underated anime

old thread I know but oh well. underrated....hmmmm.

Big O
Outlaw Star
Berserk (sorta)
Gungrave
Gundam X
Original MSG (damn kids and their need for "new and pretty" animation.)
Wild Arms: Twlight Venom
Gundam: 0080 (saw it ages before it came on CN, also Wendee Lee goodness and David Hayter too.)
Fake (it's yaoi but I found it to be pretty cool and quite funny.)

My list is far too long for here, but I'll list my personal top five underrated anime:

1. Gundam MS 08th Platoon. This show was amazing, and I love the primitive, bulky, Battletech-reminiscient Gundams.

2. Tetsuwan Atomu. This show had moral values, action and a relatable protagonist. I'm frankly surprised it doesn't have more of a following.

3. Sonic the Hedgehog (The OVA). This Sonic movie was beautiful in its representation of sonic and the gang, and actually added personality and amounts of depths to their characters. I always get sad at the end from what happens to Hyper Metal Sonic.

4. Cyborg 009. This show was wonderful. The characters had real character, the plot had a followable storyline, and things rarely got predictable.

5. The Legend of Zelda. While not technically an anime, since it was made in the US, and technically was on during the Super Mario Bros. Super Show *the Mario show with live action scenes between episodes*, the humour and action in this series is far too apparent to ignore.

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Originally posted by Schoolie I'll say Big O, since it's my personal favorite and not as popular as other series. (Although I am happy it's getting attention from magazines and CN seems to like it.) As for other underrated anime? Others are series ...Read or Die (the 3-episode OVA)....

Wow, I realize this was made before the OVA got shown on CN, but if you came to Minneapolis, oh god.... R.O.D is NOT underrated.

And I'll have to agree with most here that The Big O will always be underrated, because it's a generally serious series with Giant Robots, therefore it's considered a rip-off of Evangelion. And since Eva Fanatics rule the American Anime Fandom... Well, you got the picture.

Unpopular?

Well, I know Evangelion takes a hit in the popularity department over here in Minneapolis.

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Originally posted by Ensign Minneapolis And I'll have to agree with most here that The Big O will always be underrated, because it's a generally serious series with Giant Robots, therefore it's considered a rip-off of Evangelion.

God, anyone who says Big O is an EVA ripoff is a complete idiot. Evangelion has a completely different approach and style than Big O. Big O is more inspirational by old 70's Giant Robot shows (hence the cheesiness, vintage-ness, Eugene, etc.) while Evangelion is more modern, aiming towards the whiney teens of tommorow.

Big O
Tekkaman Blade
Vampire Hunter D:Bloodlust


Watch them, you must.

Alien 9 -
On the outside, it may seem like your typical animated series featuring young girls who fight against aliens, but as you start to see the series, it becomes much more disturbing than you think. Alien 9 is still to my eyes one of the most unique series I've seen thus far. However, it's also one of the most underrated series I have seen.

One reason I found is that the series was only four episodes long, and did not cover all of the story that the manga version had. Even so, the manga wasn't that popular either over here. In some way, Alien 9 reminds me of the characters in Neon Genesis Evangelion. If you want to see something that's different from the usual bunch, I would check this series out in any way possible.

AIR -
AIR started out as a visual novel which was very popular. It later became an animated series with a side story and motion picture after that. A lot of people who have seen this series on the Internet will say that AIR has the best story ever told in under 12 episodes. Although I do agree with them to some extent, I also think it's one of the most underrated anime I've come across.

AIR is still released only in Japan, and may not see an US release. That is because there isn't much of an audience here in the US. However, fansubs are currently available on the Internet (just click on my banner to start downloading), and it's a series that you may not understand watching it for the first time. Similar to a few other series, AIR requires you to have an open mind, and think beyond the main story.

With an emotional story, excellent music, memorable characters, and beautiful animation, it surprises me that very few have heard of AIR. Then again, I can see why it's an underrated anime: because not enough people are into series like this. Overall, give it a try and see if it was worth the experience. I definitely won't forget this series.

Black Jack -
Having seen all the episodes of the old series, I can say that very few people have heard of this series. It's quite interesting, as you don't a lot of animated series involving doctors. Although it's a very mature series and I have not read the manga, I was still able to enjoy Black Jack when it was still available on VOD.

