Suppose you are getting bored by watching the same popular anime that everyone suggests and enjoys. Do not search elsewhere! In this listicle, 10 Unpopular Anime will be discussed. These underappreciated and despised anime shows offer captivating narratives, likable characters, and novel ideas that will keep you hooked.
Even though certain programs deserve it, not every anime can achieve the mainstream success of the most well-known anime. Because of this, there are many underappreciated anime treasures that fans can enjoy.
These days, there is a never-ending supply of highly regarded anime series—more than anyone with interest in the genre will have time to watch. Some underappreciated series eventually fall between the cracks as a result of this.
Best Unpopular Anime to Watch
Most anime viewers are unaware of a number of good anime series. We’ve covered the undervalued anime series you absolutely shouldn’t miss in this list.
This list has much wonderful to everyone, regardless of how you like your anime dish to taste. As we will explore ten unpopular and underestimated series, get ready to go on an anime journey unlike any other. These series consist of all the genres, including romance, action, thriller, etc
1. AnoHana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2011)
Who could have used thought we’d be deciding on another A-1 Pictures offering? The maker of Black Butler and Fairy Tail was diligently at work creating this melancholy series a year before they launched Sword Art Online in the world and drove webs everywhere insane. Together, director Tatsuyuki Nagai, author Mari Okada, and Masayoshi Tanaka formed the Super Peace Busters, a group that would go on to have a successful television series. It ran for eleventh episodes, from 14 April to 23 June 2011, and was praised for its allegedly emotional content. Crunchyroll named it one of the key anime from the decade.
Former best friends Tetsudo Hisakawa (Poppo), Jinta Yadomi, Naruko Anjou, Atsumu Matsuyuki (Yukiatsu), Chiriko Tsurumi (Tsuruko), and Chiriko Tsurumi used to spend the summers in their tiny secret sanctuary with Meiko Honma, whom they affectionately to as Menma. They would spend many hours exploring with each other outside in the hot summer sun, exploring Pokemon in common, collecting bugs, fishing, and other games.
They called each other the Super Peace Busters, and their mission was to keep peace and order in their usually peaceful town. Sadly, their peaceful days would soon come to an abrupt halt when Menma perished in a strange drowning accident after making a disastrous romantic confession.
The atmosphere soon shifts to depressing, and they part ways after losing all desire to stay together and handle the day’s events. Tsurumi and Yukiatsu go to the same high school, and Anjou is a part of the popular middle school clique consisting of Aki and Haruna. Poppo has become a nomad, along with is the only one who seems to have found happiness, while Jinta lives in solitude and only speaks to his upbeat father; everyone else, besides Poppo, despises his character and openly mocks him all the time.
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2. Skip Beat! (2008 – 2009)
It was very disappointed when they finally started to develop the romantic aspect of the program. It didn’t seem right. It seemed imposed. And it wasn’t until the final episode that I started to support the potential pairing. I do think it’s fantastic that Kyoko hasn’t even considered acquiring another partner and that when someone does fall for her, they will try to woo her while she is completely unaware of it! God, even just mentioning it makes me curious! The conclusion of this show is not good, though.
Actually, the friendship between Moko and Kyoko warmed my heart more than the love story should have. I was delighted to watch those two connect and develop a relationship as they realized they weren’t all that dissimilar from one another and that there was something more to him. Sincerely, I want the focus of the show to be on both of those.
Overall, the plot started out mediocre and basically only relied on Kyoko to carry it for a long, but soon it started to hint at her traumatic history, and she finally got a friend of her own, and those were the times that made me melt into pliable. At first, I found the romance to be a great plot, but by the time the show was over.
The narrative does contain a few times where I questioned why the plot was developing in this manner when a former character demanded Kyoko be dismissed despite the fact that she lacked that authority. Although there isn’t a definite ending, I ultimately really liked this episode.
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3. Haganai (2011 – 2013)
The story follows this group of high school kids, and they attempt to form friendships and engage in that friendship groups would do. Given how caustic the Kodaka is and how peculiar and unattractive Yozora (and her buddy Tomo) is in comparison, I questioned whether this was a satire.
Each female is less attractive than the one more are added: Sena Kashiwazaki, who is stunning but addicted to dating sims; Kobato Hasegawa, Kadoka’s younger sister; Rika Shiguma, who is brilliant in science and nymphomaniac; Yukimura Kusunoki, who is either a trap well very confused young girl who would like to be a samurai; and Maria Takayama, the organization’s adviser.
I went into this show with the exception that it occasionally parodies itself. Each journey kind of has it is own “what shenanigans might they get up to next” kind of beautiful because the show was rather episodic. Even the first three episodes are almost laugh-out-loud funny at times. The pranks, however, seem less like they are intended to make you laugh instead of more like they are intended to make you jack off as the episode progresses. Instead of humorous potential, there is awkward sexual tension that is unsupported by a coherent plot.
