Anime Rec List: More Underrated Faves

People really ended up liking my last post about underrated anime, and I know there’s a ton more underrated shows that I’d like to bring attention to so I decided to make another one! As I said in the first post, ‘underrated’ is a difficult thing to define. But rather than try to fit that mold, I decided to just pick some shows I personally wish were more popular/more talked about. Let’s go!

Monthly Girls’ Nozaki Kun

This show is such a funny anime, up there with some of my other favorite comedies (Saiki K, Love is War). It starts off pretty standard focusing on a girl named Sakura who has a crush on Nozaki, a boy in her class. However, he misinterprets her love confession as a confession that she’s a fan of the shoujo manga he writes. It’s so cute and funny, I highly recommend it to comedy anime fans!

To Your Eternity

By no means is this show totally underground; from what I understand it’s a decently popular manga and I did hear a lot of buzz about it when the first season aired, but in between seasons I haven’t heard much more about it and that is a crime. It’s a really unique fantasy drama written by the author of A Silent Voice. Please watch To Your Eternity, read my WYSW post linked above if you want to learn more!

Kimi Ni Todoke

This show definitely wasn’t underrated when it aired, but these days I’m seeing fewer and fewer people talk about it. Kimi Ni Todoke is essential shoujo; it’s so cute and fun and soft and I really love the art style. It’s about a girl named Sawako who is ostracized at school because she looks like the girl from The Ring.

Odd Taxi

Odd Taxi aired this past year, and while it got some attention I really didn’t see much buzz about it after the finale. It’s a super compelling 12-episode crime drama with a unique art style and a very interesting twist. If you like short-and-sweet anime or mystery anime, you really should check it out.

Welcome to the NHK

Welcome to the NHK is definitely not for everyone, but it is for some people and if you’re one of those people it’s a must see. It’s about a 22 year old shut-in who decides to try and face the world using his teenage friend’s multiple step program. This show is really wild but definitely requires some trigger warnings, so if you’re interested in watching, read my previous post linked above and see how you feel about it.

Anyway, I really hope some of you check out these shows! thanks for reading,

-threecheersforinking

Anime Rec List: Underrated

It can be difficult to define something as ‘underrated’. After all, just because you haven’t seen anyone talking about a particular show doesn’t mean that it’s actually underappreciated by the internet or anime fanbase at large. However, for the purposes of this post, I’m choosing to call these shows ‘underrated’ because I believe they deserve to be discussed more than they are. Let’s begin!

Barakamon

Even though I’ve written about it multiple times on this blog, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else talk about Barakamon. This show is about a calligraphy artist who gets banished from the craft after punching a judge, and is sent to a remote island to rediscover his love for art.

Silver Spoon

It shocks me how little I see written about Silver Spoon, considering how the original manga is created by Hiromu Arakawa, who famously also wrote Fullmetal Alchemist. This hilarious show is about a city boy who goes to farming high school to escape the stresses and pressures of modern school life.

Hyouka

Hyouka is a beautiful show by Kyoto Animation about a boy with low energy who gets roped into solving mysteries with the rambunctious Classics club at his school. Despite being exclusively about the low-stakes problems high schoolers get into, Hyouka is genuinely a gripping mystery the whole way through.

Natsume Yuujinchou

If you like slice of life shows and you’ve never heard of Natsume, you’re in for a real treat because this yokai-of-the-week show has 6 whole seasons. I myself have only seen 2 of them so far, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Natsume is about a young boy who can see spirits who keeps getting attacked by monsters who had beef with his grandmother.

Chihayafuru

So this one is actually pretty well known and popular if we’re going by numbers, but I really don’t see it discussed often (and I’ll take any chance I get to talk about one of my favorite shows) so here I go again. Chihayafuru is a riveting sports anime about Karuta players, particularly Ayase Chihaya, whose goal is to become the best Karuta player in the world. If you’re a sports anime fan and you haven’t seen Chihayafuru yet, what are you waiting for??

So in conclusion, these might not be the most obscure, never-before-seen anime that exist, but in my opinion they could use a lot more love, especially in online spaces. I’ve made a few other Underrated blog posts, so if you liked this one be sure to check those out too. Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking

WYSW: Mushishi

**why you should watch**

I’ve put Mushishi on plenty of my anime/manga rec lists on this blog but have never made a whole post about the anime, and I definitely think it deserves one. (Also, fun fact, this anime is where my profile picture is from! Art is by @leahdrawsstuff​)

Mushishi is the story of Ginko, a mushi master (or mushishi). Mushi are small, magical beings sort of like yokai, except they are not conscious and have no intentions or motivations for anything they do. Therefore, mushi end up being a nuisance some of the time, or even a complete disaster that can lead to death and tragedy. Ginko has been studying mushi for many years, and spends his days traveling around looking for people to help who have been inconvenienced by mushi.

