Mohsin Lag
Today, we will compile a recommended list of some lesser-known shows that deserve more love. If you’ve already seen all the popular anime everyone’s raving about and you’re looking for something new, then this list is for you.
We’ve got underrated shows from various genres like romance, action, supernatural, horror, and science fiction. These are the 18 best unknown anime series that haven’t received much attention but are definitely worth watching.
18. Wolf’s Rain
There aren’t many anime about wolves, but if you’re into that, Wolf’s Rain is the top pick. It’s set in a world that’s falling apart, where there’s a legend that says when the world ends, a gateway to paradise will open. But only wolves can find this place.
Kiba, a lone wolf, senses a mysterious scent leading to Freeze City, a town ruled by the cruel Lord Orkham. There, he meets other wolves like Hige, Tsume, and Toboe, all drawn by the same scent. They believe it’s the key to finding paradise, so they embark on a journey across desolate landscapes and crumbling cities. But they’re not the only ones after paradise, and some have dark plans for it.
17. Aku no Hana
Kicking off our list of the top unknown anime series you should watch with Aku No Hana, also known as Flowers of Evil. This anime centers around a somewhat nerdy schoolboy who, driven by impulse, makes a decision that profoundly alters his mental state, plunging him into a whirlwind of guilt and shame. Watching this show exposes you to a truly distinctive art style, leaving a lasting impression with its intense drama and romantic elements.
16. Moyashimon
If you’re looking for a quirky and unknown anime, you might enjoy Moyashimon, which is really a charming and different slice of life show that stand out from the rest. Meet Tadayasu Sawaki, a freshman in college with a unique talent – he can see tiny living things like microbes without any special tools. These microbes look like cute little creatures to him.
Sawaki attends an agricultural university, where his ability catches the attention of Professor Itsuki, an expert in fermentation. At first, Sawaki isn’t too interested in his skill, but as he interacts with the unusual people around him, he begins to appreciate the microbes and his special talent. The professors and classmates at the university create a whimsical and eccentric community that almost makes Sawaki appear normal despite his extraordinary ability.
15. Devils and Realist
Devils and Realist is an anime that not many people know about, and it really deserves your time. It’s a short series with 12 episodes, made by Doga Kobo, and it combines mystery, historical, and demons/supernatural elements.
The story follows William, whose family is facing tough times. To save them, he returns home and discovers a hidden room sealed with magic. Accidentally activating a spell, he summons a devil named Dantalion. Surprisingly, Dantalion reveals that William is destined to rule the demon world. If you’ve never seen or heard of this anime, it’s worth checking out!
14. A Centaur’s Life
Known also as Centaur’s Worries, this is a special CGDCT show that’s different from the rest. It’s not just about cute girls; it also has a lot to say about society. The mood can switch from calm to showing the darker side of the world. It’s truly unique, and I recommend it as an unknown anime that everyone can enjoy.
The story follows a girl who lives as a centaur, and even though everyone in this world has some unique qualities, they still go to school and live like regular people (with mythical creature quirks, not like the quirks in My Hero Academia).
13. OverDrive
OverDrive is an anime that often goes unnoticed, but it’s a great show with 26 episodes created by Studio Xebec. Falling under the genres of shounen and sports, you can find it on various streaming platforms. The story revolves around Shinozaki Mikoto, who doesn’t know how to ride a bike. Determined to learn, he joins a club and embarks on a journey of practice and self-discovery.
As the wind touches his face, a dream forms in his mind: becoming a professional racer and reaching the pinnacle of success! Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Mikoto’s quest for greatness unfolds. Now, on the grand stage of the Tour de France, the question lingers: will he emerge as the top racer in this prestigious competition?
12. Egao no Daika
Egao no Daika is a hidden anime from the Winter 2019 lineup. While it may not be popular, it’s really good! I think it’s a show that a lot of people missed out on. In a faraway kingdom, there’s a princess named Yuki who’s known for her kindness and innocence. But when her kingdom is threatened by the Empire, she finds herself facing tough challenges.
