Top 10 Under-appreciated And Obscure Anime Update 03/2024

obscure anime characters

Anime and manga have always been a significant part of my life, and I’ve seen a slew of them throughout the years as a huge lover of the classics. As a matter of fact, I guess I’ve seen at least 200 animes, albeit I’m not a huge fan.

However, it appears that several anime titles have faded into obscurity.

There are some shows that are doomed to fade away because of the passage of time, the audience’s age, or other considerations (such as the quality of the show and so on).

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see all of the anime titles that are available, which number in the hundreds or even thousands.

Basically, these are the titles that are rarely, if ever, mentioned in anime-related discussions. It’s not necessary for the entries on this list to be old or obscure; rather, they should be underappreciated or seldom discussed.

Number 10: Kaiketsu Zorro/ The Legend of Zorro

THE LEGEND OF ZORRO

This series is rarely talked about, and I’m curious to know how many people have seen it. To understand what was going on in the series, you had to have been a fan since the beginning.

Johnston McCulley’s character “Zorro,” who appeared in the show for 52 episodes from April 5, 1996 to April 14, 1997, was based on the series theme. Toho and Ashi Production Studios handled the production. Only 46 of the show’s 52 episodes were telecast in Japan, but it became a huge hit in Europe, particularly in Portugal and Spain.

As a child, I had the pleasure of watching this series for the first time on a cassette tape that my grandmother kept in her video cabinet. Much to my amazement, I discovered enough cassettes in discount bins at supermarkets and grocery stores to get the entire series on tape.

Diego Vega comes from abroad to see the Spanish troops persecuting the inhabitants of his hometown in The Legend of Zorro.

He is a cowardly fool by day. Zorro is a masked vigilante who protects the inhabitants of California from the Spanish troops by night, or whenever trouble arises (which is almost constantly in this series).

The action scenes are excellent. All of the characters in this story are endearing in their own unique ways. Aside from that, the humor is hilarious (especially that of the lanky Sargent Gonzales). I was in stitches just thinking about how much abuse poor Gonzales had to through while composing this!

Number 9: Samurai Gun

To get an idea for the plot of this 13-part series, imagine Batman set in medieval Japan without the superhero’s “no murdering” rule.

The anime follows a squad of rogue samurai – the titular samurai guns – as they struggle against the tyranny of the present shogunate during the beginning of the industrial revolution.

Even while the concept isn’t particularly original, it is well thought out and performed, and the animation and soundtrack add greatly to the overall experience.

The content of this show is to blame for the lack of interest it has received. In addition to the language and some explicit sexual content, there is a lot of bloodshed in this film. No one under the age of 17 should watch this.

Number 8: Perfect Blue

Perfect Blue

If you’re a fan of mystery thrillers, you might want to check out this film. In Perfect Blue, Satoshi Kon made his feature film directorial debut, based on Yoshikazu Takeuchi’s novel of the same name. Satoshi Kon would go on to become one of anime’s most prolific writers and directors.

As Mima Kirigoe leaves the music industry to pursue a career in acting, she finds herself the victim of a mystery stalker who wreaks havoc on both her physical and mental health.

Even though I’m not really frightened by anything, I couldn’t help but be terrified by this film. For months after I initially saw this, I kept an eye on my back!

Number 7: Angel Cop

From September 1, 1989 until May 20, 1994, Angel Cop played as a six-episode OVA. Geneon Universal Entertainment, Studio D.A.S.T., and SOEINSHINSA created the series for the Western market, which was licensed by Manga Entertainment for its distribution.

The story takes place at the end of the twentieth century in an alternate world. The world’s largest economy is headquartered in Japan. In an attempt to bring down the government and the economy, a terrorist group known as the Red May is waging war.

Special Security Force, an elite organization of persons able to operate outside of the law, was created by Japan’s government to hunt down terrorists.

This becomes clear as someone else begins to chase and murder terrorists before they can get to them; they aren’t alone.

The 1980s were a strange time for anime fans. Extremely violent and profanity-filled games flooded the market, and they appeared to be very popular.

And Angel Cop was no exception to this rule, as you might expect. This series has a lot of blood and gore, and I mean a lot. The use of foul language is near-constant throughout.

This is one of those “so awful it’s good” titles that I enjoy. However, if you’re searching for mindless action, this one might be right up your alley.

