10 Underrated Anime That Deserved A Longer Run (Including an Incomplete Masterpiece)

A common reason why some anime aren’t well-known is simply that they’re too short. If a series doesn’t have enough episodes to tell a satisfying, complete story – particularly if it’s based on a longer source material that it doesn’t finish adapting – it’s likely to be forgotten.

It’s frustrating when an anime gets canceled too soon, because many promising shows never get a chance to truly shine. There are a lot of hidden gems that could have become popular if they’d just had a few more episodes, and it’s a shame to see their stories cut short. Hopefully, some of these unfinished anime will get the chance to conclude their narratives in the future.

10) BNA: Brand New Animal

Studio Trigger’s *BNA: Brand New Animal* is set in a world where humans and animal-human hybrids, known as beastmen, struggle to get along. Beastmen have created a special city called Anima City as a safe haven. When Michiru Kagemori unexpectedly turns into a beastman after receiving a blood transfusion, she goes to Anima City seeking refuge and to find her friend, Nazuna, who has disappeared.

Although *BNA: Brand New Animal* had the same energetic and wild style as other Studio Trigger works, its limited number of episodes forced it to quickly wrap up the story, leaving many plot points feeling incomplete. Unresolved endings are common in Studio Trigger anime, but it was particularly disappointing to see it happen with *BNA*, which had so much promise.

9) Good Luck Girl!

The anime *Good Luck Girl!* centers around Ichiko Sakura, a girl blessed with incredible luck, which has also made her quite conceited. Her life takes a turn when she encounters Momiji Binbouda, a goddess of misfortune, who explains that Ichiko’s extreme luck is disrupting the natural order. Momiji is determined to restore balance, even if Ichiko doesn’t cooperate.

Good Luck Girl! was a funny and enjoyable comedy with some genuinely sweet moments. It’s a shame the anime was cut short before it could develop all of its characters and storylines – the final episode even acknowledged this! Considering how good the original manga is, it’s disappointing that a continuation seems unlikely.

8) Deadman Wonderland

Framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Ganta Igarashi is imprisoned in Deadman Wonderland, a unique prison where inmates possess the ability to turn their blood into weapons. Now, Ganta must battle for his freedom and uncover the truth behind his wrongful conviction.

I remember when *Deadman Wonderland* first came out – it was a huge success with anime fans, especially here! It really helped put Toonami back on the map. It’s a shame though, because it didn’t catch on as much in Japan, so it’s unlikely we’ll ever see the rest of the story animated. It feels like the anime will always be incomplete, sadly.

7) Dark Gathering

Keitaro Gentoga just wants to experience a normal college life, even though he can sense the supernatural world. But everything changes when he meets Yayoi, a girl who shares his abilities. She pulls him into her quest to capture and control dangerous spirits, all in preparation for a fight against the spirit that took her mother’s soul.

Even though the animation and artwork in *Dark Gathering* aren’t always top-notch, the show consistently delivered as an exciting action-horror thanks to its engaging story, thrilling action, and imaginative monster designs. It’s been two years since the first season ended, and fans are understandably frustrated by the lack of news, especially since it finished setting up what looked to be its most ambitious story arc yet.

6) No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular

Silver Link’s *No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular* follows Tomoko Kuroki, a shy and introverted anime fan who thinks she can apply strategies from dating simulation games to become more popular. However, her social awkwardness leads to isolation, and she becomes increasingly cynical and the subject of humorous, embarrassing situations.

The anime *No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular* started as a funny, awkward comedy, but it really found its footing when it began to focus more on everyday life. This shift happened naturally thanks to the well-developed characters. Sadly, the series ended before it could fully explore this new direction, leaving many viewers unaware of its potential.

5) Shy

I’ve been following the story of *Shy* by 8bit, and it’s set in a time after the world’s superheroes managed to avert World War III. Things had settled into a peaceful period, but now a new threat, an organization called Amarariku, is emerging. It looks like the heroes will have to team up again to save the day, and surprisingly, it’s Teru Momijiyama – Shy, Japan’s famously introverted hero – who’s taking the lead.

Shy is a really engaging superhero story, cleverly combining elements of both traditional superhero narratives and magical girl stories. It feels like a spiritual successor to the popular anime *My Hero Academia*. Sadly, the series didn’t gain a large audience, so despite a lot of source material still available, a continuation seems unlikely.

4) No Game No Life

In the anime *No Game No Life*, siblings Sora and Shiro are unexpectedly taken to a new world called Disboard, where all conflicts are resolved through games. They decide to use their incredible gaming abilities to help Imanity – the world’s human race – rise to power, all while trying to find a way back to their own world.

No Game No Life quickly became popular due to its smart storytelling and distinctive art style, and it remains highly enjoyable even after eleven years. The long wait for a second season is now a running joke among fans, but with so many other light novels recently getting new seasons, there’s still a chance it might happen someday.

3) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury

Set in the year 122 of the Ad Stella timeline, *Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury* explores a world with growing conflict between those who live in space (Spacians) and those on Earth (Earthians). Amidst this tension, Suletta Mercury simply wants to attend school and build friendships, but her plans are quickly derailed by political schemes, acts of terrorism, and a shocking engagement to the academy’s princess.

I was so hyped for *The Witch from Mercury* – it started out absolutely perfect, everything I could ask for in a new *Gundam* series! But honestly, the second half just didn’t deliver. It felt rushed and the story became a real mess, which made the ending really disappointing. This show really highlighted why *Gundam* anime usually run for a full year – it clearly needed that time to breathe and develop properly.

2) Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic

In A-1 Pictures’ *Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic*, people brave dangerous dungeons hoping to find riches and gain power. Aladdin and Alibaba are two adventurers who quickly become caught up in a huge plot that could decide the destiny of their world.

With its exciting action, detailed world, and clever political storylines, *Magi* is a fantastic anime from the 2010s that doesn’t get enough recognition. Similar to *No Game No Life*, fans often complain about the limited amount of content, but there’s still hope for a continuation of the series.

1) The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya

In the anime *The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya*, a boy named Kyon is strong-armed into joining Haruhi Suzumiya’s SOS Brigade, a club whose goal is to discover the supernatural. Unbeknownst to Haruhi, the other members of the club *are* the supernatural beings she’s searching for. They’re secretly watching over her, as she possesses incredible, god-like powers that they must keep hidden from her.

Known for its beautiful animation and smart, well-written story, *Haruhi* was once incredibly popular worldwide. However, because the anime didn’t fully adapt the original source material, it’s become less well-known among people who aren’t dedicated fans. Recent special projects have shown that *Haruhi* still has a strong following, making it a prime example of an anime that deserved to be continued.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/best-underrated-anime-that-desperately-need-another-season/embed/#

2025-10-05 22:12