On the other side, there’s Stella Shining, a soldier from the Empire who hides her true self. But circumstances might force her to reveal who she really is, even if it means risking everything. The paths of Princess Yuki and Stella will intersect, shaping the destiny of their nations.
11. Ben-To
Ben-To is an underrated anime on netflix or other streaming services , but it’s really a good series, especially if you’re into unique and lesser-known animes. It’s all about fighting for food, and it’s quite entertaining! Imagine this: You’re at the supermarket, minding your own business, when suddenly, the unsold bento boxes go on sale at half price. In an instant, it’s chaos as everyone scrambles to grab the best deals.
It’s like a battlefield, with people fighting tooth and nail for their dinner. There are no friends here, only winners and losers. One day, high schooler You Satou accidentally gets caught up in one of these battles. Instead of backing down, he decides he wants to join in. Despite not being the best fighter, he’s invited by an upperclassman named Sen Yarizui to join her Half-Priced Food Lovers Club. Along with another girl named Hana Oshiroi, they learn the ropes of battling for food and what it means to fight for what you want.
10. Last Exile
In the world of Prester, flying is the main way people get around. They use something called Claudia Fluid, which comes from crystals found on the planet, to power their engines. The Guild controls everything related to flying, including the engines that use Claudia Fluid. They also settle disputes between the warring countries of Anatoray and Disith. Caught up in all of this are Sky Couriers, who fly small vanships through the sky to deliver things.
Last Exile is an anime not many people know about, but it’s really good. It follows the adventures of two teenagers, Claus Valca and Lavie Head, who dream of being better than their parents. They work as couriers, flying through a dangerous air current called the Grand Stream. But when they take on a big job to deliver an orphan girl named Alvis Hamilton, they find themselves in the middle of a much bigger conflict involving the powerful Guild.
9. Tsuritama
Tsuritama is all about saving the world… through fishing! I stumbled upon this unknown anime, and it turned out to be surprisingly good. Yuki Sanada has always felt like he doesn’t quite belong. He’s shy and nervous, moving from place to place with his grandma. When they settle in the seaside town of Enoshima, Yuki hopes for a fresh start.
But things get interesting when Haru, a quirky transfer student who claims to be an alien, arrives. Haru insists that Yuki is his friend and ropes him into a crazy mission: saving the world by fishing! With the help of their fishing-savvy classmate, Natsuki Usami, they set off on a wild adventure full of fun, friendship, and discovery!
8. Ga-Rei: Zero
Ga-Rei Zero might be an unknown action anime for many, but its powerful opening episode and gripping ending make it a must-see for fans of action-packed shows. In Japan, there’s a government agency called the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Division (SDCD). Their job? Protecting the public from unseen creatures. They do it quietly, without causing a panic. But now, they face a new challenge: betrayal from within.
Kagura Tsuchimiya lost her mother years ago and was taken in by the Isayama family. She forms a close bond with their daughter, Yomi. Together, they become skilled exorcists for the SDCD. But as the pressures of their duty mount and family politics intervene, Kagura and Yomi start to drift apart. One embraces her role as an exorcist, while the other takes a darker path with no easy way back.
7. Heroic Age
Heroic Age might not be everyone’s taste, especially with its intergalactic theme, but those who give it a chance will discover how good it actually is. In this anime, the Golden Race invited other races to join them in space, including the Bronze, Silver, and Heroic Tribes. Just as they were about to depart to explore another universe, a new race emerged – humans, known as the Iron Tribe.
Over time, humans face hardships and are on the brink of extinction. Princess Deianeira, driven by a prophecy from the Gold Tribe, embarks on a quest to find a powerful being who could save humanity. Along the way, she encounters a wild-haired boy on a deserted planet, a meeting that not only alters the course of humanity’s destiny but also shapes the fate of the entire universe.
6. Binbougami Ga
Binbougami Ga, also known as Good Luck Girl, is an overlooked good anime that deserves more attention. The story follows the badass character Ichiko Sakura, who seems to have it all – beauty, intelligence, and wealth – thanks to her incredible luck. However, her luck is not entirely her own; it’s actually draining the luck from those around her.
