Best under-appreciated anime.
by J_Frank_Parnell | created - 17 Sep 2021 | updated - 26 Dec 2022 | PublicPeople always argue about the exact definition/cut-off for whats "under-appreciated", so I've picked the objective (but completely arbitrary) criteria of any anime with under 6,000 votes. Just because that seemed to cut-off most stuff that 99% of anime fans know of (and I was gonna pick 5k, but wanted to include Cat Soup, tbh...)
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1. Sabu to Ichi torimono hikae (1968–1969)
Animation, Action, Drama
Stars: Akiji Kobayashi, Kei Tomiyama, Gôzô Sôma, Teiji Ômiya
Votes: 25
The first anime created for adults (first anime aired on Japanese TV in a "late-night" 9:30pm timeslot, instead of earlier, kid-friendly slots), in 1968 Japan. Super low-budget, EXTREMELY 'limited animation', but done in some very creative, innovative ways. Basically a 'detective story' format, set in Edo-period Japan, with an straight-laced Shinsengumi (traditional Japanese police), paired up with an old, lecherous-but-wise, blind swordsman. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/10. (18 votes)
2. You're Under Arrest! (1996–2008)
21 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
The adventures of two female police officers in modern Japan.
Stars: Miyu Irino, Akiko Hiramatsu, Tamara Mercer, Sakiko Tamagawa
Votes: 375
A female buddy-cop show, and excellent episodic police procedural, with extra appeal if you're a bit of a car/motorcycle/JDM nerd, because of the motor-racing side-story, and lovingly-illustrated, classic 90's Japanese cars and bikes. HIGHLY RECOMMEND 10/10 (20 votes)
3. Spirit of Wonder: Shônen kagaku kurabu (2001– )
60 min | Animation, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In 1954, a group of explorers head off to Mars.
Stars: Noriko Hidaka, Hiroyuki Shibamoto, Ken'ichi Suzumura, Masashi Hirose
Votes: 41
There were three or four videos in this "Spirit of Wonder" series- Basically an anthology series, of free-standing sci-fi stories, but not the usual cyber-punk/high-tech take on the genre that you'd expect from anime- It more takes inspiration from early sci-fi like Jules Verne, as well as both Japanese and European folk-tales. Very quirky and fun. 9/10. (23 votes)
4. Wandering Clouds (1982)
91 min | Animation, Comedy, History
The year is 1866, the twilight of the Tokugawa era. As Japan boldly moves into a new age, one man couldn't possibly care less. That man is Kumosuke Haguregumo, a retired samurai who has ... See full summary »
Director: Mori Masaki | Stars: Shingo Yamashiro, Mami Kumagai, Yoshitaka Kase, Fuyumi Shiraishi
Votes: 44
Fun comedy set in twilight of traditional Japan, following an ex-samurai living it up, while Western culture and looming modernity threatens to replace the world he knows. 9/10 (23 votes)
5. Moonlight Mile (2007– )
TV-MA | Animation, Adventure, Drama
Gorou and Lostman at the peak of Mount Everest see the ISA Space Station in the sky above and become determined to go into space. ISA begins a program to research and obtain a new energy source which has been discovered on the moon.
Stars: Fuminori Morisada, John Swasey, Chris Patton, Andrew Love
Votes: 39
Hard sci-fi set in the near future, based on a similar premise to 2003's (excellent) 'Planetes'- ie, the first generation where space is an industrial, blue-collar workplace. Except 'Moonlight Mile' focuses on construction-workers, rather than Planetes' "space-garbagemen" 9/10 (32 votes)
6. Sukeban Deka (1991 Video)
50 min | Animation, Action, Drama
There are some places a cop can never go, like high school. Blackmailed with the fate of her mother on death row, Saki Asamiya trades in her prison blues for a school-girl's uniform and ... See full summary »
Director: Takeshi Hirota | Stars: Naomi Uchiyama, Jan Angus, Renee Foresman, Tiffany Grant
Votes: 100
AKA "Delinquent Detective". Based on the super-popular (in Japan) 80s manga/live-action tv series, about a delinquent girl, armed with her deadly yo-yo, solving crimes and fighting equally-silly villains. That Japanese 'delinquent' genre, esp from the 80s/90s, is fucking glorious- So goofy and melodramatic, it's amazing. 9/10 (33 votes)
7. Domain of Murder (1992 Video)
51 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
On the trail of a missing husband, private investigator Goro crosses paths with a deranged killer.
