Top 10 Underrated Anime That Are Absolute 10/10 – Once a wise man said, “True shiny gems are hidden behind other shiny gems that shine just because they’re popular.” With that controversial sentence out of the way, let’s see top 10 underrated anime that are absolute 10/10. Let’s go.
10. Id:Invaded
You know what keeps me going? Mystery and suspense. ID:Invaded hooks you right from the get-go with a mind-bending setup. Detectives dive into a suspect’s psyche through the Mizuhanome system, exploring ID wells filled with warped, surreal thoughts.
Former detective Akihito, a murder convict, teams up with the police to solve crimes from inside these twisted mindscapes. Things get darker when the actual truth starts to surface.
This feels like a Christopher Nolan movie turned into an anime, which is one of the reasons why I picked this show. It’s insanely good at keeping you guessing with its complex storytelling and layered symbolism, and its bold and grotesque imagery hits hard just when you least expect it.
The direction is top tier, and if you love shows that mess with your mind and push boundaries, ID:Invaded is totally worth the trip, even if you’re going to have to sit with some seriously freaky stuff.
9. The Eccentric Family
Eccentric Family is set in Kyoto, where Tanuki and Tengu live alongside humans mostly unnoticed. Yasaburou Shimogamo, a carefree Tanuki and proud shapeshifter, spends his days roaming the city, taking care of an old Tengu, and dealing with a mysterious woman named Benten.
But beneath the city’s peaceful surface, there are some dark secrets, especially about the mysterious death of Yasaburou’s father at human hands. This is what cultured folks call a visual feast. Vibrant fall hues and gorgeous cityscapes really make Kyoto pop, and the animation feels vibrant and dynamic.
The characters, especially Yasaburou and his quirky family, have depth and charm, and the supporting cast is equally lively and well written. The storytelling knows how to balance the humor with emotional stakes. So, this isn’t something you should be sleeping on.
8. Talentless Nana
In Talentless Nana, the world’s suddenly plagued by monstrous creatures called the Enemies of Humanity, and only teenagers with superpowers like fire-controlling and time-bending can fight back. And now Nakajima is different because he has no talent at all.
Despite being bullied for it, he keeps pushing through his training at a secluded island academy. Things heat up when two new students, a mysterious girl who reads minds and a secretive guy, arrive. But their arrival also kicks off a string of disappearances that threaten everyone’s safety.
This anime is a total mind game. It’s kind of like Among Us in anime form, where everyone’s hiding secrets and killing someone secretly before hiding an event. Nana isn’t a straightforward hero or villain. She’s morally gray, which makes the story stand out from your average good guy versus bad guy plot.
There are also these battles of wits, and the character strategies are clear and smart, kind of like Death Note, which means you’re going to stay at the edge of your seat the entire time.
7. Ya Boy Kongming!
You can tell from the name itself, it’s going to be giving some fun vibes. Ya Boy Kongming! is an isekai that flips the script and drops you into the gritty, competitive world of Tokyo’s music scene with Zhuge Kongming, a legendary strategist from the Three Kingdoms era, reincarnated and ready to conquer.
Instead of epic battles, he’s now plotting ways to make Eiko shine, with his war tactics applying perfectly to her rise in the industry. This show totally nails the whole Oshi No Ko vibe, especially the music.
The opening is an absolute banger, and the production really poured resources into the songs and animation, making every performance feel intense.
The characters feel real. The growth is genuine, and the music battles are super exciting. I know that doesn’t sound exciting on paper, but go watch the first two episodes before you start complaining, will you?
6. Moriarty the Patriot
This anime dives into late 19th-century Britain, focusing on William James Moriarty, a noble who secretly helps the oppressed while secretly plotting to tear down the corrupt aristocratic system.
If you know Moriarty, then you know this show is going to have some mystery-solving with a dash of political revenge. And yes, we get to meet Sherlock Holmes, too.
What really stands out are the characters, especially Moriarty himself—charming, sharp, and always a step ahead. I never thought someone could make an entire anime of Moriarty and make it look good. But my Japanese bros always surprise me.
These confrontations with Sherlock Holmes ignite some great cat-and-mouse moments, and their wit battles are totally captivating. In the end, as a Sherlock Holmes fan, all I needed was the classic mystery-thriller-suspense vibe of the original stories, and this grabbed me by the collar and slapped my face with it.
