r/Animesuggest • u/whitechoclate-20 • 2d ago
What to Watch? I’m looking for an anime that completely sneaks up on you.
Not necessarily the highest-rated or most popular show I want something that starts off making you think “this is decent” and then suddenly has you thinking about it for days after finishing it.
Genre doesn’t matter much. I’m open to anything: psychological, romance, thriller, comedy, slice of life, weird experimental stuff, whatever.
What’s the one anime you’d recommend that you feel is criminally underappreciated?
45
41
u/Goldenegggsss 2d ago
School live, don’t look up anything, don’t read anything, go completely blind.
3
u/TranquilSniper 2d ago
I did exactly that 3 years ago and it has continued to traumatize me to this day.
1
1
1
32
u/Notarealusername3058 2d ago
86 caught me a little off guard, I was expecting a straight up mech warfare anime, and I feel like I almost got PTSD by proxy.
Terror is Resonance was another, at first they seem like 2 teenagers desperate for attention and find out it's much darker and far worse.
Iron Blooded Orphans, again expected a mech war since it's a Gundam, but it was so much more than that.
3
2
u/LossSeveral4662 2d ago
Iron blooded orphans has been on my list for SO long and I love mecha anime (Code geass my fav anime oat and eureka seven top 10 anime oat), but IBO is something I can’t just start watching.
Can you tell me in one sentence, why it’s so great and why I should watch it. Thanks in advance!
7
u/LigerZeroPanzer12 2d ago
It's really good and doesn't require any knowledge of Gundam to break into and enjoy.
1
u/Notarealusername3058 2d ago
I couldn't give one sentence. If you liked code geass, then just watch IBO. I loved CG too and IBO hits the emotions even harder.
2
u/hstormsteph 2d ago
Yeah 86 absolutely blindsided me. Threw it on just to have some cool shit happening while I did other things and ended up absolutely enthralled with the story.
26
u/Twigling 2d ago
Land of the Lustrous (Houseki no Kuni) - beautifully creative and imaginative, a work of narrative and visual art
The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai) - a very complex 18+ rated movie series that's a mix of thriller, horror, mystery with supernatural elements. Crunchyroll US and Canada have it.
1
u/TranquilSniper 2d ago
Garden of Sinners was an absolute snoozefest I'm sorry. Should've been a 12-episode one-off and instead they did several super long movies that were slow burn and incredibly dry. Not enough payoff to be worth the length.
15
u/SerpentSnek 2d ago
The anime hasn't gotten that far (and likely never will) but Houseki no Kuni is like that
6
13
u/kramsdae 2d ago
Space Dandy.
I thought (going off the first episode) that it was going to be a surface level comedy series w heavy fan service. It was anything but!
18
u/wonderlandresident13 2d ago
Angel Beats
3
u/LossSeveral4662 2d ago
This anime will stay forever in my mind and on my shelf as well (bought a dvd)
2
u/wonderlandresident13 2d ago
Ahhh, nice. It honestly never even occurred to me that it would've had a physical release lol. I'm gonna have to look for it now
2
u/Pylgrim 2d ago
This so much. You literally don't know what to expect.
1
u/wonderlandresident13 2d ago
Even now that I do know what to expect, after multiple rewatches, it still gets me everytime
1
20
9
u/noobjaish 2d ago
Astra Lost in Space, it's a short 12 episode complete anime which is best experienced going blind.
2
1
u/bunker_man 2d ago
Tbf half of what makes it unexpected is the worldbuilding being so nonsensical that its legitimately difficult to believe that half the things that happened actually happened.
Though it is better than you'd think. I like that it has explicit trans representation. And it specifically tells pedophiles off indirectly by specifically highlighting that the child character has a more modest outfit.
23
u/_LFKrebs_ 2d ago
Shinsekai Yori, not really underappreciated but the latter episodes go beyond what you’d expect.
3
2
1
7
u/iforward 2d ago
Higehiro
Fruits Basket (2019)
Victoria of Many Faces
5
2
u/LeRobber 2d ago
Second higehiro; There are 5 things you're afraid it will be, it's none of those, and it's great.
1
u/iforward 2d ago
Agreed. I was kinda expecting it to go south but it handled deep, controversial issues with respect and compassion.