Directors: Hiroshi Morioka, Iku Suzuki | Stars: Shigeru Nakahara, Masaru Ikeda, Tomomichi Nishimura, Hideyuki Umezu
Votes: 49
"Hello Hedgehog: File 170 Domain of Murder" Possibly the most utterly baffling English title in history, but a cool little murder/whodunnit story. 8/10 (34 votes)
8. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993–1996)
TV-14 | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The adventures of a space navy captain who is either an incredibly lucky idiot, or an unorthodox genius in tactics.
Stars: Maria Kawamura, Crispin Freeman, Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis
Votes: 499
Excellent, charismatic comedy, about a lazy, absent-minded loafer who ends up captain of a military spacecraft, at war. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 9/10 (39 votes. Am surprised it got so few votes- It's pretty well-known as a 90s classic)
9. Tetsujin 28 (2004)
22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In Post-WWII Japan, boy detective Shotaro overcomes adversaries with his giant robot Tetsujin 28-go, uncovering remnants from the War that had been bubbling under the surface of society.
Stars: Motoko Kumai, Shigeru Ushiyama, Minoru Inaba, Shôzô Îzuka
Votes: 56
2004 re-boot of the classic 'Gigantor'/'Tetsujin 28-Gou' series from 1963. Very well-done update of the story; The original was a pretty simple, unchallenging kids show, but this version, while staying true to the original, adds a bit more depth. 7/10 (40 votes)
10. Space Battleship Tiramisu (2018–2019)
TV-14 | 7 min | Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi
In preparation for his vital wartime missions, ace pilot Subaru Ichinose launches an all-out food-based assault on his own face.
Stars: Brian Mathis, Anthony Bowling, Kyle Phillips, Jeremy Inman
Votes: 73
Fun, goofy, food-obsessed parody of sci-fi anime like Space Battleship Yamato, or Code Geass. 7/10 (46 votes)
11. Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran (2000)
Animation, Action, Adventure
Lady Ran is an often-penniless traveler with formidable samurai skills, sharp wit, and an unquenchable taste for sake. She frequently runs into but tries to ignore Lady Meow, a hand-to-hand... See full summary »
Stars: Michelle Ruff, Mona Marshall, Christopher Carroll, Ahmed Best
Votes: 87
Super-charming, under-watched comedy series about a sake-loving female samurai, and her goofball, Chinese acrobat friend, set in traditional, Edo-era Japan. I've never known ANYONE to take the trouble of watching this show, and not end up absolutely loving it. Sadly, it only lasted one cour, but it's still a beautiful little show (with a great English dub). HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/10 (56 votes)
12. Momotarô's Sea Eagles (1943)
37 min | Animation, Short, Fantasy
Featuring the "Peach Boy", character of Japanese folklore, the film is aimed at children, telling the story of a naval unit consisting of the human Momotarô and several animal species ... See full summary »
Director: Mitsuyo Seo
Votes: 93
Made in 1943, at the height of Japan's war effort, this is pure nationalist propaganda, about the occupation/militarilzation of a tropical Island (complete with accurate animations of Mitsubishi Zeros, and various authentic WW2 Japanese weapons/vehicles), but dressed up in the (beautifully-drawn, super-kawaii) guise of a Disney-esque cartoon about cute, happy animals. A fascinating, surreal look at WW2, from the inside of arguably the most (second most?) notoriously repressive, nationalistic regimes of WW2. 10/10 (75 votes)
13. Ninja Slayer (2015– )
TV-14 | 12 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
When a salaryman's wife and child are slain in a ninja war, he fuses with a supernatural entity to take vengeance on all ninjas.
