With anime more popular than ever, fans have a buffet of shows to choose from, includingOne PieceandDemon Slayer. However, with such high expectations nowadays, a good deal of good anime get swept under the rug for superficial and petty reasons. This is partly because particular anime has spoiled newer fans, who now expect only the highest quality for every single show.
This decade especially had fans heavily criticizing many shows because of poor animation or lackluster stories. But just because this decade isn’t over yet doesn’t mean there aren’t any hidden gems; in fact, there are plenty. Whether fans scrutinize the shows forunoriginality, lousy animation, poor scheduling, or other reasons, these animes prove to bebetter than what many anime fans make them out to be and are worth the watch.
Studio: BUG FILMS
Possibly one of the more popular anime on this list,Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, follows Akira Tendou during the sudden zombie apocalypse. Overworked, underpaid, and taken advantage of, Akira hates his life. However, he can finally cross everything off his bucket list with copious amounts of free time due to the zombie apocalypse. This popular anime even got its ownNetflix live-action adaptation, speaking volumes to its popularity.
It’s odd havingZom 100as one of the most underrated anime this decade, considering itsoverwhelmingly positive response for the first few episodes. However, many fans didn’t enjoy the latter half of the season and were significantly perturbed by the delays. While these may be valid criticisms, they shouldn’t take away the incredible premise and colorful journey the characters go on. The entire season still hadgreat animation and a fun plot, making it an anime fans should give another try.
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
9’Platinum End' (2021)
Studio: Signal.MD
Platinum Endis by the same creator asDeath Note, one of thegreatest anime of its decade. This anime uses a similar premise but creates a death game with angels instead. After years of despair, Mirai decides to end his own life, but an angel miraculously saves him at the last moment. He learns that the same thing happened to many others, and they are now all entangled in a thrilling game to become the next god.
WhilePlatinum Endisn’t nearly as renowned asDeath Noteand receives vast amounts of criticism, it is still an entertaining show with interesting plot points and twists. Many fans disliked the main character, pacing, and general story. However, many of these points aren’t awful and get blown out of proportion because of high expectations. The anime has its issues, but overall,the story is still interesting, and the battle between the candidates is suspenseful and exciting.
Platinum End
8’MF Ghost' (2023)
Studio: Felix Film
LikePlatinum End,MF Ghostsuffers from the original creator’s much more popular work,Initial D, the iconic Eurobeat drifting anime.MF Ghostoccurs decades afterInitial D,following Takumi’s student, Kanata Katagiri, who comes to Japan for two reasons: to find his father and compete as a professional racer. With the help of his host family’s daughter, Ren, the two search temples for his father, but the two both share the secret of working for the professional racing world in different areas.
While reviews forMF Ghostaren’t negative, they aren’t stellar, painting the anime as an utterly average experience. While it may not live up toInitial D, it still offers the samehigh-octane drifting and sensational music to get the blood pumping with hype. This anime even improves on many ofInitial D’s flaws, such as abetter side plot and more prominent cast memberswho don’t disappear after a few episodes. If season one wasn’t enough to convince fans,MF Ghost’s upcoming anime seasonin October 2024 will change their minds.
WATCH ON CRUNCHYROLL
7’Akiba Maid War' (2022)
Studio: P.A. Works
With a good deal of great anime released in the Fall of 2022, includingChainsaw Manand the return ofBleach, many potential greats went under the radar.Akiba Maid Waris one of those anime series that follows Nagomi Wahira as she moves to Akihabara to fulfill her dream of becoming a maid. However, the world of maids isn’t what she initially thought; instead, it is a massive criminal underworld where maids shoot it out to get what they want.
At a glance, fans may assume this is another cutesy show about maids; however, they are deathly wrong. This wild twist on the genre is arefreshing addition, giving fans shockingly violent action juxtaposed with the wholesome cafe experience. This breath of fresh air is a highly entertaining anime with incredible fights, animation, and insane moments. Akiba Maid War would have undoubtedly become more popular if it hadn’t been for the influx of fantastic shows that season.
Akiba Maid War
6’The Fable' (2024)
Studio: Tezuka Productions
WithThe Fablecurrently airing, it is the most recent anime on this list. Thisincredible gangster comedyshowfollows a hitman too good at his job, leaving him to take a year’s vacation and wait for the heat to die down. The organization gives the hitman and his assistant new names, Akira Satou and Youko Satou, respectively, who must enjoy their time in Osaka. However, being a professional hitman breeds trouble, as the two get up tomany crazy antics and suspenseful confrontations.
While a bigger budget would make this anime better,the story is still intact and absolutely incredible.
