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Underrated Anime/Manga Thread


Nicο

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Pinned! Huzzah! as it could be a lot more useful than any old rec thread that has people recommending things I think are exposed quite enough already, and don't really need to be in something like the old anime and manga rec thread, as people can probably decide on those things themselves.
So Aix put it pretty well in his old thread, I'm just going to steal that:

I've been watching a lot of less well-known anime lately and currently have on my next-to-watch some stuff that a lot of people here might not even have heard of. So what shows do you think are under-appreciated but definitely something that people should watch? Stuff that you never really hear mentioned here or otherwise. Mostly here though. Maybe we can pin this with sufficient support.

The pin part is something that, well, as long as more people agree, kinda should be done anyway, as explained. But I'm going to revamp things a bit.
 
[spoiler=Rules]Yes, this could probably use some rules. Mostly obvious stuff though.

  • I read all of the recommendations in that old thread, but not everyone may be so inclined. I want people to try and explain things in a few short points at most, and if you can't, this will mostly be my job or whatever mod for whatever reason decides to edit the OP. But it isn't that hard to do
  • None of the most popular anime each season
  • Nothing that still seems too popular for its own good
  • Decently popular titles may need a couple other's to decide
  • Nothing that has seen significantly extreme backlash and not much else
  • Any good ideas I haven't thought of

[/spoiler]
 
[spoiler=Anime][spoiler=Action-Adventure]

Allison to Lillia (From Nico-chan) - Action, Adventure

  • Quaint action adventure charm
  • Passing the torch (essentially, I mean switching to a completely new MC for at least about half the series) was quite well done

Gokudo (from WingedCelticGuardian) - Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Magic

  • If you love watching jerks getting stuff, but not as expected, there's one pro for you!
  • 26 Episodes!
  • *i have never watched it, :l*
  • Gokudo gets turned into a girl, because TV Tokyo.
  • Gokudo fights evil with a sword that can deal menacing damage.
  • Gokudo meets Prince Niari, who, ironically, is a better womanizer.
  • They're not alone too! Rubette La Lette is there to help too!
  • At the start, Gokudo steals a stone, a genie named Djinn popped out!
  • Djinn started to talk, and Gokudo (Yuccot Kikansky) started to get annoyed.
  • And, at last, there came The Bok Choy Sisters!

Juuni Kokuki/The Twelve Kingdoms (From Nai) - Action, Fantasy, Adventure

  • Expansive and really detailed worldbuilding, giving the other world's feel of being different, but completely humane.
  • Epic scope for the story, coupled with good, interesting, and believable characterization AND development (and also a really well done heroine!)
  • Great execution of an otherwise typical plot. The depth on how far they go to explore that basis and everything else about it is what sets this apart from others.

Katanagatari (from Aix) - Adventure, Action, Fantasy

  • Bakemonogatari style dialogue, characters and writing. Same author.
  • General high quality like the Monogatari series.
  • Unique art style.
MÄR (from Shradow) - Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy
  • Main character is summoned to a fairy tale world straight out of his own fantasies where he fights (with the help of magic accessories/weapons known as ÄRM) against an evil organization trying to bring war upon the land
  • A fun series with a great group of heroes and villains and awesome action scenes (most of the fights are held in tournament-style 1v1 matches with appropriate shonen training and powering up in between)
  • Produced by SynergySP

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Action Comedy]

Ben-to (Mitcher) - Action, Comedy, Irresistible hunger

  • one-cour anime. Shouldn't be that hard to pick up. It's by David Productions who later did Jojo.
  • The comedy is sublime. And the girls are cute.
  • It's stupid but excitingly so.
Birdy the Mighty: Decode (from Shradow) - Action, Comedy, Science Fiction
  • An interplanetary federation agent accidentally kills a human boy while in pursuit of a criminal, and they must share a body until the boy's can be repaired.
  • Really sweet action scenes coupled with sitcom-esque shenanigans that arise from their shared body, which also brings about a nice relationship between the two main characters
  • Interesting story filled with unique villains and lots of sci-fi mumbo jumbo
  • Two seasons, each a single cour
Etotama (from Nico-chan) - Action, Comedy, Fantasy
  • Wildly comedic take on Zodiac animals
  • 4th wall breaking left and right
  • Well animated and interesting battles, especially for their fighting mode being the chibi
Kazemakase Tsukikage Ran (GarlandChaos) - Action, Comedy
  • The adventures of two travelling fighters, a ronin named Ran and a martial artist named Meow.
  • Rather catchy soundtrack.
  • Can be really silly, especially in the earlier episodes.

