7 Underrated Anime You Can Watch on Netflix Right Now

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Anime has become incredibly popular worldwide recently, and many streaming services are now offering classic and new shows. Being able to easily watch entire series on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Max has made anime even more appealing. Netflix, especially, has been adding a lot of new anime seasons and original titles. They’re staying up-to-date with what’s popular and also creating their own exclusive anime content for fans.

Many anime fans know Netflix has some excellent shows like Devilman Crybaby, Beastars, and Blue Period. However, with so many options available on streaming services, some really good titles get overlooked. This list highlights some of Netflix’s lesser-known anime that deserve more recognition and might be new discoveries for many viewers.

7) Ajin: Demi-Human

Similar to anime like Tokyo Ghoul and Gantz, Ajin: Demi-Human creates a dark and immersive world. Originally released in 2016, it consists of two seasons and a three-part film series. What makes Ajin stand out is its distinctive use of 3D CGI animation, giving it a unique and textured look. The series also explores complex topics like what it means to be human, right and wrong, and finding oneself.

The action-thriller series Ajin: Demi-Human takes place in a world where Ajin – people with the ability to revive from death and summon powerful black ghosts – live alongside humans. When ordinary high school student Kei Nagai is hit by a car and miraculously comes back to life, he discovers he’s one of them. Now a fugitive from the government, Kei must decide if he wants to remain human or accept his new, extraordinary identity.

6) Tougen Anki

If you enjoy anime like Blue Exorcist and Jujutsu Kaisen, you might like Tougen Anki. It started airing in July 2025, with the second part of its first season coming in October 2025. The show blends dark fantasy and action, delivering exciting fight scenes and a unique system for how characters gain power. Plus, Tougen Anki features a strong and well-developed cast of characters, avoiding common clichés to create a compelling story.

I’m completely hooked on Tougen Anki! It’s about a guy named Shiki Ichinose who thought he had a pretty normal life, being raised by his adoptive dad. But everything changes when they’re attacked, and his father dies. That’s when Shiki discovers he’s not human at all – he has Oni blood! It turns out his dad was one of the Momotaro, legendary hunters dedicated to wiping out Oni. But instead of killing Shiki, his dad protected him, keeping him safe from the war between the two groups. Now, fueled by revenge, Shiki goes to a special academy to learn how to control his Oni powers, hoping to track down those responsible for his father’s death and get justice.

5) Mononoke

Despite being released in 2007, the anime series Mononoke remains a hidden gem. It originally had one season of 12 episodes, and was later followed by a movie in 2024 called Mononoke The Movie: Phantom in the Rain. What sets Mononoke apart is its focus on creating a truly creepy and unsettling atmosphere, and its unique use of traditional Japanese art. With its striking visuals and self-contained stories, Mononoke is a fantastic choice for viewers who enjoy shows like Mushishi and other supernatural horror anime.

This anime is set in historical Japan during the Edo period, richly drawing on the details and complexities of that era. The story follows a mysterious Medicine Seller who travels the country, seeking out and destroying dangerous spirits that torment people. To defeat these spirits, the Medicine Seller must first understand their origins and true nature before using his special sword to banish them.

4) Great Pretender

If you’re looking for a fun and unique anime on Netflix, check out Great Pretender. Released in 2020 with 23 episodes across two seasons, it’s a surprisingly overlooked show that stands out for its lighthearted take on the crime heist genre. It’s a fast-paced, entertaining ride with plenty of humor and action. If you enjoy anime like Baccano! or Cowboy Bebop, Great Pretender is definitely worth a watch.

The anime centers around Makoto Edamura, a hopeful swindler determined to become the best in Japan. After being expertly conned by Laurent Thierry, Makoto is both angry and admiring of Thierry’s skill. He then joins Thierry’s team of con artists, and together they pull off elaborate scams around the globe. Each section of the show, called a ‘Case,’ features a new target and location for their schemes.

3) World Trigger

Released in 2014, the anime World Trigger is a standout science fiction series that rivals some of the best modern shows. With three seasons and 99 episodes, fans are eagerly awaiting news of a potential fourth season, which has been delayed due to a pause in the manga’s release. World Trigger is unique in how well it balances compelling character development with a richly detailed world. What really sets it apart are its strategic battles, which focus on teamwork and individual skill instead of over-the-top power displays.

In World Trigger, strange creatures called Neighbors begin appearing on Earth after a mysterious gate opens in Mikado City. These Neighbors threaten humanity, and the only defense comes from a newly formed organization, the National Defense Agency, which equips soldiers with powerful technology called Triggers. This technology allows them to fight back using their own internal energy. The story begins four years after the first gate appears, and follows Yuma Kuga, a humanoid Neighbor who enrolls in a local school while secretly trying to avoid detection by the Agency.

2) Pluto

For many anime enthusiasts, Astro Boy is a classic and instantly recognizable series. Pluto is a continuation of that story, revisiting a famous arc from the original and updating it for modern audiences. Released in 2023, this single-season anime (with eight episodes) blends a thrilling murder mystery with the science fiction elements that define the Astro Boy franchise. If you enjoy anime focused on complex characters and their motivations, Pluto is well worth checking out.

The story of Pluto is based on the “The Greatest Robot on Earth” storyline from Astro Boy. It follows Gesicht, a human-like robot who works as an investigator for Europol. He’s assigned to solve a series of brutal murders targeting both robots and humans. As Gesicht investigates, he begins to suspect a robot is responsible – a shocking development, as it would be the first time a robot has killed a human in years. He must quickly find the killer, who appears to be systematically eliminating the world’s most powerful robots.

1) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Many anime fans consider Cyberpunk: Edgerunners to be one of the best science fiction series of recent years. The show premiered in 2022, and a second season was announced in July 2025. With stunning visuals and animation, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a treat to watch, even just for its artistic style. Beyond its beautiful look, the show also offers a compelling story, exploring themes like the risks of technology, the problems with unchecked capitalism, and the often heartbreaking pursuit of ambition.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners centers around David Martinez, a bright and determined student struggling with poverty. After his mother is killed, he’s left with only a stolen cybernetic implant she intended as a gift. David throws away his old life and installs the implant, turning him into a fugitive criminal. He teams up with a group of outlaws, taking on risky jobs and pushing the limits of his cybernetic modifications along the way.

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2025-10-25 02:13