Anime has evolved into a global phenomenon, with countless series capturing the hearts of viewers across decades. While some enduring classics likeNarutoorDragon Ballremain household names to this day, many equally compelling titles have slipped under the radar or faded from the zeitgeist. These hidden gems, once adored by fans, deserve a second life. Seasoned Otaku, and those new to the anime scene alike, should revisit these overlooked series that could uncover a masterpiece they’ve never experienced or rediscover an old favorite through a new lens.
From heart-pounding action to emotional storytelling, these forgotten anime highlight the diverse range of creativity the medium offers. They often represent unique narratives, experimental animation styles, or bold ideas that were way ahead of their time. Some areovershadowed by a more well-known doppelgänger, likeOutlaw StarandCowboy Bebop, while others simply fail to find their audience before cancelation.The viability of most series comes down to timing, and many of these vanishing classics are unavailable due to the licensing rights expiring. While these 10 anime may not dominate the current conversation, but remain as engaging and impactful as ever.
Animated By Studio Deen, Based on the Manga By Hideyuki Kurata
Hideyuki Kurata’sRead or Diefollows Yomiko Readman, a book-lovingsecret agentwith the ability to manipulate paper, as she combats nefarious forces threatening global stability. A blend of spy intrigue, historical fantasy, and superpowered spectacle,Read or Dieoffers a unique premise and stunning animation, especially in its OVA. Its combination of quirky humor and explosive action made it a cult hit upon release.
Despite its intriguing concept and a brief period of popularity,Read or Diefaded from the spotlight due to its limited availabilityand competition from other spy-themed anime. Cartoon Network aired the three-episode OVA as a 90-minute movie in 2004, but remains largely unknown today. However, its creative use of paper manipulation, memorable heroine, and historical fantasy make it worth revisiting for fans of unconventional action stories.
9Tenchi Universe
Original Anime Series Animated By AIC
An expanded retelling of the originalTenchi Muyo!OVA, this sci-fi comedy follows Tenchi Masaki, an unassuming teenage boy surrounded by a cast of eccentric alien women. The series essentially evolves from a quiet sitcom to aStar Wars-esque space opera by the end of its 26-episode run. By blending slapstick humor, heartfelt moments, and lightsaber battles,Tenchi Universeredefined the harem genre.
One Forgotten Toonami Classic Introduced English Audiences To One Of Anime’s Most Controversial Sub-Genres
This harem anime blends a Star Wars-inspired space opera with a slice-of-life sitcom to produce a one-of-a-kind viewing experience worth revisiting.
Tenchi Universewas a staple of Cartoon Network’s iconic Toonami programming block in the early 2000s but faded from public consciousness once the rights to air it expired a few years later. Although its pacing and structure might feel slow or dated to some,Tenchi Universeremains a standoutfor its mix of humor and emotional depth. Its influence on modern harem and sci-fi anime is undeniable, and revisiting it offers insight into a cornerstone of 90s anime culture.
Outlaw Star
Cast
Outlaw Star is a Japanese anime series following Gene Starwind and his crew aboard the spaceship Outlaw Star. As they venture through space, they encounter various challenges and missions in search of the Galactic Leyline. The series, originally aired in 1998, blends elements of science fiction and adventure, featuring a cast of unique characters who navigate a universe filled with bounty hunters, pirates, and ancient secrets.
Takehiko Itō’s space-western follows Gene Starwind and his ragtag crew aboard the titularOutlaw Starspaceship as they search for treasure and evade bounty hunters. Packed with high-octane battles, quirky characters, and a dash of mysticism, the series is a thrilling ride from start to finish. Despite its violence, nudity, and other mature content,Outlaw Starsecured a coveted spot in the Toonami lineup, albeit heavily censored, in early 2001.
Outlaw Stargarnered a loyal following for its vibrant world-building and dynamic action, butnever matched the cultural impact of its more soulful twin,Cowboy Bebop.Curiously, Joss Whedon’s seriesFirefly, which debuted a few years afterOutlaw Star’s Toonami run, seems heavily influenced by the anime.From the similar plots, ragtag crews, and nearly identical shots of a nude woman curled up in a cramped clamshell case, the similarities are undeniable, and proof of the anime’s impact.
7s-CRY-ed
Original Anime Series Created By Sunrise
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Yōsuke Kuroda’ss-CRY-edcenters on Kazuma and Ryuho, two superpowered “Alter Users” who clash over their opposing ideals. The series delivers intense action sequences and explores themes of identity and freedom, with its central rivalry driving the narrative. American audiences know the 26-episode series from its short run on Adult Swim in 2005, after which distribution rights issues prevented further airings.
Thoughs-CRY-edsuffers from uneven pacing, its gripping character arcs and explosive confrontations remain its standout features. The series’ exploration of freedom versus control resonates to this day, and revisiting it highlights the raw energy and rebelliousness that defined early 2000s anime. In 2011, a two-part film retelling the series was released in Japan to celebrate its 10th anniversary, but the hype didn’t translate to long-term notoriety.
6Project A-Ko
Original Anime Movie Created By A.P.P.P.
This 1986 film follows A-Ko, a superpowered schoolgirl, as she navigates teenage drama, alien invasions, and her eccentric classmates. A parody of mecha and superhero tropes,Project A-Kodelivers fast-paced humor and nostalgic charm, but doesn’t skimp on the action. A-ko puts on some truly dazzling displays of strength and agility, bouncing around the battlefield smashing gigantic mecha in her sailor-suit school uniform.
