Most of us have already heard of anime shows like Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece. They’re classics and highly talked about. But there are some anime shows that don’t get as much hype but deserve so much more. Let’s show a little love to some of these super awesome yet underrated anime shows and give them the love they deserve!
1. DNAngel
- Aired: April 2003-September 2003
- Studio: Xebec
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, Action
I think I read the manga for this one before I saw the anime. It was super cute, though. I rewatched this a couple of times and still love the story. It’s simple, but that’s one of the reasons that makes it so amazing. It touches your heart and reminds you of a simpler time.
The MC, Daisuke, is an angel stealing artwork in hopes of preventing world destruction, if you put it in very simple terms.
Fun fact: Vic Mignogna (Edward Elric, Tamaki Suoh, Zero Kiryu) does the English opening song, and it’s truly beautiful!
2. Devils Line
- Aired: April 2018
- Studio: Platinum Vision
- Genres: Action, Romance, Supernatural
I’ve done a couple of reviews of this anime already. I haven’t seen a ton of fans talking about it, hence, I would say it’s a pretty underrated anime. In fact, if you search for it, you might get a couple of images, but there’s a lot of mature content mixed in with some sketchy stuff. If you do go looking for it, make sure to add anime after it, or it could lead to some pretty dark places.
So far, I’m really enjoying this story. Vampires live alongside humans but have to be super careful because they are stronger and can easily hurt humans. They can also go into a frenzy and will kill if they see blood. Naturally, there is discrimination against them and harsh laws restricting their lifestyles because they are considered dangerous, and it is very easy for them to lose control.
Despite that, the vampires are essentially humans underneath. Most just want to live their lives, go to work, fall in love, and not be hated by everyone.
3. Full Moon o Sagashite
- Aired: April 2002 to March 2003
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Genres: Music, Romance, Comedy
This is another super awesome yet underrated anime. Even though it is different compared to the mang, I still loved it. It was one of my first OTP’s and ships and I cried through both the anime and the manga.
We follow Mitsuki Kouyama, a young girl with throat cancer, who dreams of becoming a professional singer and reaching her friend Eichi, who moved to America. When two shinigami reveal she only has a year left to live, Mitsuki decides to chase her dream with their help, despite the risks.
4. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
- Aired: October 5, 2024 – March 15, 2025
- Studio: Madhouse
- Genres: Historical, Mystery, Science Fiction
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is a historical drama set in a time when science and philosophy were still forming. It follows a young boy named Orb, who becomes fascinated by the movement of the Earth and the universe. He embarks on a journey to discover the truths of the world, struggling to balance his personal beliefs with the teachings around him.
Honestly, I loved how slow and thoughtful the story was. It felt almost meditative, like it gave me space to reflect on my own perspectives. The animation was super unique and elegant, though there were a few moments where it was a bit tricky to follow. The character development was really subtle, which I appreciated. Also, Orb’s growth wasn’t rushed at all. It’s definitely not a show for everyone, but it has this quiet charm that I really connected with!
5. Slam Dunk
- Aired: October 16, 1993 – March 23, 1996
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Genres: Comedy, Sports, Drama
Slam Dunk is a classic sports anime that follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a high school delinquent who gets roped into playing basketball to impress a girl. He starts off clueless and clumsy, but over time, he discovers a love for the sport and works hard to improve his skills.
I absolutely loved Slam Dunk. The humor was spot-on, and the character development was amazing. Hanamichi’s awkwardness and sheer determination made him super relatable and I found myself getting way more invested in the games than I expected.
What I loved the most was how Slam Dunk balanced comedy and drama. It never took itself too seriously, but it still hit you with some really emotional moments. It’s one of those feel-good anime that just makes you want to root for the underdog, and honestly, I was cheering for Hanamichi and his team from start to finish!
6. Space Brothers
- Aired: April 1, 2012 – December 28, 2014
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life
Space Brothers tells the story of two brothers, Hibito and Mutta, who share a childhood dream of becoming astronauts. While Hibito achieves his goal and lands on the moon, Mutta struggles with setbacks and self-doubt, but his determination keeps him pushing forward.
Warning: this show will definitely hit you right in the feels. It’s not just about space missions—it’s also about the personal growth of the characters. Watching Mutta’s journey was like following a real person, someone who isn’t perfect but gives it their all.
The pacing was great, and even though there were slow moments, they always built up to something meaningful.
7. Mononoke
- Aired: July 2007 – September 2007
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Psychological
Mononoke is one of those shows that stands out for its creativity. The narrative style is pretty unconventional, and it forces you to think deeply about the themes of regret, guilt, and human nature. Too bad it’s still one of the most underrated psychological anime, despite airing all the way back in 2007.
I was totally blown away by how the art and animation matched the eerie, unsettling vibe of the story—it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. It’s definitely not an easy watch, but the complexity and boldness of it all make it so worth it.
The series follows the Medicine Seller, a mysterious traveler who hunts down evil spirits called mononoke. But here’s the twist: to defeat them, he has to figure out their mononoke—basically the key to their power, which is tied to their Form, Truth, and Regret.
8. Medalist
- Aired: January 5, 2025 – Mar 30, 2025
- Studio: C2C
- Genres: Sports, Drama, Slice of Life
Medalist follows the journey of a young figure skater named Maru, who, after a series of unfortunate events, is determined to make a name for herself in the competitive world of figure skating.
I have to admit, I didn’t expect to get so emotionally invested in Medalist. The way it explores the pressures of competitive sports really hit home for me, and Maru’s perseverance through hardship was inspiring. The skating sequences were beautifully animated, capturing the elegance and intensity of the sport.
For those who like stories about pushing through adversity with a lot of heart, Medalist is a must-watch!
9. Girls Band Cry
- Aired: April 6, 2024 – June 29, 2024
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Genres: Drama, Music
Another underrated and niche anime is Girls Band Cry. The show centers around a group of high school girls who form a rock band to cope with their personal struggles and express their emotions through music.
Even though I am not into musical anime, I unexpectedly enjoyed it. In this case, the music really helped set the tone for the emotional moments. The characters are relatable and authentic, so connecting to their personal journeys was fairly easy. All in all, I found myself rooting for them to find their way and overcome their struggles.
10. Cross Game
- Aired: April 5, 2009 – March 28, 2010
- Studio: SynergySP
- Genres: Coming-of-age, Romantic Comedy, Sports
Just by looking at the key visual, you might think that Cross Game is just another straightforward sports anime. But you’d be wrong! Cross Game skillfully combines sports with deep emotional moments, resulting in a heartfelt story with a blend of sports action and relatable characters who struggle, make mistakes, and also grow along the way.
Cross Game follows the life of Kou, a talented baseball player who is struggling with the sudden death of his childhood friend, Wakaba. As he deals with grief, family pressures, and the game he loves, he finds unexpected support from her younger sister, Aoba, who’s also passionate about baseball.
Which of these underrated anime have you already seen or heard of? Do you have any favourites? Let me know in the comments below, and as always, keep smiling!