Mushishi is a slice of life seinen anime based on the manga of the same name that takes place around the Edo/Meiji periods of Japan. The show provides a unique look into the historical setting by introducing a ‘magic’ element through the mushi. Also, much of Mushishi’s plot involves historical Japanese cultural elements and circumstances which is a really cool learning opportunity. The show is generally very calm and low-key, however at times the story can get dark and will introduce heavy themes or a sad storyline.

The show is episodic, and because Ginko travels to a new location every episode, the characters besides Ginko rarely ever make a reappearance. There are a few characters here and there that pop up once in a while, but generally Ginko is the only one you’ll see, which is actually pretty great because he’s a very interesting character. There is no overarching plot, but the story keeps you on your toes because each new mushi you meet is different from any other you’ve seen before.

I would highly recommend Mushishi if you’re looking for a low-key, slice of life story. It has two seasons and a movie but is fairly quick to get through in my opinion.

Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking

Underrated Anime Movie: Wolf Children

Wolf Children or Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki was one of the first anime movies I ever watched, and after spending time in the anime community for a long while after watching, I was shocked at how little I heard people talking about this movie. Wolf Children is a Slice of Life that focuses on a young mother, Hana, who is struggling to raise two half wolf, half human children without the help of their father.

This movie brings attention to the difficulties that single parents face and how much work it takes to take care of children. Hana’s job as a single mother to two young children is difficult enough as it is, but the fact that these are children who are part wolf makes it even more difficult, as you can imagine. She is unsure of how to handle certain situations where their wolf side causes trouble, and she has no one to ask for advice about these unique challenges.

One of the most poignant scenes in the film is when Yuki, Hana’s oldest, eats a silica gel packet while in her half-wolf form and is very sick. Hana stands in a phone booth between a children’s hospital and a veterinary hospital, panicking while debating which one she should bring her sick child to.

There are so many beautiful moments in Wolf Children, and the symbolism and emotional nuances are fantastic. Weather plays a strong symbolic role in this film, and in some aspects not very subtly. The oldest child is named Yuki, which means snow, and the younger one is named Ame, which means rain.

While the children appear to be the main focus on the surface, especially as they age and develop their own unique personalities, Hana and her own personal journey are the true story. It’s a pleasure to get to see her development, especially when a lot of anime tend to have one-dimensional parent characters.

I would definitely recommend giving Wolf Children a shot! It’s so heartfelt and emotional, and if you have a loving parental figure in your life who struggled to get you to where you are today, you will be left with extreme gratitude. There is also a manga adaptation of the film which is also a great read if you’re interested in the story.

Thanks for reading,

-threecheersforinking

Underrated Anime pt. 1

Anime that I think deserves a little more love! (feat a brief description of each)

Silver Spoon

A city slicker moves to a farming high school. Fun antics ensue.

Chihayafuru

Basically a high school sports comedy, but with a Japanese card game that no one’s heard of.

Barakamon

Young hotheaded calligrapher gets sent to a rural island to relax, fun antics ensue.

Run with the Wind

Running enthusiast attempts to convince roommates to start a running club with him.

ReLIFE

27-year-old NEET gets to redo the past 10 years, lotsa weird stuff happens.

Underrated Ghibli Movies

Hey there! I’ve made a list of underrated anime movies that aren’t Ghibli, but there are so many Ghibli movies that people don’t even know about that I think it deserved its own post! Hope you enjoy!

Only Yesterday

I could gush about Only Yesterday for hours and already have on this blog multiple times. It’s a lovely reflection on childhood.

Whisper of the Heart

Like violins? Cats? Take Me Home, Country Roads? Then Whisper of the Heart is for you!

From up on Poppy Hill

A really great family drama taking place in Japan in 1964. This movie also has one of my favorite tracks from any movie soundtrack (The Breakfast Song)

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

A very different animation style than those above, Princess Kaguya is based on a folk tale and is a beautiful spectacle.

There are definitely more, but I didn’t want this post to be too long. Hope everyone checks these out and discovers something new!

-threecheersforinking

WYSW: The Disastrous Life of Saiki K

Gonna start a new series called Why You Should Watch! Figured I’d start with my favorite underrated comedy, Saiki K!

Reason 1: the humor

Saiki K has such absurd, ridiculous humor that can honestly appeal to anyone! It can be sarcastic, there’s some physical comedy, Saiki is very deadpan as you can see above, etc.

Reason 2: the characters

Every character is an extreme exaggeration of a popular anime trope, or a subversion of a popular media trope, and they are all hilarious. The gif above features Saiki’s parents, who love each other so much that they are competitive with their love for each other.