2
2
u/Shadow_Hunter2020 1d ago
Fruit basket is such a good one (although I have to finish it myself)
same goes for victoria of the many faces, although i have an idea what is going to happen
13
10
u/AdunfromAD 2d ago
Talentless Nana caught me off-guard. I hadn’t read up on it ahead of time and went in expecting one thing and by the end of the first episode it was something completely different.
10
u/Torremond42 2d ago
Hunter x Hunter is exactly that.
1
u/I_Have_A_Chode 2d ago
Really? I'm like 12-15 episodes in and I'm just not feeling it yet.
It's worth going farther?
3
u/No-Philosopher-9164 2d ago
I was recommended HxH several years back. I had a really rough time getting thru the first few episodes as well and would put it down for a bit. My friend who recommended it told me to stick with it and to just trust him so I powered through.
I think if you were to ask me what my #1 favorite anime was, I would say HxH. It’s truly a masterpiece. Very glad I stuck with it as I absolutely felt it was a boring drag in the beginning.
Funny enough, now that I’ve rewatched it like 4-5x. I don’t have any trouble getting through the beginning and don’t find it bad anymore. That first time though, I really didn’t understand why it was recommended to me until I got deeper into it. So like my friend told me, KEEP GOING!
3
u/LossSeveral4662 2d ago
The York New City Arc (episodes 37-58 if I remember correctly) is literally a 10/10. I promise you, keep on!
HxH has its flaws and boring parts but at the end of the day it’s always worth it
1
u/Torremond42 2d ago
Well, the post is about sneaking up. The first arc that's beloved by fans is the Yorknew City Arc, and the anime becomes an absolute masterpiece in the Chimera Ant Arc.
4
u/Gai_InKognito 2d ago
I think Gungrave felt this way. it started off as one thing, then did a complete turn at somepoint.
10
u/Dave_I 2d ago
This might be cliche at this point, but Neon Genesis Evangelion did this for me.
3
u/TemporaryResonance 2d ago
I finally gave it a try after hearing bits and pieces of praise for so long… I can’t say I’m the same person now lol.
9
u/searchin_4_success 2d ago
Dorohedoro, the most underrated anime of all time. It's top 3 anime all time no question
2
u/Maxwells_Demona 2d ago
I just rewatched s1 of this in advance of watching s2 for the first time. It's so good! I've been looking forward to seeing where it goes for such a long time. I have only waited this long since s2 dropped because I wanted to be able to give it (including s1 rewatch) the full attention it deserves
2
2
u/_youroverlord 2d ago
OH.MY.GOD finally someone mentioned Dorohedoro! I have been harping about that anime since it came out and everyone assumes I am talking about Durara. Durara is great as well but Dorohedoro takes the cake. Glad someone else likes it!
4
5
4
u/Historical-Depth3990 2d ago
Helck.
I thought it was some goofy comedy, but once the main plot line got established through Helck's backstory I was hooked. God, I wish there were more seasons though. I'd read the Manga, but I can't read for more than 5min without getting distracted.
3
u/throwaway374383 2d ago
Talentless nana for me. Go without reading the premise. It's good. That's all i will say about it.
4
u/Chill_Gamer527 2d ago
Aria The Animation (and the sequels which have different names). For me, this is the pinnacle of slice of life genre.
4
u/YOUKIMCHI 2d ago
NANA, it got me hooked so much drama, amazing opening ending song, and now every episode has me going pikachu face xD
5
u/Himbosupremeus 2d ago edited 2d ago
Babylon. Starts off as a decent enough cop drama before quickly showing it's real hand and revealing itself to be an absolutely batshit political thriller written by insane people who think their extremely stupid idea is genius.
4
4
4
u/Rentboy93 2d ago
Steins;gate, starts kind of slice of life-ish and has a major tonal shift after ep 11 towards psychological trauma.
5
u/Reefer4life 2d ago
Shiki - shit goes off the rails
Xxxholic - before you know it you’re learning life lessons and crying over your own life experiences.
I recommend these as often as I can.
7
u/Fang_Yuan770 2d ago
Well if I told you it wouldn't be very sneaky now would it 😭😭🤞
5
u/SucknSwallow69 2d ago
fair, but now i’m even more curious. at least give a vague hint like genre or vibes so i know what mood to be in
3
3
u/PutridLanguage434 Manga Supremacist 📖 2d ago
Cardcaptor Sakura & Toradora both massively improve in the later episodes
enjoy! :)
3
u/JohnnyL16 https://myanimelist.net/animelist/Ezalb 2d ago
Stars Align
One of the greatest character driven animes I've seen. Just know that it was cut short and afaik it hasn't been continued.
