Popularity doesn’t always determine the quality of a production, as while many anime masterpieces are recognized and reach global audiences, some become hidden gems known only by a select few. Some rare anime, despite not reaching such a wide audience, manage to create emotional journeys that connect on a deep level with those who give them a chance.

Some of the most underrated anime are highly regarded and impactful works, full of sensitivity, with rich and complex stories that went unnoticed upon release. Either due to their niche premise or particular art style, many anime masterpieces flew under the viewers’ radar and deserve more attention.

Ef: A Tale of Memories

Some anime adaptations of visual novels have become global hits, like the Fate Series and Aria: The Animation. However, there are hidden gems like Ef: A Tale of Memories that are still waiting to be discovered. Ef: A Tale of Memories blends drama and romance with an excellent overall narrative that explores two parallel love stories.

While Ef: A Tale of Memories’ art style is typical of the 2000s, it’s a great follow-up series for fans of Clannad and other Key anime. Furthermore, Ef: A Tale of Memories stands out for its beautiful visual narrative, and the quality of its animation is comparable to that of modern anime, demonstrating the excellent work of Studio Shaft.

The anime was even storyboarded by the legendary director Makoto Shinkai and features a sublime soundtrack, which is surpassed in its sequel, Ef: A Tale of Melodies. Ef: A Tale of Memories has just the right amount of mystery, melodrama, and anguish without being too depressing, but it will still move viewers deeply and become an unforgettable watch.

Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master

Yatagarasu is arguably the most underrated anime of 2024. Featuring the fantasy kingdom of Yamauchi, populated by a race that can shapeshift into three-legged crows, and where each region is divided by a noble family competing with each other for power and improving their social standing amid murders and mysteries in the royal court.

Sadly, the supernatural aspect of* Yatagarasu* was often overlooked by viewers, mistaking it as just a typical historical drama, and it was also overshadowed by the popularity of the other anime set in an imperial court, The Apothecary Diaries. Additionally, Yatagarasu’s slow pace may put some viewers off, but the anime steadily captivates viewers once it reveals its true charm.

Yatagarasu presents complex characters such as the crown prince, Wakamiya, who deals with the schemes and manipulations of different factions. As a result, Yatagarasu is packed with political intrigue, secrets, and mind-blowing plot twists that make it a suitable recommendation for viewers who enjoy intricate games of thrones.

Casshern Sins

Casshern Sins is a reboot of Neo-Human Casshern, released in 1973 by Tatsunoko Production. While Casshern Sins maintains the artistic identity of its predecessor, sharing the classic visual style and character designs, it would be wrong to call it a faithful reboot of the original anime. Casshern Sins is a complete reinvention with a much darker and more introspective story.

Produced by Madhouse, Casshern Sins is set in a post-apocalyptic world that seems doomed to extinction, filled with rusty robots desperately seeking immortality in the face of a seemingly inescapable fate, and a young man who doesn’t remember his past but seems to be related to the decay of reality.

However, although Casshern is involved in many fights, as he is valuable prey for many robots, more than focusing on action, Casshern Sins is a deeply contemplative and philosophical anime that explores the meaning of death, the price of immortality, and the adversities of life, showcasing great moral conflicts and valuable lessons as Casshern learns thanks to his travels.

Bokurano

Few works can boast of deconstructing a core tenet of anime as much as Bokurano. Bokurano is a classic anime that didn’t reach the biggest audience and appears to be innocent at first glance, following the story of a group of children piloting a giant robot, but it turned out to be much darker and more realistic than viewers expected.

Bokurano adapts the manga by Mohiro Kitoh, which spins the fundamental concept of the popular children’s franchise Matchless Raijin-Oh into a grim, fatalistic, and human story. While Bokurano’s anime took creative liberties in its latter half and doesn’t excel in creating flashy robot fights due to its outdated 3D animation, the anime is a must-watch for any sci-fi and mecha fans.

