Let’s be honest, finding a great anime that no one else seems to know about is one of the best feelings ever. While everyone’s talking about the latest blockbuster hits, Crunchyroll is silently stacked with hidden treasures that really deserve so much more attention. If you’re ready to break free from the usual watch lists, here are ten underrated anime gems worth streaming right now-counted down in reverse, because saving the best for last just feels right.
10. Hula Fulla Dance
If you’re in the mood for something gentle, emotional, and unexpectedly powerful, Hula Fulla Dance is a perfect pick. This heartwarming movie follows Hiwa, a recent high school grad who joins a troupe of hula dancers at a real-life resort in Iwaki City. Beneath that cheerful surface is a moving story of grief, recovery, and connection, again inspired by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Hiwa’s growth-and her bond with her fellow dancers- make this a deeply affecting feel-good film. Sweet, funny, and quietly profound.
9. Burn the Witch
From Bleach creator Tite Kubo comes Burn the Witch, a stylish, dragon-filled adventure set in Reverse London, where mythical creatures coexist with modern life. Don’t expect a typical magical girl anime-this one swaps glitter for grit, with two witch heroines who tackle rogue dragons and bureaucratic nonsense in equal measure. The world-building is sharp, the visuals are slick, and it radiates Kubo’s trademark flair. Short, punchy, and absolutely dripping with attitude, Burn the Witch proves that less really can be more.
8. Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San
Anyone who’s worked in customer service will instantly relate to Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San. Based on the creator’s real-life experience as a bookstore employee, this absurdist comedy stars- yes, a skeleton trying to survive retail hell. Between clueless customers and chaotic coworkers, Honda-San turns workplace frustrations into hilarious vignettes. It’s quirky, fast-paced, and full of humor that hits surprisingly hard for a show about books and bones.
7. Sasaki and Peeps
Think you’ve seen every twist on the isekai genre? Think again, because Sasaki and Peeps flip the formula with a reverse isekai premise: a lonely office worker adopts a pet bird that happens to be a magical sage from another world. Suddenly, Sasaki’s life is filled with sorcery, chaos, and magical girl mayhem. It’s equal parts comedy, fantasy, and slice-of-life charm, a light, unpredictable series that’s just fun from start to finish.
6. Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside
Sometimes, the best adventure is slowing down. Banished from the Hero’s Party trades in epic battles for cozy vibes, following Gideon-a hero’s brother who decides he is done saving the world-and instead opens an apothecary and tries to live peacefully, until love and destiny come knocking again. It’s comforting, character-driven storytelling about starting over, finding happiness outside of the spotlight. Think of it as a fantasy slice-of-life with real heart.
5. Buddy Daddies
If Spy x Family made you smile, Buddy Daddies will absolutely steal your heart. The show follows two assassins, Kazuki and Rei, who end up with a little girl named Miri after a mission has gone wrong. Chaos quickly turns into a touching story of found family and unlikely fatherhood. It is funny, action-packed, and unexpectedly emotional, proof that even hired killers can have soft sides.
4. Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun
Demon School! Iruma-Kun might just be the most joyful isekai you’ve ever watched. So, when a kind-hearted human boy gets sold to a demon and is enrolled in a school for monsters, naturally, hijinks will ensue. What really sets this show apart, however, is its infectious energy: every episode bursts with color, humor, and heart. Beneath all the silliness, though, lies a story of belonging and self-discovery that’s actually pretty touching. With another season on the way, now’s the perfect time to dive in.
3. Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
A masterpiece for artists and dreamers alike, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! Celebrates creativity in all its chaotic glory. It tells the story of three girls deciding to make their own anime, where imagination and reality mix in ways only Masaaki Yuasa could pull off. The animation itself morphs as they brainstorm, turning literally from sketches to living, breathing worlds. It’s eccentric, heartfelt, and completely unique-a love letter to the power of imagination.
2. Golden Kamuy
If you love history, adventure, and a touch of insanity, Golden Kamuy is your next obsession. Following veteran Saichi Sugimoto and Ainu huntress Asirpa as they chase a stash of gold hidden away, guided by tattooed clues on escaped convicts, the series takes place in post-war Japan. What makes it stand out is its balance of gritty realism, cultural respect for Ainu traditions, and bursts of wild humor. It’s smart, thrilling, and utterly one-of-a-kind.
1. The Ancient Magus’ Bride
First up is The Ancient Magus’ Bride, a hauntingly beautiful fantasy romance that feels like a fairy tale for grown-ups. Chise, a lonely orphan, is bought by Elias, a mysterious magus with the skull of a beast, to become both his apprentice and his link to humanity. The series weaves British folklore, dark magic, and heartfelt emotion into a story as enchanting as it is unsettling. It is indeed the crown jewel of Crunchyroll’s hidden catalog, boasting breathtaking art and deeply emotional storytelling.
Next time you’re scrolling through Crunchyroll, skip the trending page and look a little deeper; you might find your new favorite series. These underrated anime gems further prove that some of the best stories aren’t always the loudest ones; they’re just waiting for the right viewer to discover them.