Anime has many different genres to keep fans entertained, from fantasy shows like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End to comedy shows like Nichijou. The most popular anime genre, and the most popular genre for any medium, is undoubtedly action, which hooks fans with exciting fights and thrilling drama. However, just because action anime is the most popular genre doesn’t mean there aren’t some overlooked classics waiting for fans to watch them.
Anyone can find popular shows, but it is easier to overlook certain anime fans might not expect to be good. That is why this list will rank the ten most underrated anime based on how overlooked they are, how much they deserve a better rating, and how many more people need to watch them. This list also focuses on action anime, meaning it will consider how underrated the action is as well as the show’s quality.
10
‘Super Crooks’ (2021)
Developed by Bones
Some fans may remember the Netflix superhero TV show Jupiter’s Legacy. However, significantly fewer people have heard of Super Crooks, the anime spin-off that focuses on super-powered criminals looking to score big. With an aging super crook owing the mob money, Johnny Bolt forms a team to pay off his debt by robbing the world’s most evil supervillain, causing a chaotically fun heist adventure.
[I]t simply engages the audience with spectacular animation, colorful style, and turn-your-brain-off fun.
Super Crooks has a surprisingly low rating, with most of the complaints focusing on the rushed nature or simple plot. But that isn’t what Super Crooks is trying to be; it simply engages the audience with spectacular animation, colorful style, and turn-your-brain-off fun. While simple, this anime excites with its gripping heist antics and action, making it one of the greatest animated superhero shows ever.
Watch on Netflix
9
’91 Days’ (2016)
Developed by Shuka
Very few anime are set in America, let alone in the past, which is what makes 91 Days so special. This mobster anime follows Angelo, who witnessed the Vinetti family murder his own in cold blood. When a mysterious letter prompts him to return, he befriends the son of the Vinetti family, slowly enacting his revenge on everyone involved in his parents’ murder.
While 91 Days is relatively widespread, its rating suggests a decent show when, in fact, it is actually a thrilling, blood-soaked adventure of gangster action. The animation does the job, but the highlights aren’t fight scenes. Instead, the action-packed story of drama and tension gets fans excited. 91 Days is an excellent mobster anime, using its unique setting to tell an epic revenge-fueled story.
91 Days
- Release Date
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2016 – 2016
- Directors
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Hiro Kaburagi
8
‘Tiger & Bunny’ (2011–)
Developed by Sunrise
While anime like One Punch Man and My Hero Academia highlight the superhero genre in anime, Tiger & Bunny is an unheard-of gem that many Western anime fans are sure to enjoy. In a world where companies sponsor superheroes and televise their exploits, an aging hero finds difficulty remaining in the spotlight. However, he reluctantly takes on the up-and-coming rookie superstar as the two struggle to cooperate while fighting crime.
Tiger & Bunny gives off a familiar superhero feeling, recreating what made Western cartoons great while adding its own anime spin to keep things fresh. With an endearing cast and captivating plot, Tiger & Bunny is a fantastic family-friendly anime that can excite younger kids and entertain an older audience. It is a fun anime with enjoyable fights, chase scenes, and superhero goodness.
Tiger & Bunny
- Release Date
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2011 – 2021
- Directors
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Keiichi Sato, Kunihiro Mori
7
‘Go! Go! Loser Ranger!’ (2024–)
Created by Negi Haruba
Everyone grew up with Power Rangers and enjoyed the campy fun it delivered during their childhood. However, what if the good guys were actually the bad guys? Go! Go! Loser Ranger! is an anime where the Rangers already defeated the villains but now force them to stage an attack every Sunday to entertain the public. A common foot soldier, Fighter D, is fed up with this and journeys into the world, attempting to kill the rangers and reign supreme over Earth.
This fun spin on a classic formula is a genius way to draw in fans, but it does enough in the show to add new elements of action, drama, and comedy and keep things fresh. Unfortunately, most fans don’t see it this way, with the anime having a measly score of 7.32 on MyAnimeList. While the animation can be better, they choreograph the fights and set up the action phenomenally, making Go! Go! Loser Ranger! one of the most underrated 2024 anime, with many fans anticipating the next season in 2025.
6
‘Akiba Maid War’ (2022)
Developed by P.A. Works
The end of 2022 highlighted many fantastic anime, including the Mob Psycho 100 finale, the return of Bleach, and Chainsaw Man‘s first season. This caused many good shows to be overlooked, including Akiba Maid War, an anime about maids getting into a bloody turf war. It follows Nagomi fulfilling her dream of becoming a maid, only to discover they run crime in Japan and get into massive, over-the-top gunfights.
