10 Obscure Anime You’ve Never Heard Of That Are Easily 10/10

While some generic anime become globally popular, other exceptional series can get lost among the vast number of titles released each season because their stories don’t immediately resonate with viewers. Some of the best anime go unnoticed after their release or are forgotten over time.

Some anime lack the widespread reputation or appeal of the industry’s biggest names, but they boast innovative premises, thought-provoking themes, and distinctive visual styles, making them hidden gems that definitely deserve to be seen. Here are some lesser-known and obscure anime for fans looking for something different that might just become their new favorite.

Cromartie High School

While comedy anime like Gintama and Nichijou are still remembered despite the passage of time, others have gone unnoticed, such as Cromartie High School. This school houses a diverse cast of delinquents thanks to its ridiculously low admission standards, since if you know how to add and subtract, you can get in.

Although its animation is simple, it uses transitions effectively for punchlines, giving the series a comedic charm enhanced by its eccentric cast, from a high school student whose true humanity is questionable to a gorilla. Cromartie High School celebrates surreal humor and parodies delinquent culture with many references to Western rock, becoming a must-watch comedy with only 11 minutes per episode.

Sagrada Reset

Sagrada Reset didn’t have the same impact as Steins;Gate, as it doesn’t follow a chronological order, making it difficult for some viewers to follow the story at first. However, Sagrada Reset is one of the best time-travel anime, with a dark atmosphere and a clever and refreshing story whose mysteries are established from the very beginning.

In Sagrada Reset, the characters possess special abilities, including Misora ​​Haruki, who can rewind time, known as “reset.” Despite its slow start and seemingly monotonous characters, Sagrada Reset brilliantly resolves its mystery as it constantly plays with time leaps, becoming an anime where you have to pay close attention to pick up on the clues, full of thought-provoking themes and plot twists.

Somali and the Forest Spirit

Although action isekai often grab the headlines, there are noteworthy fantasy anime that deserve more attention, like Somali and the Forest Spirit. After humanity was brought to the brink of extinction due to relentless persecution, Somali and the Forest Spirit depicts the journey of an emotionless golem and a human girl as they try to find her place to belong.

The anime reflects the cruelty of the world in the relationship between humans and other races, and as Somali travels alongside the Golem, the two awkwardly forge a kind of parent-child bond despite not being related by blood. This premise makes Somali and the Forest Spirit gradually become one of the most heartwarming fantasy anime, which will stir viewers’ emotions.

The Fable

The Fable follows a legendary assassin who is ordered to take a sabbatical year and live under an alias, without killing anyone. But unlike anime like The Way of the Househusband, whose protagonist has already left the yakuza lifestyle behind, The Fable‘s appeal is the stark contrast between Akira’s sharp hitman skills and his inability to act like a normal person.

Although the anime went largely unnoticed in the West on Disney+, The Fable has an exquisite balance between humor and seriousness, with perfect comedic timing that alternates with tense action scenes, making the episodes fly by in an instant. From Akira’s clumsiness and hilariously weird facial expressions to its fascinating portrayal of criminals, The Fable is a must-watch underrated anime of 2024.

Erin

Kemono no Souja Erin showcases several stages of Erin’s turbulent life, beginning with her childhood living with her mother, a beastinarian who cares for lizard creatures known as Touda. Erin is forced to change her environment when her happy life with her mother is suddenly threatened, seeking to fulfill her dream as she grows up and becomes embroiled in a major political conflict.

Although many viewers have overlooked the anime, mistakenly believing it’s aimed solely at children, Erin is filled with moments of devastating sadness. With masterful depictions of political landscapes, the complex ecology of the beasts, and Erin’s insatiable desire to learn, fueled by her curiosity, Kemono no Souja Erin is a story with a profound universal message and a moving coming-of-age anime.

ACCA: 13- Territory Inspection Dept.

In ACCA: 13 – Territory Inspection Department, Jean Otus is an ACCA inspector overseeing the operations of each district’s branch in the Kingdom of Douwa. Unbeknownst to Jean, a conspiracy within the organization has already begun to brew. Unfortunately, ACCA never gained much popularity due to its serious, calm atmosphere and lack of action.

However, ACCA features fascinating world-building, captivating national politics, and human relationships intertwining with characters adept at concealing complex emotions beneath elusive expressions. This clash of strategies weaves mysteries as the truth gradually emerges, making ACCA an anime that will make viewers think with its unexpected twists and turns.

Hyouge Mono

Despite not being a serious biography, the underrated seinen anime Hyouge Mono is one of the best samurai anime. This historical anime is set in the Sengoku period and presents the life of Furuta Oribe, a retainer of the Oda clan and military commander, who was also an obsessive connoisseur of the tea ceremony.

Hyouge Mono is a rather quirky comedy anime with intense politics that follows Oribe’s rise to power and the machinations of the Sengoku warlords. However, beyond military affairs and achievements, Hyouge Mono explores Oribe’s passion for the art of refined tea, a rare theme in anime, but one that shines through, making it a hilarious series, perfect for history buffs.

Humanity Has Declined

Although its title might sound fatalistic, Humanity Has Declined is one of the funniest and most absurd anime viewers will find. Humanity Has Declined presents a cynical, sarcastic, nameless protagonist who is the best unfiltered narrator in a surreal, post-apocalyptic world where what’s left of humanity now coexists with tiny fairy-like creatures.

From fairies whose thoughts don’t seem to match their adorable appearance to parodies filled with social commentary and bizarre scenes that can only be described as a fever dream, Humanity Has Declined is one of the most underrated comedies and an entertaining anime that proves to viewers that the downfall of humankind can also be funny.

Kaiba

Kaiba is a hidden gem by director Masaaki Yuasa that explores the concept of memory and follows the amnesiac protagonist Kaiba on his quest for his identity. Kaiba isn’t as well-known as some of Yuasa’s other anime because it’s not as easy to follow, sometimes overloading the viewer with information, which can leave them just as confused as the protagonist.

Even so, Kaiba not only has a beautiful aesthetic and unique visual style, but also presents immersive world-building and tear-jerking moments that raise deep philosophical questions, becoming an indescribable masterpiece anime that can and surely will leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Den-noh Coil

Popular anime have created their own cyber realities, such as Ghost in the Shell and Serial Experiments Lain. But one that closely combines the fun and horror of the cyber world and has become virtually unknown anime over the years is Den-Noh Coil. In the anime, technological devices called “cyber glasses” have become popular among children, with this augmented reality permeating everyday life.

Although this cyberspace should be perfect for children to embark on small adventures, strange events begin to occur. This blurring of the lines between reality and cybertechnology, not so far removed from today’s society, makes Den-noh Coil a fascinating anime with touching moments, action, fun characters, and exciting mysteries that are constantly being revealed and that will delight sci-fi fans.