Animeis more popular than it has ever been, and it only gets more and more mainstream as animation and stories are improved. Shows likeJujutsu KaisenandFrieren: Beyond Journey’s Endcontinue to hook new fans and innovate the medium, standing at the top of the newer series. However, with so many phenomenal new shows constantly popping up, fans will overlook some hidden gems or classics.
Overlooked anime aren’t the same as underrated series; it is a distinct categorization applicable to marginally popular anime that more people need to see. These shows are relatively recognizable, but the fanbase largely skips them or overlooks them for one reason or another. This list ranks the ten best overlooked anime based on theirwriting, animation, fan opinion, critical acclaim, overall quality, popularity compared to quality, and how badly fans need to watch it.
Studio: Madhouse
Older anime are a common victim of being overlooked since many new fans prefer the flashy new animation and modern storytelling aspects. However,Beck: Mongolian Chop Squadis an underappreciated anime nowadays that was once popular. After a chance meeting, a dispirited Yukio learns the glamour of rock and roll, forming a band with new friends, highlighting their successes and failures.
While there are some dull episodes inBeck, they work to set up better episodes, so as long as fans hang in there, they’ll experience a raw and emotional music drama. It is a beautiful story about finding oneself through music with a nice touch of 1990s and 2000s rock.Beckhas some great anime musicthat will have fans rocking out in no time while also immersed in its powerful story.
9’Aoashi' (2022)
Studio: Production I.G
There aremany excellent sports animewith an underdog story that focuses on entertainment, and that reliability is why the genre is so popular. However, not every series can break out, and unfortunately,Aoashinever got as big as it should have. The anime follows a troublemaker from the countryside who gets his chance on a youth team in Tokyo. In an unfamiliar city surrounded by talent, he must remain competitive.
Aoashiis still relatively popular and has a dedicated fanbase, but it is too overlooked, considering its quality.Blue Lockoutshined this show, which came out in the same year. Taking away its spotlight as a soccer anime, most fans overlookedAoashidespite its grounded approach. It may not be flashy, but this anime has heart anda realistic approach that is a nice change of pace from over-the-top sports anime.
8’Kaiba' (2008)
One of the most overlooked genres is avant-garde, which looks to innovate anime through unconventional storytelling and experimental animation. Because many of these shows are confusing, fans skip over them, includingKaiba, a retro-styled sci-fi. In a world where people store memories on chips and buy new bodies, the titular protagonist is a body without a memory chip, prompting him to go on a grand journey for his truth.
With one of themost visually stunning worlds in anime,Kaibais a treat to look at but a feast to understand, with many complex and unorthodox plot structures. The show doesn’t explain much and is a lot to take in, but that makes it a rewarding experience made better by its unique atmosphere. The gorgeous story about memories and the sci-fi setting is a relaxing yet profound experience more fans need to feel.
7’Go! Go! Loser Ranger! (2024)
Studio: Yostar Pictures
2024 was an excellent year for anime, but with so many instant classics, more than a few bangers went under the radar, includingGo! Go! Loser Ranger!This anime spoofsPower Rangersby focusing on a lowly grunt trying to defeat the overpowered rangers. However, the rangers control perception, forcing the grunts to lose in humiliating ways to entertain civilians. Despite being powerless, Fighter D hopes to get a real win.
Even though the premise is fun and full of potential, barely anyone checked the series out, perhaps because it was on Disney+. Either way,Loser Rangerdeserves more attention because of itssurprisingly good plot and easy-to-root-for protagonist.It isn’t a story about good vs evil, but evil vs even more evil, creating a unique dynamic.Loser Rangeris one of themost underrated action animethat promises to deliver more.
Go! Go! Loser Ranger!
6’Osomatsu-San' (2015)
Studio: Pierrot
Because of cultural differences, Japanese and Western humor differs, leading to many fans not enjoying comedy anime, which is why viewers overlook so many great shows.Osomatsu-Sanis a reboot of a children’s show with an adult twist to accommodate its older audience. It follows the same sextuplets, but instead of adorable pranksters, they are 30-year-old losers with no jobs or futures.
