10 Most Underrated Anime Shows Ever

The anime industry has been growing at an astounding pace over the last few decades. There are shows with a huge fan base; however, some of them remain unnoticed despite having an amazing story, characters, and animation. By exploring the world of underrated anime shows, viewers can uncover a diverse range of storytelling styles, visual aesthetics, and thematic content that they may not have encountered before.

We have compiled some of the best-underrated anime shows of all time, which failed to make it up to the mark because of some reason or the other, but were loved by critics and the audience. So, sit back, relax, grab some popcorn, and lose yourself in the world of these diamonds in the rough.

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10/10 Terror in Resonance

A thought-provoking theme with exceptional character development. Terror In Resonance follows the story of 2 adolescent boys who carry out a series of terrorist attacks in Tokyo while they leave puzzling clues for the police to solve.

Despite having a talented director and a unique premise, Terror in Resonance did not receive the same level of recognition and popularity as some other anime shows. One possible reason for this is that the series' slow-paced storytelling and focus on character development may not have appealed to audiences who were looking for more action-packed and fast-paced shows.

9/10 Paranoia Agent

Paranoia Agent is an anime series that explores the psychological and emotional consequences of a series of violent attacks that take place in Tokyo, committed by a mysterious individual known as Shonen Bat.

The series was regarded as a cult classic and has amazing animation. However, one of the reasons for it not being a grand success was its heavy reliance on psychological and philosophical themes, which failed to appeal to a wider range of mainstream audiences. Also, when the series was released, it faced a lot of competition and failed to stand out, hence, being the underrated masterpiece it is today.

8/10 Ping Pong The Animation

Ping Pong the Animation is an anime series that follows the lives of two high school friends, Peco and Smile, as they navigate the world of competitive table tennis. Despite its engaging characters, dynamic animation, and unique storytelling style, the series did not receive the recognition and popularity that it deserved.

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One reason for this may be due to the series' unconventional art style, which may have turned off some viewers who were expecting more traditional anime aesthetics. Additionally, the series' focus on character development and interpersonal relationships may not have appealed to those who were looking for more fast-paced shows.

7/10 Rainbow

Rainbow is an anime series that follows the lives of a group of young men who are incarcerated in a juvenile detention center in post-World War II, Japan. The series deals with mature and heavy themes such as abuse, violence, and trauma and portrays the harsh realities of life in prison.

Its dark and gritty subject matter is what caused the series to go unnoticed by the mainstream audience. Also, many high-profile shows filled the lists of anime fans when Rainbow was released. These were the reasons why "Rainbow" went underappreciated.

6/10 Samurai Flamenco

Samurai Flamenco is an anime series that follows the adventures of a male model named Masayoshi Hazama, who becomes a superhero named Samurai Flamenco. The series explores the concept of heroism and the relationship between fantasy and reality in a humorous and lighthearted way.

Samurai Flamenco is often considered underrated due to its slow pacing and unconventional storytelling. The series begins as a parody of superhero tropes but gradually transforms into a more introspective and philosophical exploration of heroism and morality. This tonal shift may have alienated some viewers who were looking for a more straightforward show, but for those who appreciate character-driven stories with depth and nuance, Samurai Flamenco is a hidden gem that is well worth watching.

5/10 Hell Girl

Ai Enma, through her supernatural website, offers to help people send their tormentors to hell. Of course, there is a catch. She does this in exchange for their soul. Following the theme of revenge and redemption, it failed to relate with the audience and hence, went unnoticed by many.

Also, the slow-paced character-centric storyline failed to appeal to the audience that was looking for a more influential plot. Nevertheless, Hell Girl remains a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and the lengths people will go to seek justice and find peace.

4/10 The Promised Neverland

The Promised Neverland is an anime series that takes place in a world where children are raised in an idyllic orphanage, only to discover that they are actually being raised as food for demons. Despite its intense and engaging storyline, The Promised Neverland was initially underrated in the anime community due to its lack of marketing and promotion, as well as its unusual premise that may not have appealed to all audiences.

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However, as the series progressed, it gained a dedicated following due to its compelling story, unique world-building, and strong character development, cementing its place as one of the best anime series of recent years.

3/10 Angels of Death

Rachel Gardner, a 13-year-old, finds herself trapped in a mysterious building and pursued by a serial killer. She teams up with a fellow prisoner, a young man named Isaac Foster, and together they attempt to escape while uncovering the secrets of the building and their own pasts.

The violent and dark themes, as well as the psychological approach to mental illness and trauma that the series highlights, were the factors that influenced its downfall. Also, the game released prior to the anime actually led to limited outreach for the series. However, Angels of Death is a blessing for psychological horror and character-driven story fanatics.

2/10 Detroit Metal City

Soichi Negishi is a mild-mannered musician who dreams of becoming a pop star but instead finds himself as the lead singer of a death metal band called Detroit Metal City. The series is known for its humor, satire, and over-the-top depiction of the metal music scene.

The sheer focus of the series on death metal and music culture made its approach limited. Moreover, shock humor and dark comedy might not be for everyone. Hence, Detroit Metal City remains the diamond in the rough that we know it is today.

1/10 Monster

Dr. Tenma, a well-known neurosurgeon, is torn between his novel duty and orders from his superiors when he has to choose to operate on the mayor and a young boy, Johan Liebert. His career takes a dive when he refuses the orders of the superiors and operates on the boy, only to find out after nearly a decade that the boy has grown up to be a serial killer.

Facing a moral dilemma, Tenma embarks on the journey to find Johan. The cerebral approach and slow-paced storyline that the series offered led the audience to overlook the series. Nevertheless, Its impact on the psychological thriller genre in anime cannot be denied, and it remains a must-watch for fans of the genre.

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