There are many good anime movies that have not been highlighted, and many anime watchers do not know about them. Today, we will talk about some underrated anime movies that are not well known to many people.
You have to tell which anime you have watched among these. If you need something off the beaten path, these movies might be worth looking into.
Perhaps you will stumble upon a favorite animated movie or find that one thing speaking to you. Sometimes, the fun is finding the less known pieces because it all feels more intimate, like they are your little secret.
Well, why not give some underrated anime movies a try? You might just be surprised. Some of these are actually gems: really good stories, stunning art, and strong emotional appeal, yet these are overwhelmed by the names.
These movies may be even better, at least in the opinion of many viewers, and also present something unique. Perhaps it’s a story like no other, a style so different, or just a view of life in general.
We will not go to a deep review we will cover the anime overview with basic knowledge and max to max without spoilers.
Underrated Anime Movies: A Hidden Treasure
17. Goodbye, Don Glees-
- ImDb rating- 6.7/10
- Runtime- 1h 38m
Goodbye, Don Glees is an exciting story of friendship, growth, and following dreams. The story is about three boys who call themselves “Don Glees” and embark on a small adventure that becomes something much bigger.
It captures the pains of feeling misplaced and learning to cherish the moments that shape us. The beauty in the animation shines through, coupled with honest emotion.
It’s one of the underrated anime movies that quietly and subtly leaves the impression, focusing rather on relationships than action, and has a perfect mixture of fun, genuine moments and discoveries, making this relatable for anyone who had ever felt so unsure about tomorrow.
Although it does not depend on large dramatic twists, it makes you think about the importance of friendship and finding your path. It’s all about meaningful stories; you can definitely try it out.
16. Penguin Highway-
- ImDb rating- 7.1/10
- Runtime- 1h 59m
If you enjoy your mystery and adventure with a touch of fantasy, Penguin Highway is worth a watch. There’s a young lad named Aoyama who wonders what’s happening as penguins, out of nowhere, start appearing everywhere in his city.
He’s clever and inquisitive, so the plot doesn’t become boring. It’s not solely about penguins, though there’s a deeper exploration of growing up and trying to understand your world.
The animation is lovely, and you easily connect with the characters. It’s light-hearted but also contains moments that provoke thought.
If you seek something new and different, Penguin Highway can offer you an intriguing ride, but be prepared for some quirky twists along the way. It’s a good and underrated anime to watch for fun on the weekend.
15. Pale Cocoon-
- ImDb rating- 7.1/10
- Runtime- 23 mins
If you’re one of those anime fans like me who appreciate silence, then you need to watch Pale Cocoon—a 2006 film, only running 23 minutes long. Underrated movie indeed.
The film takes place in a near future wherein human beings already stay underground, for there is still bad air from above that they can’t breathe through.
The movie follows a character working underground in the setting in an attempt to recover lost memories and determine what happened outside.
The movie is about loss, memory, and overcoming obstacles; gradually, the film discloses the quest for the truth in everything and everyone involved in the story.
The animation is not the best ever made but fits the atmosphere of the movie pretty well. Pale Cocoon is one of the top choices for underrated anime movies.
14. Summer Wars-
- ImDb rating- 7.4/10
- Runtime- 1h 54m
If you are looking for family stories with a little bit of tech involved, Summer Wars would be worth viewing. The movie is about a teenager named Kenji who goes to visit his friend Natsuki’s family and ends up getting drawn into a massive mess.
Family bonding and the virtual world at the point of collapse are the major elements of this story. There is much comedy, but it also gives those moments of people coming together when things get rough.
The overall plot, despite the virtual world stuff being a bit over the top, still works pretty well to keep you interested. Most of all, it highlights family and sticking together. It is a fun and underrated anime movie, too heavy but with a good message.
Read: 9 Underrated Romantic Anime Series You Shouldn’t Miss
13. Perfect Blue-
- ImDb rating- 8/10
- Runtime- 1h 21m
Perfect Blue is a psychological thriller movie based on the novel by Yoshikazu Takeuchi. It is about a pop singer who turns into an actress, Mima.
She tries to step out of her old identity, but she is terrorized by unsettling events and stalking. She starts losing her reality, and the lines between reality and illusion become blurred.
It shows the pressure and confusion under which she suffers, and sometimes you are in doubt about what is real. It’s intense and uncomfortable, but it is also captivating.
The style of animation used is excellent and does a great job of keeping you on your toes throughout the story. Exploring the dark side of fame and mental collapse is so very interesting.
This one’s definitely not easy to sit through, though; if you’re a fan of mind-bending stories, you will really be engrossed in it.
