Crunchyroll has become the modern hub of anime streaming. Featuring new and classic releases, the platform has excited fans with its huge variety of titles. However, with such a vast library covering all genres, choosing your next watch is a difficult decision, and because of this, many viewers turn to tried-and-true favorites or modern heavy-hitters. These are the series that have so long delighted the fan base, so there is safety in choosing them. They have a reliable track record, vetted by viewers and deemed to be true greats of the medium.
Now, there is nothing wrong with turning to these well-known super series. With that said, there are several great, underrated anime hidden within Crunchyroll’s database that still deserves your attention. Whether due to their similarities to other series, their newness, or the simple downfalls of algorithmic search engines, these 20 series have somehow fallen far below the radar. Some have started to garner a decent following, but they still haven’t truly found their audience. So next time you pick up the remote, maybe give one of these underrated gems a shot. With an entry representing nearly every major genre, there should be something here for you.
20 Buddy Daddies (2023)
Buddy Daddies follows two best friend assassins as they are thrust into their most difficult mission yet: parenthood. During a Christmas Eve assassination, Kazuki and Rei are sent to kill a known human trafficker, but a young girl named Miri throws a wrench into their carefully constructed plan. On the hunt for her father, a man she’s never met, she came to the target’s hotel, only to get caught up in the chaos. Kazuki, claiming to be her father to save her life, takes the girl in after killing the trafficker (Miri’s real father), and the pair must come to terms with raising a child until they can find her mother.
Buddy Daddies is So Much More than a Spy x Family Clone
Blending together the unconventional family comedy of Full House with the assassination gunplay of John Wick shouldn’t work, and yet Buddy Daddies somehow manages to pull it off. While the series has earned some (understandable) comparisons to Spy x Family, the series stands out for its more unique focus, following the difficulties of becoming a parent and the “work-life” balance these trained assassins are forced to develop in order to care for Miri. It’s a hilarious comedy-drama with some great action sequences and a surprisingly touching story, making it a great alternative to other smash hits of the genre.
19 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023)
What happens after “happily ever after,” after the fantasy novel comes to an end? The world is saved, and the evil is defeated, but what happens to the brave adventurers that survived these ordeals? Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End seeks to answer these questions. Frieren, an elven mage, was once part of a band of heroes that saved the world from the Demon King. 50 years after her victory, she reunites with her former party, but though she hasn’t aged, her friends are in the last chapters of their lives. After one passes away, Frieren agrees to travel to the far north to give his soul a proper farewell.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Gives a Heartrending Perspective on Immortality
Admittedly, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is the least underrated series on this list. It has garnered a huge following since its 2023 release, but its recency means that there are plenty who have yet to hear about this incredible fantasy adventure. Be prepared; it will tear your heart out of your chest and stomp it into the dirt. There are very few more heart-wrenching depictions of immortality.
Frieren outlives her entire former party, and her journey across this fantasy world brings her in contact with other aged allies and friends. This is an incredible series, one that takes its subject matter seriously and lovingly captures the feel of classic D&D adventures.
18 Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside (2018)
Sometimes, an anime’s title features everything you need to know about the series, and Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside is one of those series. Gideon Ragnason is the brother to this generation’s “Hero,” a mythical chosen one meant to rid the world of the Demon Lord’s evil. However, due to the seeming uselessness of his Divine Blessing “Guide,” Gideon was sent away. Looking to start over, he moves to the small town of Zoltan and opens an apothecary. However, when Rit, a former adventurer, arrives and moves in with him, Red is forced to confront his past yet again.
Banished from the Hero’s Party Is a More Lighthearted Answer to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
If you’re looking for a D&D-inspired series without the tear-jerking storytelling of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, then Banished from the Hero’s Party might be for you. The series is, at its heart, a slice-of-life comedy, but the thematic backbone of the series focuses on duty and resolve, and it provides some much-needed substance to the narrative.