5. Promare
Promare is a wild 2-hour adrenaline rush that throws you into a world where flame-wielding mutants known as Burnish threaten humanity, and a team of fiery firefighters called Burning Rescue fights to save the day.
Galo Thymos, a lively rookie, idolizes leader Kray Foresight and jumps headfirst into battles against the destructive Burnish—especially when he encounters the rebellious terrorist group Mad Burnish and its leader, Lio Fotia.
It’s packed with chaos, explosions, and plenty of jaw-dropping action, all driven by Trigger’s signature over-the-top style. If you feel like this is familiar, that’s because this is produced by the same studio, written by the same guy, and directed by the same guy who did Gurren Lagann.
In terms of animation, it’s a huge improvement. The animation combines slick traditional techniques with jaw-dropping CGI, making every fight feel brutal, clear, and freaking epic. The soundtrack hits hard too, syncing perfectly to boost every explosion and transformation. If you need the Gurren Lagann vibes back again, give this a go.
4. Sonny Boy
Sonny Boy follows 36 students trapped in a strange, void-like dimension where some of them unlock supernatural powers as they struggle to survive and understand the strange rules of this pocket world.
Tensions rise between students and the student council, especially with those who gain abilities and rebel against authority. When the school shifts dimensions, the kids face fresh challenges trying to unravel the mystery and find their way back home.
This is like those kingdom rebellions, but on a small scale. And that’s a compliment because this means a super-focused narrative, relatable characters, increasing suspense, and some messages that hit hard. And everything is freaking good. The animation style is fluid, hands-on, and just gorgeous.
And the storytelling is dense and rewarding, with subtle character moments that punch you in the gut. It’s got quirky characters, standout design, and a soundtrack that’s just chef’s kiss. Besides, if that premise alone didn’t get you wanting to watch this anime, I don’t know what will.
3. Wind Breaker
We’re finally going to get some fast-paced action. Wind Breaker follows Haruka Sakura, an outcast turned fighter who enrolls in Furin High School.
After a street fight, he meets his future classmates, an unlikely bunch called Bofurin, who aren’t about gangs or domination but just protecting their town. Soon, Sakura needs to transform from a lone wolf to a guy who fights with his bros and protects their town.
Now, imagine Tokyo Revengers, but way more fun and a lot less heavy. The fights are super punchy and look amazing thanks to CloverWorks’ slick animation.
What really works is how the show takes its time building Sakura’s relationships. You actually start caring about him and the crew. Plus, the vibe is all about me and the boys defending the town.
2. Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life
If you need to wind down after all that action and suspense, then this is the perfect anime. Sounds of Life follows Chika Kudou, a troubled teen trying to connect with his late grandpa’s love for the traditional koto.
Chika Kudou’s grandfather had a deep love for the koto, and after his passing, Chika decides to join the Tokise High School Koto Club. But with only one member left, the club’s chances are pretty bad. When Chika joins, he starts to form some new bonds and gathers some new members.
This series really surprised me. It’s a hidden gem that shines brighter than a lot of hidden gems. The characters are genuinely well-developed, especially how each member grows through their love for the koto, and those small romance moments are wholesome and adorable.
As a romance anime fan, you know I’ve recommended this in a lot of my articles, and that’s all for a good reason. If you ignore this, you’re missing some cozy high school slice-of-life romance.
1. Great Pretender
Great Pretender is a wild ride that’s all about swindlers pulling off big cons across the globe. Starting with Makoto Edamura, a scrappy Japanese con artist who ends up in LA chasing his dream of being Japan’s best scammer.
I know that’s not as noble as searching for the One Piece, but come on, think of it like a little toned-down version of Breaking Bad. Besides, things get instantly chaotic when he crosses paths with Laurent Thierry, a slick con man who drags him deeper into the world of high-stakes fraud.
Great Pretender is a masterpiece. Each episode feels like a self-contained heist story, but the bigger picture of these complex characters’ lives slowly unfolds as you keep watching more of it. Besides, the animation is a visual knockout with eye-popping colors and slick animation that screams top-tier production.
The characters are also very unique and have their own personalities—Laurent’s charm, Makoto’s desperation, and Cynthia’s badassery. I think this is what an anime version of the Uncharted games would look like, but with some extra anime spice added.
That is it from today’s post on Top 10 Underrated Anime That Are Absolute 10/10. If you do not agree with the points in the post and have some of your own opinions, share them with us in the comments section down below. Keep visiting Animesoulking for more information about Anime and Manga.
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