Stars: Christopher Sabat, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Chiwa Saitô, Sora Amamiya
Votes: 96
"Ninja Slayer From Anime" Fun, absurdist, surreal parody/comedy from Studio Trigger, mocking the high drama and tough-guy-ism of other anime. Like a bigger, slightly-better animated version of 'Inferno Cop' (which is also goddam hilarious) 8/10 (76 votes)
14. New Getter Robo (2004)
25 min | Animation, Sci-Fi
Creatures called the Oni have attacked the planet earth, so a scientist creates three mecha robots. The strongest of these robots is called Getter Robo, which three men pilot it, a martial artist, criminal leader and a monk.
Stars: Beau Billingslea, Kirk Thornton, Jamieson Price, Lex Lang
Votes: 109
Beautifully animated, gorey, sakuga-filled, mature mecha series. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 8/10 (89 votes)
15. Popee the Performer (2000–2001)
TV-14 | 5 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
This show is about the daily lives of Popee the Clown and Kedomono, Popee's assistant at the circus.
Votes: 227
Surreal, 3d animated short-form comedy, set in some weird, alternate-universe circus, seemingly in the middle of a desert, with characters who never speak a word. Too weird and disturbing to adequately describe- The aesthetic makes it seem like a kid's show, but the super-violent, slapstick comedy quickly proves otherwise. Kinda like a 3d Japanese version of 'Happy Tree Friends and Friends', or Itchy and Scratchy, with a dash of Monty Python. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/10 (103)
16. Zipang (2004–2006)
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi
The Japanese AEGIS Destroyer "Mirai" of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force is on its way to Pearl Harbor for training missions when it's suddenly engulfed in a strange electrical storm.
Stars: Roland Angelo Crisolo, George N. Cahill III, Takahiko Sakamoro, Tetsu Inada
Votes: 152
Time-travel story, which sees a modern Japanese warship inexplicably sent back in time, to just before the battle of Midway. Very interesting, to see the modern Japanese perspective on WW2-era Japanese actions, and walking the knife-edge between not demonizing their own countrymen, vs loyalty to their present-day alliance with the US. Plus, it's a pretty rare example of a military anime, set in the real world- no magic (except the time-travel), no sci-fi tech, no fantasy creatures, no cat-girls, talking animals, etc. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/10 (123)
17. Oh! Sûpâ Miruku-chan (1998– )
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi
A lazy and foul-mouthed little girl is recruited to fight crime. Don't expect much from her.
Stars: Haruka Nakamura, Ryôka Yuzuki, Brad Pyut, Chô
Votes: 222
"Super Milk Chan" Goofy, absurdist 90s cartoon. Not amazing, but pretty funny, and deserves more than a mere 15 votes.
18. Future War 198X (1982)
125 min | Animation, Drama, Romance
An American scientist constructs a laser satellite with hopes of preventing any nuclear conflicts from occurring. However, after a fatal error from both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. ... See full summary »
Directors: Tomoharu Katsumata, Toshio Masuda | Stars: Kin'ya Kitaôji, Masako Natsume, Yoshio Kaneuchi, Tadashi Nakamura
Votes: 163
Interesting time capsule from the Cold War era. Played as if describing real, presently-unfolding events, the movie details the lead-up, and effects of a nuclear war. 9/10 (125)
19. Eria 88 (2004– )
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Drama
In the early 1980s, a war is raging in Arslan, a fictional Middle Eastern kingdom. Mercenary fighter pilots from all over the world are hired or shanghaied to fight. They live in a secret desert airbase called Area 88.
Stars: Sarah Hauser, John Swasey, Chris Patton, John Gremillion
Votes: 146
Not as good as the 1985 original Area 88, but still cool- A story about a Japanese fighter pilot, being co-erced to fly his f-8 Crusader in the Middle East, with what's basically a mercenary Air Force for-hire. 7/10 (124 votes)
20. Birth (1984)
80 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Brother-and-sister heirs to a planetary kingdom face danger as they embark on a journey of self-discovery.
