Ask HN: What's your favorite Underrated Anime that no one talks about?

Probably can't call it underrated, but some of Hayao Miyazaki's lesser known work is also some of my favorite.

One example is the On Your Mark [1] music video, which is possibly the only time he went into cyberpunk, and despite being a few minutes long and having no dialog it has amazing world-building and storytelling.

Future Boy Conan (Mirai Shōnen Konan) [2] is a great TV series by him that doesn't get mentioned enough IMO.

1: https://vimeo.com/394801904

2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Boy_Conan

Serial Experiments Lain - I'm still waiting on IPv7.

There's been a few recommendations already for Serial Experiments Lain, but whilst I did enjoy it, for my money Texhnolyze by the same creator is absolutely incredible (and much less discussed). It's very slow going though, particularly at the start, but I still think about the last several episodes on an alarmingly regular basis (having watched it years ago).

I also recommend Now and Then, Here and There: a fish-out-of-water fantasy show in which the main character acts like a stereotypical comedy protagonist but the world he gets transported to is an absolute wasteland ravaged by war and environmental degradation. Unsurprisingly also not a light-hearted watch.

If Hayao Miyazaki can be considered the Steven Spielberg of anime films, then I personally consider Satoshi Kon as the Stanley Kubrick. My top 3 from his filmography are “Perfect Blue”, “Tokyo Godfathers”, and, of course, “Paprika.”

Haven't watched much of anime, and haven't watched any for more than a decade. But back then I had huge impression from Azumanga Daioh. Nothing special in plot, just a year in the life of a few schoolgirls. But such lively and unique personages, I remember I had lump in the throat when I watched the last episode, as if I was saying farewell to close friends that I will not ever see again.

If we're going for obscure, I'm going to recommend Armitage 3, which is a Ghost in the Shell-esque cyberpunk action adventure. Same energy, and definitely better than a simple clone.

Also a mention to Wolf's Rain. It's a post apocalyptic dystopia where wolves can pretend to have human form, and try to survive. It sounds bonkers but it's charming and it works.

I really like historical settings:

House of Five Leaves: A robinhood criminal gang

Angolmois - Genkou Kassenki: Mongol invasion of Tsushima in 1248

Onihei: Crime fighting in the Meiji era

Onmyouji: Heian era magic

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Rakugo performers in the Shouwa

Glasslip: Not historic, a modern day in the life story

Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san: also modern, a Kyoto story of geisha apprentices

Heike Monogatari: A great telling of a Heian era power struggle

There are so many more...

Welcome to the NHK - A black comedy about hikikomori, the anime industry, cult religions, conspiracy theories, pyramid schemes, suicide, and other topics. Not cheerful topics, but it is funny and has a lot to say.

I don't know if it's completely what you'd class as anime, but 'Oban Star Racers' was fantastic.

And 'Last Exile', that was some really cool worldbuilding.

'Scrapped Princess' would also be up there, but it unfortunately had a bit of a lackluster ending.

A friend made me watch Talentless Nana which had such a cool moment in episode one, I ended up watching the whole thing right after. Even started reading the manga afterwards, which was a first for me. Unfortunately saying more would kinda lessen the impact.

Not sure if it fits "anime" but the recent animation movie Mars Express is quite good, hugue GitS vibes, tho I don't recommend watching it in the original french even if you speak french like me, french dubs are horribles.

I don't know if it can be considered "underrated", but I know so many people who like anime and have never watched the 2004 Monster(and haven't heard of the manga either).

Mostly because it's old, but: Hikaru No Go

It was the anime that solidified the fact that you can make Anime about _anything_ really compelling to watch.

櫻桃小丸子

Chibi Maruko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drPC5djKcOU

People do talk about it, but not enough - Hunter x Hunter.

While the 2011 version is longer, the 1999 has some really great moments

If you liked Pop Team Epic, you'll love Gyagu Manga Biyori

the English dub of Shin Chan also has some irreverent moments

- Ping Pong (not underrated, just less mentioned)

- Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed

- Kamichu! (set in Onomichi, very strong sense of place)

Probably my favorite amine in both story and stylizing: knights of sidonia

Hi all, my own I did this little animation movie and the music alone birds and bees here is the link it has been censored down for general consumption but it is for adults

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrub9MbxfiI

Haibane Renmei.

Darker than Black (the original season 1).

Higurashi (the original version).

Hell's paradise and Made in abyss

Kill la kill

Summer Wars (Samā Wōzu) Paprika

Cyber City Oedo 808 - dubbed.

Nadia

Roujin Z is really fun.

Golden boy (sinking in the pool scene)

Robot carnival

Night Is Short, Walk On Girl

Anikuri 15

Animatrix

Gosic

Cooking Master Boy

Monster

Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei

Tatami Galaxy

Ergo Proxy.

Erased

Kuuchuu Buranko

Kaiba

Kemonozume

Chihayafuru

Akagi

Penguindrum

Jinrui

Hidamari

Joshiraku

(ymmv w.r.t. "underrated" as that's all relative, but hey)

Redline

Basilisk

Hellsing