Netflix is home to hundreds of anime movies and TV shows, many of which are notoriously overshadowed by the larger, more popular franchises. However, a treasure trove of underrated Netflix anime exists, if only one looks hard enough. Here are some of our favorite options for off-the-beaten-path shows.
Image via P.A. Works
Best Underrated Thriller on Netflix: Sirius the Jaeger
P.A. Works is a studio behind several anime series that deserve more attention, two of which are included on this list. The first is Sirius the Jaeger, an action-thriller series set in 1930. Vampires and werewolves roam around East Asia. A group of vampires flee from China to Japan, pursued by hunters known as “Jaegers,” under the guise of “V Shipping Company” workers. Among them is a man called Yuliy of the Sirius clan, a werewolf whose home was destroyed by vampires. Years prior, a member of the Sirius royal family was selected to possess a relic known as the “Ark of Sirius,” which was sealed away from all those wishing to covet it. This sparks a war between Vampires and Jaegers for possession of the relic.
Image via J.C.Staff
Best Underrated Dystopian Anime on Netflix: Children of the Whales
In a world covered in sand, an island known as the Mud Whale exists. On the island lies an ancient town whose inhabitants are said to be “Marked,” meaning they possess supernatural abilities at the cost of an untimely death. Chakuro spends his time discovering the newfound islands, so when another island crosses the horizon, he and his friends join the scouting group. They find the remains of an archaic civilization, and Chakuro discovers a young girl who changes his destiny and the Mud Whale’s existence as he knows it.
Image via Wit Studio
Best Underrated Comedy on Netflix: Great Pretender
In this action-adventure anime, Makoto “Edamame” Edamura resorted to a life of crime, which involves pickpocketing and scamming others. After he swindles a tourist, Makoto realizes that he was the one to be tricked and the police are now after him. While making his daring escape, Makoto runs into the tourist again, who turns out to be a fellow con-man by the name of Laurent Thierry. He follow him to Los Angeles. In an effort to maintain his title as the “World’s Best Scammer,” Makoto challenges Laurent to a contest, which entails scamming the biggest mafia boss on the West Coast.
Image via Polygon Pictures
Best Underrated Seinen Anime on Netflix: Ajin
Also known as Ajin: Demi-Human, this horror/mystery series focuses on mysterious immortals known as “Ajin,” who first appeared 17 years ago in Africa. They were initially labeled as a threat to mankind, as they were capable of using their powers for evil. Whenever Ajin are found lurking within society, they are arrested and taken into custody. Aspiring doctor Kei Nagai knows very little about them besides what he’s seen on TV, so he’s been conditioned to believe them dangerous. Nagai survives an accident that should have claimed his life, which results in him reborn as an Ajin.
Image via MAPPA
Best Underrated Shonen Anime on Netflix: Dorohedoro
Similar to Naruto, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer, the shonen anime Dorohedoro is jam-packed full of action. Hole, a district where the strong survive and the weak are preyed upon, certainly lives up to the name given to it. In this realm, law and ethics are irrelevant, much like the anime equivalent of The Purge. It is dominated by magic users, who believe non-magical citizens to be nothing more than insects. The powerless are murdered, mutilated, or experimented on without hesitation, therefore litter the halls of Hole’s hospital. Kaiman, a reptile-human hybrid, hunts these magic users with only a pair of bayonets and a handy immunity to magic.
Image via P.A. Works
Best Underrated Sci-Fi and Mecha Anime on Netflix: Kuromukuro
Similar to other stand-out anime like Darling in the FRANXX, the sci-fi epic Kuromukuro takes place during the dawn of the 21st century. The United Nations Kurobe Research Institute is established to investigate a Japanese artifact. Scientists from around the world gather to study it, all while their children attend Mt. Tate International Senior High School. Yukina Shirahane is the daughter of the facility’s head scientist, who also manages to solve part of the artifact’s puzzle. Appearing from within the relic is Kennosuke Tokisada Ouma, a young samurai from the Sengoku era. Both Yukina and Kennosuke find themselves defending Earth from invading forces.
Image via Liden Films
Best Underrated Slice of Life Anime on Netflix: Kotaro Lives Alone
Everyone loves a goofy slice of life anime now and then. Kotaro Lives Alone follows the titular Kotarou, who one day meets a mangaka named Shin Karino. In Karino’s eyes, Kotarou is a little odd. He speaks formally, lives alone in his apartment, and never relies on anyone else. One day, Karino decides to follow Kotarou to a bathhouse in case something might happen to him, but he grows fond of him, along with the other residents of the apartment complex. At the same time, Kotarou finds togetherness and happiness akin to a family with his friendly neighbors.
All of the above titles are available to stream on Netflix.
