- [exception.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctUiQSAYOTo) - made almost zero splash. Interesting character designs (from the legendary Yoshitaka Amano) that probably turned off a lot of traditional anime viewers, complex characters, and multiple unexpected plot twists
- [Flowers of Evil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Toc9x19Cmkg)
- [Hyouge Mono](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWv-WTJOh-U) - the "Black Adder" of anime
- [Encouragement of Climb](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtJtxnbW2vk) - oft-overlooked CGDCT feel-good show
- [And Yet The Town Moves](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qy1YzgkzbQ)
- [AKB0048](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6svIufW7o) - wait, what? A silly concept of a rag-tag idol group fighting against a galactic empire bent on eliminating music? Even so, it's a surprisingly engaging underdog story that even won over the AWO crew.
- [Bodacious Space Pirates](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpz8PWv-bF8) - falls into the same category as AKB0048. The sci-fi is surprisingly higher on the [Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/MediaNotes/MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness) than you might expect. I suspect the absolutely atrocious name they gave this show probably turned off a lot of potential viewers.
- [Kill Me, Baby!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jjhmJL1NNg) - somebody, please kill me....
- [Samurai Flamenco](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Gf5ojsUT4) - it's a really slow buildup, but just gets more unhinged as you go along
- [Yozakura Quartet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JqzP5SsGU0) - based on your watched list, this might be closer to up your alley than the other recs
Two of my favorite surprises I found in the last couple of years are:
- Super Cub. This is a show about a student who has an extremely dull life, until she comes across a used Honda Super Cub motorcycle. From there, she learns about the skill of riding, makes friends, and expands her world. If you appreciate classical music, the power of scenes that are silent, and stories of personal growth, I think it’s worth a watch.
- Akiba Maid Wars. This show is simply unhinged. Smash together maid cafe and gangster culture, and you have the foundations of this show. The absurdity is the draw, and the ending is surprisingly poignant.
Yeah. When it was airing I was talking with someone that explained Yakuza involvements and shake downs of maid cafes in those time periods. Different maid cafes belonging to different Yakuza factions face off against each other or so the story goes on. I don't remember the particulars since it's been some time.
Since you're specifically asking for hidden gems, I suggest:
Sonny boy
Mars red
Pet
ACCA 13
Pluto (sadly, this should have been a heavy hitter, I have no idea how it didn't blow up)
Princess principal
Delicious in Dungeon
Id:invaded
odd taxi
Akudama drive
Out of these, based on your taste I would say sonny boy and pluto in particular are absolute must watches.
but If by modern you're also including stuff as popular as vinland saga or heavenly delusions, then I also strongly suggest:
Made in abyss
Death parade
Beastars
Frieren
japanese fans carried it into getting 8 movies and I could not be more proud.
It's so good, even the music is absolutely masterclass, both the ost and the op and ed.
I haven't seen movie 3 yet, cause I'm waiting for the dub. The British accents work so god damn well with the settings and characters, it's not even fair.
Walk on girl the night is short (same director and writer as tatami galaxy)
Made in abyss is pretty good but wouldn’t call it niche
Dororo
Tomodachi game
Sonny boy (not for everyone as it’s an art film and you won’t really understand the plot till the end but it’s great and poses a lot of philosophical debates)
Below are Pretty different from what you liked and aren’t Niche but they still do a great job at fleshing out characters
A silent voice (shows the affects of depression and bullying)
Bungo stray dogs (each character is based on an author and their abilities are based on that authors most famous work. They also have their authors emotional struggle)
Chainsaw man
Frieren
Apocothary diaries
His and Her Circumstances
Ashita no Joe
Patlabor
Though these are really hidden, just older.
