Top 10 Underrated Anime Currently Airing You Need to Watch Right Now
Let’s be honest: when seasons are packed with massive titans like Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and Oshi no Ko, it is incredibly easy for brilliant new shows to slip under the radar.
Here at AniReload, we love the big blockbusters as much as anyone, but there is something special about finding a hidden gem before everyone else catches on. If you are looking to expand your watchlist this season, here are the top 10 most underrated anime currently airing!
1. Sentenced to Be a Hero
| Title | Sentenced to Be a Hero (Yuusha-kei ni Shosu) |
| Studio | Studio Kai |
| Genre | Dark Fantasy, Action |
| Why It’s Underrated | Overshadowed by bigger fantasy sequels. |
While a lot of fantasy anime play it safe, Sentenced to Be a Hero takes a massive risk with its dark, unconventional premise. In a world where becoming a “hero” is actually a brutal form of penal servitude for the worst criminals, the protagonist Xylo is forced to fight endless hordes of enemies. It had a spectacular, movie-quality premiere that completely bypassed the casual anime crowd.
2. Shiboyugi: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table
| Title | Shiboyugi: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Genre | Psychological, Thriller, Death Game |
| Why It’s Underrated | Its intense, uncomfortable subject matter limits its mainstream appeal. |
Death game anime can sometimes feel like a dime a dozen, but Shiboyugi brings a unique, grounded desperation to the genre. With stunning art and a deeply unsettling sound design, this series explores the lengths people will go to just to survive in an unforgiving economy. It is dark, meticulously crafted, and absolutely worth your time if you love psychological thrillers.
3. You and I Are Polar Opposites
| Title | You and I Are Polar Opposites (Seihantai na Kimi to Boku) |
| Studio | Lapin Track |
| Genre | Romance, Comedy, School |
| Why It’s Underrated | Lost in the shuffle of an oversaturated rom-com market. |
The rom-com market is always crowded, but You and I Are Polar Opposites stands out through pure charm and incredible visual direction. The story of a bouncy, energetic girl and a quiet, stoic boy isn’t new, but the way the studio perfectly captures their inner monologues and chemistry is fantastic. It is a massive serotonin boost.
4. Tamon’s B-Side
| Title | Tamon’s B-Side (Tamon-kun Ima Dotchi!?) |
| Studio | J.C.Staff |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy, Idol |
| Why It’s Underrated | Idol-centric romances often get skipped by the general shonen audience. |
This show is the ultimate sleeper hit of the season. It follows Utage, a die-hard fan of the pop idol Tamon, who accidentally discovers that her favorite star’s off-stage personality is a complete, gloomy mess. It is a hilarious, lighthearted take on celebrity culture and fan expectations, backed by surprisingly great animation from J.C.Staff.
5. Journal with Witch
| Title | Journal with Witch (Ikoku Nikki) |
| Studio | Shuka |
| Genre | Slice of Life, Drama |
| Why It’s Underrated | Slow-paced, character-driven dramas rarely top the trending charts. |
If you need a palate cleanser after watching high-octane action shows, Journal with Witch is the perfect atmospheric escape. It is a slow, chill, and deeply emotional slice-of-life anime that focuses on grief, healing, and human connection. It is mature storytelling at its absolute finest.
6. The Darwin Incident
| Title | The Darwin Incident (Darwin Jihen) |
| Studio | Bellnox Films |
| Genre | Sci-Fi, Action, Thriller |
| Why It’s Underrated | Its heavily political and philosophical themes make it a niche watch. |
Based on the award-winning manga, The Darwin Incident follows a “humanzee” (half-human, half-chimpanzee) caught in the crossfire between animal rights terrorists and everyday society. It is a sharp, provocative thriller that asks hard questions, making it one of the most intellectually stimulating shows airing right now.
7. Isekai Office Worker: The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter
| Title | Isekai Office Worker |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Genre | Isekai, Fantasy, Slice of Life |
| Why It’s Underrated | The title sounds like another generic Isekai, hiding its actual quality. |
Do not let the long title fool you. This show cleverly blends the exhausting reality of corporate white-collar crunch culture with classic fantasy tropes. It’s a witty, depressing, yet incredibly relatable take on the Isekai genre that appeals heavily to older anime fans who know the pain of a 9-to-5 job.
8. Tune In to the Midnight Heart
| Title | Tune In to the Midnight Heart (Mayonaka Heart Tune) |
| Studio | Gekkou |
| Genre | Romance, Comedy, Harem |
| Why It’s Underrated | Harem fatigue prevents many from giving it a fair shot. |
While harem anime often rely on tired cliches, Tune In to the Midnight Heart brings a fantastic mystery element to the table. The protagonist is searching for a girl who inspired him through a radio broadcast years ago, and must figure out which of the female leads she is. It has a surprisingly strong narrative hook.
9. The Case Book of Arne
| Title | The Case Book of Arne (Arne no Jikenbo) |
| Studio | Silver Link |
| Genre | Mystery, Supernatural, Vampire |
| Why It’s Underrated | A quiet release with minimal pre-season marketing. |
Vampires and mysteries are a match made in heaven. The Case Book of Arne pairs a vampire detective with a young noble girl to solve supernatural crimes. It has a great gothic aesthetic, engaging puzzle-box mysteries, and a very fun dynamic between the two leads.
10. Wash It All Away
| Title | Wash It All Away (Kirei ni Shite Moraemasu ka) |
| Studio | Okuruto Noboru |
| Genre | Slice of Life, Fantasy |
| Why It’s Underrated | Its deeply relaxing, low-stakes plot flies under the radar of action junkies. |
Rounding out our list is the incredibly cozy Wash It All Away. Centered around a cheerful protagonist who runs a magical cleaning service, this show is the definition of “healing anime.” It is beautifully animated, heartwarming, and the perfect show to wind down with at the end of a long day.