Samurai Flamenco (From Akame no ZaZa) - Action, Superhero, Comedy-drama

  • anime toku show
  • cutest main protag i've ever watched
  • main heroes have the loveliest relationship ever
  • If it suits your tastes, the fact that it has mediocre animation shouldn't bother you too much.

Stella Jogakuin C3-bu (From Mitcher) - Action, Comedy

  • For a show by Gainax, this has surprisingly little love. The soundtrack is jazzy and delicious.
  • Story doesn't hesitate to venture towards the surreal at times while still being a cute girls doing cute things anime.
  • Exciting, considering it's girls shooting plastic pellets to each other.

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler= Other Action]

Gungrave (from Shradow) - Action, Crime, Sci-fi, Drama
  • Main character is a super hitman brought back from the dead in an attempt to take down a corrupt crime syndicate, the series also following parts of his past of being in said syndicate
  • Adapted from a third-person shooter video game of the same name
  • Excellent action scenes
  • Focuses heavily on the characters, their pasts, and their emotions, making for a really compelling cast and a deep, sometimes heart wrenching, plot
  • Produced by Madhouse

 

K (from Shradow) - Action, Supernatural

  • "Kings" with special powers and their clansmen, and the main character trying to find his identity
  • Really nice art and music (though with strange color effects, you may think something's wrong with the color settings on your screen the first time you watch it)
  • Interesting cast of characters
  • Awesome action and a nice bit of comedy
  • Many prequel/sidestory manga/light novel adoptions to flesh things out 

Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho (from Johan Liebert) - Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Shounen

  • in comparison to every other popular and long-running series

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Fantasy]

Night on the Galactic Railroad is incredible for those who like slow moving films with beautiful and surreal visuals, it might be a bit difficult for some people to understand the ending though, but its still definitely 100% worth watching

 

Ringing Bell is another amazing anime movie that id like to mention. its a childrens film featuring a lamb as the main character but its a very philosophical film that teaches children a lesson that they may not fully understand until theyre older. its done by Sanrio and its undoubtedly the darkes and most mature out of all their works and is possibly my favorite thing theyve done.

 

Kiba (from Shradow) - Action, Fantasy, Drama
  • Main character is summoned to a war-torn fantasy world of spirits and casters, as he tries to attain power and find meaning in himself
  • A TCG-tie-in anime that acts nothing like one, featuring many dark elements and heavy drama not meant to curry favor to children
  • Great animation, story, and action scenes
  • Produced by Madhouse

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Magical Girls]

Jewelpet is also worth mentioning, very fun and cutesy with colorful characters, the best Jewelpet series is Sunshine in my opinion, loads of great humor in there, a pretty fun show based upon Sanrio toys so dont expect anything groundbreaking here, just cute cartoon animals with their human counterparts

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Music]Aikatsu! (From Nico-chan) - Music, Slice of Life, Idols

  • If you're not into magical girls or otherwise supernatural happenings, this is one of the only longrunning shoujo titles that doesn't do that
  • Lovers of idols get a performance every episode

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Mystery]

Denpa Teki na Kanojo (From Mitcher) - Mystery, Romance

  • Two OVAs, each around an hour long, so it's not a hefty time investment to check 'em out. Adaption of a light novel.
  • Sets the mood really well. Good production values, interesting but down-to-earth characters(Except for the denpa heroine).
  • The EDs are nice.

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Psychological]Aku no Hana

im not too sure how well known it is but i never really see too many people talk about Aku No Hana which is a shame because its really damn amazing, a very deep and psychological romance with some really unique animation (which personally i find adds more to the atmosphere of the show), i think its more on the lines of a show thats got a vocal minority since there are people who have watched it and love it to high hell, but i personally still think its worth the mention here.

 

Tamala 2010 is another anime movie that i feel is really underrated, the reactions on it are very mixed so dont go into this movie unless you want an extremely high dosage of experimental and postmodern visuals. some complain that the plotline is too uncohesive but if youre able to dig deeper and pay attention to certain tidbits then there is a followable narrative there, its just not so easy to notice it.

