Best Underrated Anime With More Than 50 Episodes!
Underrated anime don't usually make it to 50+ episodes - they get canceled, which is precisely what makes them a rare breed. During the past year and a half in lockdown, there has been a spike in the anime industry due to an utter lack of entertainment. People are looking for series recommendations, especially ones that have a good number of episodes. However, other than mainstream anime like One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Hunter x Hunter, etc., many draw a blank in naming any.
In the anime community, series that are under-watched or are deserving of more attention are defined as underrated. However, this is subjective, making it difficult to rank them. Furthermore, despite not being underrated, the popularity rankings of niche anime are extremely low. This happens because the ones who watch them rate them well, but these series suffer from the lack of an audience.
After scouring through countless sites, we have compiled a list of 20 underrated anime with more than 50 episodes.
To make things a bit easier, we have decided to include anime that are either underrated or were once popular but are now losing their place in anime lore. So with that said, let's get started!
20. Fushigi Yuugi (52 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 1
- Release Year: 1965
- Watch it on: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
Fushigi Yuugi, or Mysterious Play, is an underrated classic of the Shoujo genre. Predating even Inuyasha, the anime delves into the classic "another world" or isekai trope and gives it a fresh twist.
The story revolves around Miaka Yuki, an average middle school student who is sucked into an ancient Chinese novel titled "The Universe of Four Gods." In an entirely new world, Yuki soon discovers that she is a Priestess tasked with gathering the Seven Seishi of Suzaku. However, things take a sudden turn when Miaka's best friend Yui Hongo enters the book as her rival.
With excellent character development, romance, comedy, and tragedy, Fushigi Yuugi does not fail to entertain.
19. Urusei Yatsura (194 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 4
- Release Year: 1981
- Buy it here: Amazon
Urusei Yatsura is another classic that inspired a lot of tropes that are now commonly seen in anime. While it has already lost its position under the spotlight, many anime veterans still hold it in high regard.
The series is episodic, which means it does not have a continuously progressing storyline. Urusei Yatsura follows a good-for-nothing man, Ataru, set to duel against a representative of an invading alien race called Oni. In a stroke of rare luck, his opponent is the daughter of the Oni's leader, Lum, who has decided that she likes the idea of marrying him.
Chaos and comedy appear when Ataru must balance his fragile relationship with his girlfriend while keeping Lum happy.
18. Konjiki no Gash Bell! (150 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 3
- Release Year: 2003
- Watch it here: Prime Video
Konjiki no Gash Bell, or better known as Zatch Bell, is an anime of extremes. You might find yourself laughing uncontrollably while looking around for tissues the next moment.
The plot develops with Takamine Kiyomaro, a depressed guy, at the center. After being suddenly given a little demon named Gash Bell to take care of, his life changes. As it turns out, Gash is embroiled in a fight to become the ruler of the demon world and has chosen Kiyomaro as his master.
Konjiki no Gash Bell has a well-developed storyline, and the characters are unique enough not to get tiring after a while. The only downside is its high filler percentage, but its comedic nature makes up for it.
17. Toriko (147 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 3
- Release Year: 2011
- Watch it here: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Tubi
While not underrated, Toriko is a forgotten battle shonen that immerses its audience into an imaginative world filled with unique animals, technology, and food. Here, hamburgers grow like plants, and mountain ranges are carved out of ice cream. In this Gourmet Age, the citizens of this world aspire to taste and create the finest dishes, while adventurers set out to find rare and delectable ingredients.
The main character, Toriko, is a Gourmet Hunter infamous for discovering 2% of all known ingredients. To complete his Full Course Menu of Life, he sets out on an adventure with his friend Komatuse despite the threat of deadly monsters, evil organizations, and the food itself.
As a battle shonen, the series delivers thrilling fighting scenes but doesn't fail to include some laid back to pace it out. While some scenes are watered down for the children, Toriko is an anime that almost everyone can enjoy.
16. Akage no Anne (50 Episodes)
- Total Number of Seasons: 1
- Release Year: 1979
- Buy it here: Amazon
Akage no Anne is a beautiful adaptation of L. M. Montgomery’s acclaimed classic “Anne of the Green Gables.”
