, viewers are anxiously anticipating further adaptations of the manga into an animated series.
1. Erased
Time Can’t Erase The Truth
Among all the entries on this list, “Erased” might be the one that’s most widely recognized, but it should receive even more acclaim for its exceptional storytelling. The 2016 series revolves around Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist who possesses an extraordinary talent: he can leap back in time to moments just before life-altering events occur, allowing him to prevent them from happening.
In the story, Satoru gets transported 18 years back in time after his mom is brutally killed. His mission there involves untangling a string of kidnappings that he uncovers as linked to his mother’s demise. Over 12 well-timed episodes, the series cleverly combines elements of mystery, drama, and time travel into an engaging tale focusing on redemption and safeguarding the blameless.
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2025-02-13 23:41