 

Cat Soup is one that id like to mention too, its considered to be a hidden gem for a really good reason, very surreal and symbolic with little to no dialogue though its only a short film so you dont need to worry about losing your patience too much

 

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (from Aix)- Drama, Thriller, Psychological, Mystery, Sci-fi
  • Unique visual style that seems trippy at first but gives a rather unique and wonderful feel
  • Engaging, suspenseful and overall well-written story
  • Great characters and development.
Uchuu Kyoudai/Space Brothers (From Hinanai Tenshi) - Comedy, Drama
  • Focusing on the dreams of two brothers in becoming an astronaut, and the hurdles they faced to get to that point.
  • The conflict and everything is portrayed realistically.
  • Great main characters, and the story takes a great length to characterize them and their growth.
  • Honestly pretty inspirational in a non-preachy or pretentious way.
  • Apo is so goddamn cute.

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Sci-Fi]

Legend of the Galactic Heroes (from Aix) - Sci-Fi
  • Grand epic scale conflicts over the fate of the galaxy
  • 110 well-written episodes showing the course of mankind
  • Ingenious battle tactics with thousands of spacecraft and millions of soldiers in every battle

Kaiba

anyone else here seen Kaiba? its a sci-fi story set in a world where people can switch their own bodies, its got really good animation and lots of unique and very surreal visuals. if you want an anime show thats really out there with its style and ideas then this one is great.

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Slice of Life]

Bartender (from EHN.) - Slice of Life, Drama

  • About a bartender who helps people with their emotional issues
  • Episodic format
  • Slow paced and relaxing
Binbou Shimai Monogatari (from Nico-chan) - Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life
  • Every series I've seen that was 10 episodes ends up being disappointing in some way, shape or form, but this is a completely different story
  • If you want the feels, come get them
  • To a point, I and plenty others must know what it's like to deal with the struggles of being poor
Rainbow Days/Nijiiro Days (from Nico) - Comedy,  Romance, Shoujo, Slice of Life
  • Shoujo centered around a group of male friends
  • It may be a little too convenient that there's basically just enough for every character to be paired, but there is a bit of a twist on that,
  • and it does have that somewhat uncommon gender balance going on

[/spoiler]

 

Psychic Academy (from Kinka-Byo) - Comedy, Romance, Supernatural
  • Ordinary guy gets into cool school
  • People have auras and powers based upon them
  • There's a talking pink bunny with an aura
  • There's boardeline porn, ngl

[/spoiler]

 

 
[spoiler=Manga]

[spoiler=Action Adventure]

Flames of Recca (from Ninanai Nanashi) - Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy
  • Main character is a high-schooler roped in to a shonen-styled team tournament with some of his friends, utilizing artifacts called Madogu to fight. While at first it was pretty much a YuYu Hakusho follower, it develops its own identity after the first tournament arc, however.
  • Great battle scenes and quite the fast pacing for things, coupled with interesting characters in both sides of the fence makes up for its less than good start (the art also improves a lot from where it started).
  • Can get pretty gory at times, among other things. Also, this is made by the same person that made MAR (this has MAR's humor but is considerably darker than it).
  • Anime is meh.
[/spoiler]

 

 

[spoiler=Comedy]

Seitokai Yakuindomo (from Nico-Chan) - Comedy
  • Hilariously pervy jokes
  • Those jokes are retorted by well done straight man happenings (one of the only two being the ONLY guy is something I thought makes it even funnier) 
  • Probably a better read than watch, it's far easier to jump in at any time and only read a very small chunk if desired or needed
  • Fortunately, this isn't a wordy 4-koma, so for dumb people like me that either can't read very fast or get distracted by other things on the Internet it should be extremely easy to read during commercials or on the go

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Drama]

A Silent Voice/Koe No Katachi (from Remo) - Drama, Romance, Slice of Life

  • Lots of feels, won't spoil but there are a lot of ups and downs (a whole lot more downs)
  • Deals with some pretty rough topics like bullying and how the disabled can be treated in Japan (its not pretty)
  • Some parts will make you lose faith in humanity and then get it back again
  • Overall one of my favorite romances, would recommend to all my friends

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Fantasy Romance]

Akagami no Shirayuki-hime (From Agro) - Drama, Fantasy, Historical, Romance

  • It's a romance set in a fictional medieval world
  • BUT the romance constantly takes a back seat to every character's own development and plot
  • It's really well written, I'm just saying

