Top 10 Underrated Anime Series
Anime, top 10, list, countdown, underrated, obscure, elfen lied, samurai champloo, baccano,
Script written by Brandon Stuhr.
These anime just don’t get as much love as they should. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Underrated Anime Series.
For this list, we considered series that are known for their story elements, animation style, and other unique elements, but haven’t received the mass attention they deserve.
Can you weaponize your own blood? If so, you would fit right in here. Protagonist Ganta is a high school student who is framed for the murder of his entire class and sent to Deadman Wonderland, a private prison and theme park. This series is packed full of so many twists and turns that you may get lost in the prison yourself. An intriguing yet confusing story, this twelve episode series is over all too quickly, and will leave you wanting another ride. Trust us.
Mushi are ethereal beings that thrive in all living things and come in many different forms. It takes a Mushi master to help protect regular people from the negative effects they cause. Protagonist Ginko is one of these men. Unlike the other entries on our list, Mushishi is an artistic and serene series that is episodic in structure, so each episode is its own encapsulated story. We aren’t the only ones to recognize this show, as the series is constantly winning awards and praise from fans and critics alike. More people need to check it out.
Looking for some over-the-top violence? Check out our next entry. The series follows a group of Diclonii (die-clone-ee-eye); mutants that are indistinguishable from normal humans, except for two small horns on top of their head. Everything is kept under wraps until one Diclonius (die-clone-ee-us), Lucy, escapes in a bloody, naked rampage. An interesting analysis of classification based on small differences, the series quickly became known for absurd amounts of fan service and violence, both physical and psychological. Prepare to be disturbed.
Follow the wolves and they will lead you to salvation. In Wolf’s Rain, A group of wolves turned human seek out the path to paradise, one that is rumored to be only accessible by wolves. See their predicament? Wolf’s Rain does a lot of things right, like interesting characters and beautiful animation. The series was also praised for its haunting and could definitely use for a follow up series.
This series tends to go unnoticed for its use of a less traditionally anime art style. In Red Garden, four teenage girls are involved in supernatural murders in and around a fictionalized version of New York City. Heavily influenced by Hollywood cinema, the series incorporates many elements from the horror and mystery genres. While not a huge commercial success in the west, the series was popular enough to receive an OVA sequel series entitled Dead Girls.
Sometimes when you die, you are given a second chance. In the Angel Beats! world, we meet a group of students of have all died in gruesome and disturbing ways, yet have been given a new life, only in limbo. Incredibly moving, this series shows just how far people will go for their loved ones, and sometimes they earn a little redemption in the process. Powerfully emotional, yet still filled with action and humor, you’ll wish the series had a little more meat. Just remember, being forever in the haze Purgatory doesn’t have to be so bad.
Like our previous entry, this series is all about redemption. Our hero, Yusuke Urameshi is a delinquent who dies saving an innocent child and is revived as an undead detective. Though Yusuke, we learn much about what it means to be human. The series reworks many elements from the occult and horror genres, and even dabbles in Buddhist mythology. Released during what many call the Dragonball era, Yu Yu Hakusho was quickly forgotten, but well worth a revival.
Here is an anime that keeps slipping in and out of our radar. A standout piece of science fiction, Toward the Terra is an analysis of how war and pollution will destroy the Earth’s resources, forcing humans to colonize other planets. Oh, and there are supercomputers that brainwash those humanity left behind. Initially made as a film in 1980, it was expanded into a series in 2007. The series has gained quite a bit of praise for showing what could be a terrifyingly, not so distant future.
Samurai in anime is never a bad idea. This series focuses on a group of samurai, Mugen, Jin, and Fuu as they try to become the greatest samurai in Japan. This series is unique as it mixes traditional fantasy swordsman tropes with a hip-hop setting. Who knew alternate worlds could be so radical? While heavily overshadowed by similar anime such as Inuyasha and Bleach, Samurai Champloo is credited for bringing a more unique style of anime to western culture.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Heroic Age” (2007)
“Katekyo Hitman REBORN!” (2006-10)
“Zetsuen No Tempest” (2012-13)
“Ouran High School Host Club” (2006)
“DuRaRaRa” (2010,15-)
Ok, this pulp-fiction is a little hard one to describe. Baccano! Follows three intertwining stories following different characters and spanning many years. At first one might expect the sheer number of charters would lead to them being underdeveloped; every character has a fair amount of screen time and backstory. Cults, demons, mafia and murder all weave a tale that will not soon be forgotten. While considered an action comedy, Baccano’s ruckus has blood and gore in spades!
Do you agree with our list? Which anime do you feel doesn’t get enough love and attention? For more informative top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Top 10 Underrated Anime Series
These anime just don’t get as much love as they should. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Underrated Anime Series.
For this list, we considered series that are known for their story elements, animation style, and other unique elements, but haven’t received the mass attention they deserve.
