Top 10 Hidden Gems in Seinen Anime

Are you a fan of seinen anime? Whether you're into psychological thrillers or high-speed racing, check out our list of the top eight underrated seinen series that you should definitely add to your watchlist.

In contrast to the widely popular shonen anime genre, seinen is recognized for its intricate plots, intense violence, and content that may not be suitable for younger audiences.

Check out these top eight underrated seinen anime that you definitely need to add to your watch list. Despite the international acclaim and popularity of shows like One Punch Man and Kill La Kill, there are plenty of other seinen anime that deserve more recognition.

Top 8 underrated seinen anime

With vampire stories, gamer girls and international arms dealing, there’s bound to be something you’ll love on this list. So, let’s begin.

8. Devil’s Line

We're kicking off our list with an unconventional vampire story that is hard to beat. The plot centers around 22-year-old Tsukasa Taira, a recent university graduate who unwittingly befriends a devil named Anzai, who is half-human and half-devil. In this world, devils can seamlessly integrate into human society and lead fairly normal lives. However, when they crave blood, their primal instincts take over without restraint.

Anzai saves Tsukasa from a devil, drawing her into his world as they team up to explore a sinister universe while keeping monsters hidden from the rest of humanity.

Stream on: Crunchyroll

7. Initial D

Initial D is based on the manga by Shuichi Shigeno and has been adapted into various anime and video game series. The narrative centers on illegal street racing in Japan and follows Takumi Fujiwara, a student who works at a gas station along with his best friend, Itsuki.

Experience Takami's journey from racing on the streets to dominating off-road tracks as he rises to become a legendary rally racer. This action-packed anime is a must-watch for all adrenaline junkies. Stream it now on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Amazon Prime Video.

6. Hi Score Girl

Based on the popular manga series of the same name, High School Girl is a classic boy-meets-girl story set in the early 1990s. This slice-of-life rom-com appeals to '90s kids with its nostalgic focus on arcades, young love, and a comedic rivalry. It is a series that deserves a revival in the seinen spotlight.

Available to watch on: Netflix

5. Golden Kamuy

Set in the early 20th century, Golden Kamuy transports viewers to the post-war gold rush in the wilderness of Hokkaido.

Watch the exciting tale of Sugimoto Saichi, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, as he discovers a map leading to hidden Ainu gold. Eager to make his fortune, he embarks on a dangerous treasure hunt with chilling results.

Stream it now on: Crunchyroll

4. Jormungand

This 2012 series is ideal for those interested in getting into seinen anime. It follows Koko Hekmatyar, a young arms dealer who sells weapons for an illegal smuggling corporation, navigating the dangerous world of international and local authorities.

For those looking for a military-themed anime with a realistic feel, look no further than Koko's illegal and morally questionable career, navigated with the support of her best friend Minami Amada and an orphan boy named Jonah. You can watch it on Crunchyroll.

3. Gangsta

In the fictional town of Ergastulum, filled with shady characters like mafia members, thugs, and corrupt cops, we meet "handymen" Worick Arcangelo and Nicolas Brown. These two take on any job that pays, but when they are tasked with killing a gang, Worick has a change of heart and decides to take in the amnesiac survivor, Alex, and look after her.

Watch on Crunchyroll and find out if their newfound friendship can endure as Alex recovers her memories and the peace in Ergastulum is threatened.

2. Kingdom

You may be surprised to see an adaptation of the popular manga Kingdom on this list of underrated seinen anime. Given the source material's popularity, it deserves more recognition. The story is set in China's Warring States period and revolves around Xin and Piao, two orphan slave boys who aspire to become Great Generals for the Qin army.

Check out Kingdom, a captivating war anime series known for its stunning battle scenes and rich historical setting. If you haven't seen it yet, now is the perfect time to start. Stream it on Crunchyroll today.

1. Pluto

Pluto, an anime adaptation of Naoki Urasawa's acclaimed manga from the early 2000s, has become a favorite among audiences on Netflix. This gripping science fiction thriller follows the gripping story of a robot detective as he works to unravel a series of robot and human deaths spanning the globe.

Pluto, a thought-provoking anime that explores themes of equality, war, and the morality of AI, was well-received by critics. Despite its critical success, the series became overshadowed by a multitude of new releases on Netflix, ultimately making it one of the most underrated anime of all time. You can watch Pluto on Netflix.

How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023

Presenting our top eight most underrated seinen series of all time. If you haven’t watched them yet, then you’re definitely missing out. With the familiar elements of the shonen genre, but presented in a more mature manner, these shows are a perfect binge watch for any anime fan.

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Head over to Crunchyroll's website and begin streaming all your beloved anime series, and maybe discover some new ones too. It's worth checking out the US roster as it offers a wider selection, with nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows, compared to Hong Kong's access to less than 100 titles.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have a few thoughts on the article "Top 10 Hidden Gems in Seinen Anime".

First of all, I appreciate that the article highlights some lesser-known seinen anime series that deserve more attention. The seinen genre is often overlooked in favor of more popular shonen anime, so it's great to see some recognition being given to these hidden gems.

Secondly, I think the article does a good job of providing a brief overview of each series, giving readers a sense of what they can expect if they decide to watch them. The descriptions are concise and informative, without giving away too much of the plot.

Overall, I think this article is a great resource for anyone looking to explore the seinen genre and discover some new and exciting anime series. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you're a fan of seinen anime or if you're just looking for something new to watch.