Director: Shin'ya Sadamitsu | Stars: Mîna Tominaga, Kazuki Yao, Ichirô Nagai, Kaneto Shiozawa
Votes: 174
One of the early forefathers of the cyberpunk genre; Bare-bones, but a very cool, Vaugn Bode-esque artstyle. (151 votes)
21. Black Jack (1993–2018)
TV-PG | Animation, Drama, Mystery
The adventures of the unlicensed but genius doctor Black Jack, who encounters extraordinary people and phenomena as he attends to unusual medical cases.
Stars: Kirk Thornton, Julie Maddalena, Sherry Lynn, Akio Ôtsuka
Votes: 225
"Father of anime"/"Japan's Walt Disney" Osamu Tezuka (creator of 60's kids' classics Astro-Boy, Kimba the White Lion) writes for an older audience here, in a story about the medical curios encountered by an unlicensed (but super-skilled, ofc) surgeon. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 9/10 (139)
22. Young GTO (1994– )
TV-14 | Animation, Action, Comedy
Eikichi Onizuka and Ryuji Danma are members of infamous biker duo, the Oni Baku. When not out riding around, they can be found at school, trying to pick up young women. This is the story of... See full summary »
Stars: Issei Futamata, Hideyuki Hori, Wakana Yamazaki, Ikuya Sawaki
Votes: 240
"Shonan Junai Gumi" Predecessor to the classic "GTO/Great Teacher Onizuka" series, covering the same characters teen years as a delinquent bosozoku gang member. If you're a weirdo like myself, who gets super-excited when they see bosozoku bikes/cars in anime, then I'd highly recommend. 10/10 (148)
23. Master Keaton (1998–2000)
30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Taichi Keaton is a half-British half-Japanese archaeologist and SAS veteran of the Falklands War. He solves mysteries and investigates insurance fraud for Lloyd's around the world.
Stars: Norihiro Inoue, Keaton Yamada, Shinpachi Tsuji, Houko Kuwashima
Votes: 245
Excellent, episodic detective series, by the creator of 2003's acclaimed 'Monster' series. Weirdly old-person-ish, for an anime- Almost like an anime version of 'Mattlock', or 'Murder She Wrote' (altho, that's a nice change from 99.99% of anime, aimed at 14yo's), but I love this series. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/10 (157)
24. Dirty Pair OVA (1987– )
TV-PG | 25 min | Animation, Short, Action
Join everyone's favorite space duo, Kei and Yuri in more awesome adventures in this thrilling OVA collection.
Stars: Pam Lauer, Jessica Calvello, Saeko Shimazu, Kyôko Tongû
Votes: 210
I love this 90s art style. Not exactly the most complex, super-duper-deep series, but a fun example of a great era in anime. 8/10 (177)
25. Apocalypse Zero (1996– )
Not Rated | 80 min | Animation, Action, Horror
Kakugo and Harara are siblings trained to fight the monsters roaming in post-apocalyptic Tokyo. 21st century. To aid them, Kakugo and Harara were entrusted with "Fortified Armor Shells", ... See full summary »
Stars: Lex Lang, Mona Marshall, Sherry Lynn, Dave Mallow
Votes: 247
Rated far worse than it should be- Sure, it's VERY disturbing, uncomfortable and frequently confusing, and requires some SERIOUS suspension of disbelief... but great animation and art, and some super-bizarro, horrific, psychadelic imagery. 9/10 (183)
26. Mazinkaiser (2001– )
TV-14 | 210 min | Animation, Sci-Fi
In one of their epic battles, the Mazinger Team suffers a crushing defeat at the hands of Dr. Hell and his minions after Mazinger Z is stolen and its pilot, the legendary Kouji Kabuto, is ... See full summary »
Stars: Hiroya Ishimaru, Ai Uchikawa, Hiroshi Yanaka, Kôsei Tomita
Votes: 238
Incredible animation. Classic mech series. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 9/10 (207) [also sequel 'Mazinkaiser SKL' from 2010]
27. Hells (2008)
117 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Amagane Rinne, an upbeat schoolgirl, has died. But even dead, she still has to attend school in the underworld.
