2025 has been a golden year for anime, with mainstream hits like Solo Leveling and Sakamoto Days dominating headlines. But beneath the hype, there are hidden gems that didn’t get the same spotlight yet deliver incredible storytelling, deep character arcs, and unique artistry.

Here’s your ultimate list of underrated anime in 2025 with ratings, in-depth plot summaries, and credible references for further exploration.

🔟 The Water Magician (水属性の魔法使い)

Rating: 8.4/10

Ryo, a young man reborn into a fantasy world with the rare ability to control water, lives quietly in the forest. For nearly two decades, he trains alone, mastering not just combat but also healing and purification spells. Unlike typical isekai protagonists, Ryo doesn’t rush into battle — he seeks peace and balance.

The anime beautifully mixes introspective character growth with high-stakes fantasy battles. When he finally ventures into the world, he encounters kingdoms torn by drought, mercenaries exploiting villages, and lost souls trapped in rivers. His magic becomes a symbol of hope, but also a curse, as enemies seek to control his power.

It’s not just about magic battles; it’s a meditation on memory, kindness, and sacrifice. The hand-painted backgrounds and fluid water animations are some of the best of 2025.
📖 References: Wikipedia, Crunchyroll, CBR

9. Dekin no Mogura: The Earthbound Mole

Rating: 8.3/10

A surreal dark comedy set in a world that feels part dystopia, part dream. The protagonist is a mole-like creature trying to navigate bizarre human society while carrying secrets of the underground world. The anime mixes slapstick humor with biting social commentary about survival and identity.

Its episodic format makes it experimental, but fans who stuck with it call it one of the most imaginative series of 2025.
📖 Reference: Wikipedia

8. The Shy Hero and the Assassin Princesses

Rating: 8.2/10

Toto, a timid adventurer, suddenly finds himself the target of three assassin sisters. Instead of killing him, circumstances force them to journey together. Each assassin has her own tragic backstory, and their banter with the shy protagonist creates a blend of comedy, action, and heartwarming friendship.

The anime takes the familiar “adventurer party” trope and flips it into a character-driven dramedy. Fans compare it to Konosuba but with a sharper emotional edge.
📖 Reference: Wikipedia

7. Momentary Lily

Rating: 8.2/10

Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan overrun by alien machines, the story follows a group of girls who wander through destroyed cities. They fight to survive, but also take time to cook, share stories, and heal each other’s wounds.

It’s not just a survival anime — it’s about finding small joys amid despair. With breathtaking visuals and music, it feels like a mix of Girls’ Last Tour and Made in Abyss.
📖 Reference: Wikipedia

6. A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof

Rating: 8.1/10

What happens when a trained ninja and a ruthless assassin become roommates? This rom-com action series follows their daily life as they clash, prank each other, and slowly build a complicated bond.

On the surface, it’s comedic — hidden weapons in rice cookers, rooftop chases, and mistaken assassinations — but underneath, it’s a yuri romance with emotional weight.
📖 Reference: Wikipedia

5. Michinoku-toge

Rating: 8.0/10

A crowdfunded indie anime blending Japanese folklore with historical fantasy. It follows a wandering warrior in feudal Japan where animals speak, yokai roam, and mountains hold ancient curses.

The art style is deliberately rustic, but its narrative depth makes it feel like a forgotten Studio Ghibli experiment. It went unnoticed due to limited release, but critics call it one of the year’s most soulful shows.
📖 Reference: Polygon

4. Grand Blue Dreaming – Season 2

Rating: 8.0/10

After seven years, the legendary college comedy returns. Following Iori and his scuba club friends, this season leans even harder into drunken chaos, embarrassing misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments of friendship.

It’s still underappreciated compared to mainstream comedies, but fans of slice-of-life and outrageous humor will find this a laugh-out-loud gem.
📖 Reference: Ranker

3. Medalist

Rating: 8.1/10

Inori, a young girl with no direction, finds her passion in figure skating thanks to her troubled coach Tsukasa. The anime follows her struggles, grueling training, and heartwarming journey toward championships.

What sets it apart is its realism and emotional intensity. It’s not just about skating, but about mentorship, failure, and resilience.
📖 Reference: Ranker

2. Ushio & Tora (2025 Revival)

Rating: 8.3/10

This revival breathes new life into the classic manga adaptation. Ushio, a boy who frees the demon Tora from captivity, is forced into an unlikely alliance as ancient yokai threaten humanity.

Though overshadowed by newer shonen, it stands out for its heartfelt bromance, intense battles, and timeless themes of friendship and sacrifice.
📖 Reference: Ranker

1. Lazarus

Rating: 8.6/10

The year is 2052. Humanity has entered an era of apparent peace thanks to the miracle drug Hapuna, created by Nobel Prize–winning scientist Dr. Skinner. Hapuna is designed to eliminate disease, granting people long, healthy lives — essentially a cure for mortality.

But the utopia doesn’t last. Three years later, in 2055, Dr. Skinner mysteriously reappears with a shocking revelation:

“Everyone who has taken Hapuna will die within three years.”

This declaration turns the world upside down. Billions are now living on a ticking clock, realizing their supposed “gift of life” is instead a death sentence.

To fight against the chaos, a special task force called Lazarus is formed. Comprised of elite operatives, Lazarus is tasked with finding Skinner and forcing him to create an antidote before humanity collapses.

🌸 Special Mentions

• Charlotte – superpower drama that feels fresh again.

• Erased – time-travel thriller worth revisiting.

• Summer Time Rendering – suspenseful hidden gem finally gaining traction.

• Dorohedoro – Season 2 – the return of gritty, surreal brilliance.

• Girls Band Cry – the overlooked music-drama finding new fans.

📖 References: Times of India, AS.com, Polygon

✅ Final Thoughts

If mainstream anime is the blockbuster theater, these underrated titles are the arthouse films — smaller, quieter, and often more profound. From the mystical Water Magician to the eerie brilliance of Whispers Beyond the Veil, these series prove that 2025 isn’t just about the big names.