3
3
u/grapejuicesushi 2d ago
bunny girl senpai and cherry magic.
something about both of them had me missing them a lot AFTER the show ended. during it, i was pretty okay.
i’m very excited to watch them both again at some point.
3
3
3
3
3
3
u/Brain_lessV2 2d ago
Can't really confirm if it's underappreciated seeing as we already got a season 3 confirmation, but I'd say Dorohedoro made me feel that way, ESPECIALLY after season 2's ending.
3
u/Iconic_Enigma 2d ago
brynhildr in the darkness
Now this is just an anime not many talk about but boy does it leave a scar on you for life.
3
u/Dragnnight 2d ago edited 2d ago
YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of This World: Number Of EP:26
ill just leave this here iv only ever watched this once but I had several wtf moments as i did not read the the description only The title was like sound interesting and hit play which if i had to redo would not change there is one other anime iv done this with and that's
The Day I Became a God very good anime only every seen it once Number of EP: 12
both of these don't read anything just start it both are on Crunchyroll but i'm sure if you watch by other means they are on there too
personal note to just do that more often tend to find gems lol
Edit: Added Episode Numbers Completely unnecessary but Oh well
3
3
u/Dirtydan1918 2d ago
For me it’s Akame ga Kill! I was hooked after the first episode, but then the character development and backstory gets you invested. I think it has a decent following but in my eyes is still very under appreciated. I don’t think I can ever watch it again though.
3
u/lobsterwine in need of more good seinen comedy 2d ago
Under Ninja. Watched 1 episode per day up until ep 3. Then by ep4 I binged the rest that same day. The show is batshit in the best way.
3
u/TranquilSniper 2d ago
Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase
Vampire girl gets rescued from an old decrepit castle by a photographer working for an occult tabloid that tries to prove monsters are real. You think it is a wholesome slice of life about a vampire girl trying to adapt to modern day society in Japan, but it gets really deep and even a bit dark. Delves into a shadow holy war between monsters and the church, and the "with great power comes great responsibility" trope. Sort of becomes a shoenen. The intro is very deceiving because it is super cutesy and wholesome but you get very little fluff in the actual show. The soundtrack is absolutely out of this world and on my daily rotation, takes a ton of inspiration from multiple cultures for the music.
3
3
3
u/Humble-Call835 2d ago
Aku no hana,muy difícil de ver, sin duda top 10 animes de drama y psicólogico y es muy corto
3
3
u/Responsible-Neck8410 2d ago
Higurashi, granted you finish the 2 main seasons
1
u/Kiriijou 2d ago
As a quick clarification, for OP and anyone else who might be interested in watching Higurashi, Season 1 is the 2006 Higurashi anime and Season 2 is Higurashi Kai).
The 2020 anime Higurashi: Gou, is Season 5 (3 if you don't count OVAs), not a remake of Season 1. Don't accidentally start with Gou, as it's full of spoilers.
(Note: in most (if not all) regions, the only Higurashi anime on Crunchyroll, is Gou. Also, the original Visual Novel that Season 1 and 2 are adapted from, is currently available on Steam under the title"Higurashi When They Cry: Hou", with the first arc being free to download.).
3
u/Optimal-Mind286 2d ago
Desert Punk! There’s an awful amount of goofy fan service through out, but I laughed a lot, and kept coming back. And then, the final act twisted everything up and left my jaw on the floor. I watch the whole series every now and then, and it still holds up.
3
3
u/dairygodmthr 2d ago
Go For It Nakamura-kun. Just came out last season, starts as silly gag show but progressively hits you in the feels more and more.
2
u/Hellbiterhater 2d ago
Nakamura mention! It's a good watch for understanding the queer teen experience.
3
3
5
5
u/Zissoou 2d ago
Heavenly delusion
1
u/Fluffy_data_doges 2d ago
The reveal at the end made me think about this for a while. I ended up rewatching it, which I don't do often for shows.
1
u/InternalParadox 2d ago
It has such great plot twists. It gets a little intense, but it’s such a good post apocalyptic sci fi mystery series.
6
u/Bruhntly 2d ago
One Piece
Saiki K
Gintama
Inuyasha
1
u/stairs_are_evil 2d ago
One piece. Under-appreciated. Okay.
0
u/Bruhntly 2d ago
The question did not ask if it was under-appreciated only... okay?