Directors: Yoshinobu Yamakawa, Amber Lee Connors | Stars: Misato Fukuen, Miyuki Sawashiro, Daisuke Kishio, Fumihiko Tachiki
Votes: 403
Amazing, wild, over-the-top animation. Not the most slick, polished, well-produced movie ever, but it makes up for that in raw passion, and unique vision- Kinda like a DIY, cut-price, home-made version of Kill La Kill 7/10 (256)
28. The Cockpit (1993– )
72 min | Animation, Drama, War
Three aviation focused war stories of Axis participants.
Stars: Ken'yû Horiuchi, Hikaru Midorikawa, Dean Wein, Kirk Thornton
Votes: 347
WW2 anthology, written by legendary creator of Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Space Battleship Yamato/Star Blazers, Interstella 5555, and a dozen other classics, Leiji Matsumoto (who's Dad was a ww2 Japanese Air Force Pilot, and who grew up obsessed with aviation). HIGHLY RECOMMEND 9/10 (274)
29. Lupin III: Part 5 (2018)
TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
While visiting his ancestral homeland of France, Lupin III becomes entangled with a dark web bank and a worldwide hunt for him spurred by social media.
Stars: Cristina Valenzuela, Richard Epcar, Michelle Ruff, Lex Lang
Votes: 456
Maybe my favourite franchise in anime- Not THE best Lupin series (for that, I'd vote for the 2012 'Girl Named Fujiko Mine' series, even though many purists would disagree), but still solid. 9/10 (286)
30. Mad Bull 34 (1990–1992)
195 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
The most dangerous area in New York City, the 34th precinct, is patrolled by the most brutal cop, Sleepy John Estes the Mad Bull.
Stars: Akio Ôtsuka, Yasunori Matsumoto, Mari Yokô, Kikuko Inoue
Votes: 461
Notoriously cheesy and strange, especially the dub. But very, very fun. Strong "so bad it's good" value. 6/10 (300)
31. The Legend of Black Heaven (1999)
22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Hard Rock Saves Space!! Life can crush your dreams. Oji is a middle-management drone whose only grip on sanity in the drudgery of his corporate lifestyle, are the few shreds of hope ... See full summary »
Stars: Kevin Seymour, Emilie de Azevedo Brown, Carolyn Hennesy, Joey Camen
Votes: 330
90's Sci-fi series about an aging ex-rocker Salaryman, trying to re-capture his glory days in an 80s metal band, mixed in with a kooky alien storyline. 8/10 (322 votes)
32. Violence Jack (1986–1990)
Unrated | 155 min | Animation, Action, Drama
In a hell-torn Japan, where motorcycle gangs and violence overrun the country; one man named Violence Jack stands up to it all. He fights violence with violence.
Stars: Issei Futamata, Bob Sessions, William Roberts, Kiyoshi Kobayashi
Votes: 545
Super-duper-macho, 80's post-apocalypse, because what else? 8/10 (356)
33. Area 88 (1985– )
TV-PG | 200 min | Animation, Action, Drama
A pilot must try to survive with his humanity when he is shanghaied into a mercenary jet fighter force.
Stars: Shannon Conley, Dan Olk, Randy Glass, Wendy Walker
Votes: 478
Classic 80s series, about a fighter pilot- One of relatively few military anime's, set in the real world. HIGHLY RECOMMEND 9/10 (399)
34. Arjuna (2001)
Not Rated | 25 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
A fatally injured girl is saved in her near death experience to become the chosen defender of Earth.
