Top 10 Anime You Forgot Were Awesome

Anime and intense rivalries go hand in hand. In this universe, people with special powers exist called Alters, which naturally led to the creation of a special police force designed to keep these folks in check. This dichotomy serves as the driving force behind the show’s central rivalry, one pitting the free-spirited and obnoxious Kazuma against the cold and straightlaced Ryuho. Backed by generally good animation and plenty of gripping fight scenes, "s-CRY-ed" is an endlessly entertaining action romp set in a familiar world that still manages to throw out a few surprises.

On the surface, it might be tempting to dismiss a series about a student marrying their sensei who happens to be an alien as blatant wish fulfillment, but that would be doing this one a disservice. Look past the contrived premise and its uninspired love triangle and you will find an anime with a surprisingly effective romance. Despite introducing a roster of seemingly trope-heavy characters, "Please Teacher!" fleshes them out admirably and manages to establish relationships that are fueled by chemistry. Mizuho Kazami is more popular than the actual anime she is from, but there’s more on offer than just its titular sensei.

A decent hit in the west at the time of its release, "Escaflowne" is too good of an anime to be left in the '90s. An isekai mecha series about a girl who meets a prince from another world, it presents one of the best steampunk fantasy settings out there. Gaea's brilliance is not only due to its stunning environments but also its presentation of fully-realized cultures. Populating its politically-turbulent world with three-dimensional characters who are memorable, flawed, and ever-changing, as they seek to survive in a universe that is much bigger than just them or their problems. Plus, you know, winged pretty boy pilots a mecha knight.

A 42-episode anime that ended way too soon, "Flame of Recca'' is a fun ride while it lasts. Recca aspires to be a ninja, something that stops seeming like a delusion when he stumbles upon a girl with magical powers, opening the door to plenty of shonen battle goodness. In many ways, its a stereotypical shounen story: brash lead, power-ups are a dime a dozen, and a tournament arc. While the ingredients are familiar, it blends them well, crafting an experience that is enjoyable and comforting.

Based on the toy line, the various "Zoids" series have struggled to remain in the public consciousness for too long, although they all have something worthwhile to offer. The first anime incarnation "Chaotic Century," stands out due to its strong writing, character growth, and awe-inspiring mecha designs. Set in a far off desert planet dominated by an ongoing war, C.C gives personalities to its main machines, the Organoids. The series spends a great deal of time fleshing out its roster allowing its many impressive fights to amount to more than just visual spectacles. Most importantly, the music is awesome.

Be it the manga or the anime adaptation, "Azumanga Daioh" is one of the defining properties in the slice of life genre. A classic that has inspired many shows over the years, and as such doesn’t pack as much punch as it did in the early 2000s. Despite ushering in a sea of shows about cute girls doing cute things, it can still be appreciated for its realistic characters, smart writing, grounded comedy, and timeless life lessons. For example; never trust a cat that looks like THAT!

Many people get into anime through series like "Bleach" "One Piece," and "Naruto," but the battle shonen genre has produced a lot more great shows than the former big three. "Zatch Bell!" pairs up a smart but detached student with a demon child who is stuck in a battle royale to determine the next ruler of hell. More than anything, this one is simply fun to watch, an anime filled with over-the-top humor, quirky fighters, explosive action, and even a few tears. The anime does not fully cover the manga, which is disappointing, but you’ve still got 150 episodes to digest!

In a franchise as expansive as "Gundam," there are bound to be a few underappreciated gems. Released during a time when the property was losing momentum, "G Gundam" is a standalone series that plays out more like a super robot anime mixed with a shonen tournament arc rather than the typical military epics we’d come to expect. While not as narratively dense as some other incarnations, it delivers creative mecha designs, spectacular animation for its era, and an interesting early mystery involving the protagonist's brother. Even those who are not fans of "Gundam" can appreciate the Burning Finger!

Blending a detective thriller with giant robots, "The Big O" oozes noir style in every frame. Set in Paradigm City, a place filled with nothing but amnesiacs, the series follows Roger Smith, a rich playboy negotiator who also happens to pilot the massive Big O Megadeus. Explosive with its fight yet subversive with its storytelling, "The Big O" is an absolute thrill ride when it focuses on self-contained episodes. Despite the wear and tear of the 90s dragging it down somewhat, The Big O feels oddly timeless.

1998 was a fruitful year for space westerns, with "Cowboy Bebop" hogging most of the limelight. While not as transcendent as Shinichirō Watanabe's masterpiece, "Outlaw Star" is nearly as entertaining, primarily due to its impeccable talent for comedy and action. Envisioning a universe ruled by lawlessness, the series pulls together a ragtag group of outcasts, which naturally includes a catgirl, as they head on a mad romp to find a supposedly amazing treasure. The scattershot approach to storytelling can be a bit much at times, but it’s all worth it to see Gene work his magic.