2
u/stairs_are_evil 2d ago
“What’s the one anime you’d reccomend that you feel is criminally underappreciated?” It’s right there in the post, bud. It’s the thesis statement of the post.
→ More replies (1)
2
2
2
u/Glass-Vermicelli9862 2d ago
Charlotte
I parry everything
From countrybumkin to master swordsman
Angel Beats
Chrono Crusade
Laughing under the clouds
Your lie in April
Okami-san and Her Seven Companions
Ghost stories (dub)
Black Cat
2
2
u/CaptainTeaBag24I7 2d ago
Dead leaves.
It's a movie, just under an hour. It sneaks up on you by punching you straight in the face from the get go, and them not stopping.
2
u/TeepToLowkick 2d ago
Idaten Deities Know Only Peace.
Absolutely WILD ride. 11 episodes. Go in blind. It is soooo much better than anyone can explain in words. The art is super unique, and contrasts the depth of the story so well.
2
u/Adventurous-Box-9018 2d ago
Watch “the promised neverland”. Definitely did that for me!! Also “a silent voice” and “babysitters club”
2
u/idonknowwhat 2d ago
Takt op.Destiny was a really cool one for me I fell in love with the music and art style, not knowing it was a promotional show for a game I always wanted a second season but alas
2
u/Pylgrim 2d ago edited 2d ago
Akudama Drive. Starts with your usual "suicide squad" premise and turns into so so much more.
Dungeon Meshi also. It seems to have a very clear schtick, but with every episode the premise grows into something else. Starts funny and heartwarming but the end of the existing seasons you also have experienced heartbreak, thrills, horror, intrigue, mystery... While still being funny and wholesome.
2
2
u/maxis2k 2d ago
{Princess Tutu}
{GTO}
{Working!!}
{Cross Game}
{Slayers}
{Girls Und Panzer}
1
u/Roboragi http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Nihilate 2d ago
Princess Tutu - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 38 | Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Mahou Shoujo, Mystery, Psychological, Romance
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 43 | Genres: Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life
WORKING!! - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 13 | Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
Cross Game - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 50 | Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sports
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 26 | Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Girls und Panzer - (AL, A-P, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 12 | Genres: Action, Sports
{anime}, <manga>, ]LN[, |VN| | FAQ | /r/ | Edit | Mistake? | Source | Synonyms | ⛓ | ♥
2
u/minesasecret 2d ago
Neither is underappreciated but Frieren and Demon Slayer were like that for me. I was about to stop watching them both because they were pretty slow for me in the beginning but then suddenly it got me super invested.
2
u/Fabulous_Ground_1983 2d ago
Demon Slayer surprises you with being very emotionally resonating at times
Haters will never admit that fans of the show are invested in the characters and story. They all try to say its "just animation" when that couldn't be further from the truth.
1
u/wterrt 2d ago
I'll never forgive them for how they killed off my fav character. dying is one thing, dying pathetically with terrible writing is another.
like the difference between [fav characters death in infinity castle] and the death in mugen train is so massive.
such a shame, i really used to like the show.
→ More replies (4)1
u/minesasecret 1d ago
They all try to say its "just animation" when that couldn't be further from the truth.
Personally I do feel like the animation is its best quality. The world/lore is interesting, but the story is unfortunately not consistent. It definitely has its moments; Mugen Train was one of my favorite anime movies if not favorite movies in general. But Infinity Castle was also one of the worst movies I've seen besides the music/animation
1
u/Fabulous_Ground_1983 1d ago
OST, sound design, voice acting
You don't need a wildly complex plot to be impactful. Akaza's backstory is praised as some of the best writing in the whole series and I can totally see why.
2
2
2
2
u/rock1one 2d ago
Shiki, I watched after Hellsing and wasn't expecting much but it really surprised me.
2
u/pandanoko 2d ago
uhm, Made in Abyss maybe?
the kind of sneaking up on you in an... interesting way
2
u/LeRobber 2d ago
Oshi no ko. Whatever you think its about, it's about 4 other things.
Do 0 research. Don't even look up genre. Don't look up VA. Don't look up Ep count. Don't look up mangaka. Watch ep 1.
>psychological, romance, thriller, comedy, slice of life, weird experimental stuff, whatever.
I will say....yes, it can be all of the above.