Stars: Maggie Blue O'Hara, Mami Higashiyama, Alaina Burnett, Britt Irvin
Votes: 516
Cheesy environmental theme, but still a decent series. Great art. 7/10 (408)
35. Freedom (2006– )
30 min | Animation, Short, Sci-Fi
Based on characters designed by Katsuhiro Otomo, 3 bike racing teenagers born on the Moon uncover a terrible secret about the fate of their original homeworld earth and seek to uncover the ... See full summary »
Stars: Michael Sinterniklaas, Robby Sharpe, Johnny Yong Bosch, Kyle Hebert
Votes: 454
Technically, this whole anime is actually an ad for instant ramen, lol... (apparently some noodle company sponsored production, in exchange for 'product placement'- But it's fairly unintrusive)... But it's actually a really solid little 7-episode sci-fi OVA, about a future where humans have settled the moon. By 'Akira' creator Katsuhiro Otomo. HIGHLY RECOMMEND 9/10 (413)
36. Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1992–1998)
TV-PG | 339 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
A super-hero organization battles a super-villain organization that is bent on destroying the world by using a recently discovered perfect source of energy named the Shizuma Drive, which powers the entire planet.
Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Michelle Newman, Eva Kaminsky, Sumi Shimamoto
Votes: 488
Incredible art and animation, in this stunningly-beautiful, retro-themed mech series. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/10 (429)
37. Puni Puni Poemy (2001)
TV-MA | 30 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
This is a 2-part OAV spin off of the Japanese anime series "Excel Saga". Shinichi Watanabe returns to deliver some of the most outrageous, outlandish, series that parodies the magic girl ... See full summary »
Stars: Cynthia Martinez, Brett Weaver, Monica Rial, Luci Christian
Votes: 495
Very goofy, oddball 90's classic, taking the piss out of the sillyness of the "Magical Girl" genre. 8/10 (445)
38. Xam'd: Lost Memories (2008– )
TV-14 | Animation, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A young man named Akiyuki is a victim of a terrorist attack perpetrated on his peaceful island during wartime. As a result of the attack, he is imbued with an indefinable entity known as a ... See full summary »
Stars: Atsushi Abe, Blake Shepard, Yûko Sanpei, Luci Christian
Votes: 537
Amazing animation. 8/10
39. Inferno Cop (2012–2013)
TV-MA | Animation, Action, Comedy
A cop with a skeleton head towards evil around the world
Stars: Junichi Goto, Yuya Hayashi, Ren Shimorenjaku, Kaname Shimorenjaku
Votes: 619
The gimmick was "Respected 'Studio Trigger' makes an internet-released anime, on literally ZERO budget"
Super-low quality (deliberately), but a goddam hilarious parody of anime, cop shows, superhero cartoons, and a dozen other genres.
Imagine 'Gurren Lagan', crossed with 'Archer', but made with the skillset (and mindset) used for the 'Terrence & Philip' segments of South Park, but by people with actual artistic ability (but no cash to animate their drawings).
HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 10/10 (475)
40. Space Battleship Yamato (1974–1975)
30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In the year 2199, the space battleship Yamato embarks on a voyage to the planet Iscandar, to retrieve a device that will rejuvenate a war-ravaged Earth.
Stars: Kei Tomiyama, Gorô Naya, Shûsei Nakamura, Yôko Asagami
Votes: 703
The most epic theme music in anime. A 70s, Leiji Matsumoto classic. 7/10 (503)
41. Space Patrol Luluco (2016–2022)
TV-14 | 8 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
A normal girl and an alien meet and spark an interstellar romance.
Stars: Amber Lee Connors, Brittney Karbowski, Mao Ichimichi, Bob Carter
Votes: 702
Comedic spin-off from (the excellent) 'Kill La Kill'. 8/10 (523)
42. Gunbuster 2: Diebuster (2004–2006)
27 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
A young girl leaves her home to be a space pilot. She meets top pilot Lal'C during a space monster attack and joins the Solar Defense Force.
Stars: Yukari Fukui, Maaya Sakamoto, Miyuki Sawashiro, Mitsuo Iwata
Votes: 658
It's an unpopular opinion, especially amongst purists, but I prefer Diebuster to the influential 1988 predecessor 'Gunbuster'. 10/10 (551)
43. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (2002– )
TV-14 | 24 min | Action, Adventure, Animation
Two kids whose families own businesses in a shopping arcade that's scheduled to shut down are thrown into a series of dimensions, each one a parody of some form of anime or video game, and try to find their way home.
