There are many popular and overrated anime shows nowadays, but there are still some underrated shows left undiscovered by fans. If you’re tired of mainstream shows, here are 12 hidden gem anime to watch!
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Kaiba
Masaaki Yuasa’s Kaiba is a timeless abstract masterpiece. It is not for everyone, but as soon as you get accustomed to its unique art style and fantasy setting, you’ll be in for a major surprise.
It is deep and poetic, the kind of anime that explores philosophical questions about human nature.
It combines a strong plot, themes, social criticism, music, and characters to create a one-of-a-kind anime show.
The anime follows Kaiba, an amnesiac protagonist who awakens in the middle of nowhere, knowing nothing about himself or his surroundings.
Soon after, Kaiba goes on a series of adventures, traveling from one place to another where technology has had a significant impact on people's lives.
Mars Red
If you like vampires, Mars Red should be the perfect addition to your list. It is a one-of-a-kind anime that is constructed like a stage play and employs theater drama throughout.
The characters are also cryptic and intriguing, with symbolism and societal commentary woven into their discourse. It also has some action that vampire anime aficionados would enjoy.
Mars Red is set in 1923 and follows a covert squad of vampire operations known as Code Zero as they attempt to examine the world's burgeoning vampire population.
They also work with the S-Class Vampire Deflot to solve the mysteries of the artificial blood source known as Ascra.
Hakumei and Mikochi
If you're seeking an idyllic and relaxing anime, Hakumei and Mikochi's calming music, laid-back plot, and stunning animation will captivate you.
It's a soothing anime that's ideal for a weekend binge while you're slouched in bed.
It is truly calming, so you might want to get a cup of coffee before binge-watching Hakumei and Mikochi!
Hakumei and Mikochi explores an alternate world where humans are only as tall as mice.
The anime has a small, but fascinating beautiful world where Hakumei and Mikochi peacefully live their lives together with their friends.
Sound of the Sky
If you combine cute girls with the military, you will get Sound of the Sky.
This anime may belong to the CGDCT (Cute Girls Doing Cute Things) trope, but Sound of the Sky is a beautiful character-driven show with various themes artfully intertwined.
It is a misunderstood show for those who only see the anime as overtly moe. But once you get past this mindset, you will realize how good a slice-of-life show Sound of the Sky is.
Sound of the Sky follows Sorami Kanata, a young girl who joins a military unit of five girls in an isolated city.
They protect a fortress that oversees a little village, and the premise here features the daily activities of the girls from a military perspective.
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi
Parody anime lovers will rejoice with Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi’s multitude of references. It is a quirky and playful anime that pays homage to a lot of shows, hobbies, and so much more!
So, if you’re not into slapstick anime like this one, you still have time to run away! But if you have a change of heart, give this show a try!
Trust me, you’ll have the most fun watching this underrated comedy anime.
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi follows childhood friends Imamiya Satoshi and Asahina Arumi.
They are residing in Osaka’s Abenobashi district, but one summer day, the children were suddenly transported to a parallel universe!
Join Satoshi and Arumi as they explore the magical shopping district, where common sense does not exist!
Kotaro Lives Alone
Have you ever tried living by yourself? It’s pretty normal for adults, but what if you’re in the shoes of four-year-old Kotaro?
It’ll be pretty difficult, but Kotaro maintains a very positive outlook on life, and there’s no stopping his endeavors!
In Kotaro Lives Alone, join Kotaro as he explores the world through the eyes of a four-year-old.
Along with his friendly neighbor Shin and some other good friends, Kotaro shows how mature he is despite experiencing so many struggles in life.
Don’t be fooled by the anime’s art style; Kotaro Lives Alone will be an emotional ride!
91 Days
A revenge-driven anime, 91 Days is an excellent show to immerse yourself in. The anime’s premise is so compelling that it leaves no filler and/or dull moments that will bore the viewers.
91 Days also has an interesting cast of characters, and when it counts the most, they always do it right.
Although it is a revenge anime, it focuses more on friendship than the hatred that drives the protagonist.
This action anime follows Angelo Lagusa, who assumes the identity of Avirio, to exact his revenge on the people who murdered his family.
He joins the Vanetti family in the hopes that he will finally get his redemption.
Humanity Has Declined
If you’re looking for something new to watch, Humanity Has Declined will punch you in the face with its black comedy and dark humor.
It is the kind of show that will leave a lasting impression on viewers due to its unpredictable and crazy premise.
It is very whimsical, but Humanity Has Declined is more than that. In addition to its wacky premise, the anime parodies society as a whole and presents it cleverly to entertain the viewers.
Humanity Has Declined is set in a world where humans and fairies co-exist to help each other survive. But the fairies have a different understanding of what is fun and good than humans do.
So, our human protagonist, Watashi, becomes an international arbitrator between humans and fairies.
She thought it was a simple job, but it turns out it is more complicated than any other profession in the world.
Do It Yourself!
Another hidden gem anime to watch, Do It Yourself! has a very healing and soothing effect on the viewers. It brings positivity and goodness, which I think mankind needs more of at this point in time.
This anime is pretty similar to the vibes of Laid-Back Camp and Encouragement of Climb.
So, if you’re into these kinds of shows, you will also learn to love Do It Yourself!
Do It Yourself! follows a goofball protagonist named Yua Serufu, who joins the DIY club for the sake of saving it from being shut down.
She joins Yasaku Rei, the peculiar president of the club, along with Takumi, who doesn’t know anything about DIY.
From here on, Yua learns from Rei, and she steps into the fun world of DIY crafts!
You might learn a thing or two from this show, so go ahead and watch it now!
Silver Spoon
Silver Spoon has a very simple and silly premise, but it is surprisingly involving and has a somewhat different approach to coming-of-age and comedy anime.
It follows a city boy named Hachiken Yuugo who enrolls in an agricultural dorm school.
He has a knack for studying, but Yuugo did not expect to face so many difficulties while adjusting to his new life at his new school.
The burning question is: can Yuugo keep up with his classmates, who are already accustomed to a hard-working farm life?
This is another hidden gem anime that most people will snob just by reading its synopsis.
But wait until you watch the first episode, and you will get hooked in an instant due to its depth and interesting educational aspects!
Den-noh Coil
In a world where glasses replaced mobile phones, Den-noh Coil follows a 6th grader named Yasako as she is drawn into the dangerous affairs of a recovery agency run by local children.
Yasako’s beloved cyber-pet has gone missing, and she takes an interest in the chaos that unfolds in the world, which the adults have not yet noticed.
Den-noh Coil might look child-friendly due to its art style and design, but the characters in the premise have a surprising level of complexity and depth that is almost as mature as adults.
If you keep an open mind about the anime’s premise, you will learn to love the entire cast of interesting characters, the sci-fi and cyberpunk elements, as well as its moral values about family bonds and friendship.
Theatre of Darkness: Yamishibai
This list will not be complete without Yamishibai. It is a horror and thriller anime that will creep you out with its unique and excellent style of terror.
It is a scary anime that delivers horror effectively due to its expressive sound and visuals, which are unlike any other.
Each episode of Yamishibai might be short, but it is still worth watching.
There aren't a lot of horror anime that will scare you, but Yamashibai is an exception!
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