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Romance]

I Am Here!/Koko ni Iru yo! (From Nico-chan) - Romance, Slice of Life
  • Criminally under-looked bullying manga (not as cruel as some, but doesn't mean bullying isn't wrong, iirc Toyama-sensei didn't exactly want to make one but it still turned out well executed)
  • Another thing that actually really reminded me about YCM. It can actually be anywhere on the Internet, not exclusively forums, not exclusively blogs, but people you don't even know can still really help you get through life, and that's something I've seen countless times here

Love and Lies (From Nico-chan) - Drama, Romance

Mistress Fortune (from Nico) - Magic, Romance, Supernatural
  • Shoujo with a twist- A leecherous hero and a busty heroine
  • Short, 3 chapter manga with comedic bonuses
  • Relaxed and fun- author just went with some things when she normally thinks about things before starting the manga
  • Gender balanced ESP based Magical "Girl" team

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Slice of Life]

Aria (from Aix) - Slice of Life, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

  • Extremely relaxing and makes you feel really warm and happy inside.
  • Meaningful themes and messages, but doesn't come off as preachy.
  • Well-placed scenery porn moments.
  • A properly resolved manga with feels at the end.

Bartender (from Mitcher) - Slice of Life, Drama

  • About a bartender who helps people with their emotional issues
  • Episodic format
  • Slow paced and relaxing
  •  

Molester Man (from Mitcher) - Slice of Life, Drama, even shittier art

  • By the same artist as the above. The story this time, however, is an adaption of a series of 2chan posts.
  • Short but lengthy read. Lots of text, many are email conversations between characters or what Molester posts on 2chan.
  • Brighter story than OMK but shares the same overall feel by the end. Just needs to be read.
  • The many references will kill you.
  • The bonus votes chapter will too.

Onani Master Kurosawa - (from Mitcher) Slice of Life, Middle School Drama, Fap Note

  • Mature, for a story about middle schoolers. Doesn't hesitate away from masturbation or the social consequences of.
  • Amazing main character whose growth you get to experience as you read.
  • The shitty art quickly becomes a big charm point for the story. Adds a robust feel to it.
  • ITS LIKE DEATH NOTE BUT WITH FAPPING
Oyasumi Punpun (Aix) - Psychological, Drama, Slice of Life, Black Comedy
  • Extremely realistic and depressing portrayal of life and people. Characters are flawed, complex, immoral, and dealing with far more than they can handle. Each of them has their own unique ideologies and ways of coping with the tribulations of life.
  • Just highly affecting, thought-provoking, and open to personal interpretation. Relatability is over 9000. I'm sure anyone can find at least something in there amidst all that happens that can be related to... even if you aren't willing to admit it, maybe :P
  • Highly detailed and realistic-looking art (starts off with everyone with weird, ugly faces, but becomes normal when he grows older)

[/spoiler]

 

 

 

20th Century Boys (from Fusion) - Mystery, Sci-Fi
  • Same author as Monster
  • Incredibly well-crafted story and cast of characters
  • Lots of mystery woven through the narrative that lasts up until the very end
  • Has larger than life moments and some sci-fi
  • Stuff goes nuts

Boku Girl (From Nico-chan) - Ecchi, Supernatural, Gender Bender

  • Cute girl Loki prankster changes cute guy into cute girl
  • Everyone becomes confused about themselves
  • Some very... interesting characters
  • In a way, this description fits YCM sometimes
Bokura no Kiseki (from Aix) - School Life, Mystery, Drama, Fantasy
  • Interesting premise of people reincarnated to our world from a fantasy one
  • Well-developed ideas involving past lives and obligations
  • Good characters who develop as they question their own identities.
  • Plots and conspiracies galore.

Doubt (From Klavier) - Mystery, Psychological

  • Game turned real, rabbits hunt for mystery wolf to escape abandoned hospital
  • Unexpected turn, someone dies
Iron Knight - (From Neph) - Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
  • A disease turning people into monstrous beings called Goblins are ravaging and killing off humanity, but one boy stands against them. However, he's not quite entirely human either...
  • This manga is post-apocalyptic/shounen, and has lots of action and death and can be quite mature at some points, however, the art is great in my opinion and it's quite a good read. 

