As I've said before I think there are 3 definitions to the word underrated. Today I will be talking about gems but this will be a three-part since the anime all have different tones and purposes.
Definition 3: no one has heard of it but you, making it a hidden gem that unfortunately leaves its future survival to small groups of dedicated advocates but more likely than not will be forgotten with the sands of time.
Of course this is slightly exaggerated since I'm sure most of you will be able to point out one or two you recognize or even watched or not even have a same definition of Mature as me. The type of anime on this will be mature in content or themes but I'm also including art style or subdued color palettes so if you like bright colors and fun dere tropes these shows won't be up your alley.
Bokurano
This series centers around a group of kids who find themselves piloting a Mecha to save the world from invaders, dream come true right? WRONG! To pilot the said Mecha each child will immediately die after piloting it, causing them to panic, come to terms with their fate and look at their lives to find something worth saving or fighting for.
(Note: on the Mature list is because on top of children dropping like flies it deals with some taboo issues as well.)
Gunslinger girl
A secret agency gives girls cybernetic limbs and conditions them to be agents against terrorist and the episodes look into the effects of this life on the girls.I feel like this one is a hard one to suggest since some people dismiss it for not having enough action until the latter half but they miss that for most intents and purposes this is an anime that wants you first to care about the fates of the girls.
(Note: non-fanservice light nudity, mention of child violence, not treated as loli with a gun)
Boogiepop phantom
One of the few anime that i refused to watch at night because it terrified me so. A collection of tales connected by a night when everything started to go horribly wrong. It is genuinely terrifying. Each tale ending with something disturbing, the art and sound working together to make you utterly uncomfortable. In terms of overall story it's pretty much held together thinly and is more about how each episode stands alone.
(Note: black/grey and white color palette, touches on uncomfortable subjects)
Petshop of horrors
Welcome to the pet shop with "special" pets to help what ails you, but beware the consequences should you not follow the Count's care taking instructions. This is a rather short anime and has a funny way of revealing the character's weaknesses and faults by seeing their interactions with the pets they get. It's an interesting way to look at human failure.
(Note: addressing addiction, nudity)
Ghost Hound
When 3 boys start to astral body project (man is that a mouthful) they will have to come to terms with their traumatic pasts and thread them together to find out how it will help their future. While some things don't click or come totally full circle I feel that just the psychological discussion in this is fascinating.
(Note: simple color palette, goes into psychology, touches on murder and thematic elements)
((another note omg I sound like one of those rating systems))
Karakuri zoushi ayatsuri sakon
This ventriloquist uses his skills to solve locked room murders. Just love the soft spoken male lead. It's pretty standard in it's format but the mysteries are still very atmospheric and takes advantage of the art during the revelation scenes.
(Note: Dark color palette, not much tropes used to make it funnier or light hearted)
Eve no Jiken
In the future there are androids everywhere who serve humanity. No one really thinks twice about it not even the main character Rikuo until something suggests his android has a will of her own leads him to a cafe where humans and androids are treated as equals.
I feel like this one I feel it's more thought provoking as every episode causes the main character to challenge things he's always believed and trying to play with the morals of a sentient being who is not considered human.
(Note: here because one episode addresses adult relationship)
Casshern sins
In the distant future, where cyborgs and humans struggle to survive after the war which destroyed the world, Casshern walks while knowing nothing but the fact that everyone hates him and wants him dead.
Every episode deals with how people treat an inevitable death. It's gorgeous. Watch it.
Kino's journey
This is an episodic anime following Kino as she visits different cities all with extreme policies and beliefs which she watches unfold as a bystander. And by bystander I mean she has a strict non interference policy so if you can't stand by and let your main characters do nothing against injustice you won't be able to sit and watch this.
(Note: has a subdued color palette and many silent moments, very noir in how it's stories end)
Paradise kiss
Paradise Kiss chronicles the experiences of Yukari, a student of a prestigious school who is scouted to be a model with a designer named George.
This anime is ambiguous on whether her experience is for all for the better which I respect. The narration is very neutral and doesn't seem to be for or against since while she does change for the better there are definitely some issues with the relationship and even in her dubious decisions, seen in how she isn't happy with everything and how not all the changes in her life are beneficial. But the anime is very true to chronicling that this is an IMPORTANT experience towards shaping Yukari.
(Note: on the mature list for 2 explicit scenes)
We were there
Girl meets boy, at first she doesn't like him but can't help it and falls for his charms. This simple premise is the one that sets up the drama of We were there. Yet for it's simple innocent shoujo set up the way it goes there's always this sense that there's something off with the characters, their extreme actions, their extreme feelings, their seemingly simple choices, something the anime doesn't exactly ignore but never goes too far with. It's surprising how dark the turns in the plot or characters are in contrast to it's looks like a prime example of a cute and innocent shoujo with it's soft colors and simple art style. Yet if anything the contrast adds to the experience.
Don't know the last time you thought "break my fingers" was a romantic line
And in an annoyingly realistic turn of events the show pretty much says that in life there are no right answers which can be irritating when an obvious choice is convoluted by the feelings of the mains but still understandable in how nothing is simple. Any decision seems to end in heartbreak but the mains still try to stay true and keep their love alive.
(Note: touches on mature material with one semi-explicit scene)
Any mature anime you feel are underrated?
What do you consider mature?
