10 Anime That Deserved More Attention Than They Got

10 Forgotten Anime That Deserved to Win Anime of the Year But Didn't Phosphophyllite from Land of the Lustrous By  Vanessa Piña Published 2 minutes ago

Vanessa Piña has been an anime writer at ScreenRant since 2024. She is freelance writer who worked as a copywriter and proofreader before deciding to write for her favorite series as an anime journalist. At ScreenRant, she focuses on timely coverage of the latest anime releases and updates on popular franchises.

Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Crunchyroll's Anime of the Year award, which began in 2017 and recognizes the best series in different categories, has given visibility to numerous outstanding titles. However, although some have achieved nominations, many of the best anime of the last decade have unfortunately not reached the level of impact they deserved for their impressive stories.

Shadows House

Shadows house anime

Overshadowed by other works from Studio CloverWorks, such as The Promised Neverland, Shadows House failed to achieve the popularity it deserved as one of the most intriguing anime of recent years. Shadows House hides many mysteries waiting to be revealed, showcasing a cryptic mansion where living dolls have become the caretakers and the faces of a family of shadow aristocrats.

From Emilico's identity and how she tries to help Kate to their relationships with the rest of the family members, Shadows House is a gothic mystery that masterfully builds an unsettling atmosphere full of tension and will have viewers at the edge of their seats.

Land of the Lustrous

phosphophyllite from land of the lustrous with a cocnerned face.

Land of the Lustrous is set in a dystopian future where human-like gems constantly battle mysterious lunar entities that seek to collect them. However, not all gems possess the necessary hardness for combat, and Phos's new mission sets the wheels in motion to change the status quo, uncovering the secrets of the world and the fight against the Lunarians.

Despite its fascinating world-building and thought-provoking philosophical themes about immortality, memories, and humanity that underlie its story, which is also brimming with Buddhism symbolism and an atmosphere of mysticism and fantasy, Land of the Lustrous was disparaged by many viewers upon its release due to a deeply ingrained prejudice against CGI animation.

Even so, Land of the Lustrous has breathtaking visuals, as the 3D animation beautifully recreates the texture, brilliance, and fragility of the gems in a natural way. Additionally, the anime meticulously crafted every detail, from the colors, composition, and action sequences, becoming a visual delight and a masterpiece that shines as brightly as the gems sparkle in the light.

A Place Further Than the Universe

A Place Further Than The Universe Northern Lights

Although it failed to reach a wider audience due to being mistaken for just another anime about girls doing cute things, A Place Further Than the Universe pierces the hearts of viewers, exploring the very essence of dreams. Its premise is quite simple, following four high school girls with their own aspirations who go to Antarctica to reach the South Pole.

The anime isn't just a fun slice-of-life of girls making a reckless and unrealistic journey; it's about finding your meaning in life and taking every experience to the fullest. What's amazing about A Place Further Than the Universe is the poignant character development, from the early hardships they faced before boarding for the Antarctic to the past of each character.

Additionally, the anime has a fantastic soundtrack, beautiful art direction that recreates the unfamiliar Antarctic landscapes, and unique conflicts that make each episode interesting and feel like its own short film. These elements come together to make A Place Further Than the Universe an underrated masterwork that touches the heart, bringing plenty of laughter and tears to viewers.

Megalo Box

Megalobox sports sci-fi anime poster

A reinterpretation of the classic anime Ashita no Joe, Megalo Box perfectly mixed sci-fi elements with the thrill of watching the rise of an underdog boxer. Megalo Box features a futuristic city divided by social classes where boxers fight equipped with powered exoskeletons. After meeting the strongest Megaloboxer, Joe goes from competing in underground matches to Megalonia's stage, facing highly-tuned opponents.

While the anime's first installment amassed a significant fanbase during its release, Megalo Box took a turn in its second season that didn't appeal to viewers expecting nothing more than intense action. Nomad: Megalo Box 2's passionate boxing matches took the backseat to deliver a slow and deeply introspective story.

In Nomad, viewers get to know Joe's humanity in greater depth, which resulted in one of the most inspirational and gratifying journeys. Both seasons made Megalo Box one of the best sports anime in history, with a gritty, down-to-earth story of a fighting man who rose from the bottom to the top, becoming a hidden gem that deserves more attention.

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! official art featuring Sayaka, Midori, and Tsubame playing around

While Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! received a positive reception during its broadcast for Science Saru's ambitious animation, it didn't quite reach the level of popularity and recognition it deserved. Many viewers considered it too niche for being a slice-of-life depicting how a trio of high school girls form a club aiming to devote themselves to their dream of producing an anime.

Although some may find it a bit quirky, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is a visual marvel and one of the best works by the renowned director Masaaki Yuasa. The anime possesses a unique expressiveness that perfectly conveys the unrestrained imagination, creativity, and perspective of the world of artists, a passion that can be relatable to all kinds of creators.

Girls' Last Tour

Depicting the experiences of Chito and Yuri as they enjoy their journey through a post-apocalyptic world, Girls' Last Tour went unnoticed by many viewers. Although its premise led many to dismiss it as just a boring and tragic story, the anime is quite soothing, not focusing on themes like pain and sadness that come with a destroyed world, but on the everyday.

