Anime comprises of beautifully crafted shows and movies. Sadly, only a handful of them get the attention, while the rest take a backseat. From isekai to shonen, every genre consists of series that otakus might have shoved away from the limelight due to a lack of promotion and reviews. However, veteran otakus love these underrated shows, and rightfully so. ComingSoon has crafted a list of the best-underrated series for viewers who look forward to delving into the anime-verse and need a guide to start somewhere.
The list of underrated anime series is quite long. Keeping that in mind, here are five of the most loved ones according to the otakus.
Dororo
A 2019 series produced by MAPPA and Tezuka Productions, Dororo is a reimagining of the 1969 show of the same title. Airing between January and June 2019, it received a substantial fan following from anime veterans. The story unfolds during Japan’s Warring States period, focusing on Daigo Kagemitsu. He strikes a sinister deal with 48 demons and offers them his unborn child’s body parts for power.
Miraculously, the baby somehow survives. Then, a compassionate sage adopts and raises him, equipping him with prosthetics. As the baby matures, he crosses paths with Dororo, and their journey takes them to face several supernatural threats.
Gintama
The Gintama anime, based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Hideaki Sorachi, ran from April 2006 to October 2018. The series centers on Gintoki, a rule-breaking samurai handyman who tackles any task so that he can stay afloat. Alongside his gang, they remain among the rare lot who uphold samurai principles and often stir up mischief wherever they go.
Death Note
Death Note is inarguably one of the best anime for those who want to explore the genre. Despite being a cult classic, the anime somehow remains unpopular in the mainstream media. Death Note aired in June 2006, with Shusuke Kaneko as the director.
It revolves around Light Yagami, a regular student who stumbles upon a peculiar notebook with supernatural powers. If someone’s name is written in the notebook while being aware of their face, they die. Light becomes intoxicated with this godlike power and eliminates those whom he believes to be unfit for living. However, a mysterious detective named L is determined to stop his venture.
Death Parade
With Yuzuru Tachikawa the creator, writer, and director, Death Parade was released with 12 episodes. The series’ unique plot leads it to this list of underrated anime. The story features a place called Quindecim, where humans find themselves after death. It is a bar presided over by the enigmatic white-haired Decim. Here, they engage in Death Games as they bet their lives and reveal their true selves.
Chihayafuru
With 25 episodes, Chihayafuru began airing in 2011, but the anime was halted in 2012. Madhouse Studio produced the series and Sentai Filmworks licensed it. It revolves around Chihaya Ayase, whose childhood dream is to see her sister, Chitose, become Japan’s top model.
However, when she defends her classmate Arata, it leads her to discover karuta (a Japanese card game) and she falls for the sport. Chihaya, Arata, and Taichi join the Shiranami Society, with the former aiming to become the ‘Queen of Karuta.’ The protagonist also forms a karuta club at her school with Taichi’s help and trains for victory in the Omi Shrine’s national championship.