12. Crystal Sky of Yesterday-
- ImDb rating- 6.5/10
- Runtime- 1hr 22m
Crystal Sky of Yesterday is an anime movie based on romance, youth, and passing time. There are two young people, a boy, and a girl, and they go through deep feelings of growing up.
The movie combines the past and present moments beautifully and shows them living and memories. You find out how they have affected the future of choices.
It’s a story of friendship, first love, and how to survive with loss. This movie does a perfect job of making you understand that life can both be beautiful and painful at the same time.
The movie’s pacing is decent and nice, and the way characters develop feels natural; you can easily connect with them. It’s not just romance but also learning about yourself and others.
So, basically, the movie is a life lesson, bittersweet moments type, and if you like storytelling movies, then you must watch this movie.
11. Tamako Love Story-
- ImDb rating- 7/10
- Runtime- 1h 23m
If you want to see a light, simple love story, then Tamako Love Story is one of the perfect choices and it is one of the underrated romance anime movies.
The movie is basically a continuation of the Tamako Market series in which the central character, Tamako, faces a drastic change when Mochizou, her friend, admits his feelings towards her.
Their relationship is given much importance to how they tackle their emotions and feelings. The calm place and a seemingly realistic storyline how a couple is confused yet showing tremendous love towards the other.
Animations were smooth and so adorable, so perfectly depicting this pretty town and surroundings. Side roles add weight to the globe’s reality too; it isn’t a hurry-filled movie but goes straight into our hearts, these simple moments revealing honesty.
If you like quiet, thoughtful stories, it’s a beautiful watch.
10. Pom Poko-
- ImDb rating- 7.3/10
- Runtime- 1h 59m
Pom Poko, a movie, is about magical raccoons with the intention of fighting for their forests against human construction.
These special raccoons have some shape-shifting qualities that make their mischief in comparison to the world of humans relatively easy.
This is not easy, though—they encounter opposition along the road. The movie combines comedy with serious issues like the destruction of nature and what happens when you take too much from humans.
The characters are interesting and so relatable, being raccoons and all, but it still manages to carry an engaging plot that’s very different from anything you’d think to watch.
Overall, a pretty good film for anyone interested in stories about animals, nature, and adventure mixed with a dash of seriousness regarding nature versus human advancement.
9. Modest Heroes Ponoc Short Films Theatre–
- ImDb rating- 6.6/10
- Runtime- 54 mins
Modest Heroes is a short animated movie comprising three separate stories. Each one focuses on ordinary people dealing with extraordinary situations.
The first is about two tiny siblings surviving on their own, the second follows a man with a strange, life-threatening condition, and the third is about a mother protecting her child.
It is a very pleasing animation with a heart that will touch when describing themes like bravery, love, and perseverance in everyday struggles.
It’s a quick watch, but really, it leaves an impression. However, since every story is unique, you might connect with some more than others.
It does not explain everything and gives room for thinking about their lives. It’s short, simple, and worth a watch if you like meaningful storytelling.
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8. Night Is Short, Walk on Girl-
- ImDb rating- 7.5/10
- Runtime- 1h 33m
The movie ‘Night Is Short, Walk on Girl’ is about a fun and crazy night in Kyoto, and the plot starts with a girl who wants to explore and drink while the boy is trying to get the attention of the girl.
The animation style is very out of the box and fun, just like the characters and their random activities. Instead of having a single plot, the different elements that make up the film include a used book fair, an alcohol contest, a race against the clock, and an illness that is haphazardly spreading instead of depicting a linear storyline.
Such crazy and off-the-charts moments make up a good part of the plot. The movie can be described as a collage of youth, random interactions, and good fun.
Watching this could be great if you want something that is outside of the norm of traditional storytelling. Personally, I liked this movie and I feel it is one of the underrated anime movies on the list that needs appreciation.
7. Millennium Actress-
- ImDb rating- 7.8/10
- Runtime- 1h 27m
Millennium Actress is a gorgeously animated film about a retired movie star, Chiyoko, and her life story.
A filmmaker and his assistant visit her to create a documentary, and as she tells her story, the movie interweaves her real-life experiences with scenes from the movies she starred in.
It feels like stepping into her memories, where past and present mix. The movie, at its core, is about the pursuit of dreams and time.
It is touching the way it expresses emotions and the twists in life. More so, it is a journey than a destination that makes you think about love, regret, and what drives you.
If you enjoy movies that are personal and thoughtful, then this one is definitely worth your watch. It is a different way to tell a life story.
6. Liz and the Blue Bird-
- ImDb rating- 7.1/10
- Runtime- 1h 30m
Liz and the Blue Bird is a quite good anime revolving around two high school girls, Mizore and Nozomi, who play in their school band.