Without any imminent confrontation or major conflict, but with the characters seeking to survive by staying together and looking for any trace of civilization, Girls' Last Tour is a very different anime from anything that exists in the medium so far. Girls' Last Tour has the charm of road movies, which can convey a sense of comfort and melancholy.

In the anime, the occasional background noise, music, and unconventional conversations allow the characters to shine to the fullest, posing ethical questions or moral dilemmas that will leave a great impression on viewers. In Girls' Last Tour, each scene is endowed with a quality and expression that makes it a must-watch for any anime fan.

Odd Taxi

Odd Taxi Anime Official Art featuring the cast, including Hiroshi and others

Although Odd Taxi didn't achieve worldwide popularity, it's an anime that dared to create something different, passing with flying colors. Featuring a cast of anthropomorphic characters, Odd Taxi follows the quest of a taxi driver who becomes a murder suspect, revealing his past and the connections of each of his passengers as he unravels a web of crimes.

Odd Taxi shares the tension and atmosphere filled with jazz music and intertwined stories typical of noir detective movies, with a unique plot that will delight fans of Haruki Murakami. Odd Taxi is full of endearing, mundane moments, powerful monologues loaded with social criticism, and surprising plot twists that make it an essential anime for everyone.

The Heike Story

The-Heike-Story-Biwa

Despite sharing the same director as A Silent Voice, The Heike Story is a historical anime that went unnoticed by most viewers. The Heike Story adapts an ancient Japanese novel with a modern look, showcasing the power struggle between two samurai clans, seen from the spectator's perspective of an orphaned girl whose powers allow her to discover the tragedies in advance.

With unconventional animation that perfectly suits the traditional style of a Japanese folktale, The Heike Story reveals the human side behind military conflicts in a feudal period, not only depicting evil deeds but also delving into the impermanence of power and the meaning of time, conveying the helplessness of a predetermined future and the importance of cherishing today.

Sonny Boy

Sonny Boy flew under the radar of many anime fans despite being directed by the acclaimed One-Punch Man director, Shingo Natsume. This is due not only to its strong artistic identity but also to its deep and reflective story, which doesn't appeal to everyone. Even so, Sonny Boy has become the best isekai anime of the last decade.

While Sonny Boy takes a group of students and their school to another setting, the anime manages to feel realistic. Its main appeal is how it takes advantage of the potential of experimental animation for the "show, don't tell" approach, forcing viewers not to watch absentmindedly but to pay attention in order to interpret each piece of information received.

Its original concept and magnificent artistic quality, which defies all expectations by subverting modern anime tropes, has made Sonny Boy a unique piece in the history of animation that will make viewers step out of their comfort zone. Additionally, Sonny Boy is perfect to watch over and over again and catch things you missed the first time.

Pluto

Iconic mangaka collage image featuring the main character from Pluto, Vagabond, and Junji Ito's Cat manga. (1)

Created in the same universe as the universally acclaimed classic anime Astro Boy, Pluto didn't have the bombastic recognition fans expected for its reputation. Written by Naoki Urasawa, Pluto is set in a futuristic world where artificial intelligence has surpassed human control and robots have even reached the stage of having their own personalities.

A detective story about a robot accused of murder, Pluto is deeply moving for its vivid depiction of how hatred can cause new tragedies but also for how it focuses on the sadness and suffering of a robot that has acquired an identity so close to that of a human being, all enhanced by its high-octane action and stunning animation that will blow viewers' minds.

9.2/10

Pluto

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Action Animation Drama Sci-Fi Release Date 2023 - 2023-00-00 Directors Toshio Kawaguchi Writers Tatsuro Inamoto, Heisuke Yamashita

Cast

See All

• Laura Megan Stahl
• Mike Pollock

Main Genre Sci-Fi Genres Action, Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi Creator(s) Naoki Urasawa Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Powered by Expand Collapse

• Anime
• Crunchyroll

Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close Thread Sign in to your ScreenRant account

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.

Your comment has not been saved

Send confirmation email

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

• Terms
• Privacy
• Feedback

Recommended 7 hours ago

Christopher Nolan Reveals He Almost Directed Brad Pitt’s Greek Mythology Epic Before The Odyssey

8 hours ago

Solo Leveling’s Season 3 Delay Will Be the Anime's Downfall

6 hours ago

Wicked: For Good’s Mysterious Grimmerie Spell Finally Revealed Thanks To A Popcorn Bucket

8 hours ago

Uma Thurman Returns In Kill Bill Trailer For Quentin Tarantino's Previously Unfilmed Chapter

More from our brands

The 40 Best Anime for Tweens and Teens

The Best Psychological Anime, Ranked

The 35 Best Yuri Anime, Ranked

The 50 Saddest Anime That Will Make You Cry

42 Greatest R-Rated Adult Anime Series of All Time

The 35 Best Seinen Anime, Ranked

The 25 Best Anime From The 90s, Ranked

Trending Now Seeking Sister Wife: Garrick Merrifield Reportedly Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges Vecna's New Stranger Things Season 5 Design Detailed By Jamie Campbell Bower Meghan Markle's Rep Denies Rumors She Took $1,700 Dress from Shoot: "Categorically False"