Masterpieces are hard to come by, but once fans encounter them, they know instantly as they envelop their life and deliver a unique and profound experience. As a new medium, anime is growing to be better and better, but it doesn’t have as many masterpieces as live-action movies or TV shows. Anime likeOne PieceandJujutsu Kaisenare excellent, but they aren’t masterpieces and are too well-known.
Finding the perfect anime is challenging, but with popular shows taking over, fans are passing over diamonds in the rough: underrated series that can be considered masterpieces. This list will rank ten underrated masterpieces based onhow overlooked they are compared to their quality, writing, story, impact, influence, originality, and uniqueness.
10’Yu Yu Hakusho' (1992)
Created by Yoshihiro Togashi
Many fans knowHunter x Hunter, but before creating that,Yoshihiro TogashimadeYu Yu Hakusho, a groundbreaking anime that changed the tides of shōnen. After dying too soon, the spirit world puts Yusuke through a series of tests to earn his life back, and when he does, he becomes a spirit detective, maintaining the balance of the supernatural in the living world.
Yu Yu Hakushoisn’t the most underrated anime since it has a big fanbase and a solid rating as one of the original battle shōnen. However, its age has caused it to be underrated in recent years, and modern fans need to realize just how important this show is.Yu Yu Hakushoisan impactful battle shōnen that revolutionized the genrewith its characters and enjoyable plot, not to mention it had one of thebest arcs in anime.
Yu Yu Hakusho
9’Natsume’s Book of Friends' (2008)
Created by Yuki Midorikawa
Japan is rich in mythology and thus has produced many fascinating stories about myths and legends, includingNatsume’s Book of Friends. Following the titular character, fans watch as he interacts with yokai, spirit-like creatures. When he finds a book containing many of them, he makes it his mission to free all spirits.
It was tempting to putMushi-Shihere, butNatsume’s Book of Friendsis a similar concept that doesn’t get nearly as much love, making it perfect for this list. Each season is highly rated, but it barely has any viewers, making it more overlooked than underrated, but it is still applicable. The show givesan authentic narrative with a modern twist, making this amagnificent anime about mythology.
Natsume’s Book of Friends
8'86' (2021)
Created by Asato Asato and Shirabi
Mecha is an important genre in anime, with many legendary series popularizing the medium.86is the next in the trend, a military sci-fi drama about discrimination and war. Two nations are at war, but while the handlers command in comfort, the Eighty-Six’s pilot the vehicle into almost certain death. However, a new and compassionate handler hopes to break the barriers and win the war.
86has a decent fanbase and is a renowned anime, but it stilldeserves more love for its original twist on a tired story. It manages to keep the plot fresh and intriguing through twists, drama, and character development but maintains entertainment through consistent action. Overall, this sci-fi series is one of thebest modern anime, and a work that more people need to realize is a masterpiece.
86: EIGHTY-SIX
7’Kaiji' (2007)
Created by Nobuyuki Fukumoto
Squid Gameis one of the most popular TV shows currently, but fans need to recognize the anime that inspired it:Kaiji. This gambling drama follows the eponymous character who joins a death game in order to earn money. However, as the elite enjoy his suffering, Kaiji must analyze each game to ensure he survives and hopefully doesn’t fall into more debt.
When an offer to pay up his entire debt arises, Kaiji has no choice but to accept; unfortunately for him, it causes more pain. This anime is a thrill ride like no other and amasterclass of tension and suspense.Each episode will have fans' hearts beating out of their chest as they witness Kaiji’s ingenuity.Kaijiis one of thebest anime of the centurybecause of its constant thrills and captivating developments.
6’Space Dandy' (2014)
Created by Shinichirō Watanabe
Everyone knowsShinichirō Watanabe,the legendary director who bestowed fans withCowboy BebopandSamurai Champloo. However, one of his most underrated projects is also one of his best.Space Dandyis about the titular character and his crew of a robot and an alien cat. The trio capture unidentified monsters to make a living but gets into much more trouble with the Gogol Empire.