It has some truly serious and heartfelt moments, especially as the series continues to explore how Red’s absence affects the Hero’s party. It’s a really well-told tale, but despite the huge popularity of the inspiring light novel, Banished from the Hero’s Party is still looking for the following it deserves.
17 Sasaki and Peeps (2024)
Isekai is a genre that sees ordinary people whisked away to a magical world, and while its popularity has relented slightly, there are plenty of great entries releasing all the time. Sasaki and Peeps is interesting in that it features something of a reverse Isekai. Sasaki is a typical corporate busybody, and in order to fill the lonely void in his life, he decides to buy a pet. However, he doesn’t realize that the bird he brings into his home is a sage from another world, transformed and exiled. Now gifted magical powers, Sasaki seeks to use his powers to live peacefully and comfortably, but a slew of magical girls and other forces stand in his way.
Sasaki and Peeps Masterfully Brings Together Several Disparate Genres
Sasaki and Peeps has seen complaints about some pacing issues, but that shouldn’t deter you from this fun anime series. Is it the deepest entry on this list? Far from it. It’s a straightforward series with a relatively easy-to-follow plot, and the storytelling doesn’t have much in the way of a thematic backbone. Despite that, though, the series makes up for these faults with charm and an insanely fun blend of genres.
Isekai meets slice-of-life comedy meets magical girls superheroic in a bizarre mash-up unlike anything else in the world of anime, and for that reason alone, viewers need to give this series a shot.
16 Given (2019)
A modern pioneer of the BL or Boy Love genre, Given’s manga release was a smash hit, helped by a subsequent EP release based on the manga. Despite this popularity, the anime release flew under the radar. The series follows the founding of the titular band, and the romantic relationships that form within. Ritsuka, Haruki, and Akihiko are an up-and-coming band, but they are missing something. That is where Mafuyu comes in. While teaching Mafuyu to play the guitar, Ritsuka discovers the boy has an incredible singing voice. Now complete, the band prepares for their first live performance, as Mafuyu and Ritsuka develop feelings for each other.
Given Brings Serious Storytelling to the BL Genre
Given isn’t just a great romance anime. It is full of amazing music, providing a great backdrop for the emotional storytelling throughout. It has its light-hearted moments, especially in the great interactions between the band members, but this is a story with extremely real undertones. Mafuyu’s backstory alone is heartbreaking, giving his new-found connection with Ritsuka that much more weight.
While the series hasn’t yet caught up with the manga, the next arcs also place a more intimate focus on other band members and those connected to Mafuyu’s past, so the future looks bright for this fantastic BL series.
15 Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San (2018)
For anyone who has ever worked a customer service job, Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San is for you. The series is a semi-biographical slice-of-life comedy, inspired by manga-ka Honda’s time as a bookseller. Portraying himself as a walking, talking skeleton, Honda has worked at the bookstore for nearly ten years. Overseeing the manga, Honda-san works beside some truly bizarre characters, including his bag-headed best friend Kamibukuro and the fox-masked Okitsune. The series follows the eccentric adventures of this cast as they interact with customers of all stripes, dealing with the difficulties inherent in a customer service job.
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San is a Low-Stakes Workplace Comedy
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San is an easy watch. It’s a low-stakes comedy, meaning that there are no life-or-death situations despite the fact that our lead character is a member of the undead. This has likely led to it becoming underrated, especially given the vast suite of shōnen action dominating the medium today. However, there is something really special about this workplace comedy.
It is a perfect satire and parody of customer service, especially in regard to the bond that forms among booksellers. The series brilliantly blends the mundane with the absolutely bizarre, and for that reason, it deserves a place on this list.
14 Polar Bear Cafe (2012)
From bookstores to the food industry, Polar Bear Cafe introduces readers to the finest (and funniest) new dining establishment in the world of anime, as long as you can look past all the shed fur. Polar Bear, a Canadian white bear who lives for bad puns and good food, is bored with his job, so he decides to open a café near the local zoo. His regulars include both humans and animals, and the series follows the day-to-day life of Polar Bear and his friends as they go about their lives, exploring not just the antics within the titular café but the careers and lifestyles of Penguin, Panda, Grizzly, and the rest of the hilarious cast.