Bokurano conveys the drama and horror of people being thrust into a dangerous situation, having a plot filled with mysteries that gradually unravel with each episode, and will satisfy any fan of dark and deceptive anime. Furthermore, Bokurano was even honored and shares many parallels with Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

House of Five Leaves

House of Five Leaves is one of the most underrated samurai anime, having gone unnoticed by many viewers even during its broadcast in Japan. Based on the manga by Natsume Ono, who also created ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. and Ristorante Paradiso, House of Five Leaves follows the story of a ronin who joins a group called Five Leaves.

House of Five Leaves shows the less glamorous side of feudal Japan, portraying a realistic story that illustrates the hardships of the time and another perspective on the figure of a ronin with the character of Masanosuke, who is insecure and cowardly, contrasting with the imposing nature of the samurai in fiction.

Although it’s slow-paced and lacks epic sword battles like Rurouni Kenshin or Sword of the Stranger, and despite its unique visual style that may not appeal to a wider audience, House of Five Leaves has managed to captivate viewers with its complex and charming characters, incredible direction, and soundtrack.

Romeo’s Blue Skies

Romeo’s Blue Skies is part of the incredible catalog from World Masterpiece Theatre, which includes the classic anime Anne of Green Gables and Heidi, Girl of the Alps, where acclaimed Studio Ghibli directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata worked. Sadly, while Romeo’s Blue Skies gained popularity in Middle Eastern countries, it isn’t as well-known as others from World Masterpiece Theatre.

Romeo’s Blue Skies is a very realistic and crude slice-of-life anime based on the German-Swiss novel “The Black Brothers” by Lisa Tetzner, and tells the adventures of Romeo, sold into slavery, who seeks to survive as a chimney sweep in a big city unknown to him, and the influence of his friendship with another boy named Alfredo.

The anime shares the characteristic art of the 90s, with a strong Ghibli influence, and captures the essence of Milan. Romeo’s Blue Skies is a retro anime gem that shows the importance of friendship and teamwork, with endearing characters and a good balance between heartwarming and intense moments that will surprise viewers.

Den-noh Coil

Den-Noh Coil is a cult classic from 2007 that has received a lot of praise, but the public is mostly unaware of its existence. While virtual reality was popularized thanks to hit anime like Serial Experiments Lain, Den-noh Coil takes a different approach to the use of technology, creating a unique, fleshed-out world where the separation from fiction is blurred.

Den-noh Coil’s story is set in a near future where the use of augmented reality glasses has slipped into everyday life, becoming an indispensable aspect of children’s games and adventures. However, the advancement of technology is not as harmless as it was supposed to be, but has darker consequences for people.

Den-noh Coil is an intriguing anime that encompasses many genres, from comedy, romance, and suspense, posing many mysteries as well as philosophical and moral debates, showing a futuristic society that’s still strongly rooted in today’s world. Den-noh Coil also has a great visual style and many emotional moments, making it an essential anime for any sci-fi fan.

Planetes

Planetes is one of the best seinen anime in history and a masterpiece from the same creator of Vinland Saga, which unfortunately doesn’t share the same acclaim. Despite belonging to the science fiction genre and its futuristic space setting in the year 2075, Planetes doesn’t feature giant robots or epic intergalactic battles.

Planetes is a realistic anime that takes a serious look at human development and space exploration with touches of slice-of-life and a great representation of coexistence and human interactions. Moreover, more than bogging down in scientific technicalities, Planetes is about growth and focuses on the characters and their philosophical views about Earth and space.

One of Planetes’ greatest traits is its depiction of the diverse relationships between the characters, their experiences, and the problems that arise, making them feel unique. Furthermore, Planetes has a masterful production that conveys the essence of the vast space and the realism of the story, becoming a unique visual experience that viewers will not regret.

Planetes

Release Date 2003 - 2004-00-00

• Kazunari Tanaka

Hachirouta Hoshino

• Satsuki Yukino

Ai Tanabe

• Takehito Koyasu

Yuri Mihailokov

• Ai Orikasa

Fee Carmichael