The series follows the life of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan with a penchant for dramatics and romance. After she gets taken to the Cuthbert house in Avonlea, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are in for a shock. Instead of a boy that can help them with farm work, a jubilant young girl is waiting for them.
Akage no Anne doesn't pretend to be a particularly grand story with monsters and sword-wielding heroes. Instead, it is a straightforward and underrated tale of a girl coming to terms with herself and others. However, fear not. There is no lack of dramatics, comedy, and even romance.
15. Slayers (104 Episodes)
- Total Number of Seasons: 5
- Release Year: 1995
- Watch it here: Funimation, Hulu
Based on the novels of the same name written by Kanzaka Hajime, Slayers has an almost universal appeal. It stands out from the other countless fantasy adventure series thanks to its characters who know how to enjoy the scenery while working towards a goal.
Slayers follows the adventures of the powerful and notorious Lina Inverse, a young sorceress whose name strikes fear into the hearts of everyone. She is joined in the first episode by a foolish but magnanimous swordsman, Gourry Gabriev, who mistakes her as a damsel in distress. Many shenanigans ensue from that fateful meeting, especially now that the fate of the world rests on their shoulders.
With its irreverent humor, loveable characters, and a story that often plays second fiddle to the comedy, Slayers is an underrated show that everyone must watch.
14. Blood+ (50 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 4
- Release Year: 2005
- Watch it here: Tubi
Blood+ revolves around Saya Otonashi, an ordinary girl living a mundane life with her adoptive family. However, she suffers from anemia and amnesia, so she cannot remember her life beyond the previous year. This forgotten past quickly comes back to haunt Saya as she is attacked by a creature that feeds on human blood. With the arrival of a mysterious man named Haji, Otonashi's life changes forever.
While Blood+ is an enthralling anime about vampires, their abilities and needs are just used as an effective plot device. They are not made the focus of the show. This makes the anime appealing to a universal audience, no matter their opinion on the supernatural.
With three dimensional characters, an engaging storyline, and abundant comedic relief, Blood+ is a highly balanced and well-crafted anime.
13. Ranma ½ - (143 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 7
- Release Year: 1989
- Watch it here: Funimation, Hulu, Prime Video
Ranma ½ is an adaptation of the manga of the same name written by Rumiko Takahashi. However, unlike the mangaka's later and widely popular work "Inuyasha," Ranma ½ barely commands any attention in the anime community these days.
The series revolves around Ranma Saotome - a top-class martial artist cursed to turn into a girl when splashed with cold water. Things only get more complicated when Ranma's father arranges for his son to marry Soun Tendo's daughter Akane, who happens to be a skilled martial artist notorious for hating men. The pair's adventures while fighting monsters, finding love, and trying to ignore their looming engagement are hilarious, to say the least.
With likable characters, anything-goes humor, and non-stop entertainment, Ranma ½ is an underrated anime that should be high on your watch list.
12. Saint Seiya - (114 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 7
- Release Year: 1986
- Watch it here: Netflix, Tubi, Prime Video
Saint Seiya is heavily based on Greek, Norse, and Buddhist mythologies. The story is centered on Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War, who protects the Earth from the other Gods who wish to eradicate humanity. She does so with the help of a group of young men called Zodiac Saints who can summon up the power of the Cosmos from within themselves.
Among the new generation of Saints about to come forth is young and spirited Seiya. After six years of hard work, he receives the Sacred Armor of Pegasus and is finally titled as one of Athena's Saints. The anime documents the quests and adventures of these men as they mature from teenagers to men.
While the concept sounds simple enough, many varying themes like friendship, loyalty, and endurance are explored throughout Saint Seiya. Adrenaline-rushing fight scenes, beautiful art, and an emotionally moving climax makes this underrated anime worth watching.
11. Fist of the North Star (152 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 2
- Release Year: 1984
- Watch it here: Crunchyroll
Hokuto no Ken, better known as Fist of the North Star, has a relatively simple plot. After being betrayed and left for dead, Kenshirou wanders a post-apocalyptic world to track down his rival, Shin, who has kidnapped his fiancée, Yuria. However, as his strength and exploits start gaining attention, Ken finds himself involved with far more than initially bargained for.
Hokuto no Ken is an underrated post-apocalyptic epic where the strong live and the weak die. Despite their exaggerated manliness, the characters are very well developed in the midst of such a hostile environment. As a result, the series distinguishes itself from all the teenage shonen out there and feels like a breath of fresh air.