For Those Looking For Good Laughs and Low Stakes, Polar Bear Cafe is For You
Much like Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San, Polar Bear Cafe is a low-stakes slice-of-life comedy, and in that lies its charm. It is slow-paced, with laugh-out-loud writing and plenty of anime goofiness to please any viewer. One of the more interesting things about the series is its art style, as it renders the animals very realistically, while humans have a more traditional anime aesthetic.
It adds a touch of surrealism to the series that somehow fits the over-the-top personalities of the lead cast. This is a spectacular comedy series, and while it never received its English dub (likely due to issues translating Polar Bear’s puns), it is still worth your time.
13 Kaina of the Great Snow Sea (2023)
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea is set on an Earth ravaged by endless winter. Giant organic structures called Orbital Trees loom over the surface world, forming what the last remnants of humanity know as the Canopy. Princess Ririha of Atland, a war-ravaged surface kingdom, has heard the prophecy of a great savior from the Canopy all her life, and with neighboring Valghia poised to attack, she ascends to the Canopy to find him. What she finds, though, is a mysterious young man named Kaina. Shocked to discover life down below and seeking to explore the surface, Kaina agrees to escort Ririha back to her kingdom, despite the myriad challenges.
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea Provides a Stunning Post-Apocalypse
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea likely lost some of its audience with its 3D animated art-style, a deterrent for many modern anime viewers. However, that shouldn’t deter you. Polygon Pictures absolutely nailed their animation style, bringing this desolate Earth to life in beautifully terrifying ways.
More importantly, the story is absolutely thrilling, providing an incredibly fast-paced journey through the various parts of this chaotic world. Seriously, there are only eleven episodes in the first season, with a follow-up film to complete the story, which means that you can breeze through this series in no time flat, giving you no excuse to not give it a shot.
12 Golden Kamuy (2018)
The indigenous Ainu people of Japan take center stage in Golden Kamuy. Set just after the Russo-Japanese War in the early 20th century, the series follows a group hunting down a legendary stockpile of gold hidden by an Ainu miner. Captured by Japanese authorities, the miner tattooed parts of a secret code on some of his fellow prisoners, but those prisoners escaped.
Former soldier Saichi Sugimoto is drawn into the hunt for the treasure when one of the prisoners arrives on his doorstep. After the man is killed and the secret of the treasure is revealed, Saichi joins forces with an Ainu huntress name Asirpa to track down the other prisoners.
Golden Kamuy is a Grounded Post-War Story that Needs Mainstream Attention
Among the anime fan base, Golden Kamuy is an incredibly beloved adventure series, so it seems strange that it makes it onto this list. However, due to the series’ more serious, adult edge, it hasn’t found the same sort of mainstream attention that others have. Golden Kamuy takes itself very seriously, giving due attention to the overlooked Ainu culture, and its themes, focused on survival and the darkness of war, give it immediate weight.
This is a fascinating look at early 20th century Japan, and while it doesn’t feature the fantasy or science-fiction found in popular action/adventure series, this is one that every viewer needs to try at least once.
11 Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020)
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is a loving ode to animation. Midori Asakusa has always dreamed of becoming an animator, but though she has endless ideas and designs cooked up in her sketchbook, she has absolutely no experience animating. Despite having no interest in anime, her best friend Sayaka Kanamori recognizes her creative genius. After meeting Tsubame Mizusaki, a young model with the same dream as Midori and a talent for character animation, the trio come together to form the Eizouken club to begin working on their first project and bring their “ultimate world” to life.
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken Brings the Animation Process to Life
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is for the creatives, those who dream up new worlds and long to bring them to life. Midori, Tsubame, and Sayaka are the perfect mirrors for these viewers, and their story is equal parts heartfelt ode to the creative process and quirky, frenetic comedy.
