Anime fans can all agree with me when I say that there’s just too much anime and not enough time. And that’s been even more the case recently with online streaming services making anime that much more accessible. Since there’s so many shows, we sometimes have to be a bit choosy with what we watch. And since there are a lot of anime shows, it makes sense that some would get pretty popular and some would get overlooked. But what happens when shows get a lot of praise that don’t really deserve it?
You never know what’s going to make an anime series popular. Maybe people really like the fight sequences. Maybe the show is just hilarious. Or maybe it happened to strike a chord with a lot of people. And maybe the show got a following because people watched it as kids. But just because a show is popular and loved by a lot of people, that doesn’t necessarily make it a good show.
And on the flip side, there are quite a few amazing shows that have fallen out of the spotlight, or never managed to find their way into the spotlight. But that doesn’t make them any less amazing. In fact, the lesser known anime shows can often be absolutely incredible. So here are 15 anime series that are completely overrated and 15 anime shows that are definitely worth a second look. Time to get into otaku mode!
Think we missed some good (or bad) anime? Make sure to let us know in the comments section below!
30 Overrated: Attack On Titan
Attack on Titan exploded into popularity, and I can see why. The concept was pretty interesting and the animation was very impressive. But if we look at the series as a whole, it’s not very good.
I'm not sure why people like this show so much.
While the series started out pretty intriguing, the story is all over the place and the characters are still pretty boring, particularly the main protagonist, Eren. The anime also doesn’t give you much time to breathe and moves from one Titan fight to the next. As one long fight sequence, the show is impressive, but as a story, not so much.
29 Underrated: Mushishi
Imagine interacting with creatures that exist partially in this realm and partially in the next realm. And that’s Mushishi. This show is definitely an experience. Each episode feels like its own mini work of art that’s mysterious and reflective.
While Mushishi doesn’t have much of a continuous storyline, the way it does each episode is beautiful. It’s more like a series of short stories surrounding these mysterious creatures and each episode leaves you intrigued yet satisfied. This is definitely one to check out if you’re looking for something artistic.
28 Overrated: Bleach
Like many shows on this list, Bleach started out pretty strong with an interesting setup and world. Soul reapers that gathered lost souls and monstrous hollows that threatened both the living and the deceased were pretty cool.
But as time went on and with increasing filler episodes and even seasons, the story started getting complicated. The show just went on for too long and that hurt the overall story pretty badly. By the time it ended, I don’t think anybody really knew what was happening.
27 Underrated: Monster
It’s really a tragedy that not a ton of people know about Monster by Naoki Urasawa. It’s the ultimate psychological police thriller about a fugitive surgeon chasing after a serial killer. It’s also one of those few shows that that had a lot of complex separate plotlines that melded together seamlessly.
This show will blow your mind.
The show is very intriguing and definitely keeps you on your toes throughout the series. And by the end, you’ll be blown away by how everything is tied together. If you like a good thriller that makes you think, definitely take a look at this one.
26 Overrated: Naruto: Shippuden
Naruto: Shippuden gets polar reactions from people; they either love it or hate it. This show does do some things well, like having a wide variety of characters that go through quite a bit of growth and development. And the world of ninjas it created is pretty cool. But this show has got a lot of problems.
It ran into the issues that many shonen anime shows have; since it went on for a long time, the story started getting convoluted. Plus, a lot of the world building doesn’t make much sense and some characters got more development than others. It’s not a terrible series, but it is a hot mess.
25 Underrated: Samurai Champloo
While Samurai Champloo was fairly popular when it came out, it’s kind of fallen off the radar. This is a shame because the series is definitely worth a look, especially if you like cool fight scenes. The animation is absolutely fantastic and fluid in a way you wouldn’t expect.
The style is a bit different from what you’d see in anime, but it works for this series. And while the story meanders a bit, the characters are interesting enough to keep you engaged. Definitely check this one out if you’re in the mood for a samurai adventure.
24 Overrated: Dragon Ball Z
Yes, we know Dragon Ball Z was the one that got many people into anime in the first place, and a lot of anime fans hold this series dear to their hearts. But when you really look at the show itself, it just wasn’t very good.
The fight scenes in this show dragged so much.
The main issue with the series is that it dragged out forever. Fight scenes would take several episodes, and you had to watch so many episodes. Plus, while there are some interesting characters, there are also a lot of annoying ones. And the story itself doesn’t make a ton of sense.
23 Underrated: Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is definitely a good series to check out if you’re looking for something a little different. It’s full of a lot of interesting philosophical questions, the characters are pretty fascinating, and the story itself, while a bit too vague, is pretty intriguing.
The animation style in this show is what really sells it. It’s a very realistic style, yet there are some stylistic elements to it. I’ve never really seen anything quite like this series, and that alone probably makes it worth a look.
22 Overrated: Pokémon
Ooh, I’m going to get a lot of hate for this one, but I’m just going to say it. Pokémon isn’t very good. Yes, it is a pretty iconic series. Yes, Pikachu is adorable. And yes, this series got a lot of people interested in anime, but it just isn’t a very good show.