Thank you for reading and I hope I gave you some new anime to consider.
Definition 3: no one has heard of it but you, making it a hidden gem that unfortunately leaves its future survival to small groups of dedicated advocates but more likely than not will be forgotten with the sands of time.
Of course this is slightly exaggerated since I'm sure most of you will be able to point out one or two you recognize or even watched or not even have a same definition of Mature as me. The type of anime on this will be mature in content or themes but I'm also including art style or subdued color palettes so if you like bright colors and fun dere tropes these shows won't be up your alley.
Bokurano
This series centers around a group of kids who find themselves piloting a Mecha to save the world from invaders, dream come true right? WRONG! To pilot the said Mecha each child will immediately die after piloting it, causing them to panic, come to terms with their fate and look at their lives to find something worth saving or fighting for.
(Note: on the Mature list is because on top of children dropping like flies it deals with some taboo issues as well.)
Gunslinger girl
A secret agency gives girls cybernetic limbs and conditions them to be agents against terrorist and the episodes look into the effects of this life on the girls.I feel like this one is a hard one to suggest since some people dismiss it for not having enough action until the latter half but they miss that for most intents and purposes this is an anime that wants you first to care about the fates of the girls.
(Note: non-fanservice light nudity, mention of child violence, not treated as loli with a gun)
Boogiepop phantom
One of the few anime that i refused to watch at night because it terrified me so. A collection of tales connected by a night when everything started to go horribly wrong. It is genuinely terrifying. Each tale ending with something disturbing, the art and sound working together to make you utterly uncomfortable. In terms of overall story it's pretty much held together thinly and is more about how each episode stands alone.
(Note: black/grey and white color palette, touches on uncomfortable subjects)
Petshop of horrors
Welcome to the pet shop with "special" pets to help what ails you, but beware the consequences should you not follow the Count's care taking instructions. This is a rather short anime and has a funny way of revealing the character's weaknesses and faults by seeing their interactions with the pets they get. It's an interesting way to look at human failure.
(Note: addressing addiction, nudity)
Ghost Hound
When 3 boys start to astral body project (man is that a mouthful) they will have to come to terms with their traumatic pasts and thread them together to find out how it will help their future. While some things don't click or come totally full circle I feel that just the psychological discussion in this is fascinating.
(Note: simple color palette, goes into psychology, touches on murder and thematic elements)
((another note omg I sound like one of those rating systems))
Karakuri zoushi ayatsuri sakon
This ventriloquist uses his skills to solve locked room murders. Just love the soft spoken male lead. It's pretty standard in it's format but the mysteries are still very atmospheric and takes advantage of the art during the revelation scenes.
(Note: Dark color palette, not much tropes used to make it funnier or light hearted)
Eve no Jiken
In the future there are androids everywhere who serve humanity. No one really thinks twice about it not even the main character Rikuo until something suggests his android has a will of her own leads him to a cafe where humans and androids are treated as equals.
I feel like this one I feel it's more thought provoking as every episode causes the main character to challenge things he's always believed and trying to play with the morals of a sentient being who is not considered human.
(Note: here because one episode addresses adult relationship)
Casshern sins
In the distant future, where cyborgs and humans struggle to survive after the war which destroyed the world, Casshern walks while knowing nothing but the fact that everyone hates him and wants him dead.
Every episode deals with how people treat an inevitable death. It's gorgeous. Watch it.
Kino's journey
This is an episodic anime following Kino as she visits different cities all with extreme policies and beliefs which she watches unfold as a bystander. And by bystander I mean she has a strict non interference policy so if you can't stand by and let your main characters do nothing against injustice you won't be able to sit and watch this.
(Note: has a subdued color palette and many silent moments, very noir in how it's stories end)
Paradise kiss
Paradise Kiss chronicles the experiences of Yukari, a student of a prestigious school who is scouted to be a model with a designer named George.
This anime is ambiguous on whether her experience is for all for the better which I respect. The narration is very neutral and doesn't seem to be for or against since while she does change for the better there are definitely some issues with the relationship and even in her dubious decisions, seen in how she isn't happy with everything and how not all the changes in her life are beneficial. But the anime is very true to chronicling that this is an IMPORTANT experience towards shaping Yukari.
(Note: on the mature list for 2 explicit scenes)
We were there
Girl meets boy, at first she doesn't like him but can't help it and falls for his charms. This simple premise is the one that sets up the drama of We were there. Yet for it's simple innocent shoujo set up the way it goes there's always this sense that there's something off with the characters, their extreme actions, their extreme feelings, their seemingly simple choices, something the anime doesn't exactly ignore but never goes too far with. It's surprising how dark the turns in the plot or characters are in contrast to it's looks like a prime example of a cute and innocent shoujo with it's soft colors and simple art style. Yet if anything the contrast adds to the experience.
Don't know the last time you thought "break my fingers" was a romantic line
And in an annoyingly realistic turn of events the show pretty much says that in life there are no right answers which can be irritating when an obvious choice is convoluted by the feelings of the mains but still understandable in how nothing is simple. Any decision seems to end in heartbreak but the mains still try to stay true and keep their love alive.
(Note: touches on mature material with one semi-explicit scene)
Any mature anime you feel are underrated?
What do you consider mature?
Thank you for reading and I hope I gave you some new anime to consider.
