Among the dozens of new anime series released each year, there are always works that are forgotten by the audience. Recently, through MyAnimeList (MAL) – the world's largest anime database – a user compiled a list of the 20 movies most often overlooked by viewers. MyAnimeList is a tool widely used by anime fans to keep track of the anime they are currently watching or plan to watch in the future.
Featured on the anime subreddit, MAL's “Not Watched” lineup shows which anime series are most frequently categorized by users as “Planning to Watch,” “Waiting for,” and “Abandoned.” While many of these series are standalone works, there are still a surprising number of titles based on large, long-running franchises, creating a paradoxical phenomenon that leaves many fans confused.
This phenomenon not only creates confusion but also causes concern for users. The existence of highly anticipated sequels to popular franchises ending in these categories raises questions about anime fans' viewing patterns and expectations.
The list compiled by MyAnimeList provides interesting insight into anime viewer behavior and the challenges certain series face in attracting and maintaining audience attention. In a market saturated by countless new works, even the most promising titles can go unnoticed, underscoring the competitiveness and volatility of the anime world.
Below is a list of 20 anime that are unfortunately overlooked by audiences:
20. Yawara! (22,414 members) / Estimated viewers: 13,402 (59.79%).
19. Top Secret: The Revelation (19,958 members) / Estimated viewers: 11,940 (59.82%).
18. Seisenshi Dunbine (13,970 members) / Estimated viewers: 8,398 (60.11%).
17. Texnholyze (254,854 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 153,446 (60.21%).
16. Oniisama e… (48,513 members) / Estimated viewers: 29,456 (60.72%).
15. Aria the Origination (130,370 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 79,259 (60.80%).
14. Fuujin Monogatari (19,672 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 11,986 (60.93%).
13. Ginga Tetsudou 999 (39,332 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 24,120 (61.32%).
12. Blade Runner: Black Lotus (25,473 members) / Estimated viewers: 15,661 (61.48%).
11. Kaze no Youjinbou (15,675 members) / Estimated viewers: 9,642 (61.51%).
10. Eternal Boys (14,167 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 8,747 (61.74%)
9. Shaman King: Flowers (29,988 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 18,639 (62.16%)
8. Musashino! (10,324 members) / Estimated viewers: 6,447 (62.45%)
7. Zettai Shounen (21,037 members) / Estimated viewers: 13,195 (62.72%)
6. Master Keaton (28,638 members) / Estimated viewers: 18,122 (63.28%)
5. Hyouge Mono (29,010 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 18,872 (65.05%)
4. Touken Ranbu Kai: Kyoden Moyuru Honnouji (10,673 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 6,995 (65.54%)
3. FLCL: Shoegaze (19,057 members) / Estimated viewers: 13,070 (68.58%)
2. FLCL: Grunge (32,186 members) / Estimated viewers: 25,594 (79.52%)
1. KanColle: Itsuka Ano Umi de (52,661 members) / Number of people planning to watch: 42,107 (79.96%)