Anime Discussion Favourite Lesser Known Anime

[Mashiro Blue]

First things first, it's quite hard to define what's "lesser-known". But it's not entirely subjective. If someone tells me Naruto is lesser known, I would think they would be jking.

I personally describe it as shows and movies that were never mainstream. One of my personal favorite is Bakemonogatari or simply Monogatari series. It's an incredible series that isn't anywhere as popular as the mainstream series. Even people who aren't otaku might've watched One Piece. But they most probably have never heard of Bakemonogatari.

And this is where the line gets a bit blurry. Would you consider Sword Art Online a lesser known anime? I wouldn't, because it was wildly popular and definitely mainstream at one point. But one could argue it was never as popular as the "big ones".

Regardless, I wanted to talk about either hidden or forgotten gems, shows that aren't that famous even in the regular anime watchers community; or even shows and movies that weren't very good but you personally liked it and remembered it.

Another two that are my favourites and less known are WorldEnd or SukaSuka and Nagi no Asukara.

Which one is yours?

Spoiler

@Rej
@AL sama
@Jaguark101
@DarkWitch
@MonsterKaido
@GrandmasterChef Zonji
@The White Crane
@PeronaNerona
@Yoho
@Hako Sama
@Cruxroux
@moreha9685

 

[Rej]

HoloGraffiti maybe.
It's so unpopular, it's by alot of peeps not even considered an anime.

Else idk what to say. Most of the time I watch popular shows. Is Mushishi popular? I'd say yes, for being a notorious introduction into a new genre for many and setting the standards over 2 decades.
At the same time noone knows about that story.

It's probably just some niche pick for me.

I also love "Do It Yourself!". That's a real underdog one. And I mean it when I say "real". Lol

 

[Yoho]

Hmmm Excellent question

Of course there's my Personal Favorite Class Room Of The Elite but I think we can get lesser known than that!

Cells At Work- simply amazing the story of cancer is one of fhe most compelling villain stories ever put to paper

Of course we can't forget classics such has Chobits or Akikan


and for my fellow Eccchi Fans out there Senran Kagura Is always a fun watch

 

[Rej]

Hmmm Excellent question

Of course there's my Personal Favorite Class Room Of The Elite but I think we can get lesser known than that!

Cells At Work- simply amazing the story of cancer is one of fhe most compelling villain stories ever put to paper

Of course we can't forget classics such has Chobits or Akikan


and for my fellow Eccchi Fans out there Senran Kagura Is always a fun watch

Idk if CAW fits the "Lesser Known" aspect. But I agree, it's almost a real masterpiece.

More adaptations from CAW are waiting for us hopefully.

 

[Yoho]

Idk if CAW fits the "Lesser Known" aspect. But I agree, it's almost a real masterpiece.

More adaptations from CAW are waiting for us hopefully.

Hell yeah I loved the original and Cells At Work: BLACK is phenomenal

 

[Rej]

Hell yeah I loved the original and Cells At Work: BLACK is phenomenal

The ending of Black was a certified 10/10.
Dayum. I hold so much respect for that ending, I dare even speak/spoil about it in public space. Lmao

Funfact: on Billibilli, CAW placed as "AotS" back then. Hitting the most views at 50+ million or so.
I think nowadays it is even bigger than that. Topping most of the regular Isekai shows airing in seasonals.

 

[Yoho]

The ending of Black was a certified 10/10.
Dayum. I hold so much respect for that ending, I dare even speak/spoil about it in public space. Lmao

Funfact: on Billibilli, CAW placed as "AotS" back then. Hitting the most views at 50+ million or so.
I think nowadays it is even bigger than that. Topping most of the regular Isekai shows airing in seasonals.

🤔 is Cells At Work considered an Isekai?

 

[Rej]

🤔 is Cells At Work considered an Isekai?

Good question. It's for sure a shounen. But less popular than it's fellow shounen bros, except maybe in China.

I think regular seasonal Isekai or Shounen hold a good measurement scale to know whether something is hitting or not so. That's why I brought it up.

 

[Yoho]

Good question. It's for sure a shounen. But less popular than it's fellow shounen bros, except maybe in China.

I think regular seasonal Isekai or Shounen hold a good measurement scale to know whether something is hitting or not so. That's why I brought it up.

When I think Isekai i define it has a character pulled into a world they don't belong (Re-Zero, SAO, Log Horizon being the most popular examples) Anime that follows characters that are already from that world technically isn't an isekai imo it's just other world anime

 

[AL sama]

First things first, it's quite hard to define what's "lesser-known". But it's not entirely subjective. If someone tells me Naruto is lesser known, I would think they would be jking.