This is also another series that is very underrated, but it's starting to become a little more popular thanks to the new Black Jack series that is currently available in fansub format. This was the first series of its kind that I've seen, and it was a very interesting experience. I'd check it out if you're wanting something different for a change. I may try to get the complete collections soon.

The Big O -
Even though this series is very popular here in the forums, outside it's still less popular than the other shows out there. Many people I've talked to in the past regard Big O as just another giant robot series. That is indeed one part of the series, but simliar to AIR, it also requires you to think beyond the main story.

I gave this series a second chance after the first showing on Toonami, and now I enjoy it a lot. With great music, characters, giant robots, and a great story, Big O is quite entertaining to watch while making you think at the same time. It's still considered to be an underrated series, but it's starting to become more popular these days.

Um

Big-O
currently all the Universal Century Gundam stuff (Hail Zeon!)
and YuYu-Hakusho ....alot of ppl I know dont like it but I do ...cant explain it I just do .

While I've never watched Yu Yu Hakusho save in passing (I don't think I've ever seen an entire episode), I do think it's a good show and worthwhile, even if I do get the feeling it's been cheapened by far too many episodes.

"Daigunder" used to play on the early morning cartoon lineups.
It had a Pokemon-ish approach to large transforming battle robots.
While not amazing, I did get a few episodes of vague pleasure out of it.

"Fighting Foodons" had what may have been the most foolish opening I have ever seen, but after watching most of the first and second seasons it rather grew on me.

"Betterman", which plays on Tech TV in the early hours (or used to), is very weird, but the animation is quite well done and the characters and plot are positively fascinating. Worth a mention at the very least.

"Ultimate Muscle" may have been the funniest animation I have ever seen next to Excel Saga, if not funnier. The theme song is hilarious.
"Big bad boys from outer space... ul-ti-mate mus-cle
Here to body slam the human race... ul-ti-mate mus-cle..."

That's all that comes to my mind at present. Maybe some of those are wildly popular and I don't know it, but I liked them and I feel I may be one of a few.

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Originally posted by Randolph "Ultimate Muscle" may have been the funniest animation I have ever seen next to Excel Saga, if not funnier. The theme song is hilarious. "Big bad boys from outer space... ul-ti-mate mus-cle Here to body slam the human race... ul-ti-mate mus-cle..."

Heh…Ultimate Muscle was awesome! XD
Another rather dumb anime I like that doesn’t get a lot of attention is Cromartie High. Eh, I seem to have a thing for beefcake humor…bullies and robots rock!

Then there’s the extremely underated Lupin, well at least he is here in America. The rest of the world gets it, so what’s up with you guys?

And of course The Big O. *bows respectively*

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Originally posted by M.S._Feather Heh…Ultimate Muscle was awesome! XD Another rather dumb anime I like that doesn’t get a lot of attention is Cromartie High. Eh, I seem to have a thing for beefcake humor…bullies and robots rock!

Oh, man. Cro High. That show is the shizz. I showed it in anime club, and all the kids really liked it! The humor it has is a nice departure from the usual ho-hummery that many other animes have. And I think I have a crush on Mechezawa!

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Then there’s the extremely underated Lupin, well at least he is here in America. The rest of the world gets it, so what’s up with you guys?

Right now, I am going through the beginning of a Lupin "renaissannce", I've watched the first series (which was awesome), and yesterday, I essentially skipped school to watch Episode:0. And now that I just got me a payin' job, I'm looking forward to much more Lupin in my future.

I can't get enough of that goofy cop-and-robber fun! It's not going to make you think, but when it comes to pure entertainment, there is seriously next to no other anime that can compare. And Lupin's been around for a hell of a long time. But that's because he rocks. But Jigen and Goemon are the sex, too.

i will say Big O for sure, it's way to Underrated.


gantz, somewhat anyway.


also Cromartie High school, it always seemed to be overlooked.
MECHAZOWA 4EVER!!!!!!!

I don't know if Serial Experiments Lain is underrated, but I don't see it mentioned here alot...so yeah.

Theres an alien in a sweater at one point even, it's good stuff.

That alien freaked me the hell out, and I just want as many people as possible to share my terrified reaction.

