Facebook
Reddit
Email
Discover 7 extremely underrated anime movies that have managed to stay under the radar and need to be seen by everyone.
Anime movies offer some of the most creative ideas while connecting to the fans on an emotional level. With stunning visuals, deep storytelling, and layered characters, some have even won Oscar awards.
At the same time, some stellar Anime movies did not receive their due recognition. We will be ranking the 7 most underrated anime movies that need to be appreciated by more fans.
7 Most Underrated Anime Movies
7) In This Corner of the World
Made by Studio MAPPA, In This Corner of the World is a poignant story featuring the struggles of everyday people during World War 2. We have seen movies such as Grave of the Fireflies completely break our hearts with tragedy, but this takes a different approach.
The story introduces us to Suzu, a normal girl who leaves home after marrying a man she barely knows. For a great part, it is a slice-of-life showing the beauty of bonds as the characters find a connection with each other. However, after we grow attached to them, the haunting aura of war approaches.
By showcasing both the beauty of resilience and the pain inflicted by greater powers on the populace, this is a film that doesn’t lack in any way compared to the other historical greats.
6) The Tale of Princess Kaguya
Princess Kaguya’s story is an iconic Japanese tale that has been made multiple times. The version made by Studio Ghibli ranks as the most expensive anime movie ever made, and for good reason.
The story follows a princess sent to Earth and raised by an ordinary couple in the forest. When her adopted father starts believing she has a greater purpose, he takes her to the capital while leaving all her friends behind. Kaguya, whose life was filled with joy, starts witnessing the negative sides of humanity before returning to the heavens.
With its visuals resembling watercolors and a classic tale narrated with a unique visual twist, The Tale of Princess Kaguya is a spectacle for the eyes.
5) Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
Maquia is a tear-jerking anime about love, loss, and the passage of time. It follows the titular protagonist, Maquia, who is part of a special race that can live for hundreds of years. While living away from civilization with her clan, her life completely changes when an enemy kingdom invades them.
After escaping, Maquia finds an abandoned baby in a village. As a compassionate individual, she decides to raise it despite not knowing much about motherhood. With the beauty of the mother and child growing together, Maquia also displays the difference in the lifespans of species.
It explores universal themes of parental love and sacrifice through its fantasy setting. Hence, for those who feel like shedding a lot of tears, this is the perfect watch.
4) Tokyo Godfathers
Satoshi Kon is one of the greatest creative minds of our time and has played a role in making several amazing anime. Movies such as Perfect Blue have found global success but equally good ones like Tokyo Godfathers have remained underrated.
It follows three homeless people as they find a baby one night. Despite facing complex personal issues, they decide to search for clues about the baby’s parents and reunite them. This sets them off on an exciting adventure of a lifetime.
The film is a perfect representation of Kon, combining surreal moments with grounded realism. As we approach the Christmas season, fans will be able to relate to the content on a new level.
3) Angel’s Egg
Even after nearly four decades of its release, people still debate the meaning behind Angel’s Egg. Being abstract and confusing, the story can’t get much more avant-garde than this.
The movie is extremely atmospheric and follows the journey of a girl with an egg in a dystopian world. Soon joined by a mysterious man, the odd group wanders around the barren lands questioning existentialism, faith, and the fragility of belief.
Its minimalistic narrative and symbolic imagery of humanity’s nature make for a fascinating watch. This is a more controversial choice as many have found Angel’s Egg to be a meditative masterpiece while others describe it as mundane.
2) The Garden of Sinners
The Garden of Sinners is a series of movies made by the unparalleled Studio Ufotable. This means that the movies contain some of the most eye-popping animation and sound design ever.
It revolves around an apathetic woman named Shiki who can see the mortality of any given object. With this, she tracks dangerous mysteries and combats supernatural threats. During her escapades, she forms a bond with a normal human named Mikiya. Through the time she spends with him, Shiki’s internal struggles with compassion and identity become more apparent.
Similar to Angel’s Egg, The Garden of Sinners also heavily relies on its eerie atmosphere. Its fragmented movies featuring a variety of storylines might prove to be a challenge for some casual viewers, but by digging deeper they’ll find a richly layered experience.
1) Blue Giant
Blue Giant has brought jazz to anime, and it does so in a dynamic fashion. Set in Japan, it follows a young and passionate saxophone player named Dai Miyamoto who dreams of becoming the best jazz player in the world.
By relentlessly pursuing his dreams, he takes one step closer and forms a band with his close friends. However, the path to the top is never free of obstacles. With sudden challenges testing the camaraderie between Dai and his friends, as well as his dedication to his goal, Blue Giant packs a powerful punch inside its two-hour run time.
Most importantly, there are not enough anime out there primarily focused on music that go on to become popular. While shows such as Your Lie in April do have melodic tunes, they emphasize growth and loss. Blue Giant, while also having important themes mentioned above, stays true as a music anime at its core.
With an emotionally charged soundtrack, a blend of exciting instruments, and powerful visuals, it will leave viewers with chills by the end.
Conclusion
To conclude, these underrated anime movies provide a wide selection from different genres for fans to enjoy. They prove that the popularity of a film is not correlated to its quality, and underrated titles can inspire groundbreaking achievements in storytelling.
Looking For More?
Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!