Akiba Maid War flew under the radar because there were too many overtly popular shows at the time, making it an underrated anime that more people need to watch for its in-your-face action full of style, gun fights, humor, and bizarre maid murder mayhem. This anime is a wild ride that will have fans questioning what they just witnessed but not doubting their enjoyment, making Akiba Maid War one of the most underrated anime of the decade.
5
‘Kyou kara Ore wa!!’ (1993–1996)
Created by Hiroyuki Nishimori
The delinquent genre dominated anime in the 1990s, with GTO being the most popular title. However, Kyou Kara Ore wa!! is an underrated classic that perfectly embodies the punk delinquent vibe. The anime follows two wannabe delinquents entering a new school who want to be the strongest high schoolers around. They go on comedic side adventures and risky brawls as they establish their strength.
As the oldest anime on this list, Kyou kara is more underrated than most, with many fans passing over this anime or never even hearing about it because of its age. While its comedy and character dynamics are probably the best aspects, it is still an action anime with plenty of street brawls every episode. Kyou kara has that hand-drawn ’90s aesthetic, which gives it a unique charm, and is one of the most underrated classic anime.
Kyou kara Ore wa!! is currently not available to stream, rent, or purchase in the U.S.
4
‘The Fable’ (2024–)
Created by Katsuhisa Minami
Despite being one of the most recent anime on this list, The Fable is still an underrated series in a great year of anime. The anime follows Akira Satou, a professional hitman who is so good at his job that he needs to take a year off to let the heat die down. Accompanied by his assistant, Akira learns to live a normal life in Osaka but can’t seem to stay out of trouble, causing hilarious and serious chaos wherever he goes.
While the animation isn’t ideal, The Fable still manages to provide some of the best action of the year. It may not be flashy, but this anime excels at delivering a tense atmosphere through its crime schemes and thrilling moments. Just because the animation isn’t good doesn’t mean the show is bad, and unfortunately, fans underrated it because of this, even though The Fable is one of the best anime of 2024.
3
‘Dorohedoro’ (2020–)
Created by Q Hayashida
With anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, none of MAPPA’s anime are underrated because of the studio’s popularity. However, Dorohedoro isn’t talked about enough, especially considering season two is coming out in 2025. While magic users live in comfort, citizens of the decrepit Hole live in fear of wizards experimenting on them, which happened to Caiman. With the head of an alligator, Caiman searches for the magic user responsible for this and his memory loss.
While Dorohedoro does have a dedicated fan base, many viewers overlook this anime because of its use of CGI. It may look a bit awkward at times, but the action and worldbuilding make up for it with bizarre magical powers and unique settings. As one of the best anime of the decade, more people need to watch Dorohedoro and understand its bizarreness, making it unique, as the dedicated few look forward to the 2025 anime.
2
‘Golden Kamuy’ (2018–)
Created by Satoru Noda
Golden Kamuy has a lot of things going against it, from its historical setting to poor animation in season one. However, that didn’t stop the anime from becoming an underrated masterpiece. The story follows a war veteran and an Ainu girl searching for her father’s hidden treasure. However, the military, other convicts, and the neo-military are also in hot pursuit, providing fans with an over-the-top adventure.
Golden Kamuy is an unpredictable show that, while having a decent rating, deserves to be one of the highest-rated anime and deserves at least twice the viewership. The show is a roller coaster of emotions, with fans hooked by an intense plot, hyped by impactful action, and questioning its weirdness. But they won’t question why they are having a good time, as Golden Kamuy is a perfect anime that offers everything a fan could want in a show.
1
‘Kingdom’ (2012–)
Created by Yasuhisa Hara
Kingdom is one of the greatest manga of all time, but unfortunately, the anime isn’t viewed as highly. The anime dramatizes history by mixing multiple essential figures and their feats into one person, Xin, a kid who dreams of becoming the greatest general of his country. The story follows his exploits and rise from a farm boy to a powerful leader, taking on dangerous challenges and fighting against the entire world.
While Kingdom has a daunting amount of episodes, that shouldn’t discourage fans from taking the leap into one of the most in-depth strategic war shows. The main complaint of Kingdom is the horrible animation, which unfortunately hinders the early seasons. However, the story makes up for its shortcomings even with poor animation. While the newer seasons have impressive ratings, barely anyone watches the anime, making it severely overlooked. The war battles are some of the most outstanding in any media, akin to scenes in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Kingdom has some of the best anime arcs, with large-scale wars making it one of the best action anime ever.
Kingdom
- Release Date
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June 4, 2012
- Directors
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Jun Kamiya, Akira Iwanaga, Kenichi Imaizumi, Kazuya Monma