Criticism ofThe Fablesolely focuses on the poor animation and production value, something Tezuka Productions is known for. While a bigger budget would make this anime better,the story is still intact and absolutely incredible. The comedy is hit or miss, but the show makes up for it with its thrilling plot, quickly ditching the humor for intense action and crime drama. Fans have warmed up since the beginning, but the vast majority still underratedThe Fablebecause of its animation.
WATCH ON DISNEY+
5’Sonny Boy' (2021)
Studio: Madhouse
Despite being one of the most prominent anime studios ever, Madhouse slowly dwindled after taking on too many projects and having too many employees leave. However, this doesn’t mean they haven’t had any good recent anime, withFrieren: Beyond Journey’s EndandSonny Boybeing good examples.Sonny Boyfollows a class that is suddenly transported to a new world. After some students gain superpowers, chaos breaks loose, and the students try to manage each other and figure a way out.
Because of its avant-garde nature, many anime fans found it confusing, with that being the main criticism. WhileSonny Boycan definitely be confusing, it is still a beautiful story with stunning animation. Giving fansa weirder and superpoweredLord of the Flies-style anime, the story goes in many bizarre and compelling directions.Sonny Boyis a profound and touching show and one of themost underrated anime of all time.
4’Edens Zero' (2021)
Studio: J.C. Staff
With the same creator as the famous animeFairy Tail,Edens Zerois his latest work, but this time exploring the final frontier. The anime follows Shiki and Rebecca, who go on a journey to find Mother, the omnipotent being said to grant any wish to whoever finds her. Along the way, they encounter other colorful characters as they explore the beautiful cosmos and battle dastardly villains.
Edens Zerois one of the most unfortunate anime on this list, with all the dislike simply because another one of the author’s shows is very polarizing. It became a trend to hate on this previous show, and it carried over toEdens Zero, with fans using superficial criticisms to find a way to bash it. While the anime isn’t groundbreaking, it is anextremely fun adventure with bright characters and unique planets. It may be better to classifyEdens Zeroas overhated, but either way, the anime is a great time and anenjoyable battle shōnen anime.
WATCH ON NETFLIX
3’My Home Hero' (2023)
Another anime by Tezuka Productions,My Home Hero, is asuspenseful crime thriller TV show. After Tetsuo Tosu believes his daughter to be the victim of domestic abuse, he investigates to discover her yakuza boyfriend plans on killing her. When the boyfriend discovers the father snooping around, Tetsuo kills him and hides him with the help of his wife, creating a dramatic situation as the yakuza search for their member.
The intense plot is a thrilling journey, with fans unsure how the protagonist will get out of this scenario.
LikeThe Fable, the glaring criticism ofMy Home Herois the poor production and animation, which hinders the suspense at times. However, this doesn’t make it a bad anime as many fans claim it to be.The intense plot is a thrilling journey, with fans unsure how the protagonist will get out of this scenario. The anime expertly subverts expectations, delivering shocking twists and turns that helpmakeMy Home Heroone of the best anime of 2023.
2’Trigun Stampede' (2023)
Studio: Orange
Remaking theclassic sci-fi Western animeTrigun, this new spin follows the manga more closely while still adding its own flair. Like the original, Trigun Stampede follows Vash, an infamous terrorist known to bring destruction wherever he goes. When two insurance investigators seek to get rid of him, they find he isn’t what he was chalked up to be. As the two become embroiled in Vash’s dark past, they all must work together to get out of this alive.
While the main criticism ofTrigun Stampedeis the animation, it isn’t because it’s bad; in fact, the animation is incredible, but the use of CGI is something that still annoys many anime fans. With many viewers givingTrigun Stampedean unfair chancebecause it is so different from the 1990s original, it has become extremely underrated. Showcasingworld-class animation, dark plot, and fun characters, this remake delves more into the story of themanga and adapts it more faithfully.
1’The Way of the Househusband' (2021)
The Way of the Househusbandfollows Tatsu, a former yakuza boss known for his ruthless and relentless nature. However, after retirement, he has mellowed out and is now taking on the role of a househusband, doing the chores, cooking, and cleaning. His intimidating personality scares his fellow housemakers and attracts the trouble of other yakuza members, creating a hysterical anime full of wacky scenarios and misunderstandings.
Another victim of the mindset that lousy animation equals a bad show,The Way of the Househusband, was highly anticipated until fans saw the animation. However, theoriginal author explicitly requested the style, wanting the anime to have a similar style to that of manga. The anime did precisely that, giving fans the same hilarious situations as the manga but with a unique animation style. While this didn’t go over well with fans, J.C. Staff didn’t sacrifice the humor, creatingone of the funniest anime in recent years. The fun characters and delightfully hilarious scenarios they get in help makeThe Way of the Househusbandone of the best anime on Netflix.
