2025 has given anime fans unforgettable series whose legacy will continue to grow over time. However, while events like the Crunchyroll Awards typically evaluate the most outstanding titles to decide which one deserves the accolade as the best of the year, no other series has brought anything as different to Japanese animation as Netflix’s most underrated anime of 2025.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth went largely unnoticed, becoming a hidden gem during the Winter 2025 anime season. Leaving behind the grand battles and tropes of the medium to tell a story about curiosity that steadily escalated into the most epic quest for knowledge, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth reached the pinnacle of anime in 2025.

More Than Just a Historical Account, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Challenges the Conventions of Modern Anime

While it’s common for slow-paced historical anime not to appeal to a wide audience, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is more than just the real events it’s inspired by, becoming an incredibly human story about how far people are willing to go for their passion and dreams, all while centering on the early investigations of the heliocentric theory.

Although most people are familiar with the heliocentric theory taught in school, the anime was inspired by 15th-century Poland, where this dangerous ideology contradicted the belief that the Earth was the center of the universe and was stagnant under the heavens. As a result, any research outside the norm was considered heretical and faced intense repression by the Inquisition.

While it could have felt like a boring history class, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth constantly defies expectations, creating an addictive atmosphere full of political tension and moral and philosophical reflections that keeps viewers glued to the screen. It also departs from modern anime standards, as there are no clear heroes, and instead invites viewers to analyze each character.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Perfectly Develops Its Morally Complex Characters

Although Orb: On the Movements of the Earth does not shy away from depicting the cruel tortures of the period, with many heartbreaking moments that will not leave viewers indifferent, the anime doesn’t delve into them for gratuitous violence or shock value as its focus its completely set on the characters’ values.

Although the audience is aware that the heliocentric theory will eventually be proven, what becomes interesting is seeing how the characters manage to survive and carry out their investigations while questioning their decisions, the consequences they must face, their religious beliefs, and the meaning behind searching for the truth.

Furthermore, just as its title has multiple meanings in Japanese (since Chi represents knowledge, blood, and Earth), Orb: On the Movements of the Earth blends an intellectual thirst for knowledge with a ruthless persecution, but it does so without directly pointing out the rights or wrongs of enemies and allies, but rather developing their opposing intentions, ambitions, and situations without absolute evil.

This unique worldview allows viewers to put themselves in the character’s shoes to reflect on what one would be willing to sacrifice, as well as get their own interpretation of the message the anime tries to convey.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Is One of the Most Inspiring Anime of All Time

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth begins its story with Rafal, a child prodigy who suddenly finds himself at a crossroads between taking the risk and satisfying his curiosity and the fear of jeopardizing his comfortable future and receiving punishment for stepping outside the norm. Although set in the last millennium, many viewers can identify with Rafal’s struggle.

From the importance of connecting with others to demonstrating what humans are capable of when they set their minds to it, the anime is full of life lessons. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth conveys that sometimes a leap of faith is necessary to achieve something extraordinary, making it an incredibly inspiring story.

Likewise, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth weaves around the growth and conflict of several characters, such as being a woman in a male-dominated field who isn’t recognized for her contributions, or how people are underestimated because of their economic class and denied access to education and opportunities, inviting viewers to see that the environment doesn’t define people.

Orb is also able to move viewers by conveying the moment when the characters’ values ​​and perspective change and how they strive to do everything possible to fulfill their passion, even if not in a revolutionary way, but as a quiet, burning blue flame that can be extinguished and rekindled by someone else.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Might Be Ignored In Crunchyroll’s Anime Awards

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is simply a masterpiece of animation. From its breathtakingly beautiful night sky landscapes, to its soundtrack that elevates the most gripping scenes, and how it manages to condense Uoto’s original manga without losing the essence of the story, the anime is a self-contained marvel in just 25 episodes.

So while 2025 saw the release of many hidden gem anime, such as Takopi’s Original Sin and Clevatess, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth exceeded viewers’ expectations in every aspect. Unfortunately, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth has maintained a low profile among Western viewers in 2025, and it’s possible it won’t receive recognition from major award ceremonies.

Despite both the anime and manga having won numerous awards and critical acclaim in Japan, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth could suffer the fate of other groundbreaking, profound, and thought-provoking series like Pluto and Vinland Saga, which have been overlooked in the past at Crunchyroll’s Anime Awards.

Nevertheless, with masterful storytelling, compelling character development, visually stunning animation, mind-blowing plot twists, and a moving and unforgettable story, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is one of the best anime of recent years and deserves all the recognition it receives.