Stars: Luci Christian, Jessica Boone, John Gremillion, Yuki Matsuoka
Votes: 722
Kinda similar concept to 'Excel Saga' (or Tatami Galaxy did a similar thing, a decade later)- A comedy, where each episode parodies a different genre- Mecha one episode, fantasy the next, cop shows, Westerns, etc. Great writing, art, animation. 9/10 (629)
44. Joker Game (2016– )
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Thriller
Taking place in the year 1937 on the eve of World War II, the story involves a mysterious spy training organization known as the "D Agency." The organization is established by Lieutenant ... See full summary »
Stars: Brandon Potter, Patrick Seitz, Jessie James Grelle, Justin Briner
Votes: 773
Solid WW2 espionage series. 8/10 (632)
45. Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012)
TV-MA | 20 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The story of how the fashionable femme fatale Fujiko Mine first met Lupin III, her sometimes-lover and sometimes-rival, and the rest of his gang.
Stars: Michelle Ruff, Miyuki Sawashiro, Sonny Strait, Kan'ichi Kurita
Votes: 927
Re-boot of the classic 'Lupin III' series, with a great, 60s/70s-inspired, psychadelic aesthetic, and some incredible art and animation. Contrversial amongst Lupin purists, but I think it's the best incarnation of Lupin- more grounded, less goofy, less patchy and inconsistent, and general better looking. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 9/10 (676)
46. Ringing Bell (1978)
47 min | Animation, Drama, Family
An innocent lamb learns about life and death when he seeks revenge upon the wolf who slaughtered his mother.
Director: Masami Hata | Stars: Hitoshi Takagi, Minori Matsushima, Akira Kamiya, Taeko Nakanishi
Votes: 966
It's easy to get put off by the cover, which makes it look like a saccharine-sweet, inoffensive movie for 5yo's. But it's actually pretty dark- Kinda like anime's answer to 'Watership Down'. HIGHLY RECCOMEND 10/10 (735)
47. Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer (1984)
Unrated | 90 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The night before the school festival, things seem to be repeating themselves. Gradually, all the world functions come to a stop, the only ones that are not affected are a select group of student friends.
Director: Mamoru Oshii | Stars: Fumi Hirano, Toshio Furukawa, Akira Kamiya, Kazuko Sugiyama
Votes: 2,229
The first movie directed by Mamorou Oshii, who'd go on to make 'Angels Egg', the first two 'Patlabor' movie, and 'Ghost in the Shell', this movie truly IS beautiful, dream-like, atmospheric, surreal, and incredible emotionally evokative.
FAR from just another production-line sequel, milking a then-popular franchise (you don't really need any familiarity with 'Urusei Yatsura', to appreciate BD), Oshii uses his legendary skills to combine beautiful, striking imagery, hauntingly melancholy music, philosophical characters, and bizarre situations, to create an immersive, floaty dream-world, which the viewer drifts thru, alongside the characters. HIGHLY RECCOMEND 10/10 (2,026 votes)
48. Cat Soup (2001)
Not Rated | 34 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
A young anthropomorphic cat goes on a psychedelic journey with his sister in order to save her soul.
Directors: Tatsuo Satô, Masaaki Yuasa
Votes: 5,947
A cutesy, edgy anthology- Maybe a bit dated (the "Hello Kitty, but they're skulls" vibe kinda reminds of Hot-Topic-fixated scene-kids from the 00's), but still incredibly charming, and cool 10/10.
49. No Guns Life (2019– )
TV-14 | Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
With no memory of his previous life-or who replaced his head with a giant gun-Juzo Inui now scratches out a living in the dark streets of the city as a Resolver.
Stars: Jun'ichi Suwabe, Manami Numakura, Daiki Yamashita, Kimmie Britt
Votes: 753
He's a private detective, except HE HAS A REVOLVER... FOR A HEAD!!!
Duuuuuuuuuuuude...
[And even better, it's played completely straight-faced. Find me a Western TV studio, with the balls to green-light THAT premise...
10/10, HIGHLY RECCOMMEND, obviously] (639 votes)
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