The way the animation style shifts as the girls explore the design process is beautifully executed, and the high school setting adds dimension to the drama and expectations surrounding these young women. Despite nearly unanimous praise during its initial release, far too many have slept on this amazing series, so now is the perfect time to dive into this animated wonder.
10 The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run (2019)
In the world of The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run, a mysterious curse has plagued the land, transforming people into mysterious skull-headed creatures known as Outsiders. Those who have come in contact with these Outsiders are purged by soldiers. Shiva, a six-year-old girl, is abandoned in the woods by her aunt. Taken in by a mysterious Outsider she names Teacher, Shiva becomes a target for other, more monstrous Outsiders, while back in the “inside,” the soldiers begin to hunt for the young girl. With threats coming from all sides, Teacher must protect his young ward and discover why he is different from the other Outsiders.
The Girl from the Other Side is a Beautiful Exploration of a Celtic-Inspired World
To start, The Girl from the Other Side is one of the most beautifully animated series in the medium. The soft watercolors that make up every frame are absolutely stunning, and the stark black ink used to give Teacher and the other Outsiders life helps set them apart from the rest of the world. It is art mirroring theme in the best possible way.
More importantly, the story is brilliantly told, illustrating the peaceful day-to-day adventures of Teacher and Shiva while never forgetting the true horrors of this world. This series captures the atmosphere of the inspiring Celtic folklore, and with only three episodes, it is a lightning-fast watch that will absolutely enthrall you.
9 The Ancient Magus’ Bride (2017)
The Ancient Magus’ Bride follows Chise Hatori, a Japanese high schooler who has seen no end of tragedy in her life. Ostracized by society, Chise sells herself into slavery at an auction, where a powerful mage named Elias Ainsworth purchases her to be his bride. He reveals that Chise is a Sleigh Beggy, someone capable of absorbing magical energy, but her abilities will strain her physical health and eventually kill her. As Chise learns more about magic and explores her new home in Great Britain, a deep bond forms between her and her savior, leading to one of the most surreal romance anime in recent memory.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Blends Romance with British and Celtic Folklore
On the surface, The Ancient Magus’ Bride is incredibly bizarre. Something like a modern take on Beauty and the Beast, the series has such a surreal premise that it has drawn a fairly decent following since its release, with fans lauding the series’ intimate characterization and fantastic storytelling.
It’s a supernatural romance story based in British and Celtic folklore, creating a rich and unique world for anime veterans. Its slice-of-life structure gives viewers a chance to explore this world, introducing them to the varied cast as they come to Elias and Chise for solutions to their various problems.
8 Radiant (2018)
In the fantasy world of Radiant’s El Pharenos, powerful monsters known as Nemeses fall from the sky to wreak havoc on human society. Those touched by a Nemesis are cursed, but this also gives them the ability to wield powerful magics as Sorcerers. After surviving a Nemesis attack as a child, 17-year-old Seth dreams of using his magical ability to destroy the Nemeses at their source, the legendary land in the sky known as Radiant, but to do this, Seth will need help. With the aid of other Sorcerers, Seth will have to avoid the Inquisitors, who seek the eradication of all those cursed by the Nemeses, long enough to find Radiant and save the world.
Radiant Adds Freshness to the Shonen Adventure Genre
Radiant’s plot doesn’t deviate too far from other, similar shonen-style fantasy series, and that is likely why it hasn’t found the same audience as contemporaries like Fairy Tale or Naruto. However, its origins as a French “manfra” make for some rather unique storytelling decisions, resulting in a series that feels visually and thematically fresh from the vast suite of other similar titles.
Visually, Radiant is a powerhouse, featuring several impressive effects and incredible character designs, and with its action-packed story and loveable cast of characters, this is a series that shouldn’t be slept on.
