Let’s accept the fact that we all love popular airing shows like Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen, but what about the underrated ones? You know, those peak anime that didn’t get much attention that they deserved? This article is for the true anime fans—those who explore further for the storytelling. Here’s a list of the 10 Best Underrated Anime You Probably Missed and will make you wonder why they weren’t more popular.
Table Of Contents
Table of Contents
1. 86 EIGHTY-SIX
What Makes It Stand Out
This isn’t just another war anime. 86 hits hard with emotional depth, character growth, and commentary on racism and nationalism. It’s like Code Geass had a baby with Attack on Titan, but darker.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Military Sci-Fi, Mecha
- War, Oppression, Identity
- Emotional, intense, and thought-provoking
Episode Count
- 86 Season 1: 11 episodes
- 86 Season 2: 12 episodes
- 86 – Coquelicots Blooming Across the Battlefield: 1 episodes
Story Overview
Lena and Shin, in a world where the Republic of San Magnolia is at war with the Giadian Empire. The Republic utilizes “unmanned drones” called Juggernauts, but in reality, they are piloted by the “Eighty-Six,” a group of people stripped of their humanity and treated as disposable weapons. Lena, a handler, and Shin, a leader of an Eighty-Six squadron, navigate a world of oppression, war, and the struggle for freedom.
Where to Watch
2. 91 Days
What Makes It Stand Out
Mafia anime are rare, and 91 Days nails the genre with gritty storytelling and revenge-fueled drama. It’s The Godfather meets anime, with a touch of noir.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Crime, Drama, Historical
- Revenge, Betrayal, Brotherhood
- Moody, slow-burn thriller
Episode Count
- 91 Days: 12 episodes
- 91 Days: Brief Candle: 1 episode
- 91 Days: Shoal of Time/All Our Yesterdays/Tomorrow and Tomorrow: 1 episode
Story Overview
“91 Days” is a dark anime series set during Prohibition in the United States, following a man’s revenge journey. Angelo Lagusa, who witnessed his family’s murder, returns to Lawless disguised as Avilio Bruno, determined to avenge them by entering the Vanetti mafia family. He befriends the Don’s son, Nero Vanetti, as part of his strategy.
Where to Watch
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3. ERASED
What Makes It Stand Out
Time-travel, childhood trauma, murder mystery—ERASED throws you into a psychological thriller that’s hard to stop watching.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural
- Time Travel, Abuse, Redemption
- Chilling yet heartwarming
Episode Count
- Erased: 12 episodes
Story Overview
Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old aspiring manga artist, has the ability to travel back in time and prevent terrible events from occurring. Following the murder of a loved one, he is transported back further in time than he has ever been to prevent the tragedy from occurring.
Where to Watch
4. Hyouka
What Makes It Stand Out
It’s a high school slice of life—but wait! With complex mysteries and Sherlock-level deduction? Yep. Hyouka is about both growing up and solving life’s little mysteries.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Mystery, Slice of Life
- Curiosity, Adolescence
- Chill yet intellectually satisfying
Episode Count
- Hyouka: 22 episodes
- Hyouka OVA: 1 episode
Story Overview
Oreki Houtarou, a passive student, navigates everyday life with his classmates Chitanda Eru, Ibara Mayaka, and Fukube Satoshi. Houtarou’s world is turned upside down when he and the club solve various mysteries, often at the request of Chitanda.
Where to Watch
5. Megalobox
What Makes It Stand Out
This one punches hard—literally. It’s a modern tribute to Ashita no Joe with gritty aesthetics and underdog energy.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Sports, Action, Drama
- Underdog, Grit, Cyberpunk feel
- Stylish and raw
Episode Count
- Megalobox Season 1: 13 episodes
- Megalobox Season 2: 13 episodes
Story Overview
Joe (also known as the Junk Dog), an underground fighter in late-twentieth-century Japan, is forced to compete in fixed matches in the Restricted Area. Joe, with the help of his coach Gansaku Nanbu, sets out to climb the Megaloboxing rankings and compete in the prestigious Megalonia tournament. He does this while dealing with his identity and the world around him.
