Crunchyroll is the biggest global anime streaming platform with a vast library of shows for fans to watch, and the trove only expands itself every week when the streamer adds new titles. It’s otherwise renewed for showcasing the most popular anime hits, which makes it easy for fans to overlook the hidden gems. But Crunchyroll actually houses several underrated anime series that are no less deserving of your attention.
In the realm of anime, new sensations emerge all the time, and it’s difficult to keep up. But with Crunchyroll constantly growing the catalog, it’s possible for even casual viewers to have multiple viewing options at their fingertips. The new batch of shows on the service includes subversive isekai epics as well as character-driven romances that deliver the finest stories ever.
The 10 underrated anime gems on this list have it all.
10
‘Honey Lemon Soda’ (2025)
Release Date
January 8, 2025
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Kana Ichinose
Uka Ishimori
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Rie Takahashi
Serina Kanno
Uka Ishimori’s high school life begins with a sour note because her timid nature and past bullying come in the way of her socializing. But she wants a fresh start. Enter Kai Miura, a boy with lemon-colored hair and a personality that bubbles like soda. Kai is the complete opposite of Uka and his unwavering kindness slowly draws her out of her shell, encouraging her to find her voice and be a more confident version of herself.
Slice-of-Life Fizzing with Humor
A romance as refreshing as the titular drink, Honey Lemon Soda is a story of self-discovery. It strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted moments and emotional depth as Uka not only discovers the sweetness of friendship but also the budding warmth of first love. The pastel-hued aesthetic, youthful animation, and dreamy soundtrack make it a charming recent addition to Crunchyroll.
9
‘Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister’ (2024)
At a very young age, Uryū Kamihate witnesses his mother’s death and loses faith in the gods. His life takes an unexpected turn when he moves into the Amagami Shrine, seeking a quiet place to study for his medical school entrance exams, and meets Chidori Amagami, the head priest, who conditions him to marry one of his three granddaughters and secure the shrine’s future. Uryū must make a choice between his own beliefs and future aspirations.
Ideal For Fans of Unconventional Romances
At first, Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister feels like a standard harem anime. But the narrative slowly infuses supernatural elements like alternate realities, body swaps, and time loops, as Uryū uncovers the shrine’s deeper secrets, which adds layers of intrigue to the story. The characters are very attractive, the visual style is nuanced, and the arcs are well-paced. Overall, it defies expectations and that’s what makes it worth watching.
8
‘ZENSHU’ (2025)
Release Date
January 5, 2025
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Rie Kugimiya
Natsuko Hirose
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Kazuki Ura
Luke Braveheart
An original isekai anime directed by Mitsue Yamazaki and produced by MAPPA, ZENSHU centers around Natsuko Hirose, a prodigious student who, inspired by her favorite childhood anime, “A Tale of Perishing,” begins a career as an animator right after high school. She finds success in no time, but while working on the storyboard of her next anime, Natsuko finds herself transported to the world of her favorite anime, where she has the power to bring things to life.
Standout Isekai Anime
Blending fantasy and meta elements, this anime series is a love letter to the art of animation. It does not have a unique premise when considering some truly popular isekai anime, but the intricate world-building and determined female protagonist set it apart. Watch it for the beautiful soundtrack, the meta-commentary on the creative process, subtle old-school character design and that slow-burning romantic arc.
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7
‘Unnamed Memory’ (2024)
Release Date
April 9, 2024
Network
AT-X
Directors
Kiyoshi Murayama, Marina Maki, Yuki Kanezawa, Masato Jimbo, Ryo Miyata
Writers
Chika Suzumura, Yoriko Tomita
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Atsumi Tanezaki
Kagar (voice)
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Yoshiki Nakajima
Travis (voice)
Prince Oscar of Farsas is cursed – a spell is cast upon him to ensure that any woman who bears his child will die. Oscar spends years desperately trying to break free of his cruel fate before deciding to seek aid from Tinasha, the Witch of the Azure Moon, by ascending to Azure Tower. The centuries-old sorceress suggests he find a partner strong enough to withstand the curse and Oscar turns to Tinasha, who reluctantly agrees to live with him for a year.
Love and Fate Intertwined
Unnamed Memory is as much about Oscar uncovering the mystery behind his affliction as it is about Tinasha’s past coming to haunt her as soon as she emerges from isolation. Their fates intertwine in unexpected ways, crafting a fantasy romance like no other. The anime’s intricate storytelling, paired with lush visuals and compelling dynamic between the two characters, which is filled with cheeky remarks, creates an immersive experience.
6
‘SHOSHIMIN: How to become Ordinary’ (2024)
SHOSHIMIN: How to Become Ordinary is another addictive anime recently added to Crunchyroll’s massive library. It follows Jōgorō Kobato and Yuki Osanai, who share a common yet peculiar goal – to lead completely ordinary lives. After meddling with other people’s lives for as long as he can remember, Kobato has conveniently abandoned his detective tendencies, only to find his and Yuki’s high school days smothered by unexpected incidents that demand attention.
Everyday Antics and Extraordinary Charm
Kobato and Yuki’s journey in SHOSHIMIN: How to become Ordinary is a delicate dance between fitting in and standing out, and as they navigate friendship and adolescence, they stumble upon mysteries that derail their simple existence. It is an understated yet engaging narrative that gets viewers obsessed with the ordinary lives of the characters, only to reveal layers of intrigue and humor for 10 episodes straight.
