JuicyTalk
The beauty of anime is its wide range of genres and themes, and sometimes, fans need a break from action-packed series and exciting thrillers to get in touch with their more sensitive side. Some anime may seem simple at first glance or appear to not be more than a light watch to kill time, but end up being incredibly moving experiences that will make viewers shed more than a few tears.
Some great anime are underrated gems despite being capable of making viewers cry due to their shades of sadness and explicit scenes that are difficult to digest. From strangely melancholic science fiction series to stories of self-discovery and hope that can change viewers’ perspective on life, these underrated anime are as special as they are emotional and heartbreaking.
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Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
Animated by Gekko, Based on the Manga by Kagiri Araido
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again is a cozy and wholesome slice of life that flew under the radar of many viewers in 2024. The anime follows an elderly couple who are unexpectedly brought back to their youthful selves, showing the impact of this change on their lives and family. This created many hilarious situations and wholesome and romantic interactions between Shouzou and Ine.
While its premise might appear simple, Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again is a deep and touching anime showing the importance of valuing relationships, enjoying every day, and giving a great lesson in life with one of the most beautiful season finales that won’t leave viewers indifferent.
6
Kotaro Lives Alone
Animated by Asbirds; Based on the Manga by Mami Tsumura
Kotaro Lives Alone is one of the most underrated anime on Netflix, which has a perfect blend of comedy and drama. Kotaro Lives Alone shows a self-sufficient boy who lives by himself in an apartment complex as he begins to form a great bond with one of his neighbors, with the anime slowly revealing the circumstances around Kotaro’s everyday life.
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Kotaro Lives Alone has a unique charm similar to animes like Barakamon and Usagi Drop, being a fun and heartwarming series that shows the world through the innocent perspective of a child. However, the anime will also leave a deep impression on the audience by showing difficult issues of today’s society with thorny moments that will surprise viewers.
5
To Your Eternity
Animated by Brain’s Base and Drive, Based on the Manga by Yoshitoki Oima
The lesser-known work by the same author of A Silent Voice, To Your Eternity, is also an anime that destroy emotionally and will surely bring a tear to the viewers’ eyes. To Your Eternity follows an immortal being, Fushi, who sets out on a journey as he looks for the meaning of his existence and craves human connections.
Despite this giving the series a sense of adventure, To Your Eternity‘s biggest trait is how it creates many meaningful relationships as Fushi continues to meet different people throughout his journey. This gives To Your Eternity a unique beauty but also a melancholic atmosphere, as the series doesn’t shy away from showcasing dreadful and heartbreaking experiences that serve to transmit difficult emotions in life, like loss and grief.
4
Ranking of Kings
Animated by Wit Studio, Based on the Manga By Sosuke Toka
Ranking of Kings is an anime that is easy to underestimate due to its childish and colorful artwork, unusual character design, and lead duo. However, Ranking of Kings is one of the best fantasy animes in recent years, featuring a deaf-mute prince who aspires to become king despite being subject to mockery, which has given the story an emotional depth hard to see in much shōnen.
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Ranking of Kings is full of complex characters and tear-jerking moments, touching themes like discrimination, betrayal, loneliness, and overcoming hardships, elevated by incredible twists, exciting battles, and a hopeful idealism that captures the spirit of classic tales of kings. This makes Ranking of Kings a must-watch anime that will mark viewers and make them fall in love with the innocence and determination of Bojji.
3
Apocalypse Hotel
Original Anime Series Animated by CygamesPictures
- Release Date
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April 9, 2025
- Network
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Nippon TV
- Directors
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Akihisa Shibata, Fumiaki Kataoka, Shinya Kawabe
One of the hidden gems in the Spring 2025 Apocalypse Hotel, unfortunately, went unnoticed by many anime viewers. Seeming like another surreal story set in a dystopian future, Apocalypse Hotel quickly proved everyone wrong by being one of the most original anime of the last decade and conveying a touching story of humanity through the journey of an android.
Apocalypse Hotel, much in the style of WALL-E, is set on a desolate Earth many years after humanity went into space, showcasing a hotel with a staff formed by robots who continue their everyday lives trying to fulfill their programmed tasks as they wait for humanity and the possibility of finally receiving guests.
The anime not only has one of the best animations of the year, going from absurd comedy to dynamic action and touching character interactions, but it also has many melancholic and nostalgic moments, teaching about the fleeting passage of time, the search for one’s place and identity, and the importance of moving forward, being a more lighthearted and hopeful story than its title suggests.
2
Rainbow: The Seven from Block Two, Cell Six
Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by George Abe and Masasumi Kakizaki
Although seinen anime often stand out for their excessive violence, which may put off many viewers, Rainbow became one of those anime where its brutal content was the necessary vehicle to convey a powerful message, as the story of a group of boys confined in a reformatory would evolve into one of the most unforgettable journeys of perseverance.
Despite failing to reach mainstream status compared to others in its demographic, Rainbow remains as one of the most depressing, crude, and yet most hopeful and emotionally charged stories in anime. Likewise, amid its difficult themes, Rainbow shows how a meaningful friendship can change life, including many touching moments that won’t fail to pull the heartstrings of even the toughest viewers.
1
A Place Further Than the Universe
Original Anime Series Animated by Madhouse
No other anime featuring an all-female friend group took viewers by surprise, like A Place Further Than the Universe. A Place Further Than the Universe features the fateful meeting of a group of teenagers, each with their own circumstances and struggles, as they embark on an expedition to Antarctica, covering the early steps towards their goal and how they adapt to the glacial environment.
Anime following a female cast has become frequent in the medium, going from girls’ bands like Bocchi the Rock! and K-On to friend groups making animation like Shirobako and Keep Your Hands off Eizoken!
While its premise seems like the typical cute slice-of-life anime of characters stepping outside their routines, the anime hides a powerful and inspiring message about friendship, family, and dreams. The anime is lighthearted and comforting by including many hilarious moments as the girls strengthen their bond. However, it’s a self-discovery journey that is not only relatable to the audience but also emotionally striking.