The plot was pretty much the same thing over and over, Ash doesn’t really develop that much, and the villains, while pretty entertaining, can get annoying. And let’s face it, the animation and the humor are super dated now.
21 Underrated: Kids On The Slope
If you love jazz music, then you should definitely watch Kids on the Slope. It’s a very sweet series about three teenagers who bond over their love of Jazz music. It’s a combination of a slice of life and a drama, and it’s done very well.
If you love jazz music, then definitely check out this series.
All three main characters are very likable, even if they’re imperfect, and watching them bonding and becoming close is very cute to see. And you get some awesome and gorgeous jazz music. It’s a simple series that has a lot of heart.
20 Overrated: Sword Art Online
I don’t really get why Sword Art Online is so popular. Yes, it did have some potential in the beginning and the animation is very nice. But partway through the series, it takes a turn that kind of undermines everything that had been set up.
And the idea of being trapped in a video game isn’t exactly anything new, and then they got rid of anything remotely interesting about that concept. If you want that kind of anime, there are definitely better ones.
19 Underrated: Trigun
Trigun was actually quite popular when it came out, but it’s kind of disappeared from the spotlight over the years. This anime is a classic sci-fi adventure that has amazing characters, interesting concepts and themes, and some awesome music.
This show was done in the nineties, and the animation does reflect that, but it still looks pretty awesome. If anything, you should watch it just to watch Vash because he’s the most amazing character who’s both such a cool warrior and a complete dork. You’ll laugh, hold your breath, and possibly cry.
18 Overrated: One Piece
On one hand, I can see why One Piece is so popular. A pirate adventure is always a fun one, and the characters in this series are all so interesting and crazy. And the story, even though it’s all over the place, is still pretty intriguing.
One Piece has gone on for too long.
The main problem is that this series is just too long! It’s been going on for forever and it’s not stopping anytime soon. And because of that, I think the plot has suffered. Enough is enough, and things have to end eventually.
17 Underrated: Usagi Drop
If you want an overdose of cuteness, then look no further than Usagi Drop. This is a simple story about a 30-year-old bachelor who decides to take in a seven-year-old girl and adjusts to life as a single father. It’s a slice of life anime that’s incredibly sweet.
I love the interactions between the two main characters, Daikichi and the young Rin. We see Daikichi grow from someone who’s completely over his head to a fairly confident father. It’s just adorable, so go watch it! (Just don’t read the manga; it goes to a weird place.)
16 Overrated: Gintama
Gintama isn’t necessarily bad for what it is, which is just a comedy series that does a lot of parody. If you like over-the-top humor and crazy scenarios, it’s pretty entertaining. But it does have some problems that make it undeserving of all the hype it gets.
The big one is that it is a long series. And there isn’t any kind of overarching story, making the plot go all over the place. While this doesn’t make the series bad, it definitely doesn’t deserve the title of “best anime ever” that a lot of fans give it.
15 Underrated: Death Parade
Death Parade may look deceptively light-hearted from its opening, but it gives you a lot to think about. If you’re looking for a show with a good mystery and intriguing characters, you should definitely take a look at this one.
A bar as purgatory is an interesting idea.
I love the idea of a bar being a type of purgatory where souls go before they’re judged based on their life choices. It’s a clever concept that gives us a look not only at the lost souls, but the one in charge of judging them. So if you’re in the mood for some philosophical thinking, check this series out.
14 Overrated: The Melancholy Of Harui Suzumiya
The problem with The Melancholy of Harui Suzumiya is that it’s not very original or really pushing any new boundaries, and yet fans act like it is. The concept of an ordinary high school boy getting mixed up in a quirky girl’s crazy adventures is nothing new. Though props for giving Haruhi almost godlike powers.
The other problem is that Haruhi is kind of annoying. It may not be a deal breaker for some, but it definitely sours the series a bit. It’s not a bad series, but definitely not one worthy of the praise it gets.
13 Underrated: Terror In Resonance
Terror in Resonance is a political thriller that takes you on a wild ride from beginning to end, as it follows two boy terrorists in Tokyo. It’s done by the same people who did Cowboy Bebop, so you should definitely take a look if you loved that series.
Even if you don’t watch the series, you should at least check out the music, because the famous Yoko Kanno has outdone herself again. Considering how amazing the series really is, it’s a shame that not more people are talking about it.
12 Overrated: Sailor Moon
Don’t get me wrong, Sailor Moon did a lot of great things for anime, especially the magical girl genre. It did show us that being feminine wasn’t a bad thing and that you can save the world and still like pink. And it was many fans’ first anime.
This series did not age well.
That being said, the series isn’t very good, considering how many people praise it. It’s cheesy, over the top, and the plot is a bit confusing. It is one of those shows that didn’t age very well over time.
11 Underrated: Eden Of The East
Eden of the East is a combination of a political anime and a survival anime. People are part of this big competition to save the world and become the next leader. This series is short but intense and gives us an interesting look at society and just how much money means to the world.
This series may not be for everyone, but if you like political thrillers with some mystery thrown in, this is a good show to check out. It also has three movies that tie up all the loose ends, so watch those too!