10. Maison Ikkoku (96 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 4
- Release Year: 1986
- Buy it here: Amazon
Maison Ikkoku takes place in an old boarding house of the same name whose occupants — Yusaku Godai, Yotsuya, Akemi, and the Ichinose family — are pretty unusual.
Tired of the chaos, Godai decides to move and finally study in peace. However, his plans are disrupted by the arrival of a new boarding house manager, Kyoko Otonashi, with whom he falls in love. As a widow, Kyoko has her own troubles with romance, but with the help of the tenants, she may experience true love once again.
This underrated anime explores many genres, such as good-hearted romance, comedy, and coming-of-age. The characters are full of life, and the audience gets to see them maturing after going through life's hardships. Sometimes bittersweet and sometimes heartwarming, one can't help but wish they were there, drinking and singing along with the tenants of Maison Ikkoku.
9. Eureka Seven (50 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 2
- Release Year: 2005
- Watch it here: Funimation, Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Vudu
Eureka Seven's story starts with a 14-year-old boy named Renton Thurston, who lives a mundane life. While fulfilling his grandfather's dream and dealing with the pressure of his deceased father's legacy, the only excitement Renton finds is in riding the Trapar wave particles. However, everything changes when a robot capable of doing that crashes through his garage. After its pilot, a young girl named Eureka, meets Renon, his life changes forever.
Eureka Seven's story runs very deep, exploring concepts of war, companionship, steadfast loyalty, and a sense of justice among the many. Furthermore, the plot evolves doesn't seem over the top or unbelievable, a difficult feat considering the genre.
The steady pace of Eureka Seven makes sure that the enjoyment only increases with time.
8. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor (52 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 2
- Release Year: 2007
- Watch it here: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor is an anime about gambling, and essentially, surviving. Its main character, Kaiji Itou, is a good-for-nothing loiterer who ends up having to repay his friend's huge debt all by himself. In urgent need of money, he accepts a shady deal that turns out to be the beginning of his new life filled with mind games, cheating, and deceit.
Kaiji explores the worst sides of human nature that surface in dire situations, and nothing is more dangerous than greed, paranoia, and the instinct to survive. The series keeps us on our toes as the stakes keep getting higher and more absurd with time, making it an entertaining but underrated watch.
7. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (50 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 2
- Release Year: 2007
- Watch it here: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Mobile Suit Gundam is set in a distant future where the complete depletion of fossil fuels led to an energy crisis unlike any other. Here, humanity was divided into two parts: factions that could access a solar power generator, giving them limitless energy, and countries plunged into poverty and warfare due to their former dependency on the sale of fossil fuels.
Amid this ensuing chaos, an organization identifying itself as "Celestial Being" appeared with mysterious and technologically advanced Mobile Suits known as Gundams. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 follows the story of Celestial Being's Gundam Meisters Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism, and Tieria Erde as they dive into battle, aiming to end warfare and change the world.
This series gives us a view into the politics of this world, focusing on why things are the way they are. The factions and their goals are explored in-depth and criticized. The characters are also very self-aware, making the series more realistic and closer to a version of Earth's future. It's an underrated series that should be high on your to-watch list.
6. Cross Game (50 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 1
- Release Year: 2009
- Buy it here: Amazon
Finally, a sports anime on this list! Cross Game follows Kou Kitamura and Aoba Tsukishima, two friends who are often at odds despite their families' closeness. Kou possesses an impressive battling ability, while Aoba is a star player with exceptional pitching form. However, one is uninterested in baseball, while the other is infatuated by the sport.
United by someone important to them—Wakaba Tsukishima, Aoba's older sister and Kou's destined sweetheart, both soon come to realize that they have more in common than they cared to admit. Playing baseball soon becomes a way to help the pair overcome their personal struggles and finally acknowledge one another.
Romance, comedy, drama, and of course, baseball action - Cross Game boasts it all. Despite having 50 episodes, the audience can’t help but wish for more.
5. Hikaru no Go (75 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 1
- Release Year: 2001
- Watch it here: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Apple TV, Prime Video
Hikaru no Go is an underrated anime about a board game 3,000+ years old — go. While it makes one wonder what could possibly be interesting about it, this series will open an entirely new world of competitive sports for the viewer.
