Top 10 Anime That Were Way Better Than We Expected

Now we know what you’re thinking – zombie idols?! Has Japan gone too far at last? The idea of creating an idol group out of zombie girls plucked from various eras of history sounds like a gloriously dumb idea, but the end result is actually far better than you’d expect. Well, it’d have to be! The comedy throughout the show is well done and the show can really tug on your heartstrings, particularly in examining the backstories of said idols. Plus, you can count on your fingers the number of anime with good representation of certain characters, and “Saga” is certainly one of them.

Slice of life anime can be a bit hit or miss for some, and this one in particular raised some eyebrows. Senko-san follows an overworked salaryman who learns to relax again thanks to the attentions of the titular fox girl and her friends. Although loli animal girls who are really 1000 years old seems like fodder for any given harem anime, while there are romantic undertones, perversion is really not at the top of the list, and the show is more about learning to deal with stress, while also featuring cute and fun characters interacting. Basically, it’s pure comfort food.

The “Gundam” franchise is pretty much synonymous with mecha anime, but it’s also the biggest name in model mechs, which are also insanely popular in Japan. An anime focusing on the latter phenomenon seemed ridiculous, but it ended up being pretty awesome. In this iteration, virtual battles are played out using Gunpla, with a major focus being on tournaments. The result feels like a cross between “Gundam” and a sports anime, which makes for addictive viewing and all the hype that comes along with watching the characters try to be the best like no-one ever was.

A period drama about a traditional form of comedic Japanese storytelling, called rakugo, “Descending Stories” can be a tough sell based on its rather niche premise. But if the meta narrative of being a story about storytellers doesn’t get you interested, then the compelling tales being told by the well-developed characters still might. All of them feel so fleshed out and their dynamics with one another are a major highlight, driving the meaningful drama from start to finish. Layered, comedic, and tragic, this is one extensive story worth experiencing.

Isekai anime can be a dime a dozen these days. Not only that, but Shield Bro over here instantly drew controversy upon release. Transported to a new world, Naofumi is falsely accused of rape shortly after his arrival. However, it’s thanks in part to Naofumi’s ruined reputation that this series manages to distinguish itself from others in the genre. This isn’t the story of an overpowered, hypercompetent guy who can do no wrong. Naofumi is bitter and flawed, and is much less prepared than his peers in his quest to save the world. The show, like its protagonist, certainly has its sore spots, but they’re ones a lot of us have found more appreciation, to the point the series eventually became the isekai gold standard.

Do you even lift bro? Exercise is usually something you either reluctantly perform or get way too into, so a show based around it seemed destined to be a cult favorite at best. Yet, Sakura’s journey to get her beach body turned out surprisingly fun for just about everyone. Not only is the show informative about various workouts, particularly upper body intensive ones, but it’s also hilarious! The character interactions are all very funny, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t shine a spotlight on the living meme and god of muscles that is Machio!

“Kaiji” is an anime that hooked fans with its thrilling, high-stakes gambling action, so when fans heard there would be a comedy spin-off focused on some of the antagonists, they were a little hesitant to roll the dice on it. The series follows the title middle manager, Mr. Tonegawa, as he is forced to contend with the outrageous demands of his overbearing boss, as well as the antics of his subordinates. Despite some morally and legally questionable business practices, the characters are all highly entertaining and will have you laughing so much you’ll forget that one time he nearly had Kaiji killed!

Before it premiered, anime fans were highly skeptical of this particular parade of superpowered high-schoolers. The magical girl genre had pretty much been done to death, after all. However, far from the happy go lucky adventure many were expecting, “Madoka Magica” goes to some dark places, exploring the negative consequences of becoming a magical girl, as well as the inherent risks; leading to some psychological horror. This, combined with the unforgettable characters, intriguing plot, and excellent action scenes, have made this an enduring hit that’s still talked about to this day.

Furries aren’t for everybody, which is a major reason why most have looked at the sudden rise in popularity of this anime with reticence and bewilderment. But rather than through the lens of that particular niche, it’s better to think of “Beastars” as a natural extension of “Zootopia,” one that follows a society of anthropomorphic predator and prey trying to coexist, while also dealing with prejudices and personal growth. The fact that it’s an anime set in a high school with a fantastical twist is par for the course, but it’s an interesting spin on a familiar flavor that may unleash something new within you. Plus the 3D animation is pretty killer.

Food competition shows are nothing new on TV, but an anime based on cooking contests doesn’t sound like something that would set the world on fire. Yet, the expansive cast of intriguing and diverse characters, exciting and creative cooking battles, and great animation have helped make this series a hit for several years. In fact, all the dishes look so delectably animated that we completely buy the various, uh…”foodgasms.” Basically, it’s like if the Food Network was set in a high school and had a storyline with actual dramatic stakes…and waifus! So many waifus!