7 Moriarty the Patriot (2020)
Acting as the origin story of the iconic villain, Moriarty the Patriot is the story of the three Moriarty brothers. With the dysfunction in his real family, Albert James Moriarty adopts two orphans and makes them his new younger brothers, William James and Louis James Moriarty. William, an idealist who looks to right the wrongs of British society, works as a crime consultant, helping criminals undermine the law and get away with their crimes. During one incident, though, William is bested by a private detective named Sherlock Holmes. Fascinated by the man, William seeks to test Sherlock, even framing him for murder.
Moriarty the Patriot Gives New Perspective to Sherlock Holmes’ Classic Antagonist
While it takes some liberties from the source material, namely introducing three James Moriarty’s instead of just one, Moriarty the Patriot is a wonderful addition to the Sherlock Holmes mythos. It captures the dynamics of the main cast incredibly well, even adapting lines from the original novels for the script.
The themes of societal reconstruction are decently nuanced, giving William a real reason for his criminal activities. It’s great to see something of an anti-villain introduced in anime, especially one as well-written as William James Moriarty. For Sherlock Holmes fans or those looking for a new crime series to binge, this is the anime for you.
6 My Love Story with Yamada-Kun at Lvl999 (2023)
In the world of anime, more realistic couples have begun to take the spotlight within the romance genre, and My Love Story with Yamada-Kun at Lv999 is one of the best examples. Akane Kinoshita just broke up with her boyfriend, and she finds solace in the MMORPG that they played together. In order to find a new community, she attends an offline meet-up at a local café. Here, she meets Yamada, an emotionless young man whose whole life revolves around video games. As Akane develops friendships with her other guild members in the real world, a deeper connection begins to form between her and Yamada that they never expected.
My Love Story with Yamada-Kun at Lv999 Makes Romance More Accessible
With the explosion of high fantasy and science fiction in anime, it is great to see a somewhat grounded take on the romance genre in My Love Story with Yamada-Kun at Lv999. Gone are the days where the spotlight falls on the super-popular high schoolers looking for love. This is a relatable look at romance, with real characters dealing with everyday struggles.
Anime doesn’t have to be some over-the-top exploration of world-ending disasters, and this series proves that. It is also a fascinating look at the world of video games, giving depth to these lovably nerdy characters while exploring lesser-explored concepts like sponsored gaming.
5 Birdie Wing: Golf Girl’s Story (2022)
Birdie Wing: Golf Girl’s Story takes place in the fictional European country of Nafrece. Eve Burton is a star golfer, utilizing her immense skill to swindle challengers out of their money in underground games. However, this all changes when she meets Aoi Amawashi, a traveling Japanese golf prodigy. After Aoi beats Eve in a one-hole match, Eve finds new purpose, desiring to take Aoi down in a full 18-hole challenge. As the story continues, the rivals slowly become friends, and a startling affection begins to develop. However, with Eve hounded by the Nafrece mafia and Aoi forced to look to her future, can this budding love truly become a reality?
Birdie Wing Brings Some Chaotic Excitement to the Game of Golf
With the profusion of sports anime, it makes sense why Birdie Wing: Golf Girl’s Story flew under the radar. Golf is a slow-paced sport, so viewers likely avoided it for the sake of soccer or volleyball-inspired series with plenty of frenetic storytelling. However, Birdie Wing somehow manages to make its story of drivers and greens really exciting, though most of that comes from its pair of leads.
Eve and Aoi are an incredible pairing, and the underlying romantic plot lines add a nice twist to the sports genre that helps diversify it from other hit series. Don’t let the golf narrative deter you from this heartfelt series.
4 Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2011)
In Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, six childhood friends calling themselves the Super Peace Busters drift apart after one of their numbers dies in an accident. Years later, their leader Jinta has become a recluse, and he believes he is hallucinating when he sees the ghost of his late friend, Menma.
Saying that she can’t pass on to the afterlife until her one wish has been granted, Menma convinces Jinta to bring the separated friends together again, and they look for a way to help their former friend. As their journey continues, the group rekindles their friendship, but they also learn that confronting the past is never easy.