Kekkaishi (from Shradow) - Action, Supernatural, Comedy

  • Really nice character development, very memorable characters and villains
  • Awesome action with really unique powers and really funny comedy
  • The art is very solid and very clean

Kingdom (from Aix) - Historical, Action, Shonen

  • Well-written battle shonen
  • Very nice and easy to understand tactical maneuvers.
  • Quite epic.

Record of a Fallen Vampire (From Cin) - Magic, Vampire, Supernatural

  • Backstory is seen from several different people and is different each time

Sun-Ken Rock (from Remo) - Romance, Ecchi, Comedy, Martial Arts, Action

  • Yakuza/Gangpae Seinen with tons of action
  • Literally some of the best art I've seen ever in a series (makes mundane scenes look Berserk tier and the epic ones are way above that)
  • Nice romance (sub?)plot, really pretty much a Japanese guy making it up in the Korean underground organized crime/mafia world as he tries to better himself for his love/crush who happens to be a cop and hates gangs (he fights for the people, honest!)
  • Has plenty of comraderie/nakama moments that would make Luffy cry
  • Be warned, gets extremely violent and edgy as this seriously deals with underground crime, along with maximum ecchi/borderline hentai moments and so far one serious rape scene (where I'm at, at least). You were warned now.

Trigun (From Coral Blue) - Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi

  • Longer, darker and more developed than its anime counterpart
Uchuu Kyoudai/Space Brothers (From Hinanai Tenshi) - Comedy, Drama
  • Focusing on the dreams of two brothers in becoming an astronaut, and the hurdles they faced to get to that point.
  • The conflict and everything is portrayed realistically.
  • Great main characters, and the story takes a great length to characterize them and their growth.
  • Honestly pretty inspirational in a non-preachy or pretentious way.
  • Apo is so goddamn cute.

[/spoiler]

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I perefer Judge, but Doubt is good (that mind blowing ending!!)

I actually have yet to read Judge.

 

Anyways, Doubt is about a new fad videogame in Japan called "Rabbit Doubt". The idea is that in each game there are rabbits, and one of them is disguised as a wolf. The goal of the rabbits is to find out who the wolf is before the wolf kills everyone else. One day, a bunch of friends who met each other in-game decide to have a meetup IRL, and it takes an...unpleasant turn with someone dying. Turns out someone decided to make them play Rabbit Doubt in real life, and they gotta find out who the wolf is and escape from an abandoned hospital.

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I actually have yet to read Judge.

 

Anyways, Doubt is about a new fad videogame in Japan called "Rabbit Doubt". The idea is that in each game there are rabbits, and one of them is disguised as a wolf. The goal of the rabbits is to find out who the wolf is before the wolf kills everyone else. One day, a bunch of friends who met each other in-game decide to have a meetup IRL, and it takes an...unpleasant turn with someone dying. Turns out someone decided to make them play Rabbit Doubt in real life, and they gotta find out who the wolf is and escape from an abandoned hospital.

Oh thank you thank you! I'm actually a lot more interested now! Turns out this is the kind of thing I wouldn't read the description of and wouldn't know a whole deal lot but still might be turned to if someone described it to me.

 

I would say the manga version of Trigun. Not exactly an obscure title, but I hardly hear anyone talk about it, and it greatly surpasses the quality of the anime version. It's much longer, darker, and more developed story and character-wise.
Sounds okay if the particular version isn't as much of a stand out.
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What do you mean by a stand-out?

Pretty much what you've already said, not nearly as many people talk about it. In can go in reverse too, Ken Akamatsu's works are largely considered to be better than their anime adaptions. Doesn't always have to be what is better, but I can't exactly say it in an easier way than "it stands out more."

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Pretty much what you've already said, not nearly as many people talk about it. In can go in reverse too, Ken Akamatsu's works are largely considered to be better than their anime adaptions. Doesn't always have to be what is better, but I can't exactly say it in an easier way than "it stands out more."


Ah, ok. It's probably not as popular since it was finished after the anime, and the anime showed on adult swim awhile back. I believe the manga was initially cancelled, so the anime got it's own ending, then the author finished the manga the way he intended later on. I definitely find the manga to be the superior work though.
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You guys should put things in point form like the OP.

 

Anyway.

[spoiler=Anime]

Katanagatari (from Aix) - Adventure, Action, Fantasy

  • Bakemonogatari style dialogue, characters and writing. Same author.
  • General high quality like the Monogatari series.
  • Unique art style.