The beginning of the art is slightly above average. The only thing I can conclude is that, in contrast to its forerunners in the harem anime genre, Haganai manages to avoid sinking into the abyss of mediocrity. The Colour remains vibrant, and the animation is fluid. I don’t think any animation ever seems to have been done with fewer cells or at a lower quality level. Character design-wise, they’re kind of cute. I’m not used to the broader faces and cheeks, so at first, I failed to be sure how to respond.
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4. The 12 Kingdoms (2002 – 2003)
Despite having Japanese ancestry, Youko’s natural red hair has always drawn ridicule from her peers; even her mother’s family believes that she dyes it as a form of defiance. Her hair, on the other hand, tells of a fate that she must embrace but is hesitant to. One day an imposing guy with brunette locks claims the enemy is close by and shows up at her school. Before she can understand what he means, a bird with storm-controlling abilities attacks her school.
In order to save her, he is to make a gap that will take her to his realm, where she will embark on a voyage of self-discovery and political struggle due to her being the future queen of one of his twelve kingdoms. Twelve distinct kingdoms are ruled by a king or queen chosen by a Kirin, like the earlier blonde guy, in the realm of Twelve Kingdoms, which is based on Chinese mythology. The plains are filled with monsters, some of whom are hostile.
In this society, magic and politics are intertwined. Even the most moral people can turn wicked. Therefore, a Kirin can only select the best leader for its realm. Youko has quite a distance to go while she is ready to lead. It seems obvious that appointing a sixteen-year-old undergraduate to rule a kingdom won’t end well, and it initially seems like another instance of anime logic that should be laughed at.
Her capacity to repel monsters and invaders, one of a ruler’s many responsibilities, is the first issue. As long as she keeps her eyes open, her Kirin bestows a spirit that controls in battle; she has caution not to flinch at a lethal strike. The knowledge of the kingdoms comes next, something she lacks.
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5. Kaleido Star (2003 – 2004)
There are many reasons for that admiration, of course. Every interview I’ve watched of him, or even about him, portrays him as a very affable, down-to-earth person who is devoted to his work to a degree. This dedication, in turn, can be argued to have been developed over a 34-year-long (and counting) profession in the business, from working as a production leader for Queen Millennia to storyboarding Neon Genesis Evangelion. Of course, most of his creative personality is formed by the shows created under his immediate direction.
If you are familiar with the shoujo textbook and Sato in particular, there is undoubtedly an inherent sense of familiarity that goes along with that mindset. Sora Naegino, a girl from Japan, travels to the United States to apply for a role in the Kaleido Stage, a renowned circus-turned-performing-house a la Cirque du Soleil. The character growth of Layla Hamilton, Sora’s idol and the current star of the circus, who is annoyed by Sora’s arrival, is happening concurrently with her voyage.
You may probably imagine some of the major turning points in each character arc, and throughout the course of more than 50 episodes, many of the typical subject matter from programs of this type is covered. But if that were all Kaleido Star had to offer, I wouldn’t be writing this much about it. In fact, the way it was executed allowed it to go much beyond the simplicity and purity of its impressions. First off, the presentation is excellent. Sato is a master at extracting the most individuality from resources, and Kaleido Star radiates a lot of colors, both literally and figuratively.
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6. Mushi-shi (2005 – 2006)
The episodic animation Mushi-Shi follows the adventures of Mushi master Ginko and his interactions with a wide variety of Mushi. A Mushi is a supernatural being that lives in the same universe but on a different plane from regular people. With the exception of two episodes, where he is completely absent, Ginko helps a resident of a mountain village with issues in each one. It eventually becomes stale after a while.
A few characteristics really set Mushi-Shi apart. First and foremost, the episodic structure is both great and frustrating. It is fantastic since each episode features a different plot arc, as opposed to just a couple over the entire series. I’ll get to why it’s annoying later. The animation is very stunning and faultless, and it has a peaceful atmosphere.
The show follows the instances of a Mushishi, who is essentially a doctor of Mushi and travels around aiding those who have been affected by mushi in some way. Most Mushishi is aware that they are only trying to survive, but if necessary, they will use severe tactics to defend human life.
Ginko is the main character of the series, who is separated from the crowd of characters with his white hair and green eye, and is the most empathetic of them. He didn’t have much choice but to become a Mushi master because Mushi followed him around and posed a threat to everyone in his vicinity. As a result, he must journey from town to town, travelers.
Okay, so let me clarify why I think the episodic format is annoying: in every episode, Ginko has to inform every villager he meets about what Mushi really is and why they exist. After you have seen the most of the show, it becomes grating. There is merely one recurrent character in the program, another aspect that is unsatisfactory.
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7. School Rumble (2004 – 2005)
In contrast to the continuing soap opera among the students about who likes whom, the plot is straightforward, just like the manga. Of course, this is what the show is all about. Our major protagonist is Tenma Tsukamoto. She’s cheerful and vivacious but also about as dense as a brick. The surprisingly reserved Ouji Karasuma, who is meant to be relocating to a different school, is the object of her crush. The former truant criminal Kenji Harima has a crush on Tenma.