Enter Momiji Binboda, a goddess of poverty tasked with restoring balance by taking back Ichiko’s stolen fortune. Their clash leads to hilarious chaos, with Momiji enlisting the help of Kumagai, her teddy bear familiar, and the masochistic dog god, Momoo Inugami. With the aid of a wandering monk named Bobby Statice, Ichiko must navigate daily battles to protect her fortune and maintain her peaceful life amidst the insanity.
5. Blue Gender
Blue Gender is an unpopular anime series that once you watch it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t discover it sooner. Set in a future where humans are no longer at the top of the food chain, the world is overrun by alien creatures known as the Blue. These bug-like beings have taken over Earth, leaving humanity scrambling for survival. To escape the threat, humans have built a safe refuge called Second Earth, hoping to reclaim their planet one day.
Yuji Kaido, a young man who was cryogenically frozen due to illness, wakes up to find himself in the midst of a war against the Blue. Joined by a team of soldiers, Yuji faces the harsh reality of battle as they fight to reclaim their home. But as they struggle to survive, they must also grapple with the question of whether winning back Earth is worth sacrificing their humanity.
4. Suisei no Gargantia
Even though Suisei no Gargantia might not be on everyone’s radar, it’s definitely worth a watch. Set in the future, most humans have left Earth, and a group called the Galactic Alliance of Humanity looks out for everyone’s well-being. But things get dicey when strange creatures called Hideauze threaten mankind, sparking a big war. Enter Ledo, a 16-year-old lieutenant armed with Chamber, a smart robot.
During a battle, Ledo loses control and crash-lands on Earth, which is mostly covered in water. There, he encounters Gargantia, a fleet of scavenger ships, and mistakenly thinks they’re enemies. But as he spends more time with them, Ledo realizes they’re not so bad after all. However, his newfound peace won’t last long, because there’s more to this watery planet than meets the eye.
3. Samurai Flamenco
Samurai Flamenco is an anime series with an op Mc that’s pretty unique – you never know what’s coming next! Maybe that’s why it’s not very well-known and doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves. The story is about Masayoshi Hazama, a male model who decides to follow his childhood dream of becoming a superhero, even though he doesn’t have any superpowers or fancy gadgets.
He becomes the hero Samurai Flamenco and starts fighting crime to make things right. But when police officer Hidenori Gotō discovers Samurai Flamenco’s true identity by chance, they both get caught up in a lot of trouble, especially when they encounter enemies that seem like they’re straight out of fiction. Despite the challenges they face, these two guys learn a lot about what it really means to be heroes fighting for justice.
2. Paranoia Agent
If you’re looking for some hidden anime to watch, Paranoia Agent is a must-see! It’s an underrated horror anime that you shouldn’t overlook. The story takes place in Musashino City, where a dangerous figure named Shounen Bat is causing chaos. Riding on rollerblades and wielding a golden baseball bat, he attacks people seemingly at random. Tsukiko Sagi, a character designer, becomes his first target and is suspected of being involved in the attacks. Only her pink stuffed animal, Maromi, believes in her innocence.
As Shounen Bat’s attacks continue, detectives Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa start investigating. But with more victims falling prey to the golden bat, fear spreads throughout the town. Rumors and paranoia grip both adults and children. Can the detectives uncover the truth behind Shounen Bat, or will fear consume them before they find answers?
1. Zetsuen no Tempest
Zetsuen no Tempest is a cool but an unknown action magic anime made by studio Bones, which also did other awesome shows like Eureka Seven and Fullmetal Alchemist. The story kicks off with a bang, diving straight into the action from the first episode. Yoshino, a regular guy, is secretly dating his buddy Mahiro’s sister, Aika. But things take a dark turn when Aika is mysteriously killed, and Mahiro sets off to find the killer.
After a month of silence, Yoshino gets caught up in a crazy situation involving a gun-wielding girl and his missing friend. Turns out, Mahiro teamed up with a witch named Hakaze to hunt down Aika’s murderer. But there’s a twist—Hakaze’s been banished to a deserted island by her own clan. Now, Yoshino and Mahiro have to help Hakaze save the world while uncovering the truth about Aika’s death.