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Manga]

Aria (from Aix) - Slice of Life, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

  • Extremely relaxing and makes you feel really warm and happy inside.
  • Meaningful themes and messages, but doesn't come off as preachy.
  • Well-placed scenery porn moments.
  • A properly resolved manga with feels at the end.

Shoukoku no Altair (from Aix) - Fantasy (no magic)

  • Well-developed Renaissance European/Middle Eastern world.
  • Nice political and strategic maneuvers.

Kingdom (from Aix) - Historical, Action, Shonen

  • Well-written battle shonen
  • Very nice and easy to understand tactical maneuvers.
  • Quite epic.

[/spoiler]

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You guys should put things in point form like the OP.

Not necessarily, just as long as it isn't too long (like my older posts...), it could be good to be a bit more descriptive, or maybe that can still be done just as well in point form, idk. It's just not too hard to change it to that myself.

 

Nice, another Kingdom fan! It's been a while since the second season, which started way less than the normal breaks, so I should probably be reading the manga sometime. Rec'd the anime before, but manga's probably better. The first season being done in pretty bad CG may have unfortunately been a deciding factor for some people.

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I'll probably think of more later but this comes to mind.

 

[spoiler=Anime]

Bartender (from EHN.) - Slice of Life, Drama

  • About a bartender who helps people with their emotional issues
  • Episodic format
  • Slow paced and relaxing

 

[/spoiler]

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[spoiler=Anime](from Shradow) - Action, Supernatural

  • "Kings" with special powers and their clansmen, and the main character trying to find his identity
  • Really nice art and music (though with strange color effects, you may think something's wrong with the color settings on your screen the first time you watch it)
  • Interesting cast of characters
  • Awesome action and a nice bit of comedy
  • Single cour

There's a host of prequel and side story manga/light novel adaptions that flesh out stuff, as well as a sequel film. Season 2 is set for this year.[/spoiler]

 

Also, hell yeah to Katanagatari. Didn't realize it was the same author as the Monogatari series, that's cool.

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Not really sure Katanagatari is 'underrated' but oh well.

 

And there are a good number of Shonen Jump stuff that are pretty obscure as well. On here or on the internet overall. I understand wanting to restrict WSJ titles but personally I feel it's better not to make a hard 'n fast rule about it. I mean, how many people here or otherwise have ever read Medaka Box to the finish, or Psyren, or I''s?

[spoiler=Anime]

Denpa Teki na Kanojo - Mystery, Romance

  • Two OVAs, each around an hour long, so it's not a hefty time investment to check 'em out. Adaption of a light novel.
  • Sets the mood really well. Good production values, interesting but down-to-earth characters(Except for the denpa heroine).
  • The EDs are nice.

Stella Jogakuin C3-bu - Action, Comedy, DESPAIR

  • For a show by Gainax, this has surprisingly little love. The soundtrack is jazzy and delicious.
  • Story doesn't hesitate to venture towards the surreal at times while still being a cute girls doing cute things anime.
  • Exciting, considering it's girls shooting plastic pellets to each other.

Ben-to - Action, Comedy, irresistible hunger

  • one-cour anime. Shouldn't be that hard to pick up. It's by David Productions who later did Jojo.
  • The comedy is sublime. And the girls are cute.
  • It's stupid but excitingly so.

Considering throwing in the original Macross anime in here but that really doesn't fit with 'underrated' at all.

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Manga]

Yankee-kun to Megane-chan

  • By the author who would eventually write Yamada and the Seven Witches. And this is her superior work, or so I feel.
  • Again, spot-on comedy and endearing characters. The occasional yankee touch provides great flavor too.
  • Consistent quality, in both art, pacing, and plot quality.

High Score Girl

  • Unique art makes it stand out.
  • Many, many references to arcade games and fighting games.
  • Has an almost bittersweet mood. Again, the unique art helps but there's also the fact that we don't get to see Ohno speak at all.

Team Medical Dragon

  • Surgery manga. Highly detailed art.
  • Long, wordy, sometimes too wordy, but entertaining. Exposing the dark side of the Japanese medical system makes for some great inner struggle or some characters.
  • Ijuuin particularly is a great character to follow as the story progresses.

[/spoiler]

I'll probably think of more later but this comes to mind.