“If this is justice, then I’m a banana!” is one of my favorite lines in the movie.

To gain an R-rating, distributors felt that there wasn’t enough violence, gore, nudity and so on so they encouraged the voice director and voice performers to spice up the language with nearly constant profanity. This resulted in some inadvertent laughter. Fun Fact:

Number 6: Speed Racer X (1997)

Speed Racer X (1997)

From January 9th to September 24th, 1997, 34 episodes of the original Speed Racer anime were aired before it was released in English in 2002.

The plot of this film is virtually identical to that of the 1967 original. A few tiny tweaks were made, of course, to amp up the impact. You see a new series as a kid and think, “Cool! A new series!” and then a few years pass and you can’t recall it clearly enough to reject it. This is like the anime that time forgot.

Even if you’ve seen the 2008 film, you may not know much about Speed Racer’s 1997 relaunch, which is a shame because it isn’t getting any attention at all, let alone the fame that the 1967 series and 1967 manga received. It’s deserved.

Number 5: Vampire Hunter D

It’s one of my all-time favorite films, and it’s based on Hideyuki Kikuchi’s “Vampire Hunter D” novels.

When a young woman hires a vampire hunter to take out the Count Magnus Lee, who has taken a like to her, the plot revolves around D, the hunter.

To celebrate Christopher Lee, the late actor who played Dracula in several Hammer films, Magnus Lee has been renamed Magnus Lee.

Number 4: Dirty Pair

Dirty Pair

It’s safe to say that this series is the elder brother or sister of Kid Grade.

This 1985 television series was based on Haruka Takachiho’s novel series of the same name, which ran for 26 episodes. Sadly, only 24 episodes of the show were shown before it was canceled owing to low viewership. In addition, there have been a number of OVA sequels and a feature film.

Each episode features two members of an interplanetary police agency who go on missions to solve various situations.

The characters inKiddy Grade and Dirty Pair differ significantly. InKiddy Grade, Eclair and Luminiere are frequently used to solve difficulties. Kei and Yuri have a history of wreaking havoc wherever they go, and it’s easy to see why!

It’s a hoot to watch.

Number 3: Wicked City

Not recommended for the faint of heart, this 1987 neo-noir horror thrill coaster is

While a peace deal is signed between the human and demon worlds, a pair of agents is protecting a VIP. With its demons in place of the aliens from Men in Black, Wicked City is akin to a supernatural Men in Black.

Take a look if you’re interested in that sort of thing. Squeamish people may want to steer clear of the book’s title. Even the most seasoned viewers will be disturbed by the several horrific moments, which include an unexpected appearance by a tentacle monster… shudders

Number 2: Golgo 13: The Professional

Golgo 13 The Professional

The 1983 version of Golgo 13: The Professional is based on Takao Saito’s ‘Golgo 13’ manga.

Golgo 13 is a contract killer who goes on a killing spree while evading the wrath of his enraged father. I can see how this game, like Vampire Hunter D, ended up being one of the more obscure ones.

There are numerous plot holes in the novel, making it difficult to follow. The protagonist is a void with no emotional depth. Male viewers can use him to put their own fantasies and desires onto.

It’s not great, but it’s simple and entertaining to see.

Animated feature film Golgo 13: The Professional introduced computer-generated imagery (CGI) for the first time.

Number 1: Band of Ninja

If you’ve never heard of it, that’s just fine.

This picture, which was released in 1967, is notable for the fact that it does not involve any genuine animation at all. That is, in fact, what you read. Instead, the film’s director used sound-tracked still images from the manga to bring the characters to life.

Retaliating against Oda Nobunaga’s tyranny, a disgruntled feudal lord’s son discovers a rogue ninja who is aiding peasants in uprising.

Band of Ninja, on the other hand, is nearly hard to follow. To paraphrase, the story thickens rapidly in the first thirty minutes of Band of Ninja.

Within the first half hour, the viewer is essentially dumped on the plot.

After that, it’s just a wild ride! With action scenes appearing out of nowhere and then disappearing, the film’s pacing is likewise all over the place. The stills play out on-screen for long periods of time.

Considering that it was made in 1967 (when voice acting was nowhere near where it is today), and that it is essentially just comic book panels filmed and cut together to sound,Band of Ninja remainsa solid enough film, despite its flaws.