Where to Watch
6. Summer Time Rendering
What Makes It Stand Out
Time loops + island mystery + horror vibes = absolute binge-worthy chaos. A rare thriller that pays off its twists.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Thriller, Supernatural, Mystery
- Time Loops, Doppelgängers
- Suspenseful and haunting
Episode Count
- Summer Time Rendering: 25 episodes
Story Overview
Shinpei, who returns to his hometown after hearing about his childhood friend Ushio’s death. He soon discovers that Ushio’s death wasn’t an accident and sets out to uncover the truth, which involves a strange, dark enigma and a supernatural element on the island
Where to Watch
7. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
What Makes It Stand Out
One of the most unique anime out there. Medieval science, philosophical rebellion, and anti-establishment narratives—this is deep, experimental anime at its best.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Historical, Drama, Psychological
- Science vs Religion, Rebellion, Knowledge
- Philosophical and cerebral
Episode Count
- Orb: On the Movements of the Earth: 25 episodes
Story Overview
Rafal, a child prodigy with an interest in astronomy, is raised by his adoptive father Potocki, who encourages him to study theology. Hubert, a heretic scholar, forces Rafal into assisting with research on the Earth’s movements, which changes his life.
Where to Watch
8. Another
What Makes It Stand Out
You want horror? This is one of the creepiest, most atmospheric school horror anime ever. Final Destination meets anime.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
- Curses, Death, Suspense
- Creepy, intense, and gory
Episode Count
- Another: 12 episodes
- Another: The Other OVA: 1 episode
Story Overview
Kouichi Sakakibara, a boy, transfers to Yomiyama Middle School and becomes involved in a series of gruesome deaths that plague his class and those connected to it. The deaths are linked to a curse caused by a past incident in which students, including a popular boy named Misaki, died and his classmates pretended he was still alive until graduation.
Where to Watch
9. Link Click
What Makes It Stand Out
This Chinese anime (donghua) blew people away with its concept: entering photos to relive and change the past. Brilliantly executed.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Supernatural, Drama, Mystery
- Time, Memory, Consequences
- Emotional and fast-paced
Episode Count
- 2 seasons (12 episodes each)
Story Overview
Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang own and run “Moment of Time Photo Studio,” a time travel photography business. They use their special abilities to travel back in time through photographs, fulfilling clients’ requests to relive past memories and deal with regrets. Cheng Xiaoshi can enter a photo and become the person in the picture, while Lu Guang observes the timeline and helps guide Cheng.
Where to Watch
10. Tomodachi Game
What Makes It Stand Out
Squid Game fans, this is your jam. A psychological battle of trust, betrayal, and money that’ll make you question everyone.
Genre, Themes & Vibes
- Psychological, Game, Thriller
- Friendship, Deceit, Survival
- Dark, twisted, and suspenseful
Episode Count
- 12 episodes
Story Overview
Five high school friends who are unexpectedly drawn into a deadly, psychological game. The game begins with the theft of class funds meant for a school trip, which leads to their abduction and confinement. To repay a debt, they have to complete 5 games that test their friendship and humanity. The friends are forced to decide between betrayal for personal gain or loyalty, which may cost them everything.
Where to Watch
Conclusion
So there you have it—10 underrated anime that are completely worth watching. Whether you enjoy mind games, sci-fi warzones, emotional, psychological Thriller, mysteries, or something different from the norm, this list has something for you. Don’t just scroll past these—dive in, and you might find your next favorite anime.
FAQs
Q1: Which anime on this list is best for beginners?
A great starting point would be “ERASED”—short, thrilling, and emotionally gripping without being too complicated.
Q2: Are these anime available in English dubbed versions?
Most of them are! “86”, “91 Days”, “Megalobox”, and “Tomodachi Game” have English dubs on platforms like Crunchyroll and Funimation.
Q3: Is “Link Click” really worth watching even though it’s Chinese?
Absolutely. It’s masterfully done and offers storytelling on par with (or better than) many Japanese anime.
Q4: Which one is the scariest?
“Another” will have you sleeping with the lights on. It’s horror with some serious gore and mystery.
Q5: What’s the most underrated anime among these?
“Orb: On the Movements of the Earth” easily wins for being deeply intellectual and criminally overlooked.