The story centers around Hikaru Shindou, a 12-year-old boy who stumbles upon an old go board in his grandfather’s attic. As it turns out, the board is inhabited by the spirit of Fujiwara No Sai, an ancient go genius from the Heian Era.
Sai’s ultimate goal is to master a divine go technique that no player has achieved so far. He seeks to accomplish this by playing the board game through Hikaru, who reluctantly agrees. While he has no interest in the game initially, after encountering Akira Touya, a young go prodigy, passion for the game slowly ignites within Shindou.
With this, his extraordinary journey into the competitive and exciting world of go begins!
4. Legend of the Galactic Heroes (110 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 4
- Release Year: 1988
- Watch it here: HIDIVE
Legend of the Galactic Heroes' story starts with the 150-year-long stalemate between the two interstellar superpowers, the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance, coming to an end. But, as the newest generation of leaders - the military genius Reinhard von Lohengramm and the FPA's reserved historian, Yang Wenli, arise, an ideological clash is imminent.
Despite standing on opposite sides of the galaxy, both men have each other in mind as they play chess with the fate of the world at stake. Reinhard and Yang pave their way forward while struggling to maintain and develop their positions of power and ideology.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes boasts dozens of memorable characters in addition to the two figureheads. Every single one of them is fully fleshed out and gets a chance to stand under the spotlight. However, what truly makes this anime great is its relation to reality. The scenes that take place make us lookout for parallels in real life, and therefore, feel more deeply for the story in general.
3. Kemono no Souja Erin (50 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 1
- Release Year: 2009
- Buy it here: Amazon
Kemono no Souja Erin is one of those rare shows that appeal to everyone regardless of age. The story is about a ten-year-old girl called Erin who lives with her mother, Soyon, in Ake Village, where Touda (lizard-like animals) are raised. As both mother and daughter get used to their lives taking care of Touda, a disaster strikes and implicates Soyon.
While trying to save her mother and bring back the peace they once enjoyed, Erin ends up falling into a river and is swept towards a new land. Unable to return home, she must now lead a new life with strangers while simultaneously seeking the truth behind Touda and perhaps humanity itself.
Kemono no Souja Erin is a remarkable series that explores a complex plot in just 50 episodes. The pacing and dialogue are all well handled, with beautiful animation and a melodic soundtrack to boast. With pretty much everything one could want from such a series: war, love, friendship, tragedy, humor, and politics, Kemono no Souja Erin is an underrated gem.
2. Major (154 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 6
- Release Year: 2004
- Buy it here: Amazon
Major follows Goro Honda, a little boy whose admiration of his father and the sport itself leads to his desire to become a professional baseball player. We follow Goro from a very young age as he goes through Little League, High School, Minor League, etc. Each season is a different phase of Honda's life, complete with ups and downs. Despite being a sports anime, Major significantly focuses on character development and training rather than actual games. As the series progresses, it is very satisfying to witness the characters, each unique in their own right, grow physically and mentally.
While many tropes in Major can be considered stereotypical, it's the meat of the story that the viewer enjoys. The realistic characters, relationships, and conflicts make Major heavily underrated and one of the best sports anime of all time.
1. Space Brothers (99 Episodes)
- Total number of seasons: 2
- Release Year: 2012
- Watch it here: Crunchyroll, Google Play, Apple TV
Space Brothers starts with two brothers, Mutta and Hibito Nanba, witnessing what they believe to be a UFO flying towards the Moon. This leads to both siblings vowing to become astronauts, with the younger aiming for the Moon and the older for Mars.
While Space Brothers seems to be just an anime about space at first glance, it is so much more than that. It is a realistic journey of finding your purpose in life, getting lost, and rediscovering the passion you once had. The anime beautifully delves into the lives of the Nanba brothers as they find a way to fulfill their dream, no matter how many detours they have to take along the way.
What makes Space Brothers more fascinating is the immense detail put into making it as realistic as possible. The mangaka’s research is evident in every scene and setting, leaving the viewers in awe. While the anime remains a comedy at its core, serious themes related to the occupation and its effects on families are thoroughly explored.
Space Brothers is a criminally underrated anime that will make you laugh, cry, and most importantly, google questions such as “is the Moon's sand as sharp as a shard of glass?"