Anime is being created at such a breakneck pace that no one with even a passing interest in the medium can hope to keep up. Others have received near-universal acclaim. Other examples are Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s or Neon Genesis Evangelion’s classic status, as well as My Hero Academia’s current worldwide praise.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Because there are so many shows being developed and aired all the time fighting for viewers, some gems will fall between the cracks. If you’re searching for a decent place to start, try one of these lesser-known pieces first.
Ericka Blye updated this page on June 20th, 2020. Many anime films were released in the West in the early 2000s, frequently concurrently with their Japanese counterparts. Both established and emerging entertainment businesses competed for rights to acquire and distribute in the United States.
As anime’s popularity rose, a broader range of genres emerged, many of which did not involve action sequences or mostly male protagonists as the main characters. During this historical period, horror, music, theatre, and other subgenres flourished.
Hell Girl
Each episode of Hell Girl, a supernatural/horror anime, follows the story of a character who has been abused by their peers. When all other avenues have been exhausted, Enma Ai, the interesting Hell Girl, is contacted via a website. They can have their tormentors exiled with Enma Ai’s assistance, but the cost is high because they will be damned alongside them.
As Hell Girl demonstrates, vengeance can have a devastating effect on a person. As satisfying as it is to witness some truly awful people get “what they deserve,” it also raises doubts about the concept of vengeance as a whole.
AnoHana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Jinta Yadomi and his friends had grown away since the tragic loss of Jinta’s boyhood friend Menma. One summer day, the ghost of older Menma visits Jinta and asks for his assistance in achieving her “wish.” Jinta has gone into seclusion.
AnoHana, a moving coming-of-age story, emphasizes bereavement and adolescence. Each of the “Super Peace Busters” has a well-developed character whose sadness is equal to the groups. Anime aficionados should not miss out on this heartfelt tale of grief.
Hikaru No Go
Following the success of Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, anime episodes based on trading card games and vice versa have grown increasingly prevalent, however, board game-based anime shows are rare. Hikaru no Go, which is based on the Chinese board game of the same name, is one of the few games like it.
In this intriguing and entertaining series, Hikaru, a 12-year-old middle school student, is exposed to the world of professional Go players by a Heian-era ghost. Death Note illustrator Takeshi Obata got inspiration from this series to illustrate this series about outstanding Go players’ (very competitive) mindset.
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The Twelve Kingdoms
Inuyasha is without a doubt the most well-known fantasy/historical anime, although it is far from the only one. The 12 Kingdoms is an underappreciated gem based on the manga of the same name. There are many characters in the manga, but only one in the anime: Yoko Nakajima of Japan, the redheaded empress of another kingdom.
If you like high fantasy, you’ll enjoy this series, which is based on Chinese mythology but is not for everyone. She is a powerful female protagonist who works tirelessly to become Empress of the Kingdom of Kei. Yoko
Kaleido Star
Sora Naegino, a Japanese teenager, aspires to be a well-known performer at the world-famous Kaleido Stage in Osaka, Japan. Despite her lofty goals, she quickly realizes that earning a name for herself in the world-famous circus will require all of her hard work, sweat, and tears.
Even though Kaleido Star has the normal shoujo brightness, you’ll feel for Sora and the other characters due to their difficulties and tragedies.
Mushi-Shi
The protagonist of Mushi-shi, a slow-paced anthology series, is Ginko, a male. Mushi, a planet-dwelling ethereal spirit, interacts with individuals as they go about their daily lives. Ginko has made it his mission to assist people who are being victimized by these Mushi. There isn’t much of a story here; instead, Ginko’s friends and clients are the focus. Slow-motion animation and small-scale storytelling take precedence over action and drama, and the film’s leisurely pace allows you to soak up the ambiance.
School Rumble
Tenma and Kenji appear in this romantic comedy, as does a love triangle between their intriguing classmate Oji and the rest of the kids in their class. In addition to the main characters, the series of short episodes, which are almost like sketches, includes a slew of minor characters and their hilarious antics.
