The 2000s is an iconic era of anime that brought forth many unforgettable classics, including Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, Code Geass, Naruto, and so many more. However, not every gem from this era has managed to secure its place in modern fans' hearts. Whether deservedly so or not, several gems from this time have fallen out of relevancy and have been largely forgotten by today's fans.
Some are series that have been overshadowed by their siblings or rivals, while others were hurt by their later seasons or simply catered to a more niche audience. While animation technology has improved greatly since then, the 2000s still offer several underrated anime classics that more than deserve a rewatch.
10 Hikaru No Go Brought Go Back Into Popularity
When Hikaru Shindou discovers a mysterious old go board in his attic, his life takes on a new path. Guided by the spirit of an ancient go expert, Fujiwara no Sai, Hikaru reluctantly embarks on a journey into the world of go.
Fans do not need an understanding of go to enjoy this series and the intensely psychological go battles that occur. Hikaru No Go is perfect for lovers of sports anime and strategy games, featuring expert pacing, compelling characters, and the treat of watching them grow up as the plot moves forward.
9 Eden Of The East Had A Very Compelling Premise
While on a graduation trip to America, Saki Morimi doesn't expect to encounter a naked man with no memory carrying a gun. All Akira Takizawa has is his gun and a strange cell phone loaded with 8.2 billion yen, and he unknowingly drags Saki into a dangerous game of death, money, and world salvation.
While some fans argue it may not have the most satisfying wrap-up, Eden Of The East is a wild ride and definitely worth a watch. With a compelling concept and interesting characters, the series is a highly entertaining conspiracy thriller and a gem from the Spring of 2009 anime season.
8 Searching For The Full Moon Is A Wholesome & Mature Shojo Story
12-year-old Mitsuki dreams of becoming a professional singer, but she tragically suffers from a tumor in her throat. When two shinigami show up and reveal she has only one year left to live, Mitsuki is determined to make her dreams come true before her time is up. With help from the shinigami and a little magic, she transforms into Full Moon, the 16-year-old pop sensation, and pursues her passion.
Searching For The Full Moon is a heartbreaking shojo classic based on the manga by Arina Tanemura. While the primary romance includes a highly questionable age gap, the series does stand out for its deep, moving, and mature story.
7 Planetes Is An Excellent Sci Fi Drama
In 2075, humanity has colonized the moon and successfully commercialized space travel. Ai Tanabe works in the department of debris removal at Technora Corporation. She soon discovers the department to be understaffed and underappreciated, but nonetheless bonds with her ragtag team of eccentric coworkers.
Planetes starts out with a more episodic slice-of-life workplace comedy type of rhythm before transitioning into an intense and riveting space drama. Considered a hard sci-fi, Planetes proposes a more grounded, realistic idea of what space exploration would actually look like in the future without alien races or light-speed travel. Fans of philosophical, character-driven science fiction should definitely give the show a chance.
6 Honey And Clover Is A Thoughtful Coming-Of-Age Story
Yuuta Takemoto is an average college student who has thus far given little consideration to his future. His life is flipped on its head when he meets the charming and gifted artist Hagumi Hanamoto and experiences love at first sight. Honey And Clover presents a profound coming-of-age story, following Takemoto and his friends as they stumble through life, love, and the quest to figure out their futures.
Honey And Clover is based on a manga by Chiko Umino, the author responsible for the revered seinen March Comes In Like A Lion. The series masterfully captures the uncertainty and anticipation associated with college and the impending life transitions that come after.
5 Paradise Kiss Is Overshadowed By Its Younger Sister
Yukari Hayasaka has never expressed an interest in the fashion world; instead, she lives a dutiful and studious yet ultimately unfulfilling life. When an eccentric group of fashion design students discovers her beauty, their leader, George Koizumi, decides they must have her as their model. Dragged into this new world, Yukari embarks on a journey she never expected.
While often overshadowed by its highly revered younger sister Nana, Paradise Kiss is an absolute treat. The art and fashion designs are top-notch, and the drama has the refreshingly realistic approach that Ai Yazawa's work is known for.
4 D.Gray Man Is A Forgotten Shonen Gem
The enigmatic genius Millennium Earl has concocted a method to exploit those suffering from a great loss. He utilizes the souls that have been called back from the dead, from the desire to be resurrected, and traps them in mechanical weapons known as Akuma. Allen Walker, a new exorcist of the Black Order, fights to stop Millennium Earl and his dangerous weapons.
While popular back in its heyday, with recent successes like Attack On Titan and My Hero Academia, the original D.Gray Man anime has fallen out of relevance. The series takes several episodes to get going, but once it does, it offers a uniquely philosophical shonen with a distinct aesthetic and excellent characters.
3 Princess Tutu Is A Magical Girl Staple
Princess Tutu is a fairy tale with an unlikely protagonist: Ahiru is a duck given a chance to fulfill her dream and turn into a human. With the ability to transform into the graceful ballerina Princess Tutu, Ahiru is tasked with finding and piecing back together the lost shards of her beloved fairy tale prince's heart.
While Princess Tutu's 20th anniversary was celebrated this past year in Japan, the series has flown a bit more under the radar in the west. Fans of Revolutionary Girl Utena and Puella Magi Madoka Magica will enjoy this more mature take on magical girls and fairy tales.
2 Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad Offers A Fantastic Soundtrack
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Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka is 14 and has no goals in life. His mundane life is toppled over when he meets guitarist Ryuusuke "Ray" Minami and his dog, Beck. As Koyuki is drawn into the glamour of rock n' roll, he takes up the guitar and, with Ray, decides to form the band BECK to pursue their dreams.
Beck is a forgotten MADHOUSE gem featuring a fantastic original soundtrack. Koyuki is a compelling lead and heads a cast of interesting and well-developed characters. While the animation is slightly outdated, the series is funny, extremely entertaining, and certainly worth a rewatch.
1 Darker Than Black Was Hurt By Its Second Season
10 years ago, a phenomenon occurred. While Hell's Gate opened in Japan, Heaven's Gate opened in South America, and a veil came over the night sky. Hei is an infamous contractor who has been granted supernatural abilities in exchange for the price of his humanity, and he now works for the mysterious Syndicate. The series follows Hei's attempt to uncover his true mission and his mysterious past.
By Studio Bones, Darker Than Black features a unique and riveting plot, a cool and dark setting, and highly compelling characters. While quietly ignoring the existence of the second season, Darker Than Black is a forgotten masterpiece that definitely calls for a rewatch.