10 Criminally Underrated Anime Hidden Gems You Need to Watch Right Now
While mainstream anime like Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan dominate discussions, some of the most brilliant series remain hidden anime gems that only true fans know about. These criminally underrated anime shows offer incredible storytelling, unique art styles, and unforgettable characters that often surpass their popular counterparts.
Whether you’re a seasoned anime enthusiast seeking your next obsession or a newcomer looking beyond the obvious choices, this curated list of overlooked anime masterpieces will expand your horizons and introduce you to some truly exceptional series.
What Makes These Anime Hidden Gems?
Before diving into our list, it’s important to understand what qualifies as an underrated anime series. These shows typically:
- Have exceptional quality but limited mainstream recognition
- Offer unique storytelling approaches or innovative animation
- Feature complex characters and meaningful themes
- Deserve significantly more attention than they currently receive
- Provide experiences you won’t find in popular anime
1. Scissor Seven - The Ultimate Comedy-Action Sleeper Hit
Genre: Comedy, Action, Slice of Life
Episodes: 30+ (across multiple seasons)
Where to Watch: Netflix
Scissor Seven follows a bumbling hairdresser-turned-assassin who struggles to recover his lost memories while taking on increasingly bizarre assassination contracts. This Chinese-produced donghua (anime-style animation) is one of Netflix’s best-kept secrets.
Why It’s Underrated: Despite being described as “Netflix’s hidden gem”, Scissor Seven remains largely unknown outside of donghua circles. The series masterfully balances slapstick comedy with genuine emotional moments, creating a viewing experience that’s both hilarious and surprisingly touching. “This underrated anime hidden gem blends action with heartfelt storytelling.”
What Makes It Special:
- Unique animation style that perfectly complements the comedy
- Memorable supporting characters with their own compelling backstories
- Perfect blend of action sequences and comedic timing
- Gradually reveals a deeper, more complex narrative
2. To Your Eternity - An Emotional Masterpiece
Genre: Drama, Supernatural, Adventure
Episodes: 20 (Season 1)
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation
To Your Eternity follows an immortal being that can take the form of anything with a strong emotional connection. Starting as a simple orb, it learns about humanity through profound encounters with various people across different time periods.
Why It’s Underrated: This anime deserves recognition alongside emotional heavy-hitters like Clannad and Violet Evergarden, yet it flies under the radar for many viewers.
What Makes It Special:
- Explores themes of death, memory, and what it means to be human
- Stunning animation that brings emotional moments to life
- Each arc introduces new characters while building an overarching narrative
- Philosophical depth that rewards thoughtful viewing
3. Dororo - A Dark Historical Masterpiece
Genre: Action, Historical, Supernatural
Episodes: 24
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Based on Osamu Tezuka’s manga, Dororo tells the story of Hyakkimaru, a young man who must reclaim his stolen body parts from demons to become whole again, accompanied by the clever thief Dororo.
Why It’s Underrated: Despite being created by the “God of Manga,” this 2019 adaptation remains overshadowed by more mainstream historical anime and its the reason why this masterpiece is a underrated gem.
What Makes It Special:
- Mature themes wrapped in stunning animation
- Complex father-son relationship that drives the narrative
- Historical setting that feels authentic and immersive
- Perfect balance of action and character development
4. My Bride is a Mermaid - Comedy Gold
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural
Episodes: 26
Where to Watch: Funimation
When Nagasumi nearly drowns and is saved by mermaid Sun, he’s forced to marry her to keep the mermaid world’s existence secret. What follows is pure comedic chaos as Sun’s yakuza mermaid family creates havoc in his everyday life.
Why It’s Underrated: Romance comedies often get dismissed, but this series delivers consistent laughs while developing genuine relationships between characters.
What Makes It Special:
- Relentless pace of comedy that never lets up
- Unique premise that keeps situations fresh
- Strong character development beneath the humor
- Memorable side characters that enhance every episode
5. Detective Conan - The Ultimate Mystery Series
Genre: Mystery, Detective, Crime
Episodes: 1000+ (ongoing)
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
When brilliant detective Shinichi Kudo is poisoned and shrunk to child size, he must solve cases while hiding his true identity and searching for a cure.
Why It’s Underrated: The sheer length intimidates many viewers, causing them to miss one of anime’s most consistently entertaining series.
What Makes It Special:
- Intricate mystery plots that challenge viewers to solve cases
- Long-running character development and relationships
- Perfect episodic structure that’s easy to watch casually
- Blend of serious crime-solving with lighthearted moments
6. Food Wars! (Shokugeki no Soma) - Culinary Excellence
Genre: Cooking, School, Comedy
Episodes: 86 (across 5 seasons)
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu
At Totsuki Culinary Academy, students engage in intense cooking battles where mediocre performance means expulsion. Soma Yukihira must prove himself among elite culinary students.
