Anime watchlist goals usually start the same way. Naruto, Attack on Titan, One Piece, and maybe Demon Slayer. And those are all outstanding, no question about it. But if you’ve already seen the big names and are looking for something new, there’s a whole world of shows that never got the respect they deserve. These ten hugely neglected classics ought to be in the queue of every serious anime fan.
Your Anime Watchlist Is Incomplete Without These 10 Shows
1. Dororo
If you like dark fantasy with a strong emotional impact, you should add Dororo to your anime watchlist right away. It revolves around Hyakkimaru, a young man who was born without most of his body parts due to a deal his father made with demons. Throughout feudal Japan, he fights to reclaim what was taken from him, accompanied by a determined, scrappy kid named Dororo. The story is compelling. The two characters’ relationship is one of the best in anime, and despite its violence, it is deeply genuine. It is clear that Tezuka Productions and MAPPA handled the animation with skill.
2. Megalobox
Megalobox is one of those shows that should have been massive but somehow wasn’t; thus it should be on your anime watchlist. In this futuristic take on boxing, fighters wear Gear, which are mechanical exoskeletons. The main character, Junk Dog, participates in rigged underground fights before deciding to pursue something bigger. The show contains Cowboy Bebop‘s flair and roughness, a fantastic hip-hop soundtrack, and a story about aiming for something real. The second season, Nomad, is more in-depth and powerful.
3. Blood Blockade Battlefront
Blood Blockade Battlefront is chaotic, colorful, and highly entertaining, making it a perfect addition to any anime watchlist intended for diversity. New York City has been invaded by a portal to another dimension, turning it into the rowdy, magical, and monster-filled city of Hellsalem’s Lot. A teenage reporter named Leonardo Watch joins Libra, a secret organization that keeps the city from falling apart. The world-building is amazing, the characters are charming, and Bones delivered some amazing animation. It’s bizarre and rowdy in the best way. Zoro’s anime voice actor even voiced a character here.
4. 86: Eighty-Six
86 is the kind of program that captivates you by episode two and doesn’t let go, making it an essential addition to any serious anime watchlist. Despite the fact that it looks like a mecha anime, the story is about discrimination, war, and treating people like human beings. The 86 are forced to battle in heavily manned but unmanned military battalions since they are a persecuted minority. The relationship between handler Lena and squad leader Shin serves as the emotional cornerstone of the show, supporting each gut blow it delivers. The overall production by A-1 Pictures is amazing.
5. Great Pretender
Add Great Pretender to your anime watchlist if you’re looking for something completely different from the standard action or fantasy setting. The main character of the show is a small-time Japanese con artist who gets involved with Laurent, a far more skilled French con artist. They work together to carry out intricate plans on some extremely nasty people in Tokyo, Singapore, London, and Los Angeles. It’s sophisticated, stylish, and genuinely funny. To make each scene stand out, Wit Studio used vibrant colors and a unique visual style. It also concludes in a manner that many anime simply cannot.
6. Reborn!
Despite never making it into the mainstream conversation, Reborn! is a long-running shonen that merits a place on any anime watchlist. It starts out as a comedy about a useless middle schooler named Tsuna who finds out he’s next in line to lead a mafia family. At first, it sounds ridiculous. But with a character you’ll grow to love and some genuinely incredible fight arcs, the anime becomes a full-fledged combat series. The Varia Arc alone makes the early episodes worthwhile. Over 30 million manga copies in circulation and still underrated.
7. Seraph of the End
Seraph of the End is a dark fantasy that needs to be on your anime watchlist if you like stories with quick action and a compelling vengeance storyline. A virus wipes out most of humanity, vampires take over, and Yuichiro, a small child, survives long enough to join a military unit dedicated to fighting back. The connections are a powerful aspect, especially between Yuichiro and his childhood friend Mikaela, who ends up on the other side of the conflict. The action sequences are strong and expertly scripted, and it was produced by Wit Studio. Over 15 million copies in circulation and still flying under the radar.
8. The Heroic Legend of Arslan
The Heroic Legend of Arslan is an epic fantasy series that should be on every anime watchlist for fans of huge battles and political intrigue. After his country is captured by an army, a young prince named Arslan sets out to recover it with a small but loyal group of friends. The story is an adaptation of Yoshiki Tanaka’s 1986 – 2017 novel, done by Hiromu Arakawa, who created Fullmetal Alchemist. That should tell you something about the quality of writing. The characters are well-developed, the strategy-heavy fights are engrossing, and Arslan’s development from an ordinary boy to a future king seems well-earned. It’s an unappreciated masterpiece in the fantasy genre.
9. Unlimited Psychic Squad
Unlimited Psychic Squad is an excellent spin-off, so fans of action and superpowered storytelling should add it to their anime watchlist. It centers on Kyousuke Hyoubu, a powerful ESPer on the run who is in charge of an organization that will stop at nothing to protect ESPers who are being persecuted. The show is darker and more ethically complex than its parent series, Zettai Karen Children. Hyoubu is a compelling lead because he effortlessly exists in the area between hero and evil. There are just 12 episodes, so there’s no reason not to watch it.
10. D.Gray-man
D. Gray-man wraps up this anime watchlist with a masterpiece that, for some reason, is still overlooked today. It revolves around Allen Walker, a young exorcist who battles Akuma, demonic beings, with the Black Order. Walker has a cursed eye and a weapon attached to his arm. In the show, Allen and the enemies he defeats are both interesting personalities. It blends dark fantasy with an extraordinarily large and unforgettable ensemble. The 103-episode run and a 2016 sequel series offer plenty to explore once you get started.
Conclusion
All of the shows on this list had all the makings of a hit, but they never quite made it. But this is what makes making a personalized anime watchlist so rewarding. There are always hidden gems to be found. Start anywhere on this list, and you won’t regret it.
Edited by Nabil Ibrahim-Oladosu