While its humor may be outdated and features too many upskirt shots,Project A-Koremains a time capsule of 80s anime culture, and for many Western audiences, it was their first introduction to anime as a genre. Itscolorful animation and self-aware humoralone make it a gem worth rediscovering, but what’s particularly interesting is a reexamination with a modern queer lens. The film’s themes of obsession and infatuation are explored through female relationships, and the central drama plays out like a love triangle.
The Vision of Escaflowne
The Vision of Escaflowne follows Hitomi Kanzaki, a high school student who is transported to the mystical world of Gaea, where she becomes entangled in a struggle between warring factions and discovers her latent psychic abilities. The series combines elements of fantasy, mecha, and romance as Hitomi navigates her newfound role and destiny alongside Van, the young king of Fanelia, and the mysterious Escaflowne knight.
The Vision of Escaflowneis a 1996 fantasy-mecha hybridthat follows Hitomi, a high school girl transported to the mystical world of Gaea. Caught in a war between kingdoms, she discovers her psychic abilities and becomes entangled in the fate of the enigmatic Van Fanel. The series was a worldwide hit, and ran for 26 episodes, with a feature-length film following in 2000, which retells the story of the anime.
While successful internationally,Escaflownestruggled to find its audience in the USA due to an atrociously edited dub released during Fox’s kid’s programming block. It was canceled after 10 episodes due to low ratings, and a proper dub could only be viewed on DVD. However,Escaflowne’s breathtaking animation, complex characters, gorgeous soundtrack, and rich world-building make it a masterpiece that fans of epic fantasy should revisit.
4Darker Than Black
Original Anime Series Animated By Bones, Created By Tensai Okamura
Tensai Okamura’sDarker Than Blacktakes place in a world altered by mysterious gates that grant people supernatural abilities. Hei, a masked Contractor, navigates a web of espionage and moral dilemmas, while maintaining his cover as an unassuming high school student. The series combines noir aesthetics with gripping action and flawed characters, a departure from the melancholy heroism of Okamura’s other notable work,Wolf’s Rain.
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In Darker than Black, characters must pay a price to use their powers, mirroring Deku’s struggle to master One For All in My Hero Academia.
While its convoluted plot left some viewers divided,Darker Than Blackremains a worthwhile exploration of morality and power. Its brooding tone and intricate storytelling make it a standout among mature, thought-provoking anime. The series ran for two seasons, followed by a four-episode OVA set between the two, but quickly faded into obscurity once the licensing rights expired, which still remain inactive.
33x3 Eyes
Animated By Toei Animation, Based on the Manga By Yuzo Takada
Yuzo Takada’s supernatural adventure,3x3 Eyes, follows Yakumo, a young man turned immortal servant to Pai, the last of a mystical three-eyed race seeking to become human. Combining folktales with horror elements and high-stakes action, the series feels like a spiritual sibling toYuYu Hakusho. The two OVAs produced in the early 90s were released inconsistently on VHS in the States and never gained traction culturally.
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3x3 Eyesnever reached mainstream success, but its unique mythology, bloody violence, and emotional depth make it a hidden gem for fans of supernatural anime. A standout feature of the series is how thoroughly Yakumo’s immortality is tested. While Takada has consistently delivered new manga sequels since the series’ inception, the animated adaptations stopped cold. Currently, the 90s OVAs are lost in licensing limbo and the series remains largely unknown outside Japan.
2The Slayers
Animated By E&G Films & JC Staff, Based on the Light Novel Series By Hajime Kanzaka and Rui Araizumi
TheSlayersis Hajime Kanzaka’s fantasy-comedy chronicling the misadventures of Lina Inverse, a powerful yet greedy sorceress, and her hapless companions. Known for its humor, magical duels, and quirky characters,Slayersis a lighthearted romp through a richly imagined world. The series was widely available on home video formats in the United States in the early 2000s, but licensing rights prevented it from being aired on television and reaching a broader audience.
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While its humor might feel dated,Slayersremains a beloved classic for its memorable characters and engaging storytelling. The artwork has that romantic haze of hand-drawn animation, but the designs remain forward-thinking. Revisiting it offers a glimpse into the charm of 90s anime and its influence on modern fantasy series.The Slayerswas hugely popular, spawning five seasons, two OVAs, and five film adaptations, but can’t be found on any streaming platforms today.Slayersis one of the best anime comedies, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
The Rose of Versailles
The Rose of Versailles is a historical drama anime set during the French Revolution, revolving around the complex life of Oscar François de Jarjayes, a female commander in the royal guard. The series explores themes of class disparity, gender roles, and political upheaval, while intertwining the personal lives of the French aristocracy with the nation’s tumultuous path toward revolution. The anime is notable for its richly detailed animation and compelling narrative.
The Rose of Versailles,a historical drama set during the French Revolution, follows a young Marie Antoinette and her new friend, Oscar François de Jarjayes, a noblewoman raised as a man to serve in the royal guard. The 1970s Shojo series masterfully blends romance, politics, and tragedy with stunning visuals. The pre-Revolutionary French setting provides the perfect backdrop for the series’ themes of identity, self-discovery, and class warfare.
While its melodramatic style may not appeal to everyone,The Rose of Versaillesis a landmark in anime history, breaking gender norms and delivering powerful storytelling. Revisiting it is a must for fans of classic Shojo and historical drama, but the biggest incentive to seek outThe Rose of Versaillesis the recently announced film. Premiering on August 06, 2025, MAPPA’s updated take onThe Rose of Versaillespromises Rococo excess, glassy-eyed lovers, and biting social commentary.
