The2010swere a defining decade foranime. It was when the culture was shifting, the industry was experimenting with genres, and global reach was unprecedented. Streaming services were on the rise and making it easier for fans to discover and watch new series. Some anime from this decade, such asAttack on Titan,Hunter x Hunter,One Punch Man, andMy Hero Academia, dominated the charts and discussions and ended up earning fanbases that continue to thrive today. Others, likeSteins;GateandMarch Comes in Like a Lionbecame cult favorites.
However, anime is a medium overflowing with hundreds of new releases every year, and not each one ends upgetting the same popularity. For every massive hit, there is an overlooked gem that fades into obscurity. An anime may burn bright upon release only to dwindle because of its niche appeal or an oversaturated market. Another may be ambitious but failed to connect with a wider audience.
This list counts down 10 forgotten anime from the 2010s that have already become obscure and disappeared from collective memory.
10’M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane' (2014)
The world ofM3: Sono Kuriki Haganeis engulfed by an abyss known as the Lightless Realm and humanity is in despair. The void, a manifestation of human suffering, births monstrous entities called Admonitions. Their threat leaves eight individuals, all dealing with their own burdens, to team up and pilot Vess, mechanical weapons designed to fight the growing darkness and uncover the mystery of the Corpse Song.
A Forgotten and Haunting Mecha Anime
Despite its ambitious blend of psychological horror andmecha action, the anime struggled to leave a lasting impression. Its eerie atmosphere, intricate storytelling, and character-driven approach had potential, but the sluggish pace and inconsistent animation quality made it difficult for audiences to stay engaged. Moreover, the lack of strong visual direction also prevented it from garnering a bigger fanbase.
9’Yuri Kuma Arashi' (2015)
Yuri Kuma Arashiis set in a world divided by the Wall of Severance, with humans and bears existing in perpetual conflict. After a strange cosmic event transforms bears into bloodthirsty creatures, society tries its best to keep them at bay. But two bears, Ginko Yurishiro and Lulu Yurigasaki, disguise themselves as humans and infiltrate the prestigious Arashigaoka Academy.
Too Abstract and Complex
The masterpiece of an anime tells a story of forbidden love, societal oppression, and the search for true acceptance. With its symbolism and with Kunihiko Ikuhara’s signature dream-like storytelling, it embraces the yuri themes really well. Being so heavy on metaphors,Yuri Kuma Arashiwas destined to be divisive. And while its striking visuals captivated niche audiences, the cryptic tale at the core wasn’t fun for casual viewers.
8’Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou' (2015)
Agetarou Katsumata is a young man working at his family’s tonkatsu restaurant in Shibuya, going through the motions of deep-frying pork cutlets without much enthusiasm. But everything changes for him when he stumbles into a nightclub while making a delivery. The pulsating beats, hypnotic rhythm, and an encounter with a legendary DJ sparks something in him. Soon Agetarou is working towards mastering both disciplines.
An Original Hidden Gem
Blending the groove of music with the precision of cooking, Agetarou is on a path that’s strange but interesting. He meets quirky mentors, eccentric rivals, and has to indulge in a whole lot of trial and error. But absurdism is whatTonkatsu DJ Agetarouthrives on. The offbeat premise and addictive story offers an original take on the slice-of-life genre. Plus, the OST is filled with funky beats and electronic bops.
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7’Just Because!' (2017)
Just Because!takes a harmless premise and turns it into something extraordinary. Set during the final semester of high school, it follows a group of friends who find their lives unexpectedly intertwined with that of Eita Izumi, a transfer student returning to his hometown after tears away. The arrival stirs up long-buried emotions and unresolved feelings among his classmates.
Subtle Slice-of-Life Romance
This hidden gem definitely deserves far more recognition within the anime community for the way it handles thebittersweet complexities of love, friendships, and personal aspirations. All the characters involved are preparing for graduation while grappling with the uncertainty of their futures, and the series captures the quiet, melancholic realism of being so young with heart. The pacing, the muted color palette, and soft soundtrack make it an easy watch.
6’Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan' (2018)
One of the most heartfelt anime series that surprisingly flew under the radar,Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotanfollows Hisona Amakasu, who never expects her career in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to take the turn it did when she stumbles upon a classified secret while being stationed at Gifu Air Base – that dragons exist and serve as living aircraft for specially chosen pilots. When Maso-tan, a dragon, marks her as his pilot, Hisone learns more about the creatures.
Quirky Concept That Didn’t Take Off
What begins as a military adventure for Hisone soon evolves into rigorous training and eventually into a mysterious prophecy about the traditions surrounding the dragons and their role in Japan’s future. Which is to say that, while lighthearted, the anime has a genuinely compelling story at its core that’s worth sticking around for. Additionally, the animation is a courtesy of Studio Bones, known for producingMy Hero AcademiaandFullmetal Alchemist.
5’Iroduku: The World in Colors' (2018)
Born into a family of witches, Hitomi Tsukishiro, the main character ofIroduku: The World in Colors, has lived a monochromatic life because she lost the ability to see color at a young age. To help her granddaughter rediscover joy, Hitomi’s grandmother casts a spell that sends her 60 years into the past, where she meets a younger version of her and a reserved artist named Yuito Aoi, whose paintings allow Hitomi to see color again.
A Visually Stunning Fantasy Drama
Unexpected friendships, budding romances, and the magic that binds them all find a spotlight in this anime, which focuses mainly on the beauty of human connections. P.A. Works deliver gorgeous animation, weaving soft hues and dreamy sequences into the narrative. But despite its artistic brilliance and introspective tone, it wasn’t what fans expected, and the hype died right after the finale.
4’Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san' (2018)
Working in retail is tough, but imagine doing it as a skeleton. Literally.Skull-face Bookseller Honda-sancenters around Honda, a bookstore employee whose skeletal appearance doesn’t stop him from doing his job well. From frantic requests for obscure manga to dealing with foreign customers when his English is bad, Honda navigates the pressures of the bookselling industry by making them hilarious and relatable.
A Hilarious Retail Nightmare
Surrounded by co-workers just as eccentric as him and wearing their own bizarre headgear, Honda is always getting into absurd citations that highlight the quirks of his job. The series,based on the real-life experiences of its creator, offers a comedic and insightful look at the madness behind the curtain. The sharp humor and unique premise, paired with the fittingly exaggerated animation, were entertaining and popular for a while, butSkull-face Bookseller Honda-saneventually got overshadowed by more conventional workplace comedies.
3’Kyousou Giga' (2013)
Kyousou Gigatells the story of Koto, a young girl who crashes into the Eternal Looking Glass City, a city created by a monk whose drawings came to life. The chaotic realm is ruled by three siblings named Yakushimaru, Yase, and Kurama. As Koto searches for answers about her own origins, she gets caught up in the city’s mysteries and realizes she may be the key to rescuing the inhabitants of this city from their own prison.
An Imaginative Experience Like No Other
The anime weaves together elements of mythology, family drama, and high-energy action to create a narrative that shifts between emotional and spectacular. In the beginning, a lot of random events occur simultaneously, with the nonlinear structure making it hard for the viewer to keep track of what’s happening, but the story finally finds a fitting and leans into a darker perspective, making Koto’s journey richer and more immersive.
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2’Level E' (2011)
Level Epresents a reality where the Earth is secretly home to thousands of aliens, but humans remain blissfully unaware of their existence. It revolves around Prince Baka Ki El Dogra, an alien royal who crash-lands on Earth and begins living in the apartment of high school baseball player Yukitaka Tsutsui. It turns out Baka is a troublemaker who gets high out of tormenting those around him. And that’s exactly what he does throughout the series.
Witty and Subversive Sci-Fi Comedy
Despite being by Yoshihiro Togashi, the mastermind behindHunter x HunterandYu Yu Hakusho,Level Enever touched the same level of popularity. It is unique with itsmashup of sci-fi and comedy, subverts expectations, and is filled with stories that feature the prince’s relentless pranks, alien conspiracies, and intergalactic politics. The sharp humor and visual brilliance make the 13 episodes pass by like a breeze.
1’Re:Creators' (2017)
What would happen if fiction characters could step into the real world? Isn’t that a question we’ve all pondered?Re:Creatorsexplores this premise through the eyes of Souta Mizushino, a high school student who finds himself at the center of a conflict between characters from various anime, manga, and video games who have mysteriously manifested in reality and left their creators scratching their heads in confusion.
Fascinating but Ultimately Overlooked
Re:Creatorsdelves into the question of artistic responsibility and flips the usual isekai formula on its head. It’s interesting and ambitious, but while the storytelling and creator dynamics were intriguing, the pacing issues and dense character arcs made it difficult for fans to immerse themselves fully. The manga adaptation also ran for only six volumes, further establishing the series as a forgotten experiment.
