If you are bored of watching the same anime and want to find out hidden gems of the anime world, you are at the right place. Some anime movies that are made by renowned production houses are always hyped up due to their high-quality animations. However, a few underrated anime movies offer interesting plots with strong storylines and impactful characters.
We have listed ten top underrated anime movies that you must watch.
Most Underrated Anime Movies in 2024
Below is the list of the most underrated anime movies.
10. Only Yesterday
Only Yesterday is an old Japanese Anime movie, filled with romance and drama. The movie plot follows the main character Taeko Okajima who is 27 years old, who decides to take a long break from city life and heads to her relative’s house in Yamagata. She recalls her childhood memories and feels nostalgic moments when she arrives in that town. This anime film is popular because of its storyline and the animations.
- Genres: Romance \ Drama
- Characters: Taeko Okajima, Toshop, Aiko, Rie, Suu, and Toko.
- Movie Length: 1 hr 58 min
- Release Date: July 20, 1991
Watch Only Yesterday on Netflix
9. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is a horror, fantasy anime film directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. It revolves around the arrival of dark creatures, half-demons, huma, and bloody creatures. The story is set in an apocalyptic period in the futuristic timeline where vampire hunters are against the decline of the race of vampires. This Anime film is filled with bloodshed and dedicated to dark movie lovers.
- Genres: Horror/ Fantasy
- Characters: D, Leila, Charlotte, Polk, Sheriff, Caroline, Carmilla, Meier, and Machira.
- Movie Length: 1 hr 45 min
- Release Date: April 21, 2001
Watch Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust on Prime Video
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8. In This Corner of the World
In This Corner of the World is a 2016 Japanese Anime movie directed by Sunao Katabuchi. The story revolves around a young girl Suzu who marries a man but finds difficulty in adjusting to the new lifestyle amid the Hiroshima Second World War. In the movie, Suzu loses her entire family in uncertain happenings and at the end, the movie has a sad and painful ending.
- Genres: Wartime Drama
- Characters: Suzu hoko, Shusaku Hojo. San Hojo, Keiko Kuromura, and Entaro Hojo.
- Movie Length: 2 hr 9 min
- Release Date: October 28, 2016
Watch In This Corner of the World on Prime Video
7. Redline
Takeshi Koike directed this 2009 popular Anime film, Redline. It is set in a futuristic world where every racer aims to compete in the Redline. The anticipated race tournament happens once in five years and the lead character JP is enthusiastic about racing. The entire movie is filled with lots of eye-booming action. This sci-fi-based movie has many interesting elements such as Aliens, weapons, flying cars, great sound quality and most highlighting animation.
- Genres: Sci-Fi/ Action
- Characters: Joshua Punkhead, Frisbee, Boiboi, Inuki Boss, Miki, Trava, Shinkai, Colonel Volton, Machine Head, Todoroki, and Old Man Mole.
- Movie Length: 1 hr 42 min
- Release Date: October 9, 2010
6. Colorful
Colorful is directed by Keiichi Hara, and it’s based on a novel. The anime comes with an interesting plot where a 14-year-old young boy named Makoto Kobayashi commits suicide and later his body is occupied by another soul which uses his body to find out about his previous life. Colorful Anime film stresses various aspects of teenagers’ lives, and has great visuals.
- Genres: Fantasy/ Mystery
- Characters: Makoto Kobayashi, Saotome, Shoko Sano, Purapura, Mao, Doctor, Mr, Sawada, and Hiroko Kuwabara.
- Movie Length: 2hr 7 min
- Release Date:21 August 2010
5. Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is a political thriller directed by Hiroyuki Okiura. It revolves around the main character Kazuki Fuse who is a member of Kerberos, a Special force to fight against terrorism. He is ordered to kill a young girl who is a terrorist, but she dies in a suicide bombing, later Kazuki meets the sister of the dead girl, and he starts developing feelings. The entire plot of this Anime film is complex, and the movie is not suitable for everyone because of its slow-paced screenplay.
- Genres: Thriller/ Action
- Characters: Kazuki Fuse, Kei Amemiya, Atsuhi Henmi, Bunmei Muroto, Hajime Handa, Nanami Agawa, Isao Aniya, etc.
- Movie Length: 1hr 38 min
- Release Date: June 3, 2000
Watch Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade on Prime Video
4. Millennium Actress
Millennium Actress is another gem from popular Japanese director Satoshi Kon. The movie is based on the documentary of famous actress Chiyoko Fujiwara where she shares her journey of her life as an actress. As the documentary moves deeper, the incidents and moments of her life leave the audience in an unexpected shock.
- Genres: Fantasy/ Documentary
- Characters: Chiyoko Fujiwara, Genya Tachibana, Eiko Shimao, Junichi Otaki, Mino, Chief Clerk, and Man With Scar.
- Movie Length: 1hr 27 min
- Release Date: September 14, 2002
Watch Millennium Actress on Prime Video
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3. Tokyo Godfathers
Tokyo Godfathers is a popular work by Satoshi Kon. Gin, Miyuki, and Hana are homeless on Christmas Eve. While fetching food in the trash, they find a baby there and the trio decides to find the parents of this abandoned baby in Tokyo city. The movie is filled with comedy and adventure.
- Genres: Adventure/ Comedy
- Characters: Gin, Hana, Miyuki, Kiyoko, Oota, Yasuo, Sachiko, Arao, Cat Lady, Taxi Driver, Doctor, and Ishida.
- Movie Length: 1 hr 32 min
- Release Date: November 8, 2003
Watch Tokyo Godfathers on Prime Video
2. Grave of Fireflies
Grave of Fireflies is a popular anime movie that is filled with lots of emotional plots. The story timeline is set in 1945 when Kobe was tending toward the second world war. Seita and Setsuko are prominent characters who face lots of struggles and lose all their family members. Then the siblings travel to their aunt for shelter, but in turn, she turns out to be a disgrace and later the siblings leave their aunt and move out to find a better place. However, this anime movie ends with a sorrowful ending leaving the audience in a mere shock.
- Genres: War/ Horror
- Characters:
- Movie Length: 1 hr 29 min
- Release Date: April 16, 1988
Watch Grave of Fireflies on Amazon Prime Video
1. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is a romantic comedy anime movie filled with drama. It is about a young girl named Josee who is unable to walk due to her disability and has never been out of her house. She always spends time in her wheelchair, but one fine day, she meets Tsuneo, who is a college student who finds a caretaker job from Josee’s grandmother. The movie is filled with many interesting and unique plots.
- Genres: Romance/ Comedy
- Characters: Tsuneo Suzukawa, Josee, Mai Ninomiya, Yukicho, doctor, Station attendant, Chizu and Kana.
- Movie Length:1 hr 38 min
- Release Date: December 25, 2020
Watch Tiger Josse and Fish on Prime Video
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