5
‘The Beginning After the End’ (2025)
Release Date
April 2, 2025
Network
AT-X
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Natsumi Fujiwara
Arthur Leywin (voice)
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Makoto Furukawa
Grey (voice)
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Kana Ichinose
Tessia Eralith (voice)
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Chiaki Omigawa
Jasmine Flamesworth (voice)
TurtleMe’s web novel recently got adapted into an anime. Produced by Studio A-Cat, The Beginning After the End follows King Grey, whose reign may have ended abruptly, but his story is far from over. He is reborn as Arthur Leywin in the magical world of Dicathen, and using the wisdom of his past life and his innate magical abilities, he embarks on a path of self-discovery.
Has Compelling Character Arcs
Only four episodes of the anime are currently available on Crunchyroll, but the allure of this high-fantasy isekai is unmatched. The anime’s rich lore finds the prince bonding with an elf princess and confronting the looming threat of war, trying to rectify his past mistakes and finding his peace. Arthur’s growth as a character is a study in strength and empathy, and it’s the highlight of the story.
4
‘The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World’ (2024)
The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World is exactly what its title suggests. The plot revolves around Tōgo Asagaki, the fearless leader of the Kizuna Five sentai team, in a losing battle against evil. Before he can sacrifice himself for his people, he is transported to a fantastical realm to fight the Breakup King. Tōgo’s powers in this world are fueled by the connections he makes, so he teams up with a mage and a princess.
Brings Heroic Nostalgia to the Screen
The anime plays homage to tokusatsu tropes, usually used in genres like science fiction and fantasy. At the same time, it introduces characters like Yihdra Arvoln, who seeks redemption for her family, and Princess Teltina, who fights demons, so that the protagonist can indulge in over-the-top heroics to understand the new realm he’s placed in. The inventive premise and entertaining execution make it a thoroughly wild series you would not want to miss.
3
‘WITCH WATCH’ (2025)
Release Date
April 6, 2025
Network
TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC
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Rina Kawaguchi
Nico Wakatsuki (voice)
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Ryota Suzuki
Morihito Otogi (voice)
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Kohei Amasaki
Kanshi Kazamatsuri (voice)
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Kaito Ishikawa
Magami Keigo (voice)
An extremely adorable anime that subverts traditional rom-com tropes, WITCH WATCH follows Nico Wakatsuki, a newly trained witch, who returns to her hometown to finally begin practicing magic. But first, she must pick a familiar. She chooses Morihito Otogi, her childhood friend who happens to be an ogre, and moves in with him. On the one hand, Nico’s spells produce unpredictable results, and on the other, Morihito is obligated to protect her from a prophesied disaster.
An Urban Fantasy Tale
Magic and mischief come together in this whimsical anime, where two characters live under the same roof and navigate their evolving relationship while also dealing with increasingly perilous supernatural encounters. The vibrant character design, playful animation style, and subtle romantic advances give birth to the most heartfelt moments. Of course, with action and isekai dominating the anime scene, this one is underappreciated.
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2
‘Link Click’ (2021)
Release Date
April 30, 2021
Network
bilibili
Directors
LAN
Cast
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Su Shangqing
Cheng Xiaoshi (voice)
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Yang Tianxiang
Lu Guang (voice)
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Li Shimeng
Qiao Ling (voice)
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Shuang Zhao
Lin Xi / Meng Liu / Xu Shanshan (voice)
Perhaps one of the most inventive and intriguing anime series of the 2020s so far, Link Click revolves around Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, who run the Time Photo Studio. Through the power of their unique abilities, the duo can enter photographs and relive moments of the past. Their clients often seek their help to go back in time and alter regretful decisions, but the game becomes risky when the pictures start to become personal.
Time Travel and Mystery Solving
Link Click introduces a world where time travel is not just limited to the realm of science fiction. It is a tangible reality. However, as the two characters exploit their powers, they are challenged by unforeseen dangers and tested by the boundaries of their own existence. The art style, staying true to the source material, is quite refreshing, and the scenarios are charged with tension and emotion, which makes this suspenseful anime a must-watch.
1
‘Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You.’ (2025)
Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You.
Release Date
January 9, 2025
Network
TBS
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Sakura Shinfuku
Mizuho Nishino
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Kazuki Ura
Kizuki Hazawa (voice)
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Sion Yoshitaka
Shin Kashiwagi (voice)
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Shoya Chiba
Airu Izumi (voice)
The protagonist of Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You. is Mizuho Nishino, an aspiring manga artist who grew up alongside four childhood friends. Her life takes a dramatic turn when one of the friends, Kizuki Hazawa, confesses his feelings for her on her 17th birthday. Mizuho barely has any experience of dating, so she doesn’t take him seriously, but to complicate matters, her other three friends also reveal that they harbor feelings for her.
Delightful Coming-of-Age Romance
Watching a shōjo anime is the ideal getaway for you if you have little to nothing going on in your own romantic lives. There are moments of joy, heartbreak, humor, and self-discovery as Mizuho tries to balance her dreams with the challenges of first love. Of course, to match the vibe of the story, the anime uses a soft, pastel-hued aesthetic. What’s also interesting is that it takes a slow progression towards romance and portrays each character as an individual with their own hobbies and ambitions outside of having a crush on the female lead.
You can view the original article HERE.