In the world of anime, there are certain works that shine
with a unique light, but unfortunately go unnoticed by the majority of the
public. A topic recently discussed on a popular anime forum has
shed light on these hidden gems: “Animes that you confidently consider a
masterpiece, but that are not widely known or popular in the community.”
Forum members have passionately shared their picks,
highlighting series that they consider true works of art, but that have not
achieved widespread fame or recognition. The most recurring mentions
are acclaimed for their deep narrative, complex characters and masterful
execution, but they have not achieved the same popularity as other more
commercial titles.
So why do these series go unnoticed by the rest
of the public? There are several factors that can
contribute to this. First of all, marketing plays a crucial role in
promoting an anime. If a series doesn't receive a strong advertising
campaign or isn't backed by a reputable studio, it's likely to go unnoticed by
many viewers.
Additionally, the genre and style of a series
can influence its popularity. Some masterpieces focus
on dark or mature themes that may not appeal to a broader audience. Likewise,
a unique animation style or complex narrative may be less accessible to those
looking for lighter or easier-to-consume entertainment.
Despite these challenges, forum members are
determined to highlight these hidden gems and share their love for these
lesser-known masterpieces. Their hope is that through
discussions like this, more people can discover and enjoy these series that
deserve to be recognized as anime masterpieces.
- « The Girls
Last Tour anime and manga was the masterpiece I didn't know I was
looking for when I started reading it on a whim. After finishing a few
chapters, I discovered that it also had an anime. So I started it from the
first episode. It turned out that the anime was diligently faithful to the
source. They also added some original scenes from the anime, which
enhanced the experience. After watching the 5th episode, I realized how
much I longed for something so provocative and immensely creative. The
anime ends at a point in the manga where the story gets deeper and deeper
and touches on some very, very interesting themes. I cannot help but
recommend this masterpiece ».
- « Steam
Boy : Film from the creators of Akira that has fallen into
oblivion. Even more epic than Akira and with a great story .
- « Paranoia
Agent : From the creators of Paprika, it gets lost a
little towards the end, and it's a procedural, which is not that popular.
But the topics it includes are very relevant and brilliantly addressed.
Second only to Mushi-shi .
- « Pom-Poko :
Yes, it's Studio Ghibli, but it's very overlooked. It appears light in
appearance and is easy to discard. But it is very hard on its themes.
Completely unbreakable and seriously brutal under his literally fluffy
exterior. I love this movie ".
- « Space
Dandy : Takes its place alongside his spiritual trilogy
with Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. It's overlooked because it's a
comedy, unlike the other two. But it's just as moving, sincere, and
provocative if you pay attention. With a great outcome at the end that
makes you want to see it in its entirety again. If you have seen the other
two Watanabe series, don't skip this one .
- " Fune
wo Amu (The Great Passage) was everything I could have
asked for for a slow, adult work drama with low stakes and a (for me) very
relatable and interesting protagonist ."
- " Seirei
no Moribito . " Absolute tragedy that they will
not adapt more than the novel .
- « Aria .
It is the gold standard of Slice Of Life, and the anime that takes the
“Life” part most seriously of the entire genre .
- « Yuri
Kuma Arashi . I just finished it and I wish I had heard
about it sooner . »
- « Well,
I've only seen the first season, but for me Sayonara Zetsubou
Sensei was a masterpiece. I rated it a 10, I just haven't gotten
around to watching the other seasons. I don't know if it's very popular,
but what I do know is that I don't see it mentioned very often anywhere .
- « Kyousougiga is
one of my all-time favorites. It is a beautiful and incredibly unique
series. I love how the series is structured, with a more episodic
beginning to learn about all the circumstances and characters, and a
second half more focused on the overall narrative. All the characters are
likeable and the themes of the series are very enjoyable. Not to mention
the satisfying ending. It is also one of the most visually beautiful
series I have ever seen. I also support the guy who said WataMote .
The direction of that series is brilliant and makes you feel. He carries
the “like me, seriously” and makes for one of the most painfully realistic
characters I've ever witnessed on screen .'
