9 Under-Watched Anime Absolutely Worth Checking Out
The past five years have seen the number of anime productions skyrocket! With so much anime being produced means that fans can easily get overwhelmed and missed out on some good experiences.
Here are a handful of modern anime that has slipped through the cracks, but fans should totally check them out!
1. Yatterman Night (Yoru no Yatterman)
Studio: Tatsunoko Production
Genre: Action / Adventure / Comedy / Drama
Episodes: 12
Quick Pitch: In the past, the Yattermen were heroes of justice fighting against the evil Doronbow Gang. After several generations, the Yattermen have become a symbol of oppression as the citizens of the Yatter Kingdom live in despair under the Yattermen rule.
Nine-year-old Leopard is a descendent of Doronjo, and she reforms the Doronbow Gang following the death of her mother. Fighting alongside Voltkatze and Elephantus, the reformed gang hopes to rebel against the Yattermen.
2. Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
Studio: TMS Entertainment / Po10tial
Genre: Adventure / Drama / Crime
Episodes: 13
Quick Pitch: While infiltrating a new religious cult, Lupin III meets a bewitching woman named Fujiko Mine.
Unlike previous entries, Lupin III is a supporting character in The Woman Called Fujiko Mine. The anime is also darker, more character driven, and sexual compared to older entries in the franchise.
3. Girlish Number
Studio: Diomedéa
Genre: Comedy / Slice of Life
Episodes: 12
Quick Pitch: Chitose Karasuma is a recent college grad who is trying to carve a career as an anime seiyuu. Despite her arrogance, Chitose lacks any notable talent and is only cast in bit roles. However, Chitose’s brother (who is also her manager) lands her a leading role in upcoming anime based on a hit light novel. Unfortunately, behind-the-scenes issues and egos threaten the production of the anime.
4. The Great Passage (Fune wo Amu)
Studio: Zexcs
Genre: Drama / Slice of Life / Romance
Episodes: 11
Quick Pitch: Kouhei Araki is an editor of the dictionary division at Genbu Publishing. He plans on retiring to take care of his ill wife, but he must find a replacement to lead the creation of a new dictionary called “The Great Passage.”
Araki decides to recruit Mitsuya Majime, a socially inept member of the sales division, to take over as the dictionary’s editor. It will be a challenging job since the dictionary division is seen as a money pit due to the advent of the internet and dictionary apps.
5. Amanchu!
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genre: Comedy / Slice of Life
Episodes: 12 + 1 OVA
Quick Pitch: Futaba Ooki is a shy city girl who moves to the seaside town of Shizuoka. On her first day of school, Futaba meets an eccentric girl named Hikari Kohinata and a scuba-diving loving teacher named Mato Katori. With Hikari’s influence, Futaba attempts to step out of her comfort zone and join the school’s Diving Club.
6. Classroom Crisis
Studio: Lay-duce
Genre: Drama / Science Fiction
Episodes: 13
Quick Pitch: The Martian colony of Fourth Tokyo is home to A-TEC, which is a class that trains young, bright engineers. However, the Kirishina Corporation sends a student named Nagisa Kiryuu to oversee the shutdown of the program.
In order to prevent the program’s demise, instructor Kaito Sera and his students vow to create develop a successor to the company’s most powerful rocket. Kiryuu decides to go along with the plan in hopes to climb up the corporate ladder.
7. Laughing Under the Clouds (Donten ni Warau)
Studio: Doga Kobo
Genre: Action / Historical / Supernatural
Episodes: 12
Quick Pitch: The Meiji Era saw the banning of swords and the diminishing influence of the samurai. This act led caused the samurai to rebel and an increase in crime, which led to the government to create a giant prison in the middle of Lake Biwa. The government relies on the Kumo brothers to bring the criminals to the prison.
8. Natsuyuki Rendezvous
Studio: Doga Kobo
Genre: Drama / Romance / Supernatural
Episodes: 11
Quick Pitch: Ryousuke Hazuki is in love with a flower shop owner named Rokka Shimao. Wanting to get close to her, he decides to get a part-time job at a shop. But there is one problem: Atsushi Shimao, the ghost of Rokka’s husband, will do anything to prevent Ryousuke from getting any closer to Rokka.
Now, the three are faced with a complicated situation between a woman who can’t let go of the past, a ghost who fears being forgotten, and a man who can’t profess his love.
9. Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta
Studio: Tatsunoko Production
Genre: Action / Comedy / Drama / Supernatural / Psychological
Episodes: 13 + 3 OVAs
Quick Pitch: Akina, Hime, Ao, and Kotoha are superpowered teens that run an office called the Hiizumi Life Counseling Office. It’s their job to protect the citizens of Sakurashin, which is home to humans and youkai.
What underrated modern anime do you think fans should watch?