They’re working on a piece inspired by a fairy tale called “Liz and the Blue Bird,” and as the story unfolds, their friendship is tested.
The anime focuses on their emotions and how they try to understand each other, using music to explore their connection. Simple, but meaningful arts and music depict how they express themselves in minute ways.
Not too fast and full of actions; it’s more of a friendship story of letting go. Thoughtful and emotional stories have made this feel so personal and close to one’s heart.
This is the type of movie where you end up thinking rather than watching. If you are a music lover, then I think it will be a suitable anime for you. It is an underrated show that is simple but, at the same time, unique.
5. The Boy and the Beast-
- ImDb rating– 7.6/10
- Runtime- 1h 59m
The Boy and the Beast is a story about a boy, and his name is Ren. He ends up in some kind of no-man’s world of beasts while his mom passes away and then his dad goes away.
Now, he somehow meets Kumatetsu, a sort of pretty rough but muscular warrior. Of course, to begin with, neither of them knows how they are going to get along well.
The key aspect is their tie, how one teaches the other, and on the other side, how Ren balances it between the worlds of humans and beasts.
Amazing animation, fine action scenes—there’s enough emotion, what with family or loneliness or losing your place.
Yet, some pieces are a little predictable, an enjoyable story that has a decent message. I love this movie; it’s perfect for a Sunday watch, and definitely, this one is an underrated anime movie.
That’s why this is worth watching if anyone likes such heartbreaking stories.
4. Her Blue Sky-
- ImDb rating- 6.8/10
- Runtime- 1h 48m
Her Blue Sky is a sweet film dealing with a girl named Aoi, who manages to cope with the loss of her parents and look after her little sister.
But when the mysterious person from her past returns after she had believed she would never see him again, things begin to change.
She now faces her old feelings and the difficult decisions regarding her future. The movie strikes a decent balance between intense emotional moments and the simple facts of life.
It illustrates how the past and present are molding who we are, in which the characters are very easy to relate to, just as is the subtle beauty of its setting.
This is a love story, memory, and healing tale—if you like movies that involve personal growth and real-life romance, then watch Her Blue Sky; that is why I added this movie to the underrated anime movies category.
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3. Belle-
- ImDb rating- 7.1/10
- Runtime- 2h 2m
This is a hidden gem among underrated anime movies. The story revolves around Suzu, a shy girl who finds her voice in a virtual world called U.
It explores how technology shapes human connection while tackling loss, courage, and identity. The mix of traditional and digital animation is beautiful, and the music plays a huge role in the emotional impact.
It may be an idea taken from Beauty and the Beast, but this feels contemporary in its very essence. Of course, at some points it’s slower; still, all those emotions were totally worth waiting for.
In that way, this is definitely a film meant to speak for all ages, so if you love heart-wrenching films that are, after all, quite a bit fantastic, then definitely do not miss Belle. She needs much more than that.
2. Josee the Tiger and the Fish-
- ImDb rating- 7.6/10
- Runtime- 1h 38m
Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish is a pure anime movie that needs more attention since it is among the underrated anime movies.
The story revolves around Tsuneo, a college student, and Josee, a young woman who uses a wheelchair, and how their lives cross each other to change both of them. It picks up on ideas related to chasing dreams, facing your fears, and opening up to others.
The animation is beautiful, giving you the sensation of being very close to the characters’ world. The music fits in so nicely that you find yourself feeling emotions in every scene.
Though simple, the storyline is really emotional, and all the characters really feel real. If you like this type of meaningful movie about human bonds, this would be worth the watch. The movie remains in your heart long after its end.
1. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time-
- ImDb rating- 7.7/10
- Runtime- 1h 38m
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is an anime movie based on time travel. Story about a high school girl who accidentally got the ability to time travel.
At first, she uses it for small things, like fixing mistakes or having fun, but as the story grows, she learns there are consequences to changing times.
The movie balances lighthearted moments with deeper, emotional themes, making it relatable and interesting. The animation has a simple but clean style, and the characters feel actual, with their everyday struggles and decisions.
It’s not action-packed, but it keeps you engaged with its story and meaningful message about time and choices.
If you need something unique, simple, and not complicated but worth your time, I think you must try this movie; it’s a good underrated anime movie for experience.
Conclusion-
In this post we talked about 17 underrated anime movies that people hardly pay much attention to. Hope you enjoyed this post; do share this with your anime buddy who wants to try something new.
These movies might provide you with different viewpoints or show you exclusive styles of art and even narrative skills. So it’s worthwhile taking a risk by watching lesser-known movies.
You might find a hidden gem that resonates with you. So, if you’re looking for something different, give these underrated anime movies a try.