Reason 3: Saiki is a nice wholesome boi

He can act a bit disinterested and can be focused on himself too much sometimes, but overall Saiki uses his powers for good and is willing to lend a helping hand/embarrass himself in order to help out one of his friends.

Definitely check out Saiki K! It’s on Netflix, but can likely be found elsewhere if you look!

Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking

Underrated Anime Movies 3/?

Number 3/?: Anthem of the Heart (Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda)

(this review is SPOILER FREE!!!)

Now, before anyone yells at me I was unsure if I should call this anime “underrated” because I actually don’t know how well known/well liked it is in the anime community, I just know that within my own anime circle no one else has seen it, so I’m gonna call it underrated ok???

But anyway, this movie is so so great. It has one of the best personifications of anxiety/depression/mental illness I’ve ever seen, and is a really unique storyline that uses fairy-tale elements executed in a modern setting.

The story is as follows: the protagonist Jun Naruse was a big chatterbox as a child, until she told a big secret that destroyed her family as she knew it. Ever since then, she is unable to speak for very long without feeling intense pain. However, she soon discovers there is one exception to this rule, which is a bit of a spoiler so you’ll have to watch to find out :)

Anthem of the Heart was made by Studio A-1 Pictures, which is also responsible for some of my favorite anime of all time such as Your Lie in April, The Promised Neverland, Erased, and Anohana (among others) so it’s almost a no brainer that this movie would be something I specifically would like.

If you like music, that’s another reason to watch Anthem of the Heart. All of the main characters are singers/musicians/performers, and the main plot centers around putting on a class show. One of the characters actually rewrites lyrics to famous instrumental pieces, and these re-written songs are featured in the movie and sound hella cool.

Also, if you need more convincing, Isla McTear did a review of this movie on the Mother’s Basement channel and the video is titled “The Best Film you’ve Never Seen” (this video doesn’t spoil but it reveals more about the plot than what I’ve written, if you want to go into it completely blind maybe hold off from watching):

https://youtu.be/t1XW4m7JBZA?t=27

So what are you waiting for?? Add Anthem of the Heart to your watch list ASAP!!

Thanks for reading,

-threecheersforinking

Underrated Anime Movies 2/?

2/?: Only Yesterday

(this review is SPOILER FREE!!!)

Only Yesterday is a Studio Ghibli movie directed by Isao Takahata, the director of Grave of the Fireflies and Princess Kaguya. Many people are familiar with Studio Ghibli movies such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbor Totoro, but haven’t seen or even heard of Only Yesterday. I am here to change that!

This movie is a slice of life about an adult woman (Taeko) reminiscing about her childhood in flashbacks while she takes a summer job at a safflower farm to take a break from hectic city life.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for “city person moves to a farm to get a new perspective” stories. I know those narratives tend to over romanticize farm life, but this film actually touches upon that romanticization which is refreshing.

One thing that I really loved about this film is that it’s the first anime I’ve seen that mentions periods/menstruation. I can’t speak for other AFAB people but in my experience, periods were kind of a taboo subject until high school, when most people had already gotten their period and were more mature. This movie explores that specific set of time when you know what menstruation is but haven’t started it yet.

This movie is not at all sad, it’s just extremely wistful and nostalgic. I was able to relate to almost every single situation that Taeko reflects on; in fact I sobbed at so many instances because I was thinking about the comparisons to my own childhood (even though I am a bit younger than adult Taeko is).

Surprisingly, This movie did well at the box office, and maybe it’s well known and liked in Japan but I haven’t heard a word about it from western anime fans.

One thing I’m not a super big fan of is the art style; it’s that typical old-style Ghibli that most people are familiar with, but it’s kind of hard to describe what specifically feels weird to me, besides the fact that the aesthetics are so late 80s/early 90s that it hurts.

Anyway, please consider checking out Only Yesterday! It’s a really beautiful simple film full of nostalgia. Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking

Underrated Anime Movies 1/?

1/?: Patema Inverted

(this review is SPOILER FREE!!!)

I first heard about Patema Inverted (or Sakasama no Patema) when some friends invited me to watch it with them a few years ago. I really enjoyed watching it, but I haven’t heard about it once since. I thought this movie was a really unique and cool concept, and want more people to know about it!

This movie has some really awesome twists so I’m not going to talk too much about the plot, but it’s essentially about a girl from an underground civilization who escapes to the surface only to find that she... is upside down.

Patema Inverted was made by Studio Rikka and Purple Cow Studio Japan, neither of which have made anime that I’ve heard of besides this one. There’s also a manga, but it’s a side story to the film and didn’t do very well.

In my opinion, the character designs are kind of meh, but the backgrounds are great and the story is absolutely mind blowing. Like, you have to take a second to think about it when it’s over.

If you get a chance to watch this movie, definitely take it! It’s a great example of anime sci-fi, as well as sci-fi in general. Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking