Crunchyroll has become the modern hub ofanime streaming. Featuring new and classic releases, the platform has excited fans with its huge variety of titles. However, with such a vast library covering all genres, choosing your next watch is a difficult decision, and because of this, many viewers turn to tried-and-true favorites or modern heavy-hitters. These are the series that have so long delighted the fan base, so there is safety in choosing them. They have a reliable track record, vetted by viewers and deemed to be true greats of the medium.
Now, there is nothing wrong with turning to these well-known super series. With that said, there are several great, underrated anime hidden within Crunchyroll’s database that still deserves your attention. Whether due to their similarities to other series, their newness, or the simple downfalls of algorithmic search engines, these 20 series have somehow fallen far below the radar. Some have started to garner a decent following, but they still haven’t truly found their audience. So next time you pick up the remote, maybe give one of these underrated gems a shot. With an entry representing nearly every major genre, there should be something here for you.
20Buddy Daddies (2023)
Buddy Daddiesfollows two best friend assassins as they are thrust into their most difficult mission yet: parenthood. During a Christmas Eve assassination, Kazuki and Rei are sent to kill a known human trafficker, but a young girl named Miri throws a wrench into their carefully constructed plan. On the hunt for her father, a man she’s never met, she came to the target’s hotel, only to get caught up in the chaos. Kazuki, claiming to be her father to save her life, takes the girl in after killing the trafficker (Miri’s real father), and the pair must come to terms with raising a child until they can find her mother.
Buddy Daddies is So Much More than a Spy x Family Clone
Blending together the unconventional family comedy ofFull Housewith the assassination gunplay ofJohn Wickshouldn’t work, and yetBuddy Daddiessomehow manages to pull it off. While the series has earned some (understandable) comparisons toSpy x Family,the series stands out for its more unique focus, following the difficulties of becoming a parent and the “work-life” balance these trained assassins are forced to develop in order to care for Miri. It’s a hilarious comedy-drama with some great action sequences and a surprisingly touching story, making it a great alternative to other smash hits of the genre.
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19Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023)
What happens after “happily ever after,” after the fantasy novel comes to an end? The world is saved, and the evil is defeated, but what happens to the brave adventurers that survived these ordeals?Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endseeks to answer these questions. Frieren, an elven mage, was once part of a band of heroes that saved the world from the Demon King. 50 years after her victory, she reunites with her former party, but though she hasn’t aged, her friends are in the last chapters of their lives. After one passes away, Frieren agrees to travel to the far north to give his soul a proper farewell.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Gives a Heartrending Perspective on Immortality
Admittedly,Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis the least underrated series on this list. It has garnered a huge following since its 2023 release, but its recency means that there are plenty who have yet to hear about this incredible fantasy adventure. Be prepared; it will tear your heart out of your chest and stomp it into the dirt. There are very few more heart-wrenching depictions of immortality.
Frieren outlives her entire former party, and her journey across this fantasy world brings her in contact with other aged allies and friends. This is an incredible series, one that takes its subject matter seriously and lovingly captures the feel of classic D&D adventures.
18Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside (2018)
Sometimes, an anime’s title features everything you need to know about the series, andBanished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countrysideis one of those series. Gideon Ragnason is the brother to this generation’s “Hero,” a mythical chosen one meant to rid the world of the Demon Lord’s evil. However, due to the seeming uselessness of his Divine Blessing “Guide,” Gideon was sent away. Looking to start over, he moves to the small town of Zoltan and opens an apothecary. However, when Rit, a former adventurer, arrives and moves in with him, Red is forced to confront his past yet again.
Banished from the Hero’s Party Is a More Lighthearted Answer to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
If you’relooking for a D&D-inspired serieswithout the tear-jerking storytelling ofFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End,thenBanished from the Hero’s Partymight be for you. The series is, at its heart, a slice-of-life comedy, but the thematic backbone of the series focuses on duty and resolve, and it provides some much-needed substance to the narrative.
It has some truly serious and heartfelt moments, especially as the series continues to explore how Red’s absence affects the Hero’s party. It’s a really well-told tale, but despite the huge popularity of the inspiring light novel,Banished from the Hero’s Partyis still looking for the following it deserves.
17Sasaki and Peeps (2024)
Isekai is a genre that sees ordinary people whisked away to a magical world, and while its popularity has relented slightly, there are plenty of great entries releasing all the time.Sasaki and Peepsis interesting in that it features something of a reverse Isekai. Sasaki is a typical corporate busybody, and to fill the lonely void in his life, he decides to buy a pet. However, he doesn’t realize that the bird he brings into his home is a sage from another world, transformed and exiled. Now gifted magical powers, Sasaki seeks to use his powers to live peacefully and comfortably, but a slew of magical girls and other forces stand in his way.
Sasaki and Peeps Masterfully Brings Together Several Disparate Genres
Sasaki and Peepshas seen complaints about some pacing issues, but that shouldn’t deter you from this fun anime series. Is it the deepest entry on this list? Far from it. It’s a straightforward series with a relatively easy-to-follow plot, and the storytelling doesn’t have much in the way of a thematic backbone. Despite that, though, the series makes up for these faults with charm and an insanely fun blend of genres.
Isekai meets slice-of-life comedy meets magical girls superheroic in a bizarre mash-up unlike anything else in the world of anime, and for that reason alone, viewers need to give this series a shot.
16Given (2019)
A modern pioneer of the BL or Boy Love genre,Given’smanga release was a smash hit, helped by a subsequent EP release based on the manga. Despite this popularity, the anime release flew under the radar. The series follows the founding of the titular band, and the romantic relationships that form within. Ritsuka, Haruki, and Akihiko are an up-and-coming band, but they are missing something. That is where Mafuyu comes in. While teaching Mafuyu to play the guitar, Ritsuka discovers the boy has an incredible singing voice. Now complete, the band prepares for their first live performance, as Mafuyu and Ritsuka develop feelings for each other.
Given Brings Serious Storytelling to the BL Genre
Givenisn’t just a great romance anime. It is full of amazing music, providing a great backdrop for the emotional storytelling throughout. It has its light-hearted moments, especially in the great interactions between the band members, but this is a story with extremely real undertones. Mafuyu’s backstory alone is heartbreaking, giving his new-found connection with Ritsuka that much more weight.
While the series hasn’t yet caught up with the manga, the next arcs also place a more intimate focus on other band members and those connected to Mafuyu’s past, so the future looks bright for this fantastic BL series.
15Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San (2018)
For anyone who has ever worked a customer service job,Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-Sanis for you. The series is a semi-biographical slice-of-life comedy, inspired by manga-ka Honda’s time as a bookseller. Portraying himself as a walking, talking skeleton, Honda has worked at the bookstore for nearly ten years. Overseeing the manga, Honda-san works beside some truly bizarre characters, including his bag-headed best friend Kamibukuro and the fox-masked Okitsune. The series follows the eccentric adventures of this cast as they interact with customers of all stripes, dealing with the difficulties inherent in a customer service job.
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San is a Low-Stakes Workplace Comedy
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-Sanis an easy watch. It’s a low-stakes comedy, meaning that there are no life-or-death situations despite the fact that our lead character is a member of the undead. This has likely led to it becoming underrated, especially given the vast suite of shōnen action dominating the medium today. However, there is something really special about this workplace comedy.
It is a perfect satire and parody of customer service, especially in regard to the bond that forms among booksellers. The series brilliantly blends the mundane with the absolutely bizarre, and for that reason, it deserves a place on this list.
14Polar Bear Cafe (2012)
From bookstores to the food industry,Polar Bear Cafeintroduces readers to the finest (and funniest) new dining establishment in the world of anime, as long as you can look past all the shed fur. Polar Bear, a Canadian white bear who lives for bad puns and good food, is bored with his job, so he decides to open a café near the local zoo. His regulars include both humans and animals, and the series follows the day-to-day life of Polar Bear and his friends as they go about their lives, exploring not just the antics within the titular café but the careers and lifestyles of Penguin, Panda, Grizzly, and the rest of the hilarious cast.
For Those Looking For Good Laughs and Low Stakes, Polar Bear Cafe is For You
Much likeSkull-Face Bookseller Honda-San,Polar Bear Cafeis a low-stakes slice-of-life comedy, and in that lies its charm. It is slow-paced, with laugh-out-loud writing and plenty of anime goofiness to please any viewer. One of the more interesting things about the series is its art style, as it renders the animals very realistically, while humans have a more traditional anime aesthetic.
It adds a touch of surrealism to the series that somehow fits the over-the-top personalities of the lead cast. This is a spectacular comedy series, and while it never received its English dub (likely due to issues translating Polar Bear’s puns), it is still worth your time.
13Kaina of the Great Snow Sea (2023)
Kaina of the Great Snow Seais set on an Earth ravaged by endless winter. Giant organic structures called Orbital Trees loom over the surface world, forming what the last remnants of humanity know as the Canopy. Princess Ririha of Atland, a war-ravaged surface kingdom, has heard the prophecy of a great savior from the Canopy all her life, and with neighboring Valghia poised to attack, she ascends to the Canopy to find him. What she finds, though, is a mysterious young man named Kaina. Shocked to discover life down below and seeking to explore the surface, Kaina agrees to escort Ririha back to her kingdom, despite the myriad challenges.
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea Provides a Stunning Post-Apocalypse
Kaina of the Great Snow Sealikely lost some of its audience with its 3D animated art-style, a deterrent for many modern anime viewers. However, that shouldn’t deter you. Polygon Pictures absolutely nailed their animation style, bringing this desolate Earth to life in beautifully terrifying ways.
More importantly, the story is absolutely thrilling, providing an incredibly fast-paced journey through the various parts of this chaotic world. Seriously, there are only eleven episodes in the first season, with a follow-up film to complete the story, which means that you can breeze through this series in no time flat, giving you no excuse to not give it a shot.
12Golden Kamuy (2018)
The indigenous Ainu people of Japan take center stage inGolden Kamuy.Set just after the Russo-Japanese War in the early 20th century, the series follows a group hunting down a legendary stockpile of gold hidden by an Ainu miner. Captured by Japanese authorities, the miner tattooed parts of a secret code on some of his fellow prisoners, but those prisoners escaped.
Former soldier Saichi Sugimoto is drawn into the hunt for the treasure when one of the prisoners arrives on his doorstep. After the man is killed and the secret of the treasure is revealed, Saichi joins forces with an Ainu huntress name Asirpa to track down the other prisoners.
Golden Kamuy is a Grounded Post-War Story that Needs Mainstream Attention
Among the anime fan base,Golden Kamuyis an incredibly beloved adventure series, so it seems strange that it makes it onto this list. However, due to the series' more serious, adult edge, it hasn’t found the same sort of mainstream attention that others have.Golden Kamuytakes itself very seriously, giving due attention to the overlooked Ainu culture, and its themes, focused on survival and the darkness of war, give it immediate weight.
This is a fascinating look at early 20th century Japan, and while it doesn’t feature the fantasy or science-fiction found in popular action/adventure series, this is one that every viewer needs to try at least once.
11Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020)
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!is a loving ode to animation. Midori Asakusa has always dreamed of becoming an animator, but though she has endless ideas and designs cooked up in her sketchbook, she has absolutely no experience animating. Despite having no interest in anime, her best friend Sayaka Kanamori recognizes her creative genius. After meeting Tsubame Mizusaki, a young model with the same dream as Midori and a talent for character animation, the trio come together to form the Eizouken club to begin working on their first project and bring their “ultimate world” to life.
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken Brings the Animation Process to Life
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!is for the creatives, those who dream up new worlds and long to bring them to life. Midori, Tsubame, and Sayaka are the perfect mirrors for these viewers, and their story is equal parts heartfelt ode to the creative process and quirky, frenetic comedy.
The way the animation style shifts as the girls explore the design process is beautifully executed, and the high school setting adds dimension to the drama and expectations surrounding these young women. Despite nearly unanimous praise during its initial release, far too many have slept on this amazing series, so now is the perfect time to dive into this animated wonder.