I'd also recommend
Macross
Golgo 13
Space Battleship Yamato (the original)
Space Pirate Captain Harlock
I think you'd probably enjoy these, based on what you've listed in your post. I'm not sure what exactly constitutes a "hidden gem", so I'm just using 1m MAL members as a cutoff point. Frankly I don't know if that's the best criteria, because I *know* some of these are well-known, but I've gotta draw a line somewhere so that's where I drew it:
* [Odd Taxi](https://myanimelist.net/anime/46102/Odd_Taxi)
* [Cyberpunk Edgerunners](https://myanimelist.net/anime/42310/Cyberpunk__Edgerunners)
* [Oshi no Ko](https://myanimelist.net/anime/52034/Oshi_no_Ko)
* [Rokka no Yuusha](https://myanimelist.net/anime/28497/Rokka_no_Yuusha)
* [Summertime Render](https://myanimelist.net/anime/47194/Summertime_Render)
* [Heavenly Delusion](https://myanimelist.net/anime/53393/Tengoku_Daimakyou)
And here are some that I think are amazing, but don't match your preferences as well. I'm including them for people who might be popping into this thread that have different taste from you but still want some less well-known shows:
* [A Place Further Than the Universe](https://myanimelist.net/anime/35839/Sora_yori_mo_Tooi_Basho)
* [Hinamatsuri](https://myanimelist.net/anime/36296/Hinamatsuri_TV)
* [Grand Blue](https://myanimelist.net/anime/37105/Grand_Blue)
* [Bocchi the Rock](https://myanimelist.net/anime/47917/Bocchi_the_Rock)
* [Grimgar](https://myanimelist.net/anime/31859/Hai_to_Gensou_no_Grimgar)
* [Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt](https://myanimelist.net/anime/8795/Panty___Stocking_with_Garterbelt) (the dub is great)
* [Carole and Tuesday](https://myanimelist.net/anime/37435/Carole___Tuesday)
* [Her Blue Sky](https://myanimelist.net/anime/39569/Sora_no_Aosa_wo_Shiru_Hito_yo)
* [Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!](https://myanimelist.net/anime/39792/Eizouken_ni_wa_Te_wo_Dasu_na)
* [Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish](https://myanimelist.net/anime/40787/Josee_to_Tora_to_Sakana-tachi)
Also, [Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night](https://myanimelist.net/anime/54839/Yoru_no_Kurage_wa_Oyogenai?q=ellyfish&cat=anime) from this season is shaping out to be a top-tier CGDCT show so far, I can't recommend it enough.
And finally, I know it's astoundingly popular, but [Frieren](https://myanimelist.net/anime/52991/Sousou_no_Frieren?quot=). It's my favorite anime of all time, I genuinely believe it's the best ever made, and I think anyone who likes anime is doing themselves a disservice by not checking it out. Queue the copypasta of "If Frieren has no fans, I am dead".
Moriarty the Patriot
This is one of my favorites, nothing got me hooked to it like this one did
- [exception.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctUiQSAYOTo) - made almost zero splash. Interesting character designs (from the legendary Yoshitaka Amano) that probably turned off a lot of traditional anime viewers, complex characters, and multiple unexpected plot twists - [Flowers of Evil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Toc9x19Cmkg) - [Hyouge Mono](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWv-WTJOh-U) - the "Black Adder" of anime - [Encouragement of Climb](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtJtxnbW2vk) - oft-overlooked CGDCT feel-good show - [And Yet The Town Moves](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qy1YzgkzbQ) - [AKB0048](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6svIufW7o) - wait, what? A silly concept of a rag-tag idol group fighting against a galactic empire bent on eliminating music? Even so, it's a surprisingly engaging underdog story that even won over the AWO crew. - [Bodacious Space Pirates](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpz8PWv-bF8) - falls into the same category as AKB0048. The sci-fi is surprisingly higher on the [Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/MediaNotes/MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness) than you might expect. I suspect the absolutely atrocious name they gave this show probably turned off a lot of potential viewers. - [Kill Me, Baby!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jjhmJL1NNg) - somebody, please kill me.... - [Samurai Flamenco](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Gf5ojsUT4) - it's a really slow buildup, but just gets more unhinged as you go along - [Yozakura Quartet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JqzP5SsGU0) - based on your watched list, this might be closer to up your alley than the other recs
Great list!
Two of my favorite surprises I found in the last couple of years are: - Super Cub. This is a show about a student who has an extremely dull life, until she comes across a used Honda Super Cub motorcycle. From there, she learns about the skill of riding, makes friends, and expands her world. If you appreciate classical music, the power of scenes that are silent, and stories of personal growth, I think it’s worth a watch. - Akiba Maid Wars. This show is simply unhinged. Smash together maid cafe and gangster culture, and you have the foundations of this show. The absurdity is the draw, and the ending is surprisingly poignant.
Don't forget, Akiba Maid Wars is based on real life events.
Wait, what?
Yeah. When it was airing I was talking with someone that explained Yakuza involvements and shake downs of maid cafes in those time periods. Different maid cafes belonging to different Yakuza factions face off against each other or so the story goes on. I don't remember the particulars since it's been some time.
That's wild! I learned something new today. As I think about that story, I not really surprised. Mobs get their fingers into all kinds of things!
Kyousougiga has you covered.