Anohana Will Make You Shed SO MANY Tears
Anohana is a familiar title among long-time fans of anime. It is a heartbreaking, tear-jerking series that tells a masterful story of friendship, but despite this, it has yet to find its mainstream audience. With such a deep, involved story with such a huge, beloved cast, this is such a shame. Anohana deserves the same level of acclaim as its contemporaries, if not more, but few outside of the larger anime community have even heard of it. Now’s your chance to dive into this incredible narrative. Just be sure to bring a pack of tissues along for the ride, because you will shed a tear before the final credits roll.
3 Michiko and Hatchin (2008)
From the creators of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, Michiko and Hatchin is set in the fictional South American country of Diamandra. Michiko has recently escaped from prison, and her first order of business upon getting out is kidnapping a young girl named Hatchin. A friend of Hatchin’s biological father, Michiko saves the girl from her abusive foster family, taking her on a journey across Diamandra to find him. While their personalities differ immensely and they bicker constantly, the pair come to rely on them as their motorcycle adventure continues, especially as they find themselves in more and more dangerous situations.
Michiko and Hatchin Has the Same Sense of Style as Its Predecessors
Given the pedigree behind Michiko and Hatchin, it is so surprising that this series hasn’t found the same following as Cowboy Bebop or Samurai Champloo. The series has the same sense of visual flair, the same hip-hop-inspired style, the same storytelling power that made its predecessors so big, and yet it managed to slip through the cracks. While it doesn’t share the intricate world-building or anachronistic cool factor of its sibling series, Michiko and Hatchin still has plenty of heart within its storytelling, and for those who have blasted through Manglobe’s other massive hits, this series will help fill the void.
2 Back Arrow (2021)
Back Arrow is the story of Lingalind, a country surrounded by a massive, impenetrable wall. The people of Lingalind see the wall as something of a god, believing that all existence is contained within it, and they worship it for the Rakuho gifts that it provides them once a month. The Republic of Lutoh and the Empire of Rekka are in constant conflict to acquire these mysterious capsules, as they sometimes contain the means to summon powerful mecha known as Briheights. During one battle, though, a second Rakuho capsule lands in a small village, revealing an amnesiac young man from beyond the wall named Back Arrow.
Back Arrow Brings Together Mecha Action and Fantasy World-Building
The only reason Back Arrow didn’t find its audience upon release is the modern fatigue with mecha anime. There are so many series featuring giant robots that if it doesn’t carry the Gundam, Evangelion, or Geass name in its title, no one is interested. However, Back Arrow is so much more than a great mecha series, though it definitely is that.
No, this series is also a great fantasy anime, building an intricate new world for viewers to explore. More than that, it is close-ended, relying on 24 episodes to relate its entire story. This isn’t a series that sought to launch a franchise, just one that tells a gripping tale of fantasy politics, and it handily succeeds.
1 Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
Boogiepop Phantom is a nonlinear horror anime series based on a series of popular light novels. Five years before the events of the series, a serial killer stalked the streets of an unnamed Japanese city, and a mysterious pillar of light forced the evolution of much of the populace. This forced evolution is the focus of the series, as the show paints a picture of how it has affected the lives of those within the city.
The show also focuses on Boogiepop, a mysterious young man with incredible powers. With a strange lookalike Boogiepop Phantom stalking the streets and stealing away the evolved, Boogiepop begins the hunt for this new threat.
Boogiepop Phantom Tells a Bizarre, Nonlinear Tale of Terror
To start, Boogiepop Phantom is a bizarre story. Twisted concept and psychedelic visuals aside, the series is told in a very unconventional way, told out of sequence. The series is largely episodic, with each segment following the lives of different characters, which means that viewers will sometimes see the same events from different perspectives. This leads to a chaotic style of storytelling that immediately heightens the tension as viewers attempt to determine the truth of these events. It’s a fascinating horror series with some truly unique foundations, and with prequel light novels available, there is plenty for fans to sink their teeth into.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
