5 best anime series you’ve never heard of
IMDBAt a time when there are a plethora of great anime series out there, it’s easy to miss out on hidden gems. Here are some of the best anime shows that you’ve probably never heard about.
The anime industry is growing rapidly, especially with streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime releasing their own original anime shows.
In each cour, the industry has released several new, amazing anime series, while also bringing back several older shows with new seasons. For instance, 2024 has just started, and we’ve already got series like Solo Leveling and Mashle gracing our screens.
Since there’s an ocean of anime content to watch, it’s not usual for several amazing shows to go unnoticed. While there are several reasons why such shows don’t get the limelight they deserve, but we won’t get into that. Instead, let’s talk about some of the best, most underappreciated shows to bring these to your attention.
1. Paranoia Agent
IMDBProduced by Madhouse, Paranoia Agent is an anime with a 7.7 rating on MyAnimeList, but oddly, you won’t find may anime fans chatting about it. The anime series was directed by none other than Satoshi Kon, the industry legend who gave us unforgettable projects like ‘Tokyo Godfathers,’ ‘Paprika’ and ‘Perfect Blue.’
The psychological thriller follows a vicious criminal who assaults random people walking down the streets of Tokyo with a baseball bat. Shockingly, none of the victims can ever recall his appearance in front of the authorities. It’s a television show that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its cerebral and ever-twisting plot. Moreover, Paranoia Agent also features several violent sequences that might overwhelm the audience with their gritty aesthetics.
2. Welcome to the N.H.K
IMDBDespite its 8.3 rating on MyAnimeList, Welcome to the N.H.K. is one such anime that is hidden from most anime fanatics. The series follows psychological themes like anxiety and depression that people have to go through in their adolescence. The show is a thriller, but it will likely make viewers weep with its emotional rounds.
Welcome to the N.H.K. is a tale about a shut-in young man named Tatsuhiro Sato. He is a loner who lives in Tokyo and is tired of his depressing circumstances. However, one day, a girl named Misaki Nakahara enters his life and vows to help him come out of this difficult phase.
3. Kemonozume
IMDBHere’s another anime on the list that comes from the brilliant animation studio Madhouse. If you admire good artwork, this 13-episodic television series is waving at you to get some attention. Moreover, Kemonozuke also has a vibe similar to our beloved Jujutsu Kaisen. While the latter revolves around curses and the students of Jujutsu High, Kemonozume follows flesh-eating creatures and a student of Kifuken school.
However, this is not your typical dark fantasy anime, as it also features a love story that must face the deadly beasts out there together. Apart from its amazing animation, the anime’s opening theme song will likely be one of the many other things about it that you’ll surely appreciate.
4. Tiger and Bunny
IMDBTiger and Bunny is definitely a good, go-to anime, as it’s pretty much suitable for anyone who loves superhero content. The story takes place in a reimagined New York City called Sternbild, where several years ago, superheroes labeled NEXT started cropping up.
The narrative of Tiger and Bunny revolves around two superheroes, Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks Jr. Despite their conflicting relationship, they must solve the murder mystery of the Barnaby’s parents and fight a vigilante named Lunatic to maintain peace in the city. During their adventures, the old-school Wild Tiger and new-school Barnaby Jr. learn to appreciate their differences and become fast friends.
5. Skip Beat
CrunchyrollBased on a manga of the same name, the Skip Beat anime ran from October 2008 to March 2009 on TV Tokyo. It’s a love-revenge television series that revolves around a 16-year-old girl, Kyoko Mogami, who falls in love with her childhood best friend, Shotaro Fuwa. However, her heart gets shattered after realizing that the one she loves the most only thinks of her as a maid.
The guy keeps Kyoko around so that she does his daily household chores. Realizing this, Kyoko gets rid of that spark inside her heart and crafts a plan to take revenge and regain her self-esteem.
You might have started this year with shows like Solo Leveling but the series we have discussed in the article deserves equal attention. So, if you are a true anime enthusiast, don’t think twice before watching these amazing stories.
