2024's already looking like another great year for anime. However, with so many new shows coming out every season, it's unsurprising that some seriously underrated anime have slipped through the cracks.
Sure, everyone loves blockbusters like Kaiju No. 8 and Solo Leveling. However, behind every major release are a handful of technically and creatively excellent anime that didn't get the love their creators deserved.
Well, we're putting that right! The Epicstream anime team has come together to make an alternate 2024 anime watchlist. If you love, anime, make sure you take a look at these series.
Ishura
Recommended by KC Mendoza
For me, the anime from this year that should've gotten more attention and gained massive mainstream popularity is none other than the dark fantasy series Ishura.
While it attracted some attention last winter, I think the series could've had the potential to be as big as other anime in similar genres, such as Berserk and Vinland Saga. It features a similar level of gore and action, coupled with a unique fantasy setting that sets it apart from other isekai.
What also made it stand out for me was the ensemble cast of characters who are all equally intriguing with complex powers and personalities.
The anime expertly highlighted each character's backstory and motivations against a backdrop of war, revealing the causes each faction was fighting for. In a way, it also reminded me of Attack on Titan minus the hype it came with.
For that reason, I can't wait for Ishura season 2 to arrive and hopefully get the praise it rightfully deserves.
Undead Unluck
Recommended by Cathlyn Melo
Undead Unluck is my pick for the most underrated anime of 2024. It has an intriguing premise that we don't see in many anime these days, making it more unique compared to other series.
It's fun and entertaining, but the series also has dark tones that provide thought-provoking moments.
I'm also impressed with the art style and overall aesthetic of Undead Unluck, as the anime tried really hard to stay true to the source material.
Sasaki and Peeps
Recommended by Tarun Mazumdar
Sasaki and Peeps is such an underrated gem of an anime series because of its unique take on isekai. Moreover, the protagonist, Sasaki, who is a middle-aged salaryman is incredibly relatable.
Sasaki and Peeps turned out to be quite the eclectic mix. While it includes the isekai version of the wizard Peeps, it strays from the usual isekai storyline. Meanwhile, Sasaki continues to love his everyday life in his own world, merely incorporating adventures in another universe into his routine.
Sasaki and Peeps isn’t a masterpiece by any stretch but its skillful genre blending maintains coherence admirably. The series uniquely combines humor, business, and isekai elements, offering a distinctive viewing experience.
The Witch and the Beast
Recommended by Will Taylor
If you're a fan of dark fantasy anime and you haven't watched The Witch and the Beast, you're missing out. Even if you're not a huge fantasy fan, the first episode is one of the best premieres I've seen in a long time.
There's a strong YA-fantasy energy to The Witch and the Beast, something you don't see much due to anime's love of teen-focused isekai. Guideau and Ashaf are two mature, complex leads in a detective story that leaves a lot of mysteries unanswered (mostly by intention).
Some suspect animation sequences gave this series a bad reputation. For me, though, the storytelling, great characters, and suggestion of a complicated world beyond what our protagonists are figuring out happily pulled me through the whole series.
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