While fans may assume they would need to understand the original show to find this one funny,Osomatsu-Sanworks fine on its own. It is achaotically fun series with countless ridiculous jokes and absurd charactersthat never take it easy. It also parodies many anime, adding references that other anime fans will enjoy. Overall, it is one ofthe funniest animethat most fans overlook.
5’The Fable' (2024)
Studio: Tezuka Productions
As previously mentioned, 2024 had many magnificent new shows, which resulted in particular anime, likeThe Fable, not getting the recognition it deserved. This drama-comedy follows Japan’s greatest hitman and his assistant going on vacation after being too successful, letting the heat die down. However, trying to live an everyday life doesn’t work out, and they get themselves in equally dangerous and hilarious situations.
WhileThe Fableis a comedy, the focus is on its thrilling crime story that takes the audience down multiple paths. That isn’t to say the show isn’t funny; it has a great deal of gags and bizarre scenarios that keep fans entertained both ways. Since it aired on Disney+ and has poor animation, many viewers overlooked this show despite its riveting plot, makingThe Fableone of thebest anime of 2024.
4’Welcome to Irabu’s Office' (2009)
Studio: Toei Animation
LikeKaiba,Welcome to Irabu’s Officeis an avant-garde anime, meaning many fans will already overlook it just because of its genre. This anime follows different characters and their mental issues in every few episodes, leading them to the titular doctor who helps them overcome their issues with unconventional methods.
While most avant-garde anime have dark overtones,Welcome to Irabu’s Officefocuses on self-improvement and working on mental health. It may not be completely accurate, but it doesa great job of portraying and diagnosing mental health. The blend of vibrant, wacky animation and live-action is an absurdist dream accentuated by its equally bizarre plot and narrative.Welcome to Irabu’s Officeis a forgotten masterpiece.
Welcome to Irabu’s Office
3’Thermae Romae Novae' (2022)
Studio: NAZ
Netflix has become one of the biggest anime providers in the world and has ramped up the production of original anime and new series, airing exclusively on their program. This results in many older or less flashy series being pushed to the backburner as fans opt for the “new and improved” anime.Thermae Romae Novaeis one example, which follows an ancient Roman architect who accidentally traveled to different eras in history to gain inspiration.
Its ridiculous premise should be enough to hook fans, but its low budget, lack of action, and historical setting resulted in too many fans overlooking this show.Thermae Romae Novaeis a comfy showthat teaches the audience about hot springs around the world, from the basics to random details. The relaxing nature and plot give fans the best of both worlds, creating one of themost underrated anime shows of this decade.
Thermae Romae Novae
2’Planetes' (2003)
Studio: Sunrise
The sci-fi genre isn’t as popular as it used to be in Japan, decreasing the number of shows in that genre. Even then, fans overlook some of the greatest sci-fi shows, includingPlanetes. Instead of focusing on grand space adventures or alien battles, this anime is about blue-collar heroes working a thankless job by cleaning debris in space as they deal with existential issues, loneliness, and fear.
SincePlanetesisn’t an over-the-top space epic, too many fans overlook thissci-fi anime classic that redefined its genre. Thegrounded nature allows themes, character growth, and drama to build naturally, creating an enjoyable and profound atmosphere. It is an authentic anime with heart, passion, and depth that speaks about human and natural issues as well as the importance of its themes.
1’Kingdom' (2012)
While there are countless overlooked anime series on and off the list,Kingdomtakes the top spot. This historical grand action drama loosely tells the history of the Warring States Era in China, following a boy named Xin. He dreams of becoming the world’s strongest general and leading his country to victory alongside his friend, the young emperor. Together, they defy the odds and challenge the rest of the states in epic battles.
The fact that so little people watch this anime is baffling. Many fans dropped it after the first season because of poor animation, but even then, not many fans watched it.Kingdomis a well-known anime and one of thegreatest manga ever, which should draw attention. However, too few people watch thisepic anime about ancient wars, with each battle upping the scale and importance, creating one of thegrandest anime series of all time.