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Originally posted by Mistress-Samwise Oh, man. Cro High. That show is the shizz. I showed it in anime club, and all the kids really liked it! The humor it has is a nice departure from the usual ho-hummery that many other animes have. And I think I have a crush on Mechezawa! Right now, I am going through the beginning of a Lupin "renaissannce", I've watched the first series (which was awesome), and yesterday, I essentially skipped school to watch Episode:0. And now that I just got me a payin' job, I'm looking forward to much more Lupin in my future. I can't get enough of that goofy cop-and-robber fun! It's not going to make you think, but when it comes to pure entertainment, there is seriously next to no other anime that can compare. And Lupin's been around for a hell of a long time. But that's because he rocks. But Jigen and Goemon are the sex, too.

Sweet, I agree completely.

Yeah, I was able to pick up the first series too. Ah, my first Chinese knock-off DVD's...I was so proud.
Speaking of DVD's, I hope Geneon decides to start putting out second series box sets soon, buying them separately is so expensive! No wonder that many people aren't buying them. -__-
Eh, but it's really cool to have another fellow Lupin fan on these boards. ^^

Gigantor is underrated. People complain about it because of it's age, but when you pay attention it's extremely well-written, especially for when it was produced. I mean, it has better voicework than Speed Racer (Which is from, like, the seventies)

I managed to catch a few fleeting seconds of Gigantor just this morning. It is indeed old, but it seems to have some energy put into it.

And Serial Experiments Lain was indeed creepy. But I liked it. And so we forge onward to higher fan ratings by a single step.

And while freakish it was, I must apologize, Sharp, for not yielding a girly scream for your vindictive satisfaction.

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Originally posted by Randolph "Betterman", which plays on Tech TV in the early hours (or used to), is very weird, but the animation is quite well done and the characters and plot are positively fascinating. Worth a mention at the very least.

Betterman was like an alternate Evangelion, though the mechs weren't super cool It just had more scientific and psychological banter which made the series juicier. It was much more pervy and creepier as well. Nevertheless, a good watch.

Last Exile was good as well. It uses the floating battleship idea and mixes in chess and dogfighting. Kind of like mixing cheese and broccoli , they both turn out delicious. Though the real ending was cut, the meat of the series was intact. ZUGZWANG!

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Originally posted by MightyFau Gigantor is underrated. People complain about it because of it's age, but when you pay attention it's extremely well-written, especially for when it was produced. I mean, it has better voicework than Speed Racer (Which is from, like, the seventies)

Now, while I like Gigantor (as well as other black & white shows, Sally the Witch, Cyborg 009, etc.) the script is anything but "well written". It's a typical old school anime series. Nice, clean (well, for the most part), campy, and fun episodes with zero conitunity. Don't get me wrong though, I LOVE old school anime. Though I like the 70's stuff over 60's anime.

And Speed Racer is from the 60's not the 70's.

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Gigantor is underrated. People complain about it because of it's age, but when you pay attention it's extremely well-written, especially for when it was produced. I mean, it has better voicework than Speed Racer (Which is from, like, the seventies)

I'm just usually not awake then (if I'm doing things correctly) Which I think is part of the problem. Maybe alot of people just aren't seeing it since it's on at what...5 in the morning?

I WISH they'd air this in the timeslots usually designated for Family Guy and/or The Boondocks. This will never happen, in a million years, but if it did I'd be more than happy. Nobody needs to see the same episode of family guy ten thousand times, really.

Yeah I realize this sort of deviated into "family guy and the boondocks aren't that amazing". I'm sorry but they aren't, even when they're funny they aren't.

Does Madlax count as underrated? It was basically like Noir..I still have a bunch of episodes I never finished watching, but again I just never hear people mentioning it. So..yeah, if you liked Noir, madlax is very similar.

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Originally posted by Naojiro And Speed Racer is from the 60's not the 70's.

Late sixties, close enough.

The point I'm trying to make, well just compare Gigantor to 'Superfriends'. Now Gigantor looks like the most continuity-friendly show on television.

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Originally posted by MightyFau Late sixties, close enough.

Good enough, I guess.

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The point I'm trying to make, well just compare Gigantor to 'Superfriends'.

Well, Super Friends does have better animation. However, the storylines are just as fun and simple. Now if you want to talk about pretty deep black and white anime... Cyborg 009 clearly stands out.

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Now Gigantor looks like the most continuity-friendly show on television.

But Gigantor has ZERO continuity. ZERO. Not exactly a bad thing, however.