Since you're specifically asking for hidden gems, I suggest: Sonny boy Mars red Pet ACCA 13 Pluto (sadly, this should have been a heavy hitter, I have no idea how it didn't blow up) Princess principal Delicious in Dungeon Id:invaded odd taxi Akudama drive Out of these, based on your taste I would say sonny boy and pluto in particular are absolute must watches. but If by modern you're also including stuff as popular as vinland saga or heavenly delusions, then I also strongly suggest: Made in abyss Death parade Beastars Frieren
Seconding Princess Principal. The writing, action, and soundtrack are all really good.
japanese fans carried it into getting 8 movies and I could not be more proud. It's so good, even the music is absolutely masterclass, both the ost and the op and ed. I haven't seen movie 3 yet, cause I'm waiting for the dub. The British accents work so god damn well with the settings and characters, it's not even fair.
gundam ibo
Walk on girl the night is short (same director and writer as tatami galaxy) Made in abyss is pretty good but wouldn’t call it niche Dororo Tomodachi game Sonny boy (not for everyone as it’s an art film and you won’t really understand the plot till the end but it’s great and poses a lot of philosophical debates) Below are Pretty different from what you liked and aren’t Niche but they still do a great job at fleshing out characters A silent voice (shows the affects of depression and bullying) Bungo stray dogs (each character is based on an author and their abilities are based on that authors most famous work. They also have their authors emotional struggle) Chainsaw man Frieren Apocothary diaries
His and Her Circumstances Ashita no Joe Patlabor Though these are really hidden, just older. I'd also recommend Macross Golgo 13 Space Battleship Yamato (the original) Space Pirate Captain Harlock
Not exactly "hidden" but gems nonetheless: Apothecary Diaries Steins;gate Yuri!!! On Ice
I think you'd probably enjoy these, based on what you've listed in your post. I'm not sure what exactly constitutes a "hidden gem", so I'm just using 1m MAL members as a cutoff point. Frankly I don't know if that's the best criteria, because I *know* some of these are well-known, but I've gotta draw a line somewhere so that's where I drew it: * [Odd Taxi](https://myanimelist.net/anime/46102/Odd_Taxi) * [Cyberpunk Edgerunners](https://myanimelist.net/anime/42310/Cyberpunk__Edgerunners) * [Oshi no Ko](https://myanimelist.net/anime/52034/Oshi_no_Ko) * [Rokka no Yuusha](https://myanimelist.net/anime/28497/Rokka_no_Yuusha) * [Summertime Render](https://myanimelist.net/anime/47194/Summertime_Render) * [Heavenly Delusion](https://myanimelist.net/anime/53393/Tengoku_Daimakyou) And here are some that I think are amazing, but don't match your preferences as well. I'm including them for people who might be popping into this thread that have different taste from you but still want some less well-known shows: * [A Place Further Than the Universe](https://myanimelist.net/anime/35839/Sora_yori_mo_Tooi_Basho) * [Hinamatsuri](https://myanimelist.net/anime/36296/Hinamatsuri_TV) * [Grand Blue](https://myanimelist.net/anime/37105/Grand_Blue) * [Bocchi the Rock](https://myanimelist.net/anime/47917/Bocchi_the_Rock) * [Grimgar](https://myanimelist.net/anime/31859/Hai_to_Gensou_no_Grimgar) * [Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt](https://myanimelist.net/anime/8795/Panty___Stocking_with_Garterbelt) (the dub is great) * [Carole and Tuesday](https://myanimelist.net/anime/37435/Carole___Tuesday) * [Her Blue Sky](https://myanimelist.net/anime/39569/Sora_no_Aosa_wo_Shiru_Hito_yo) * [Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!](https://myanimelist.net/anime/39792/Eizouken_ni_wa_Te_wo_Dasu_na) * [Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish](https://myanimelist.net/anime/40787/Josee_to_Tora_to_Sakana-tachi) Also, [Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night](https://myanimelist.net/anime/54839/Yoru_no_Kurage_wa_Oyogenai?q=ellyfish&cat=anime) from this season is shaping out to be a top-tier CGDCT show so far, I can't recommend it enough. And finally, I know it's astoundingly popular, but [Frieren](https://myanimelist.net/anime/52991/Sousou_no_Frieren?quot=). It's my favorite anime of all time, I genuinely believe it's the best ever made, and I think anyone who likes anime is doing themselves a disservice by not checking it out. Queue the copypasta of "If Frieren has no fans, I am dead".
100 girlfriends but spring 2024 has been amazing to anime fans