10 Most Underrated Short Anime for Beginners

More and more people are getting interested in anime, and many want to start watching. But with so many series available – many of which are very long or have several seasons – it can be tough to know where to begin. It’s worth noting that a lot of popular anime fall into the battle shonen genre, but there’s a huge variety of anime out there. Shorter series are often passed over, even though they frequently have compelling stories and interesting characters. These are perfect for newcomers who aren’t ready to commit to a longer show right away. You can find a great starting point with these often overlooked gems.

I’ve noticed a frustrating trend: so many promising, lesser-known anime shows get started but never finished. Fans can end up waiting years for a continuation, only to have the studio abandon the project altogether. That’s why we put together this list – 10 short, complete anime that I think everyone, from newcomers to seasoned anime watchers, should really check out. We wanted to highlight shows that actually deliver a satisfying conclusion, so you won’t be left hanging! You can find more details here.

10) Guardian of the Sacred Spirit

If you enjoy stories with strong, well-developed female characters, you’ll likely be captivated by this show from the start. The anime is set in a fantastical world inspired by medieval Japan, with elements of Chinese and Mongolian cultures. It’s a historical story that centers on two individuals who initially don’t know each other. Balsa, a skilled female warrior who travels the land, is employed by the Prince’s mother to protect Prince Chagum from attempts on his life.

To make matters even more difficult, the young prince’s father is trying to kill him, believing he is controlled by a spirit of the water. The kingdom’s priests think Chagum will cause a severe drought. Balsa manages to save him from an attack and they go into hiding together. As they journey across the land, they develop a strong connection, and the real story behind Chagum’s possession begins to emerge.

9) Eden of the East

This critically acclaimed sci-fi mystery, which also features a love story, isn’t as popular as it should be. The story begins following a strange terrorist attack where Japan was targeted by missiles, but surprisingly, no one was injured. This event, called “Careless Monday,” was quickly overlooked, and life returned to normal for most people. Three months later, Saki Morimi, a college student, goes to America for her graduation trip and meets Akira Takizawa, a peculiar man who has lost his memory. He suffers from amnesia.

He can’t remember anything about his past, but he thinks he’s a terrorist – and he has a peculiar cell phone loaded with 8.2 billion yen in digital money. Even with this strange behavior, Saki quickly becomes friends with him, and they both find themselves caught up in a deadly game as the surprising reality of Careless Monday is revealed.

8) Given

This sad and beautiful Boys’ Love anime had just one season before continuing its story through three anime movies, each focusing on a different couple. The main story revolves around Mafuyu Sato, a quiet high school student who always carries a Gibson guitar, even though he doesn’t know how to play. Ritsuka Uenoyama, a classmate and skilled guitarist, notices the guitar’s broken strings and reluctantly agrees to fix them.

Impressed by Ritsuka’s skill, Mafuyu asks him for guitar lessons and subsequently becomes part of his group. Throughout the story, Mafuyu confronts past difficulties and rekindles his passion for music with Ritsuka’s help. The narrative delves into the intricate connections and complex relationships between those in Mafuyu’s life, all of whom share a bond through music.

7) Ghost Hunt

Ghost Hunt is a horror show with a unique twist – it’s surprisingly funny and upbeat, managing to stay suspenseful without being too scary. It hasn’t gotten much attention lately, but it’s really worth watching. The series centers on Mai Taniyama, a 16-year-old student who loves telling ghost stories with her friends. She gets intrigued when she learns that paranormal investigators are exploring a haunted, abandoned school building.

After unintentionally damaging some valuable equipment, Mai finds herself manipulated into working for Kazuya Shibuya, a 17-year-old who investigates ghosts and leads Shibuya Psychic Research. Along with Kazuya’s team-which includes a monk, a Catholic priest, a Shinto priestess, and a well-known spiritual medium-Mai discovers that ghosts and spirits are much more than just imagined stories.

6) 91 Days

I just finished watching this psychological thriller, and it’s a real nail-biter! It’s an original series from Shuka, and honestly, I was completely gripped from beginning to end. The story centers around Angelo Lagusa, a young boy living in a town called Lawless. He experienced something truly horrific – he witnessed the brutal murder of his parents and little brother at the hands of the Vanetti mafia family.