Reviewers have labeled it as shounen and shojo, indicating that it appeals to a wide audience. Overall, the purpose of the show is to make you laugh, and most people believe it succeeds due to its thrilling pacing and slightly off-kilter sense of humor. The music in the picture is also excellent.
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Tsuritama
Tsuritama, a sports anime centered on fishing, undervalues the sport. Unlike other sports anime, this one does not emphasize dramatic moments or action sequences, which is unusual for the category. Contrary to popular opinion, the major conflict of the novel is small-scale and intimate. The story centers around Yuki, a high school student who has been transferred about a lot in his childhood and is struggling to fit in. When Haru and his grandmother move to Enoshima, an alien who purports to be an immigrant appears. From this ludicrous premise emerges a wonderful story about friendship and learning to cope with stress.
Yakitate Japan
Yakitate! is a 2004 comedy television show about food and cookery. Other anime series centered on food, such as Food Wars!, have surpassed Japan. Kazuma, the protagonist, wants to manufacture Japan’s national bread and get a job in the country’s most prestigious bread bakery. Kazuma’s hands become substantially hotter than usual when he uses his “Solar Hands” talent. As a result, the fermentation of his bread dough is quickened! It’s a charming show about food preparation and consumption, with plenty of humorous reactions from those who have really experienced the meals.
Monster
Monster is a grim and realistic thriller based on Dr. Kenzo Tenma’s decision to save the lives of two infant twins rather than the mayor of his town in Germany. Many people have never heard of this critically acclaimed television series.
Almost a decade later, Tenma discovers that one of the twins, Johan, has become a heinous serial killer, while the other lives in safety with her foster parents. Tenma’s attempts to remedy the error he made in saving Johan’s life are chronicled in the storyline. The anime is dedicated to faithfully reproducing the widely acclaimed manga on which it is based, from its dark cinematic aesthetics to its cerebral plot.
Samurai Flamenco
Masayoshi Hazama, a male model, aspires to be a superhero for the rest of his life, and Samurai Flamenco follows him on his adventure. Masayoshi, on the other hand, lacks superhuman capabilities. After often battling with both the city’s harsher parts and the police, Hidenori Goto, a young cop, becomes involved and ends up supporting his cause. It starts out as a lighthearted superhero comedy but quickly turns into a darker, more dramatic plot that you won’t be able to put down until the finish.
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Hamatora
In addition, Hamatora discusses features of the superhero subgenre. The anime’s two seasons are based on the events in the manga of the same name, however, reading the manga is not required to enjoy the anime. Two of the primary characters (Nice and Murasaki) establish a private detective service that solves problems using “Minimums.” This supernatural mystery series has numerous unexpected twists and turns that keep the audience on their toes. It’s easy to get caught up in the plot, but the show never loses sight of the lovable characters who drew you in the first place.
Eden Of The East
Eden of the East defies easy categorization as a weird blend of survival, politics, and psychological intrigue. Ten billion yen has been donated to twelve people known as Selecao in order to protect Japan against a future missile attack.
If the Selecao runs out of money or uses it selfishly, a mysterious individual known only as the Supporter “eliminates” them. In the game, anything is legal, including killing your opponents. Takizawa Akira, the protagonist with amnesia, is among them Selecao. Keep a watch out for the sequels of this series, which will answer your questions about how it all ends.
Horizon In The Middle Of Nowhere
Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere is tough to categorize in terms of genre. Much of the anime is centered on humanity’s futile attempts to escape Earth’s failing climate by traveling to other worlds. Despite the fact that Japan is the only place on the earth where they can depart, they are unable to do so owing to an unknown power. When the majority of the human population shrinks to the size of a pocket, they invade and conquer Japan, forcing the Japanese to live aboard a floating city ship that circles the land perpetually. Apocalyptic whispers inspire protagonist Tori Aoi to develop a plan to regain their homeland.
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