8 Best Anime From 2006 That Nobody Remembers in 2026

It’s amazing to think 2006 was twenty years ago! The world of anime has shifted dramatically since then. New shows, types of stories, and what’s trending have all changed, so what anime fans love today is quite different from what they enjoyed at the beginning of the 2000s.

Looking back at popular anime from 2006 really highlights how much the industry has evolved. With so many new shows being released constantly, it’s easy for older series to get lost or forgotten. It’s unfortunate that these well-regarded anime from 2006 aren’t getting the attention they deserve anymore.

Welcome to the N.H.K.

Welcome to the N.H.K. wasn’t a mainstream hit, and it’s largely faded from the anime community’s memory. The story centers around a college dropout who’s become a shut-in, believing his situation is the result of a conspiracy orchestrated by Japan’s national broadcasting organization, NHK.

Despite appearing lighthearted, Welcome to the N.H.K. is a surprisingly insightful exploration of loneliness, anxiety, and how these feelings impact people’s lives. It’s a fantastic series that doesn’t get enough attention and is well worth watching for any anime enthusiast.

The Familiar of Zero

For years, the ‘Isekai’ genre has been incredibly popular in anime, manga, and light novels. While some people enjoy these stories, others are tired of seeing so many of them, and some simply dislike the genre. If you’re one of those who doesn’t like Isekai, you might not enjoy ‘The Familiar of Zero’.

This series was one of the first of its kind, really setting the stage for the ‘Isekai’ genre we see so much of today – fan-created stories actually helped shape its formula. It’s a quintessential anime from the 2000s, complete with all the familiar elements of that time. With so many new Isekai shows being released now, it seems like many fans have moved on from this classic.

Higurashi: When They Cry

For a while, Higurashi was incredibly popular. Originally based on visual novels created by Ryukishi07 and 07th Expansion, Higurashi: When They Cry captivated audiences with its compelling mysteries, psychological horror, and memorable characters. However, many modern anime fans now consider it a somewhat overlooked gem.

Now that Ryukishi07 is getting attention again for his work on Silent Hill f, fans might be interested in checking out his earlier projects. The recent Gou and Sotsu installments didn’t seem to revitalize the series, but the anime, while not a perfect adaptation of the original sound novels, is still enjoyable and features memorable moments that fans will appreciate.

Hell Girl: Two Mirrors

Horror and mystery anime aren’t as popular now as they used to be. While horror is making a comeback in movies, video games, and live-action shows, anime doesn’t seem to be part of that trend. Though it wasn’t a massive hit, Hell Girl was a known and enjoyed series.

In retrospect, the series’ popularity with genre fans makes perfect sense. It created a fantastic mood, and though it wasn’t terrifying, Hell Girl offered compelling stories told in a mostly self-contained, episode-by-episode style, much like the classic horror collections of the past.

Fate/stay night

The Fate series remains incredibly popular. With numerous anime series, games, manga, light novels, and updated versions of titles like Réalta Nua and hollow ataraxia, it’s become a major force in pop culture. However, despite the ongoing success of Fate in anime and manga, one particular adaptation often gets lost in the shuffle.

Ufotable’s adaptations of the Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven’s Feel storylines were truly outstanding, setting a new standard for visual quality that still impresses today. However, this success has led many to forget about the original anime adaptation created by Deen. While it’s not flawless – like most adaptations of visual novels, it has its problems – it’s a respectable series that deserves recognition, but has been largely eclipsed by Ufotable’s later, more popular work.

Bartender

I absolutely love discovering hidden anime treasures, and Bartender is definitely one of them! It’s a bit of a shame that even with the 2024 reboot, it hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves. It’s one of the few series made by the now-closed Palm Studio, and the story centers around Ryuu Sasakura, this incredible bartender who just knows what drink someone needs, based on what’s going on in their life. It’s a really cool concept!

Bartender is a relaxing and charming series with well-written conversations and relatable characters. While it’s not packed with action, its short length of just 11 episodes makes it a pleasant and easy watch.

School Rumble: 2nd Semester

School Rumble was a really hilarious anime when it first came out, and it’s a shame it’s largely been forgotten. This romantic comedy uses classic slapstick and plenty of mistaken identities. While it wasn’t groundbreaking, School Rumble is a genuinely fun show with a cast of characters you’ll quickly fall in love with.

There’s a huge selection of hilarious comedy anime available, including shows like Nichijou, Gintama, and Grand Blue Dreaming. Because there are so many great options, older series like School Rumble can sometimes be overlooked. However, if you’re searching for a funny anime to watch, this one is definitely worth checking out.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

For a while, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was incredibly popular. This was during the peak of the “Big 3” anime – One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. Despite their success, Haruhi still had a huge cultural impact in Japan and internationally. The anime’s clips were widely shared on early YouTube, and fans famously collaborated online to solve a complex mathematical problem while trying to figure out the best viewing order for the series.

While the Haruhi series remains popular and influential, many newer anime fans aren’t aware of it or its significance. Luckily, a new generation now has the chance to watch it and understand why it was so groundbreaking.

2026-01-26 22:37