 

[spoiler=Anime]

Bartender (from EHN.) - Slice of Life, Drama

  • About a bartender who helps people with their emotional issues
  • Episodic format
  • Slow paced and relaxing

 

[/spoiler]

Throwing in a recommendation of the manga version of this for pretty much the same reasons as above. And it makes you appreciate alcohol.

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Kingdom (from Aix) - Historical, Action, Shonen

  • Well-written battle shonen
  • Very nice and easy to understand tactical maneuvers.
  • Quite epic.

 

TIL Aix knows about Kingdom. Though since it's Warring States, i guess it shouldn't be too surprising.

 

Also, from me (trying to remember stuffs that's not old AF)

 

[spoiler=Anime]

Juuni Kokuki/The Twelve Kingdoms (From Nai) - Action, Fantasy, Adventure

  • Expansive and really detailed worldbuilding, giving the other world's feel of being different, but completely humane.
  • Epic scope for the story, coupled with good, interesting, and believable characterization AND development (and also a really well done heroine!)
  • Great execution of an otherwise typical plot. The depth on how far they go to explore that basis and everything else about it is what sets this apart from others.

Yes, it's made by Pierrot and is from 2002, so some people might not like the art quality that much. But it's a wonderful watch, and...an ever wonderful read.

Seriously, try reading the LNs (can be found here: http://twelvekingdoms.tumblr.com/post/9936316154/where-to-read-the-twelve-kingdoms).

[/spoiler]

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Record of a Fallen Vampire

I enjoyed the manga even if something was supposed to be a big plot point ended up just being cast aside as not so important at the end. I do like the backstory being seen from several different points of view and being slightly different everytime. 

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[spoiler Manga]

A Silent Voice/Koe No Katachi (from Remo) - Drama, Romance, Slice of Life

  • Lots of feels, won't spoil but there are a lot of ups and downs (a whole lot more downs)
  • Deals with some pretty rough topics like bullying and how the disabled can be treated in Japan (its not pretty)
  • Some parts will make you lose faith in humanity and then get it back again
  • Overall one of my favorite romances, would recommend to all my friends

 

if this manga doesn't give you feels then you have no heart

 

1306383_20130312034255.png

 

Sun-Ken Rock (from Remo) - Romance, Comedy, Martial Arts, Action

  • Yakuza/Gangpae Seinen with tons of action
  • Literally some of the best art I've seen ever in a series (makes mundane scenes look Berserk tier and the epic ones are way above that)
  • Nice romance (sub?)plot, really pretty much a Japanese guy making it up in the Korean underground organized crime/mafia world as he tries to better himself for his love/crush who happens to be a cop and hates gangs (he fights for the people, honest!)
  • Has plenty of comraderie/nakama moments that would make Luffy cry
  • Be warned, gets extremely violent and edgy as this seriously deals with underground crime, along with maximum ecchi/borderline hentai moments and so far one serious rape scene (where I'm at, at least). You were warned now.

sun-ken-rock-2346457.jpg

[/spoiler]

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[spoiler=Manga]Kekkaishi (from Shradow) - Action, Supernatural, Comedy

  • Really nice character development, very memorable characters and villains
  • Awesome action with really unique powers and really funny comedy
  • The art is very solid and very clean[/spoiler]

 

I say the manga because, while the anime follows it really well, it just stopped after 4 cours and never continued. I just don't remember it was ever really that popular, even when the anime was airing, and I never heard anyone talk about the manga, either.

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K

There were actually quite a handlful of people talking about this when it first aired, but I'm gonna let this slide because I know one thing: Many people anywhere on the Internet thought it was mediocre at the end of it but I'm not sure they took a look at even 1 of all the manga there are for it, it's something I definitely need to do myself.

 

High Score Girl

I'm already intrigued from watching Pupipo, but it seems like the anime of this might not make it out. :(

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I only just watched recently in anime club after having never heard about it before. Though I guess it's good timing, as I don't have to wait that long for season 2. It's something I could definitely see people thinking as mediocre, but I really enjoyed it, and I'd surely like it even more if I read all the supplementary material. I should also get around to watching the movie.

 

Also, obviously this is the most underrated anime ever:

Cory_in_the_House_wallpaper.jpg

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Manga:

Akagami no Shirayuki-hime

  • It's a romance set in a fictional medieval world
  • BUT the romance constantly takes a back seat to every character's own development and plot
  • It's really well written, I'm just saying
  • Also it's getting an anime in the summer season so you should read it to get hype
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