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The world of anime has ensured that there is always something to watch for all types of audiences. Fans who have been part of this world already know that anime is known for some of the best plot, animation, and an overall positive viewing experience.
And sometimes we just don't have enough time to commit and want to watch something short. While looking for popular anime movies is a no-brainer choice, this article will cover some lesser-known titles that are equally good. They simply slipped under the radar of the audience, but that should not stop them from being watched at least once.
List of 10 underrated anime movies
1) Wolf Children
This movie is directed by Mamoru Hosoda, and the story is about a woman who falls in love with the most unexpected person. Despite learning that her love interest is a werewolf, Hana continues to build a relationship with him and eventually has kids.
She gives birth to two children who share the combined traits of their parents. A turn in the story presents a sad death for the father. The female lead stays by herself to raise her children. And as a parent, she must choose between her children's happiness and putting her own ideas on them.
2) When Marnie Was There
This movie by the popular Studio Ghibli is one of their most underrated anime films. It is based on a novel by Joan G. Robinson. The story is about Anna, a socially withdrawn girl sent to the countryside due to her asthma. During her time in the countryside, she meets a girl who introduces herself as Marnie. This underrated anime movie is more than just a supernatural mystery; it’s a quiet exploration of emotional trauma, foster care, memory, and forgiveness.
3) The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
The movie presents a specific idea since it deals with time travel. The story shows Makoto, a typical high school girl who finds she can jump backward in time. For someone with this power, the film shows time travel from a different point of view.
Instead of just showing how it works, the movie talks about how people change, and how the character needs to understand the consequences of using the powers carelessly. This anime movie, which people do not praise enough, offers a sad and sweet mix of love, as well as talks about the importance of getting second chances.
4) Garden of Words
People could confuse this movie with a love story. But watching it causes viewers to think about what love truly means. The story is about two people - Takao, a young man who wants to design shoes, and Yukari, an older woman who struggles with her emotions.
On a rainy day, they meet and form a bond, and begin by discussing their troubles. This is an overlooked animated film that assures a viewer will feel strong emotions. Also, this movie has dared to explore a relationship trope where the woman is older than the man, and it is rare to see a dynamic of this sort. Finally, the animators did a great job showing small parts, like water drops - this improved the experience of watching the movie.
5) Millennium Actress
Millennium Actress follows a documentary filmmaker interviewing an aging actress named Chiyoko Fujiwara. But as the movie goes on, the main character starts to lose the difference between her roles and her real experiences.
This underrated anime movie is a masterful meditation on love, obsession, and the passage of time. It is a must-watch because the viewers cannot predict when reality and fiction begin to blur, making it a meta cinematic experience.
6) 5 Centimeters Per Second
The anime movie tells a great story - it collects three linked stories that follow Takaki Tono and his connection with Akari Shinohara; they grew up together, but their bond lessened with time and distance. Their feelings for each other stayed for years, but eventually they had to face the harsh realities of life and make a tough decision of either moving on or holding on to their feelings.
This movie shows how people grieve after separation, moving on after not taking the chance when it was the right time, and how to grow apart healthily. It doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or grand reunions - it just reveals life moving ahead, even if people do not want it to.
7) Mononke
Mononoke is a visually stunning and psychologically complex continuation of a story arc from Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales. It follows the enigmatic Medicine Seller, who travels feudal Japan exorcising evil spirits or “mononoke” by uncovering their Form, Truth, and Reason.
This underrated anime movie is a rare blend of horror, mystery, and philosophical commentary. The story itself is a multi-layered puzzle that requires emotional and historical context to solve, often drawing from Japanese folklore and its unique ukiyo-e-inspired art style.
8) The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, an anime film Isao Takahata created for Studio Ghibli, feels like a watercolor storybook brought to life. The film recounts the old Japanese legend, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. It starts with a simple cutter who finds a shining bamboo shoot. He also finds a tiny girl inside. She grows into Kaguya, a beautiful young woman whose future holds a sad secret.
Although in comparison to other films of this studio, it lacked in gathering popularity, its quiet power digs deep into how quickly things fade, how society pushes us, and how life's brief moments can still shine. Kaguya's move from grassy hills to glittering palace halls swings between joy and sorrow, and every scene is brushed with the gentle, fragile touch of pencil and paper.
9) The Boy and the Beast
In Mamoru Hosoda's The Boy and the Beast, the themes about growing up, finding a place to belong, and piecing together an identity sit at center stage. Young Ren, isolated and hurting, tumbles into a bustling realm of talking animals and soon falls under the reckless, loud tutelage of the warrior Kumatetsu.
This film blends vivid fantasy adventure with the raw ache of a coming-of-age story. In the end, Ren must face his human heart and the beast world that raised it, a choice that mirrors every teen's growing-up experience.
10) A Whisker Away
A Whisker Away is a fantasy film that shows a middle school girl named Miyo. She thinks people do not notice her in her regular life, so she changes into a cat to approach Hinode, the boy she likes. She finds it harder to change back into her human shape as she spends more time as a cat.
This anime movie uses a type of magic that blends with reality - it looks at sad feelings some teenagers have, and the way they hold back what they feel. It also looks at the wish to avoid hurt. Miyo's change to a cat stands for how far people will go to feel like others accept them. Even if it means losing their sense of self.
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So, yes, while these anime films fly under the radar, they each carry a charm all their own. Letting them roll on your screen might catch you off guard, because every hushed tale has the power to tap on your heart long after the credits.
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