I personally describe it as shows and movies that were never mainstream. One of my personal favorite is Bakemonogatari or simply Monogatari series. It's an incredible series that isn't anywhere as popular as the mainstream series. Even people who aren't otaku might've watched One Piece. But they most probably have never heard of Bakemonogatari.

And this is where the line gets a bit blurry. Would you consider Sword Art Online a lesser known anime? I wouldn't, because it was wildly popular and definitely mainstream at one point. But one could argue it was never as popular as the "big ones".

Regardless, I wanted to talk about either hidden or forgotten gems, shows that aren't that famous even in the regular anime watchers community; or even shows and movies that weren't very good but you personally liked it and remembered it.

Another two that are my favourites and less known are WorldEnd or SukaSuka and Nagi no Asukara.

Which one is yours?

Spoiler

@Rej
@AL sama
@Jaguark101
@DarkWitch
@MonsterKaido
@GrandmasterChef Zonji
@The White Crane
@PeronaNerona
@Yoho
@Hako Sama
@Cruxroux
@moreha9685

I disagree with some of the things you said if you're only talking about the anime community

 

[AL sama]

🤔 is Cells At Work considered an Isekai?

no

 

[Alexis2282AE]

Mushishi, March Comes in Like a Lion, and Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.

 

[Yasuda]

Anyone into mecha/Gainax/Annoshit should know Top wo Nerae Gunbuster but I will mention it anyway. Watch it.

OH also, Heroic Age. Age/Bellcross and the Gunbuster solos the One Piece universe several times over btw.

EDIT2: Getter Robo Armageddon. Getter Robo was once a very mainstream series but it's very old (started in the 70s and it's often incorrectly credited to Go Nagai; Go had plenty of input because he was a very close friend of the actual creator Ken Ishikawa, but Ishikawa was the main guy here). Ark put it back into the spotlight for a bit but I want to mention it anyway. Armageddon was an OVA that lost its director after two episodes but still ended up being an incredible journey in the end. Please check this one out too if you're even remotely curious about mecha. Watch New Getter Robo after as well if possible! Getter Emperor solos the OP universe as well btw.

 

[RiShin]

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash: a realistic depiction of the hardships faced by individuals unexpectedly transported to a fantasy realm, compelling them to start from scratch and endure grueling labor to stay alive.

The narrative is engaging, the characters relatable, and a second season to further explore this world is highly desired.

This concept aligns with my vision for the future of VR gaming, anticipating a significant advancement in gameplay within the next 10 to 15 years.

Another would be School Rumble and English Dub Ghost Stories because comedy anime for the WIN!

 

[Yasuda]

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash: a realistic depiction of the hardships faced by individuals unexpectedly transported to a fantasy realm, compelling them to start from scratch and endure grueling labor to stay alive.

The narrative is engaging, the characters relatable, and a second season to further explore this world is highly desired.

This concept aligns with my vision for the future of VR gaming, anticipating a significant advancement in gameplay within the next 10 to 15 years.

Another would be School Rumble and English Dub Ghost Stories because comedy anime for the WIN!

B A S E D
I didn't expect much from Grimgar but it ended up being really good. School Rumble is another "once mainstream but been forgotten a bit" series. Excellent post.

 

[moreha9685]

Abenobashi?

 

[AL sama]

"Now and Then, Here and There"

its one of the best isekai ever made in my opinion but sadly its a forgotten relic that's very underrated and unknown to the masses

I'd even say its better than Mushoku Tensei and Re:Zero both of which I love very dearly

 

[Flower]

Heat Guy J
Burst Angels
Kaze no Stigma
Air Gear
Vision of Escaflowne
Glass Fleet
Trinity Blood
Fushigi Yuugi
Kyo Kara Maoh!
Akatsuki no Yona
Back Arrow
Natsume's Book of Friends
Kabukicho Sherlock
Tiger and Bunny
Garou: Vanishing Line.

A lot of the Animes I'm watching aren't main stream lmao. There is a lot more, but the list would be too long I guess.



Edit:

I would say Heat Guy J is my fave on that list. It has amazing soundtrack and a great story and it actually makes me sad that only a handful of people even know about it. It's old though, so some might not like the Animation quality.

 

[Jaguark101]

Escaflowne
Yamada Kun and the Seven Witches
Elania the Wandering Witch

 

[Flower]

Escaflowne

Escaflowne

Bro .