10 Brilliant Anime That Are Unfairly Forgotten

In the last decade, anime has skyrocketed in popularity worldwide, with each year breaking the previous record for the sheer number of shows produced. Nowadays, anime fans are truly spoiled for choice, with series to suit any taste releasing every season. This abundance, however, also means that many outstanding but less popular titles get overshadowed by seasonal sensations and blockbuster hits.

Yet, once the immediate hype surrounding these new shows subsides, even series revered during their release can face the threat of being forgotten. Looking back at the last 10 years of anime, the spotlight shouldn’t only shine on the biggest names everyone talks about, like Jujutsu Kaisen or Solo Leveling. Alongside these community-wide hits, countless brilliant series have been released that either flew completely under most fans’ radars or became unfairly overlooked after their initial run. While none of these titles are completely unknown, every one of them deserves much more attention and acclaim than it currently receives.

10. Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction: The Most Unusual Sci-Fi Anime of the 2020s

Based on a manga by Inio Asano, an author acclaimed for his peculiar psychological series like Goodnight Punpun, Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction follows the seemingly ordinary lives of two friends, Ouran and Kadode. Their adolescence is anything but ordinary, though, as a giant alien mothership looms over their heads, its mere presence gradually eroding the world’s peace. In the best tradition of Asano’s work, the series offers outstandingly stimulating insights into mass paranoia and the intimate hardships of coming-of-age during unprecedented times. Yet, for how stellarly executed this unorthodox series was, it only gathered small-scale popularity.

9. Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet: A Heartwarming Sci-Fi Gem

In keeping with the theme of science fiction, Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet is an underrated miniseries from 2016 that really stands out. Based on a visual novel, it manages to condense its moving narrative into just five episodes without losing any of its charm. Set in a dystopian future where humanity is nearly extinct, the series centers around Hoshino Yumemi, a companion robot looking over a long-abandoned planetarium, who is about to have her first customer in decades. Introspective and unusually gentle for such a grim setting, this is a hidden gem that tackles primal sci-fi themes: the future’s infinite possibilities and their effects on ordinary people.

8. The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons: Quiet Struggles & Miracles of Family Life

Most anime series that are commemorated by history end up being explosive, bombastic titles with obvious mass appeal. However, some of the best releases are the quieter shows that don’tstand out at first glance, and The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons is one of them. The series tells the simple story of four brothers left to tend to themselves after losing their parents, forced to rely on their community and one another. While lacking a grand overarching plot, it is a thoughtful and earnest series that celebrates the unbreakable bonds between family members, which persevere even in the direst of circumstances.

7. Kinokoinu Mushroom Pup: A Unique Examination of Grief

The theme of grief is ever-present in anime, yet no series tackles it from as unique an angle as Kinokoinu Mushroom Pup. After losing his beloved dog Hanako, picture book writer Hotaru Yuuyami finds an unexpected path to healing when a mushroom in his garden takes the shape of a dog he chooses to take under his wing. The specific type of grief explored—the loss of a pet—is rarely brought up in media, making this little gem a particularly cathartic experience. Despite the unorthodox premise, the series is also filled with genuinely humorous moments to lighten the mood.

6. Appare-Ranman!: An Unprecedentedly Exhilarating Race Across America

Original anime as ambitious as Appare-Ranman! are a rare treat. This eccentric action-comedy was regrettably robbed of proper recognition despite being outstanding. It revolves around two quirky heroes—Japanese inventor Appare Sorrano and timid samurai Kosame Ishikki—who, stranded in Los Angeles, decide to take part in the Trans-America Wild Race. Appare-Ranman! brims with unrestricted creativity in every aspect, from the vibrant character designs and animation to the zany turns of its plot. Its chaotic charm makes up for any occasional narrative shortcomings tenfold.

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5. Back Arrow: A Modern Throwback to Classic Mecha Anime

A hilarious, over-the-top mecha flick from Kazuki Nakashima (the writer behind Gurren Lagann and Kill la Kill), Back Arrow feels so nostalgic you’d be shocked to find out it came out in 2021. The plot follows an amnesiac man named Back Arrow who crash-lands in the walled land of Lingalind, shaking up the world’s foundation. Back Arrow’s greatest strength is its sincerity—it wears its influences on its sleeve and prioritizes pure engagement at every step. This show is a treat for anyone missing the charm of older, high-energy mecha anime.

4. Id: Invaded: A Detective Show With a One-of-a-Kind Premise

Id: Invaded belongs to a peculiar category of anime: it was acclaimed and well-known in the community but remains rather niche and rarely talked about. Any fan of unorthodox science fiction and mystery would be missing out by not watching it. The show has a truly unique premise: investigators use the advanced Mizuhanome System to travel into the minds of other killers. Detective Akihito Narihisago, a man with a mysterious past, uses this system to solve crimes. This original psychological thriller is a fantastic mystery show that doesn’t waste the viewer’s time.

3. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju: Emotional Storyline Around an Unorthodox Topic

Similarly to Id: Invaded, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju wasn’t robbed of critical acclaim. Yet, due to the series’ unusual subject, it rarely pops up in discussions. A mature drama that examines purpose, artistic drive, and complex relationships, the series dives into the world of a unique Japanese performance art: rakugo (storytelling). Through the eyes of rakugo performers from different generations, the show presents the grounded struggles of flawed people who express themselves through their art. It is one of the most honest and hard-hitting dramas to grace anime in the last 10 years.

2. Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan: Brimming with Whimsical Charm

Hisone Amakasu, an outspoken but insecure rookie at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, unexpectedly gets chosen to pilot JASDF’s Organic Transformed Flyer—a dragon named Masotan. Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan is a series of contrasting elements. Its endearing art style and fantastical concept come off as childishly idiosyncratic, yet this whimsy exists in tandem with a deeper, character-driven narrative about the search for purpose. Despite the militaristic theme and magical aspects, this is a wholesome, heartwarming show appreciated for both its lighthearted uniqueness and its subtle complexity.

1. Sarazanmai: Initial Oddity Should Not Discourage Viewers

The creator of the iconic Revolutionary Girl Utena, Kunihiko Ikuhara, never shies away from oddities, but his 2019 anime original Sarazanmai was perhaps too off-putting for mainstream recognition. The bizarre premise sees a trio of boys transformed into kappas who must collect shirikodama (the source of one’s desires) from the butts of giant zombie monsters. Wild and nonsensical at first glance, Sarazanmai is nonetheless a series of outstanding nuance. Once viewers get past the eccentric presentation, they are treated to an incredibly thought-provoking, touching story about the value of human connection and self-acceptance.

Ready to Uncover Your Next Favorite?

These ten series prove that greatness isn’t always tied to popularity or hype. By giving these titles a chance, you’ll uncover some of the most compelling, creative, and rewarding stories of the past decade. Which of these overlooked gems will you watch first?