30 Most Underrated Anime Series Nobody Should Ever Skip

The anime industry releases dozens of different productions each season, and while some series become hits, whether through the use of specific tropes or extensive promotion, the sheer volume of titles often causes true gems to go unnoticed. Many hidden gems were also released before anime became mainstream, remaining lesser-known to international audiences. The result is a collection of underrated anime series that are worth checking out for those looking for something different.

Some anime masterpieces go unnoticed because they tackle mature themes, making them less accessible to viewers looking for something lighthearted or that doesn't require a lot of deep thinking. Additionally, a distinctive animation style may fail to appeal to a mass audience. From titles exploring profound philosophical themes to sweet romances and sci-fi adventures, these are underrated anime series that every fan should watch, even if they haven't received the attention they deserve.

The Fable

Animated by Tezuka Productions, Based on the manga by Katsuhisa Minami

Although its animation isn't particularly flashy and lacks the visual spectacle of shonen series like Sakamoto Days, The Fable is one of the most hilarious anime of recent years, as well as a solid story about a former assassin. The anime centers on a legendary hitman who, on his boss's orders, attempts to fly under the radar as an ordinary citizen for a year.

In addition to offering a deep look into the yakuza, The Fable shines thanks to its weird characters and absurd, deadpan humor. It masterfully captures the comedy found in awkward social interactions, showing the quirks of a flawless killing machine and the tension of having to navigate everyday situations without revealing his identity, all contrasting with a grim atmosphere of a noir film, making The Fable both gritty and incredibly enjoyable.

A Condition Called Love

Animated by East Fish Studio, Based on the manga by Megumi Morino

At first glance, A Condition Called Love seems like a typical high school romance, but it’s anything but shallow. The anime digs deep into what it truly means to care for someone beyond fleeting attraction. Hananoi’s intensity and Hotaru’s emotional maturity create a surprisingly grounded exploration of love, trust, and personal boundaries.

What makes A Condition Called Love underrated is how it dares to portray emotional messiness with realism rarely seen in shoujo. Instead of sugarcoating teenage affection, the series highlights awkwardness, insecurity, and vulnerability. Its quiet, deliberate pacing rewards patient viewers with one of the most honest romantic anime arcs of 2024.

Kaiba

Animated by Madhouse, Original Anime Series By Masaaki Yuasa

Coming from acclaimed animator Maasaki Yuasa of The Tatami Galaxy and Devilman: Crybaby fame, Kaiba is a profound series that deserved more attention when it was released. The series follows a young man named Kaiba who wakes up one day with a hole in his chest and his memories missing. What follows in Kaiba is a beautiful exploration of identity and class disparity as Kaiba travels around an imaginative science-fiction universe.

Yuasa is a masterful animator whose unique style is always incredible. Though Kaiba might not be his earliest work, it is a hallmark title that contains many of the themes Yuasa has explored constantly throughout his work. While Kaiba might not have received as much acclaim as it deserved, it's truly a masterpiece that more anime fans should watch.

Bokurano

Animated by Gonzo, Based on the manga by Mohiro Kitoh

Bokurano could be described as a blend of Evangelion and Madoka Magica, even though it actually served as inspiration for the latter. It's a bleak anime that follows a group of children who pilot a robot named "Zearth" to fight against giant alien enemies. However, the series does not focus on bombastic robot battles.

Although Bokurano received a mixed reception upon its release, partly due to dated CGI animation and changes from the original work, it stands as one of the best psychological anime series. Its deep story with a powerful message about life, combined with its psychological portrayal of children's struggles and its exploration of dark, philosophical themes, makes it a title that won't fail to surprise viewers.

House of Five Leaves

Animated by Manglobe, Based on the Manga by Natsume Ono

House of Five Leaves is one of the most unique samurai anime ever produced, yet it rarely appears in discussions about the genre. The story follows Akitsu Masanosuke, a timid ronin whose exceptional swordsmanship is overshadowed by his crippling insecurity. After becoming involved with a mysterious group known as the Five Leaves, he finds himself drawn into a morally ambiguous world of kidnappings and crime.