Similar to the manga, this spreads to Tenma’s classmates and pals, and by the halfway point of the series, no one can tell who likes whose anymore. This causes confused them, which serves as our source of pleasure throughout the series.
Unrequited love can be a terrible situation, yet Kobayashi-sensei manages to make it incredibly humorous. Sometimes, “imaginary” scenarios are used to do this. One hilarious example is a run of chapters in which Tenma accidently crushes Harima. As a result, as he goes bonkers, the manga shows him as King Kong. I recall how much this made me chuckle.
Since Tenma and similar characters easily appeal to stereotypes of innocent and attractive girls, they later reveal other, less common, but genuine traits like prejudice and undeserved hatred. Even though some character types may be drawn to School Rumble, it is not only about them. If you like absurd humor that touches on anything from cultural references to kappas to love letter delivery that turns into illegal heists, then this comedy might be for you. Just don’t expect any intense romantic relationships any time soon.
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8. Tsuritama (2012)
The plot centers on four lads who begin going fishing together, learn a lot about interpersonal relationships and ultimately save the world from a threat to all of humanity. There is Yuki, a high school student with a social disorder who perpetually displays a frightened expression. The original protagonist, Haru, is a self-described alien who claims to have come to Earth to catch seafood and roams around, shooting people with his water gun or with fish.
Young fishing champion Natsuki is also an introverted boy who is unsure of how to interact with his family. The show’s characters are by far its strongest feature; each and every one of them, even ones like Akira’s employer or the elderly Shinto priest at Enoshima Shrine, is engaging. The island of Enoshima itself has a role to play.
We get to know Haru and Yuki, and we learn a little bit more concerning Natsuki and his family, but Akira’s background is a little left out, and he joins the cast a little later. I feel like the series could have been a little bit longer to properly present us with each character. Minor characters feel essential in the first two episodes but aren’t really used beyond that, such as the girl working at the shrine.
The theme music for the show was upbeat and catchy. The final song was enjoyable but unmemorable. I like the Enoshima dance, and the show’s soundtrack complemented the plot well. However, the sound was typical. Although the voice acting was fascinating and nicely done, there was nothing noteworthy about it. However, this story doesn’t call for unique voice acting, including voice modulation.
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9. Monster (2004 – 2005)
Our story begins with Düsseldorf’s brilliant neurosurgeon, Doctor Tenma. He possesses Eva, a wealthy fiancée, prestige, and talent. Only Tenma’s skills can save a kid who visits the emergency room, evening an accidental gunshot to the head. Nine years later, a spate of killings takes place, drawing Tenma into the carnage. The murders are just the beginning of the killer’s schemes; he is the same youngster from years and years ago. What would you have achieved if you had avoided giving birth to the next Hitler?
With Johan giving him so much attention, Tenma feels a sense of personal obligation—a really dysfunctional link analogous to the one between Dumbledore and Voldemort. To make matters worse, Tenma is Detective Lunge’s top suspect because he has gained a lot of weight since the deaths. A darker Sherlock Holmes, Lunge is a bloodhound who is determined to crack the case no matter the cost to his sentiments or ability to support himself.
He is the spooky person you wouldn’t want round for dinner but would want in the driver’s seat of your case. I enjoy his odd habit of writing everything down while typing with his index fingers in the air. The Hannibal Lecter-like villain Johan is the real star of Monster. He makes himself known to us right away, but for most of the story, he is in the background, expertly directing the action.
Most noticeable when we witness him play his game in person, his capacity to control innumerable people and their organizations is credible. Only someone with little feeling and understanding would be capable of going far from Johan goes in his ability to understand other people and get inside their thoughts.
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10. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (2009)
The thing for earthquakes to occur in Japan is a fact. As a result of its location on the boundary of three tectonic plates, Tokyo has recently experienced twice-weekly earthquakes. In the coming decades, Tokyo is predicted to experience an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 explores what may happen if the Japanese capital were to experience an earthquake of a magnitude of 8.0, as seen through the eyes of two children and a kind stranger.
Initially, Mirai is a genuine brat who wishes her parents had disappeared and stopped bothering her. The siblings’ home environment isn’t the best. Despite acting like a child, she despises being treated like one; she is obnoxious but correct. She realizes how different her conception of adolescence is from reality after being forced to mature during the earthquake. Her character journey caught everyone off guard the most. I’ll admit that all I had in mind for this piece was an anime adaptation of The Day After Tomorrow, but Mirai, in particular, elevated it. If you prefer the spectacle, have no fear since Tokyo.
Japan is a natural disaster hotspot; thus, the emergency services and the population are the finest in the world at handling crises. Represents the repercussions of such a catastrophe, the production team consulted with companies, including the Self-Deffence Force, Coast Guard, Fire Department, and Medical Assistance, those who had personally experienced earthquakes. They were successful in capturing the feel of a war-torn city and the resilience of the populace.
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