Nostalgia for the 21st century, especially now, seems to be at an all-time high. This is also true for anime fans, who continue to share their love for anime classics from this era. Many are also finding new series to watch thanks to the resurgence in popularity of 21st century anime, whether popular classics or hidden gems.
When it comes to hidden gem anime, there are hundreds of shows that many fans have yet to discover. There really is something for everyone, from supernatural slice-of-life to action-packed science fiction. Some shows are even created by the same people who brought other classics from the era to life, but are still waiting for their chance in the spotlight.
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.hack//Sign is a legendary video game Isekai
Tsukasa finds himself trapped in the digital world
In the world of.hack//Draw2009 becomes a true turning point for society when a violent computer virus known as Pluto's kiss causing a destructive internet shutdown that almost even results in war. After this chaotic event, the rules of cyberspace are made even stricter. The aftermath of Pluto's kiss tragedy also reveals that an operating system, Altimit OS, is mysteriously immune to all known computer viruses, even Pluto's kiss. Soon after, an online fantasy role-playing game called The worldintroduced exclusively for Altimit OS systems.
The story really begins when a player named Tsukasa wakes up in The World, with no memories of his past or a way to log out of the game. Therefore, he embarks on a great quest to rediscover his past and learn the secrets behind the legendary online game. Despite what new audience members may believe, .hack//Sign has very few action sequences; instead, the show is slow and very introspective. .hack//Signas well as the series that follows it, are known for delving into themes of mental health, escapism, and humanity's relationship with technology.
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Den-Noh Coil Set in a world where AR becomes part of reality
A group of children discover secrets concerning their home
Set in 2026, Den-Noh Coil introduces its audience to a world where unique AR glasses, known as Den-Noh Megane, changed society forever. Since the glasses' debut, Den-Noh technology is everywhere you look, and even children are rarely without their own AR glasses. Many children in the series, including the main characters Yuko “Yasako” Okonogi and Yuko “Isako” Amasawa, cannot imagine life without the Den-Noh technique. Yasako is even shown with her own virtual pet, a dog named Densuke, who can only be seen with Den-Noh Megane.
Although Den-Noh Megane seems to help many people, it is not without its drawbacks or its mysteries. Yasako later joins a Children's Detective Bureau, where its members attempt to solve mysteries related to several Den-Noh Megane-related urban legends. Meanwhile, Yasako tries to solve a friend's disappearance while figuring out why she can't remember her memories of visiting her new home. Since its debut, it has been highly praised by critics Den-Noh Coilthanks to its characters, soundtrack and amazing animations.
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Haibane Renmei Is mysterious, emotional and heartfelt
The journey of several angelic people
Serial Experiment Laina legendary psychological thriller anime with character designs by Yoshitoshi Abe, is considered a gem thanks to how its story delves into the relationship between humanity and the Internet. However, there are several fans of the series who may never have heard of Haibane Renmeianother supernatural anime that was actually created by Yoshitoshi Abe. Haibane Renmei began as a self-published work by Abe himself, including the first story and character design elements for the characters.
Haibane Renmei takes place in a mysterious world where angelic beings called shark must live in a rural location called the Old Home after they hatch from cocoons. Rakka, a new one shark named after her dream of falling, wakes up with no memories as she gets to know her fellow angelic individuals, while also adapting to growing wings and wearing a halo. Although things seem peaceful in Old Home and the walled city of Glie, dark secrets surround Rakka's new home and her fellow sharks. The series works with several themes such as sin, suicide, redemption and grief, but still handles each moment with consideration and care.
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Wolf rain Has a unique story
A wolf pack tries to find paradise in a dying world
In a dystopian society, the few remaining wolves on planet Earth desperately search for Paradise, their only refuge from violent humans and the impending doom of the world. The series' protagonist, the white wolf Kiba, arrives in Freeze City while tracking the scent of the Lunar Flower, a crucial key to finding Paradise. But Kiba knows that his life would be in danger if people saw him. Thus, like other wolves in the anime, he uses illusions to appear human, this ability also allows him to speak.
Kiba meets several other wolves, such as Tsume, Toboe, and Hige, who have lived together with humans for many years. But even when their paths cross with the source of the moon flower, their path to paradise will indeed be difficult. Since the debut, Wolf rain has received much praise for its unique storytelling and even received a manga adaptation. One of the most beautiful aspects of the series is its soundtrack, created by legendary composer Yoko Kanno and various artists from around the world.