Why It’s Underrated: Often dismissed as “just a cooking anime,” it actually delivers intense competition and character growth.
What Makes It Special:
- Makes cooking genuinely exciting and suspenseful
- Detailed food preparation that’s educational and entertaining
- Strong character development through culinary challenges
- Creative visual storytelling that makes food look incredible
7. The Prince of Tennis - Sports Anime Excellence
Genre: Sports, School, Shounen
Episodes: 178
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Middle school tennis prodigy Ryoma Echizen joins Seishun Academy’s tennis club, where he must prove himself against older, more experienced players.
Why It’s Underrated: Often overshadowed by more popular sports anime like Haikyuu!, but offers equally compelling competition and character development.
What Makes It Special:
- Realistic tennis techniques mixed with shounen excitement
- Strong team dynamics and individual character arcs
- Teaches actual tennis strategy and techniques
- Inspiring underdog story with satisfying progression
8. Parasyte - Psychological Horror at Its Finest
Genre: Horror, Psychological, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 24
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
When alien parasites invade Earth, high school student Shinichi Izumi becomes partially infected, forcing him to coexist with the parasite Migi while fighting others of its kind.
Why It’s Underrated: Despite critical acclaim, it’s often overlooked by viewers seeking lighter entertainment.“This underrated anime hidden gem blends action with heartfelt storytelling.”
What Makes It Special:
- Explores themes of humanity, coexistence, and survival
- Genuinely unsettling horror elements
- Philosophical questions about what makes us human
- Unique art style that perfectly captures the horror elements
9. Golden Time - Mature Romance Done Right
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
Episodes: 24
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
College student Tada Banri struggles with amnesia while navigating complex relationships with his friends, particularly the enigmatic Koko Kaga.
Why It’s Underrated: Often overshadowed by high school romance anime, but offers a more mature perspective on relationships.
What Makes It Special:
- College setting provides more mature relationship dynamics
- Complex characters with realistic flaws and growth
- Deals with serious themes like memory loss and identity
- Genuine emotional depth in romantic relationships
10. 86 Eighty-Six - War Drama Excellence
Genre: Mecha, Drama, Military
Episodes: 23 (across 2 seasons)
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
In a nation that claims to fight a war without casualties, the “86” are forced to pilot unmanned drones while facing discrimination and death on the battlefield.
Why It’s Underrated: Released during a crowded anime season, it didn’t receive the attention it deserved despite exceptional quality.
What Makes It Special:
- Mature themes about war, discrimination, and human dignity
- Stunning animation and mecha design
- Complex characters dealing with trauma and survival
- Powerful anti-war message wrapped in compelling storytelling
Where to Start Your Hidden Gems Journey
For Comedy Lovers: Start with Scissor Seven or My Bride is a Mermaid
For Drama Enthusiasts: Begin with To Your Eternity or 86 Eighty-Six
For Mystery Fans: Detective Conan offers endless entertainment
For Sports Anime Newcomers: The Prince of Tennis is perfect
For Horror Seekers: Parasyte delivers psychological thrills
For Romance Fans: Golden Time offers mature relationship storytelling
Why These Underrated Anime Deserve Your Attention
These hidden anime gems prove that exceptional storytelling exists beyond mainstream hits. Each series offers unique perspectives, innovative animation, and memorable characters that create lasting impressions. By exploring these overlooked anime masterpieces, you’ll discover stories that challenge, entertain, and inspire in ways that popular series sometimes cannot.
The anime community thrives when viewers seek out diverse content beyond trending titles. These criminally underrated anime series represent the medium’s incredible range and creativity, offering experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these anime suitable for beginners?
A: Most of these series are beginner-friendly, though Parasyte contains mature horror themes. Scissor Seven, My Bride is a Mermaid, and Food Wars! are particularly accessible.
Q: Where can I watch these underrated anime series?
A: Most are available on major streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Funimation. Availability may vary by region.
Q: Which of these hidden gems has the best animation?
A: 86 Eighty-Six and To Your Eternity feature particularly stunning animation, while Scissor Seven offers a unique artistic style.
Q: Are there English dubs available?
A: Several titles including Parasyte, Golden Time, and Food Wars! have English dubs. Check your preferred streaming platform for availability.
Q: How long would it take to watch all these series?
A: The total runtime is approximately 180+ hours, though you can enjoy each series independently based on your interests.
Want to Explore More?
If you’re interested in diving deeper into the anime world, check out these related blogs:
Have you watched any of these hidden anime gems? Which underrated series would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below and help fellow anime fans discover their next favorite show!
This list really dug deep into some underrated gold—but curious to hear from other anime fans: did we nail it, or is there a hidden gem that deserves a spot here more than one of these?