Not every episode is the same in this episodic adventure, butSpace Dandydoesn’t need a plot to be a masterpiece since it can do whatever it wants. One episode will be a goofy musical, and the next will have fans questioning their life, but that is the beauty of this anime.Space Dandyproves variety is the spice of life by remaining anever-entertaining original animewith hilarious misadventures and profound philosophical questions.
Space Dandy
5’Golden Kamuy' (2018)
Created by Satoru Noda
Historical anime aren’t the most popular, but series likeVinland Sagaare changing people’s minds. One of the best and most underrated isGolden Kamuy, set in Hokkaido after the Japanese-Russo war. As a soldier pans for gold, he teams up with an Ainu girl to find a horde of gold. However, the map to find it is tattooed on many convicts, prompting them, and others, to hunt these criminals down.
With an interesting concept and fascinating setting,Golden Kamuyhas a little bit of everything to keep fans entertained: from comedy to worldbuilding to drama to mystery to action to a well-written plot. The eccentric characters paired with the rambunctious plot provide an absurdly masterful story.Golden Kamuyexceeded expectationsand became an underrated masterpiece through its endearing bizarreness.
Golden Kamuy
4’Durarara!!' (2010)
Created by Ryohgo Narita and Suzuhito Yasuda
It was tough choosing betweenBaccano!andDurarara!!, but the latter is a complete adaptation, so it is more compatible with this list. When Mikado moves to Tokyo from the countryside, he is excited to learn about the supernatural happenings. However, the city proves to be crazy for him, with supernatural events and unexpected individuals causing chaos.
Through urban myths and modern lore,Durararacreates a unique world with an ever-changing plot that will have viewers on their toes. The anime never takes a break, constantly switching things up with itscomplex anime storythat demands a rewatch or two.Durararahas so many moving pieces that it is impressive that the show manages to pull off a grand finale through riveting mystery and drama.
Durarara!!
3’Welcome to Irabu’s Office' (2009)
Created by Hideo Okuda
Avant-garde anime will always be underrated since they unconventionally tell profound stories that often confuse casual viewers, resulting in lesser popularity.Welcome to Irabu’s Officeis an episodic series which follows a new patient in every storyline. The eccentric bunny head doctor uses questionable methods to sort out his patient’s mental health issues, ranging from depression to anxiety to ED.
Welcome to Irabu’s Officeis the weirdest self-improvement anime and a topic that not many series focus on. Mental health is an important issue, and while anime is reluctant to actually touch on it, this anime was ahead of its time. Its colorful style and mix of animation and live-action providea mesmerizing experience, highlighting its vital messagesthrough comedy, experimental narratives, and real-life help/explanations, creating a unique andoriginal avant-garde anime masterpiece.
Welcome to Irabu’s Office
2’Nana' (2006)
Created by Ai Yazawa
While the manga frustratingly went on an indefinite hiatus after a cliffhanger, theNanaanime is still an overlooked masterpiece. Two girls with the same name may be polar opposites, but they share a similar destiny as they board the train to Tokyo and share an apartment. One searches for love, while the other chases her dreams of being a musician.
Since it is a Josei (aimed towards older women),Nanaisn’t the most popular and, therefore, is an underrated anime. Despite this, it has proven to be one of the most relatable and captivating series about love, passion, drama, and excitement.Nanais an anime about life and its struggles and joys, providingvaluable insight through its remarkable charactersand unforgettable story, making it ananime masterpiece for the ages.
1’FLCL' (2000)
Created by Kazuya Tsurumaki
FLCLis a product of its time that can’t be replicated, as proved by the many attempts to reboot this cult classic. This avant-garde sci-fi comedy follows Naota, a boy who makes it his responsibility to care for everyone and everything. However, the sudden appearance of the Vespa-riding, guitar-wielding woman, Haruko, flips his world upside down, teaching him how to be a kid despite using him to summon her interdimensional lover.
Depending on how much fans listen,FLCLcan say a lot or a little, but both options are just as profound and essential. Using unconventional storytelling, this anime delivers a classic coming-of-age story that every fan can relate to.FLCLturns a simplistic narrative into a world-ending event through its originality and distinct style, which will sweep fans away. This show hasthe best music in anime, but viewers underrate it because of its confusing style, even though it isa simplistically complex masterpiece.