Devastated by a terrible event, he abandoned his identity and left his home. Now calling himself Avilio Bruno, he returns after seven years, driven by a mysterious letter and a thirst for revenge against the Vanetti family. Avilio unexpectedly forms a friendship with Nero, the son of the Vanetti don, and embarks on a violent quest for retribution. He begins a bloody path to get his vengeance.

5) Nodame Cantabile

Many popular music anime, like Given and Your Lie in April, tend to be sad and dramatic. That’s what makes Nodame Cantabile so different – it’s a cheerful and uplifting show. The story centers on Megumi Noda (nicknamed Nodame) and Shinichi Chiaki, both piano students at a Japanese music school. Despite both being talented pianists, they are very different people. Nodame is relaxed and simply loves playing music, while Shinichi is a strict perfectionist who wants to become a conductor, and also plays the violin.

He’s amazed by Nodame’s natural skill, but quickly discovers she lacks the drive to succeed in the music world. He’s shocked to find out she lives next door and is annoyed by her messiness. Meanwhile, Nodame completely falls for him and relentlessly pursues his attention. Thus begins their unpredictable love story, as they navigate their musical ambitions and offer each other support along the way.

4) Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

This touching story beautifully portrays the power of childhood friendships, the pain of loss, and the enduring nature of grief. It gently examines how bonds formed in youth can stay with us, creating both happy and sad memories. We follow Jinta Yadomi, a boy who mostly stays home playing video games, avoiding interaction with his peers. Jinta used to be a very social person, but his life changed dramatically following a sudden and tragic event.

But things take a turn when Jinta is confronted by his childhood friend, Meiko Honma (Menma), who asks him about a promise he made but seems to have forgotten. He initially thinks he’s imagining things, as Menma passed away years earlier. It doesn’t take long, though, for him to realize that she’s actually a spirit, unable to rest in peace. Jinta then reconnects with his old group of friends-who drifted apart after Menma’s death-and does everything he can to help her find peace and move on.

3) The Piano Forest

This touching story about love and personal development beautifully portrays the power of music and the commitment it takes to achieve your goals. It’s inspired by the critically acclaimed manga created by Makoto Isshiki, and centers on Kai Ichinose, a boy who had a difficult childhood in a troubled neighborhood. He finds solace by playing an old piano he discovered in the woods. Although Kai has never had piano lessons, he manages to create lovely music, almost as if the instrument is playing *with* him.

It’s particularly unusual that only Kai can play the damaged piano. This talent gets noticed by Sosuke Ajino, who was once a brilliant pianist himself but now teaches. Alongside Kai, Shuehei Amamiya – the son of a well-known pianist – is also determined to achieve his goal of becoming a fantastic pianist. As both boys work towards success, they encounter numerous obstacles in the highly competitive world of music.

2) Dororo

Inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s 1967 manga, Dororo is a fresh take on the 1969 anime series, Dororo to Hyakkimaru. The story is gripping and explores the incredible hardships of its main character, who relentlessly fights for his place in the world. Daigo Kagemitsu, an ambitious and selfish samurai lord, made a deal with twelve demons to save his failing territory. He was willing to sacrifice anything – even the life of his own unborn child – to achieve his ambitions.

I witnessed the incredible story of a boy born without limbs, a nose, eyes, ears, or even skin, but somehow, he lived. Abandoned and left to fate, he was rescued by a compassionate man who crafted prosthetics and weapons for him, giving him a chance to grow up. This led him on a quest to vanquish the demons responsible for taking his body parts as offerings. Along the way, he met Dororo, a young orphan who, after losing his parents, had been forced to survive on his own and decided to join the boy on his journey.

1) Sonny Boy

This critically acclaimed original series from Madhouse studio is perfect for anyone who loves a good mystery, especially if you enjoy stories that are thought-provoking, visually stunning, and push the limits of what’s real. The story starts with 36 middle school students-including Nagara, Nozomi, and Mizuho-who suddenly find themselves in a strange place called “This World.” This new realm has its own unique laws, and the students quickly realize they’ve each developed special, supernatural powers.

While adjusting to this unfamiliar world, the students face many difficulties and conflicts, both from outside and within themselves. Each individual must overcome personal obstacles and solve the world’s mysteries, all while trying to find a path back home. It’s a journey of self-discovery and resilience.

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2025-10-03 15:13