#10: “Deadman Wonderland” (2011)
Can you weaponize your own blood? If so, you would fit right in here. Protagonist Ganta is a high school student who is framed for the murder of his entire class and sent to Deadman Wonderland, a private prison and theme park. This series is packed full of so many twists and turns that you may get lost in the prison yourself. An intriguing yet confusing story, this twelve episode series is over all too quickly, and will leave you wanting another ride. Trust us.
#9: “Mushishi” (2005-06, 2014)
Mushi are ethereal beings that thrive in all living things and come in many different forms. It takes a Mushi master to help protect regular people from the negative effects they cause. Protagonist Ginko is one of these men. Unlike the other entries on our list, Mushishi is an artistic and serene series that is episodic in structure, so each episode is its own encapsulated story. We aren’t the only ones to recognize this show, as the series is constantly winning awards and praise from fans and critics alike. More people need to check it out.
#8: “Elfen Lied” (2004)
Looking for some over-the-top violence? Check out our next entry. The series follows a group of Diclonii (die-clone-ee-eye); mutants that are indistinguishable from normal humans, except for two small horns on top of their head. Everything is kept under wraps until one Diclonius (die-clone-ee-us), Lucy, escapes in a bloody, naked rampage. An interesting analysis of classification based on small differences, the series quickly became known for absurd amounts of fan service and violence, both physical and psychological. Prepare to be disturbed.
#7: “Wolf’s Rain” (2003-04)
Follow the wolves and they will lead you to salvation. In Wolf’s Rain, A group of wolves turned human seek out the path to paradise, one that is rumored to be only accessible by wolves. See their predicament? Wolf’s Rain does a lot of things right, like interesting characters and beautiful animation. The series was also praised for its haunting and could definitely use for a follow up series.
#6: “Red Garden” (2006-07)
This series tends to go unnoticed for its use of a less traditionally anime art style. In Red Garden, four teenage girls are involved in supernatural murders in and around a fictionalized version of New York City. Heavily influenced by Hollywood cinema, the series incorporates many elements from the horror and mystery genres. While not a huge commercial success in the west, the series was popular enough to receive an OVA sequel series entitled Dead Girls.
#5: “Angel Beats!” (2010)
Sometimes when you die, you are given a second chance. In the Angel Beats! world, we meet a group of students of have all died in gruesome and disturbing ways, yet have been given a new life, only in limbo. Incredibly moving, this series shows just how far people will go for their loved ones, and sometimes they earn a little redemption in the process. Powerfully emotional, yet still filled with action and humor, you’ll wish the series had a little more meat. Just remember, being forever in the haze Purgatory doesn’t have to be so bad.
#4: “Yu Yu Hakusho” (1992-96)
Like our previous entry, this series is all about redemption. Our hero, Yusuke Urameshi is a delinquent who dies saving an innocent child and is revived as an undead detective. Though Yusuke, we learn much about what it means to be human. The series reworks many elements from the occult and horror genres, and even dabbles in Buddhist mythology. Released during what many call the Dragonball era, Yu Yu Hakusho was quickly forgotten, but well worth a revival.
#3: “Toward the Terra” (1980, 2007)
Here is an anime that keeps slipping in and out of our radar. A standout piece of science fiction, Toward the Terra is an analysis of how war and pollution will destroy the Earth’s resources, forcing humans to colonize other planets. Oh, and there are supercomputers that brainwash those humanity left behind. Initially made as a film in 1980, it was expanded into a series in 2007. The series has gained quite a bit of praise for showing what could be a terrifyingly, not so distant future.
#2: “Samurai Champloo” (2004-05)
Samurai in anime is never a bad idea. This series focuses on a group of samurai, Mugen, Jin, and Fuu as they try to become the greatest samurai in Japan. This series is unique as it mixes traditional fantasy swordsman tropes with a hip-hop setting. Who knew alternate worlds could be so radical? While heavily overshadowed by similar anime such as Inuyasha and Bleach, Samurai Champloo is credited for bringing a more unique style of anime to western culture.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Heroic Age” (2007)
“Katekyo Hitman REBORN!” (2006-10)
“Zetsuen No Tempest” (2012-13)
“Ouran High School Host Club” (2006)
“DuRaRaRa” (2010,15-)
#1: “Baccano!” (2007)
Ok, this pulp-fiction is a little hard one to describe. Baccano! Follows three intertwining stories following different characters and spanning many years. At first one might expect the sheer number of charters would lead to them being underdeveloped; every character has a fair amount of screen time and backstory. Cults, demons, mafia and murder all weave a tale that will not soon be forgotten. While considered an action comedy, Baccano’s ruckus has blood and gore in spades!
Do you agree with our list? Which anime do you feel doesn’t get enough love and attention? For more informative top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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