When you ask, “What is the most underrated anime?” you’re really looking for shows that received little recognition despite high quality. Here are 10 underrated TV anime from 2020 onward. Each includes its IMDb/MAL score, a brief plot summary, reasons it’s overlooked, and where to stream it.
Lycoris Recoil (2022)
Genres: Action, Slice‑of‑Life
Summary: In near-future Tokyo, LycoReco maintains peace using covert female agents. Chisato Nishikigi, a cheerful barista with elite reflexes, partners with Takina Inoue, a disciplined agency transfer. While working at DA café, they navigate friendship, trauma, and ethics as they fight terrorism and expose hidden agency truths.
Why It’s Underrated: Viewers dismissed its genre-blending mix of action and slice-of-life, expecting a straightforward thriller or “girl-boss” trope. But those who watched fully discovered one of the year’s most compelling duo-driven narratives.
Rating: MyAnimeList 7.8/10 | IMDb 7.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Mr. Villain’s Day Off (2024)
Genres: Comedy, Slice‑of‑Life
Summary: General D.D., a feared supervillain, secretly enjoys simple civilian pleasures like feeding pandas, buying bubble tea, and watching soap operas. Each episode contrasts his terrifying persona with his sincere efforts at daily life, revealing a heartfelt path of self-discovery.
Why It’s Underrated: Audiences seeking epic battles dismissed its quirky premise of a villain craving normal life. Yet those who watched found sharp humor, touching character growth, and a fresh take on villainy.
Rating: MyAnimeList 7.8/10 | IMDb 7.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
The Little Lies We All Tell (2022)
Genres: Comedy, School Life
Summary: At Ayanagi Middle School, four students hide major secrets, alien origins, ninja roots, superpowers, and gender disguise. Told in fast-paced 4‑koma format, the series follows their school days as small lies risk exposing their hidden identities.
Why It’s Underrated: The show’s fast comedy and school-life satire went unnoticed since 4-koma adaptations rarely gain mainstream traction. But viewers who accept its rapid pace uncover one of the most entertaining gag anime in years.
Rating: MyAnimeList 7.3/10 | IMDb 6.8/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies (2024)
Genres: Romantic Fantasy, Comedy
Summary: Magical girl Aurora accidentally saves villain Mortis during a failed mission, igniting an unexpected attraction. Bound by a reluctant truce, they face dark cults and romantic confusion. As they grow to understand each other, their roles blur, ending in a sincere alliance rooted in trust and respect.
Why It’s Underrated: The show refreshes the magical-girl genre with sharp dialogue, deep lore, and mature emotion. Still, its late-season debut and obscure source kept it overlooked amid bigger franchises.
Rating: MyAnimeList 7.5/10 | IMDb 7.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
The Grimm Variations (2024)
Genres: Anthology, Horror/Fantasy
Summary: Wit Studio’s anthology reimagines six Brothers Grimm tales with a dark, modern twist. Each standalone ONA episode builds tension using eerie visuals, twisted monsters, and sharp turns that explore innocence, betrayal, and revenge. Framed by the Grimms as narrators and participants, it confronts childhood memories of familiar stories.
Why It’s Underrated: Short, mature reinterpretations were eclipsed by longer, high-profile Netflix anime. Yet for fans of concise, stylish horror, it stands out as a hidden gem of expert animation and storytelling.
Rating: MyAnimeList 7.0/10 | IMDb 6.5/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Romantic Killer (2022)
Genres: Romantic Comedy
Summary: Anzu Hoshino loses her hobbies when Riri, a mischievous wizard, forces her into a real-world dating simulation. To regain them, she must endure flamboyant suitors, romantic clichés, and her own reluctance, while secretly discovering she might enjoy the chaos.
Why It’s Underrated: A sharp parody of shōjo manga and Anzu’s deadpan reactions give this rom-com more depth than usual. Its release as a short Netflix ONA caused it to slip past viewers expecting full-length episodes.
Rating: MyAnimeList 7.2/10 | IMDb 6.9/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Odd Taxi (2021)
Genres: Mystery, Drama
Summary: Hiroshi Odokawa, a reserved walrus taxi driver, ferries eccentric passengers through a neon-lit city. Casual chats turn into clues about a missing schoolgirl. As Odokawa pieces together hints, he exposes corruption, exploitation, and digital voyeurism. The anthropomorphic cast conceals a raw, human mystery that builds to shocking revelations.
Why It’s Underrated: A slow-burn detective arc and unique animation style defied typical shōnen and slice-of-life labels, leading casual viewers to overlook it. Viewers who stayed discovered one of anime’s smartest, most emotionally resonant mysteries.
Rating: MyAnimeList 8.9/10 | IMDb 8.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Sonny Boy (2021)
Genres: Isekai, Sci‑Fi
Summary: During summer break, a group of students and two transfers are sent to an alternate dimension called “This World.” As they develop strange powers, they form factions, debates, and survival plans. Sonny Boy uses surreal visuals and abstract storytelling to examine identity, freedom, and human connection in a dreamlike setting.
Why It’s Underrated: An avant-garde narrative and sparse dialogue challenge standard anime conventions, pushing away viewers wanting simple plots. For those embracing experimental pacing and cerebral themes, it delivers a uniquely immersive experience.
Rating: MyAnimeList 8.0/10 | IMDb 7.3/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
If you’re hunting for more hidden gems beyond this list, don’t stop here. We’ve already explored some serious bangers in our previous posts, check out our Underrated Anime Series 2025 and the Ultimate Watchlist of Underrated Anime to keep your queue stacked with the best anime nobody’s talking about (yet).