5 Near-Perfect Anime in Crunchyroll No One Talks About

While some anime fade from memory after being removed from streaming platforms, becoming inaccessible to viewers, others get lost within Crunchyroll’s vast catalog. Whether it is because they steer clear of industry tropes,being niche titles that appeal to a smaller audience—or because they were released several years ago, some of Crunchyroll’s forgotten anime are true gems that lack the popularity they deserve, even though they are just a search away.

The fact that not all anime maintain their popularity over time or spark major ongoing debates in the community is natural given the industry’s ever-changing landscape and the constant influx of new seasonal series, which takes away the interest in exploring non-mainstream titles. But even if some shows fade from the spotlight, it doesn’t directly correlate with the quality of their stories, nor does it necessarily mean they are outdated or not worth watching. These forgotten anime on Crunchyroll are near-perfect works, enjoyable for those watching them for the first time or revisiting them for a dose of nostalgia.

Casshern Sins

Despite being one of the anime series that aired on the popular Toonami block, Casshern Sins has gradually been forgotten over the years. The anime is a reboot of the classic 1973 series Neo-Human Casshern, animated by Madhouse, and brings a completely different look to the story. Instead of depicting the conflicts between robots and humans targeting a younger audience like the original series, Casshern Sins makes full use of the series’ overlying mature, existential themes with a heavy, immersive atmosphere.

Casshern Sins is a reimagining that recontextualizes the role of the hero. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a nearly immortal android warrior, devoid of memory, is relentlessly hunted by robots seeking to devour him to survive. Although its gloomy worldview might not appeal to every viewer, the anime presents various stories that delve into the nature of humanity and the personal desires harbored deep within the characters, ultimately evolving into a tale that celebrates life itself.

Focusing on how Casshern questions his own existence through the people he encounters and on the fate of those who have lost their purpose, the series also delivers plenty of action, including numerous hand-to-hand combat sequences that stand out for their high-quality animation and exceptional soundtrack. At first glance, Casshern Sins might seem inaccessible, but it possesses a unique charm that manages to speak to viewers in a deep way, prompting them to question a thing or two about life.

Shadows House

Shadows House is an intriguing anime where nothing is quite what it seems. As a slice-of-life series primarily focused on unraveling secrets, it failed to achieve the same impact as The Promised Neverland, lacking the tension and high stakes that characterize modern dark fantasy. Even so, it stands out for featuring some of the best world-building among new-gen anime, creating a complex structure that continually expands within the confines of a single mansion.

The series follows Emilico, a living doll whose role is to serve and become the face of one of the masters of Shadows House, who are not regular humans but blacked-out shadows that emit soot. Through this fascinating setting, Shadows House is a mystery-driven work that takes its time explaining and making the viewers learn the workings of the mansion and the motivations of each character.

However, in addition to its well-constructed story, Shadows House doesn’t let out the visual side, putting effort into the animation and direction that emphasizes the series’ murky atmosphere and its unique Victorian aesthetics. It maintains suspense throughout, all while dropping clues for the audience to piece together.

Planetes

From the same creator as Vinland Saga, Planetes deserves more attention, especially since it remains fresh despite releasing more than two decades ago. A blend of space opera and slice-of-life, the series follows the members of a department responsible for collecting space debris, a job far removed from the glamour expected of astronauts, as it essentially amounts to picking up junk.

While it may lack the intensity of a typical space-battle anime, Planetes shines through the realism of its characters. It portrays not only a workplace environment where individuals with conflicting values ​​clash, but also the struggles of pursuing dreams and the fundamental need to forge connections.

The series also touches upon environmental themes and the impact of technological advancement on society and politics, yet it remains grounded in human drama. Despite its slow pace, Planetes successfully engages the viewer throughout its 26 episodes, getting them invested in the changes experienced by the characters as the story progresses. Furthermore, the beauty of the space landscapes is rendered with meticulous animation and attention to detail, delivering viewers an experience that is as beautiful as it is deeply rewarding.

Sonny Boy

Even though it was nominated at the 2022 Crunchyroll Awards, Sonny Boy is not a title that frequently comes up in anime discussions. Although it’s arguably one of the greatest isekai series of all time, its limited popularity stems from the fact that its story isn’t for everyone, with an abstract concept and a jumbled narrative that can be difficult to follow.

In Sonny Boy, a group of high school students and their school building are transported to another dimension, where some of them acquire unique superpowers. Although it ostensibly begins with the characters trying to adapt to a voided world while seeking ways to coexist and return to their reality, the anime doesn’t offer the kind of satisfaction and comfort that comes from directly unraveling every piece of the story.

Sonny Boy is an unpredictable story in which its multidimensional setting serves merely as a vehicle to explore the turbulent transition from childhood to adulthood through the characters’ individual perceptions of the world, emotional issues, and frustrations. The anime also addresses themes such as isolation, peer pressure, social discomfort, and bullying, with its philosophical exploration further enriched by a wealth of symbolism and featuring impressively high-quality animation. This makes Sonny Boy a fitting option for those who enjoy bittersweet coming-of-age stories that offer plenty of food for thought.

Kaiba

Although Masaaki Yuasa is widely recognized for directing Devilman: Crybaby, his earlier work Kaiba has faded into obscurity over the years, despite being one of the best sci-fi anime of recent times. With an avant-garde, psychedelic animation that appears childlike and evokes the style of Osamu Tezuka (yet at times borders on the grotesque), Kaiba follows an amnesiac protagonist who wakes up in a world where memories can be digitized, commercialized, and rewritten and where consciousness itself can be transferred to another body.

What begins with the audience sharing Kaiba’s confusion as he tries to make sense of his surroundings evolves into a gritty, profound exploration of human nature and existence, depicting a decadent, hedonistic society. Through a diverse cast of characters, the anime tackles harsh themes, ranging from various forms of perversion to social inequality, and presents thought-provoking stories that can connect with viewers on a soul level, all set against an almost intoxicating, dreamlike atmosphere.

By prompting all kinds of reflections on the true meaning of memories while also offering a straightforward love story, Kaiba strikes an excellent balance between its quirkiness and brilliance. Even if it isn’t the kind of story that goes mainstream, Kaiba is one of the most original anime series streaming on Crunchyroll, one that deserves to be watched at least once, as it will undoubtedly leave a mark on viewers.