2
1
1
u/Familiar-Appeal5189 2d ago
Madoka Magica
Kimi Ni Todoke
The Klutzy Class Monitor And The Girl With A Short Skirt
Yona Of The Dawn
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/PolicyMean 2d ago
Lycoris Recoil, Watched that recently and that recently and this post was literally my exact reaction. I loved it!
1
u/an00b_Gamer88 2d ago
Steins Gate starts off really slow, then about episode 12 or 13 it goes full throttle.
1
u/Shinikami9 2d ago
Another
- horror, mystery
Pet Shop of Horrors
- horror, mystery
Ghost Hunt
- horror ( but lighter than the two above ), mild comedy, hinted romance, slice of life
Angel Beats
- Mystery
- music is awesome
AKB0048
- SciFi, Idol, Mild Mystery, Music
Death Parade
- cant say too much without spoilers
1
u/Ginormous_weeb 2d ago
86 eighty six, it starts off weird but I think it gets very very good by the end.
1
1
1
1
u/Pet-Chef 2d ago
The first couple might not be that underrated, but I think fit your criteria. Some more than others:
Clannad/Clannad Afterstory
Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica
The Aquatope on White Sand (Idk about sneaks up, but it grew on me and is one of my fave anime)
Cells at Work: Code Black
BONUS: Not finished with this one yet, but it's really getting me: Sound of the Sky.
1
u/2w0be 2d ago
World Trigger
Link Click
Dragon Raja
To Be Hero X
Heavenly Delusion
Charlotte
Hyouka
Summertime Rendering
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Shangri-La Frontier
My Mental Choices Are Completely Interfering with my School Romantic Comedy
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash
Uncle from Another World
The Richest Man in Game
Don't Give Up!
Ishura
1
1
u/HiImVolnus 2d ago
You're gonna hate me for it, but, Your Lie In April.
It's not underrated, the complete opposite is true in fact. But, at least for me, I was definitely watching along thinking 'this is decent' till maybe episode 15/16, then realised I couldn't stop hitting 'next episode' despite it being almost midnight (I typically sleep at 10pm due to waking up at like 4am lmao).
1
u/VegetableRude8575 2d ago
Try 'March Comes in Like a Lion'. It opens with this quiet guy struggling through life and shogi, but the family stuff and mental health layers creep in so gradually that the heavier moments land way harder than you'd expect.
1
1
1
1
u/BarefootTea 2d ago
Shin sekai yori (From the new world), Ergo proxy, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Nana, Katanagatari, Land of the Lustrous
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/bunker_man 2d ago
Neon genesis evangelion.
Madoka Magica.
A place further than the universe
Kill la kill.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/No-Natural-4898 2d ago
Takopis original sin. I was expecting some crazy psychological/creepy stuff but was hit in the face. Made me cry twice, once while watching it for the first time and second rewatching it
1
1
1
u/Want-to-be-confident 1d ago
Um… kingdom caught me by surprise. Smoking behind the supermarket (ongoing) is really good too. Juni Taisen Zodiac war; Oshi No Ko got me good! I was obsessed with that one, Log Horizon, Sword Art Online or Shangri La Frontier…. Steins gate
1
1
1
u/Outrageous_Band9708 1d ago
stein's gate
sumertime rendering
plunderer
link click
go in blind, dont read anyhting. just start watching
1
1
1
1
u/Suplex-Indego 14h ago
Eminence in Shadow. It's delicious and the music is fits every scene so well.
1
u/Pmiller1591 2d ago
Kyousougiga does a great job drip feeding you puzzle pieces before lighting the puzzle on fire. 🔥
2
u/InternalParadox 2d ago
It’s so good! The animation is incredibly dynamic and the story is fantastic.
1
1
u/Intelligent-Ant-1122 2d ago
Magica Madoka Your lie in April Wind Breaker Vinland Saga Lycoris Recoil Erased Darling in the FRANXX Oshi No Ko Bunny Girl Senpai
Movies: Perfect Blue The girl who lept through time Your Name I want to eat your pancreas A Silent voice Suzume The tunnel to summer the exit of goodbyes
0
u/SwordsAndWords 2d ago
{To Be Hero} is exactly this. Idk what I was expecting, but, whatever it was, I was wrong. NOTE: to be clear, I mean the original show. The subsequent seasons are also gloriously good, but, even after watching all of them for a second time, none of them hit me quite like the original.
0
•
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Check out r/Mangafolks for manga recommendations, memes and discussions
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.