- « Sakurada
Reset . This is a very well written, slow action mystery
series involving time loops. It uses time travel in complex and
unpredictable ways. The plot is very well written, with no obvious gaps.
The character development is also very well done, with one of the most
emotional scenes I've seen in anime. The characters also regularly engage
in interesting, thought-provoking philosophical debates. "It is a
very intriguing series that invites reflection and can be seen again given
the complexity of the plot ."
- « Alice
in Borderland . I don't know how popular the manga is, but
the series is live-action so it's probably not on as many radars. The
series is fucking brilliant . »
- " Anime: Mushi-Shi ,
is such a strangely beautiful thing to watch and its premise is very
different from most other anime ."
- « Blame! "Always
deserves more love, atmospheric manga (like Girls Last Tour) are fantastic ."
- « I
don't like to use the word masterpiece very often, but Girls' Last
Tour is also a 10/10 for me. Ikoku Nikki was the first time with
manga that I had the impression that I was reading a serious literary work
rather than a pleasant piece of entertainment .
- « Sangatsu
no Lion deserves more love, it is the best slice-of-life
and narrative masterpiece I have ever seen .»
- « From
the New World . I don't see many people talking about it.
If it is a popular series, I haven't noticed. "It seemed like a
phenomenal series to me and I finished it in two days ."
- « I'm
not sure how widely popular or well known it still is because it's getting
old at this point, but: Watamote . I still think Watamote
is a masterpiece and painfully familiar at times to people who were (or
maybe still are) socially awkward during their high school days.
"Bocchi the rock, today's most popular shy and awkward teen series, I
wish I could capture that feeling like Watamote did ."
- « I
will always support Inuyashiki . Not many people liked
him, but I think he's one of the best of all time. When she finds out that
she can cure people and heads to the hospital, I cry, even when I see her
again. And the description of evil as “the absolute lack of empathy”,
where a person's slightest whim will be carried out without any regard for
the misery it causes, nor even being able to comprehend the misery it
causes, this is brilliant. And the slow and incomplete redemption of the
bad guy, who goes from being a complete psychopath to developing at least
some empathy, is powerful. I always have the feeling of watching a
“nuclear white against abyssal black” show, the contrast between the two
protagonists is so incredibly enormous . »
- «
The Five Star Stories manga . It is a
pioneering work of science fiction that is right up there with Gundam and
Macross in terms of influence in Japan. Manga sells like hot cakes when a
volume comes out every few years. The English scans stop at volume 10 and
no one has picked it up in 15 years to continue it .
- « Shinsekai
Yori ; I see it mentioned here when people ask for certain
recommendations, but other than that it seems almost forgotten .
- « I
don't know if I would use the word “masterpiece”, but Anime-Gataris and Artiswitch are
two of my favorite animes and I have never seen anyone talk about any of
them . »
- « 91Days :
Dark revenge story where the protagonist literally has no filter when it
comes to dealing with those he hates and it is a great mafia story with
Baccano. I wish there were more. The ending is emotional but not
surprising either but it leaves you open to guess how it will happen next.
Many original anime are not always very good, especially when they have
less than 20 episodes, but 91Days is not one of them. They were lucky ".
- « Witch
Hat Atelier (manga). The art is absolutely beautiful, the
characters and world are really deep and well thought out. Plus, the story
goes a long way. My only problem is that there are not enough volumes (13) ».
- « As
for the anime, I'll stick with Patlabor 2: The Movie .
This is a fantastic political-military thriller from Mamoru Oshii (Angel's
Egg, Ghost in the Shell) that addresses the ambiguous nature of the
Japanese Special Defense Forces (JSDF) and Japan's post-war role as an
instrument of Western imperialism. . I think many Westerners don't play it
because (1) it's “old”; (2) it's a real mecha robot franchise; (3) it is
at least the third installment of the franchise, so you have to see other
older materials before getting to it .
- « Probably
many of the older ones, like 08th MS team , Mugen
Rasen and Patlabor 2 . As for the most recent
ones, I would probably say Gundam Thunderbolt ».
Source: Reddit