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Princess Tutu Writes about classic fairy tales
A duck wants to save a prince's heart
Originally premiered in Japan in 2002, Princess Tutu is a magical girl anime that is heavily inspired by classic fairy tales and ballet performances, esp The ugly duckling and Swan Lake. But the story that Princess Tutu has at its core is completely unique. The world of Princess Tutu takes place in a storybook, written by the author Drosselmeyer. But before he could finish his greatest story, The Prince and the RavenDrosselmeyer continued. In order to defeat the evil Raven once and for all, Prince Siegfried, the hero of the story, broke his own heart and thus lost his feelings and memories.
Some time later, a lonely duck has fallen in love with Mytho, the emotionless remains of the tragic prince. Hoping to finally bring closure to the saga, Drosselmeyer's consciousness gives her the ability to transform into a human girl as well as the magical ballerina Princess Tutu. Duck sets out on a mission to restore Mythos' broken heart, but finds that not everyone in her world wants this outcome. Princess Tutualthough it has a fanciful and adorable outer shell, it is also an anime with a deeply emotional and shockingly true story at its core, and a perfect show for fairy tale fans.
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Kaiba Is unlike any other science fiction anime
Warp travels across the universe after losing his memories
Legendary anime director Masaaki Yuasa is known for his work on many unique series, but still Kaiba is an extraordinary title that many fans may have never heard of. In the futuristic world of Kaibaindividuals across the galaxy can now store their memories, and thus their minds, in memory chips. Because of this, memory chips can be preserved after one's body dies, or an individual can insert their memory chip into another body and thus live on. However, this technique is not without consequences, and Kaiba does not hesitate to show how corruption and greed can completely destroy someone's life.
Kaiba begins when an amnesiac man known only as Warp wakes up with a hole in his chest and a pendant around his neck, with an image of a woman he can't recognize. Therefore, Warp embarks on a journey to discover the secrets of the galaxy around him and to find out exactly who he is. Despite having an often cute art style, Kaiba is intended for a mature audience and deals with themes not suitable for younger audiences. However, it is an astonishing and heart-wrenching series that is sure to remain in the minds of the audience long after watching it.
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Mushi-Shi Is reflective and utterly enchanting
Ginko encounters many people with supernatural problems
In a fictional time between the Edo period and the Meiji period, a traveler known as Ginko wanders from one village to another. Each chapter and/or section in Mushi-Shi usually features one new cast per story, but each story is tied together by the arrival of Ginko, as well as the rise of a tribe of supernatural beings known as the Mushi. These creatures appear similar to plants or bacteria, yet are powerful enough to greatly affect the world around them. As Ginko travels, he meets new people whose lives have been changed by Mushi's abilities, some for the better and some for the worse.
Although the supernatural phenomena in Mushi-Shi can really take on aspects of a horror story, anime is actually a part of iyashikei genre, a slice-of-life subgenre focused on placating audiences. With its slow-paced narrative, gorgeous soundtrack, and beautiful visuals, it's easy to see how one might feel calmer after watching an episode of Mushi-Shi or two. But its engaging story and broad cast do Mushi-Shi a truly unforgettable watch.
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Mononoke Recently returned after over a decade
Fans can watch the sequel now on Netflix
The 2000s was certainly a time for more experimental anime, from Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo to Cat soup. However, an avant-garde anime that became very popular upon its debut, and even more years after, remains Toei Animations Mononoke. Set around the end of the Edo period, the original Mononoke The series follows the adventures of a mysterious, supernatural individual known only as “The Medicine Seller”. Each story in the anime showcases the medicine seller's battles against harmful ones mononokespirits that cling to negative human emotions. But to properly get rid of mononokethe druggist must learn its form, truth and reasoning to be there.
In 2024, seventeen years after the original series' debut in 2007, Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain released worldwide. Following the travels of another medicine salesman, the film and its sequels all work with the unique animation style that made their predecessors so beloved. Like the original Mononoke, Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain and Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage explore the relationship between humans and mononoke, as well as the negative emotions that cause their paths to cross. The first film not only received positive reviews from critics, but helped reboot the franchise's popularity with a new audience.