Rather than focusing on flashy battles, the series focuses on character psychology and atmosphere. Its unconventional art style perfectly complements the slow-burn narrative, creating a sense of unease and intrigue that lingers throughout every episode. For viewers seeking a mature period drama, House of Five Leaves offers a refreshingly thoughtful alternative to more action-heavy samurai stories.

Uninhabited Planet Survive

Animated by Madhouse, Original Anime Series By Shoji Yonemura

Although it has faded into obscurity, one of the best anime combining a futuristic setting with survival in an unknown environment is Uninhabited Planet Survive. The series is a reimagining of Jules Verne's novel Two Years' Vacation. However, instead of stranding a group on a desert island, Uninhabited Planet Survive takes place in a future where humanity lives in space colonies.

Other survival anime stories that incorporated sci-fi elements are Dr. Stone and Astra: Lost in Space.

Uninhabited Planet Survive follows a group of middle school students who, during a trip, crash-land on an uninhabited planet offering a perilous adventure centered on human relationships that improve with every episode. Despite its childlike visual style, the anime manages to surprise the viewer through the characters' struggle to return to their colony, their personal growth, and the ingenious solutions they devise, all while the story's mysteries gradually unfold.

Wolf's Rain

Animated by Bones, Original Anime Series By Keiko Nobumoto

Not every Adult Swim anime has gone on to be a major hit, and Wolf's Rain is a prime example of that. The series is about the last group of wolves trying to find paradise before the world ends. With a bleak premise and a bleaker plot, it's easy to see how the series got lost in the shuffle.

Despite the series' darker elements though, Wolf's Rain is ultimately about hope in the face of impossible odds. With beautiful animation, a compelling cast, and dark storytelling, Wolf's Rain is easily one of Adult Swim's most underrated anime.

Yurikuma Arashi

Animated by Silver Link, Original Anime Series By Kunihiko Ikuhara

Yurikuma Arashi is a wild anime series from Kunihiko Ikuhara that's focused entirely on exploring what it means to be a lesbian in Japan. The series has an absolutely ridiculous plot about a society where a race of alien bears who can transform into people are separated from society for fear of the danger they pose to the social order.

Despite how goofy the series often is, Yurikuma Arashi is a surprisingly thoughtful exploration into LGBTQ+ issues in Japan, and fans of LGBTQ anime will definitely want to give Yurikuma Arashi a try.

Humanity Has Declined

Animated by AIC A.S.T.A., Based on the Novel by Romeo Tanaka

Humanity Has Declined is one of the most overlooked post-apocalyptic anime series. Set in a world where humanity is fading away and is eventually replaced as the dominant species by elf-like fairies whose adorable appearance contrasts with their hyper-advanced technologies and total disregard for the well-being of others, the show follows a somewhat cynical, unnamed protagonist who acts as a mediator between the two races.

Colorful, featuring eccentric characters and packed with absurd humor, Humanity Has Declined offers a well-crafted satire. Humanity Has Declined revels in its weirdness, and there is much to love about it, from the Mediator’s witty internal monologues and the antics of the sugar-loving fairies to all sorts of jokes parodying modern society, covering everything from diplomacy, economic systems, consumer trends, and forms of government to geek culture.

Sonny Boy

Animated by Madhouse, Original Anime Series By Shingo Natsume

Few anime are as beautiful to watch in motion as Sonny Boy. The series is ostensibly about a class of high schoolers who are one day transported to a featureless world. While the students bicker and form hierarchies, the series' main character Nagara shuts himself off to everyone except for his only friend, Nozomi.

Sonny Boy didn't receive as much attention as other anime released in 2021 like Odd Taxi and Ranking of Kings, but with Sonny Boy's engaging story and stellar animation and direction, it's more than worth any anime fan's time. The series was directed and created by acclaimed One-Punch Man director Shingo Natsume, so anyone impressed by the animation in that or Space Dandy should give Sonny Boy a try.