Most anime fans watch the most popular shows, such as Naruto or One Piece, but they may miss out on great shows that offer equally engaging viewing experiences.
Cowboy Bebop is an older show, and while the name of the show is well-known, not a lot of people watch this series. It was one of the first anime shows to kick off in America.
The show follows a group of bounty hunters: Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and Ein. On the surface, the show portrays stylish action and a jazz-packed theme, but the series really explores regret, loneliness, and the wrongs of the past.
Another show is Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals, which is a direct spin-off of Naruto: Shippuden. The show is a comedy that depicts a character named Rock Lee and adventures with his friends. This allows other characters in the Naruto universe to gain popularity and development.
Though most of the episodes are purely for comedic relief, some episodes describe a deeper meaning in Rock Lee’s life. Those episodes show the meaning of hard work, perseverance, and determination throughout Rock Lee’s life.
Dan Da Dan is a new, up-and-coming show that makes for an amazing binge experience. The show follows Momo Ayase and Okarun as they battle aliens, ghosts, and demons. While testing each other’s beliefs, they encounter real monsters and work together to take them down.
Dan Da Dan is also a great starting point for watching anime for people interested in the genre. It is a short, 12-episode show and is set up for a second season.
Arguably, the best show on this list is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which is not to be confused with the show’s earlier adaptation, Fullmetal Alchemist. The story follows Ed, the older brother, and Al Elric, the younger brother. The two need to restore their bodies using alchemy after a tragic experiment goes wrong.
The show has an emotional story that handles the dynamic between brothers as they recover their lives. The show explores themes like sacrifice, tragedy, and loss. Through their tragedies, the brothers maintain their morals, humanity, and their bond.
More shows that are spin-offs of their popular counterparts, like Boruto: Naruto Next Generations and My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which are spin-offs of Naruto and My Hero Academia, are worth watching as well.
Though most people will likely watch Attack on Titan, Death Note, or Solo Leveling to kick off their anime watching experience, they should consider One Punch Man. One Punch Man is an action-comedy about Saitama, who defeats any opponent with a single punch.
Each show provides a different perspective on issues in the world. As anime becomes more popular, there will be more great, underrated shows that will be developed.
