Intro: Whether you’re working on a project, studying for an exam, or need to focus, sometimes you need background noise. Or when you’re stuck at home working and need a break, watching anime can be a great way to relax. That means listening to music for some people, but watching anime for others. If you’re looking for some underrated anime to watch when trying to get things done, here are eight recommendations.
1. Bleach:
If you’re looking for a short anime that will be over in an hour, Bleach is excellent. Since it’s so action-packed with very little dialogue, listening to the English dub while doing other things will be perfect. It is a fantastic show with a rich world and an exciting story that keeps you engaged even if you’re not looking for battles. The Arrancar arc may have been its high point, but there’s still plenty to catch up on after going through the Soul Society arc. You can use Pirate Bay to download and watch all the seasons and episodes in one go.
2. Hell Girl:
The only anime that’s more underrated than this one is the show it’s named after. The story follows Ai Enma, a girl who carries out the vengeance of betrayed and wronged people by ferrying them to Hell. Using a network of tunnels that connects humans’ minds directly to Hell, she sends the souls there to pay for their crimes. It has an interesting premise, but it quickly found its own identity in taking dark turns with compelling revenge stories. Even when one incident comes to an end, something just as interesting is waiting around the corner. It’s beautiful visuals and psychological horror will keep you interested throughout your day. If you want a supernatural element to your anime while still being at home, Hell Girl has it in spades. So, if you’re looking for some tension, this is the show for you.
3. Mononoke:
Mononoke is a show that’s hard to describe and even harder to keep your attention on. The title character is a “Medicine Seller,” one of several people who possess supernatural abilities who wander the land dealing with spirits and monsters. That setup sounds like plenty of anime, but the real focus here is tales. Each episode tells a different story based on actual Japanese myths and legends. The first episode is just a random story, but each focuses on one particular tale afterward. Some are better than others, but the episodes are mostly engaging and never less interesting. Mononoke is the story of a young woman named Yuki, who is pulled into the world of the spirits when her parents are killed in an accident that turns out to have been caused by a spirit.
4. Death Parade:
Death Parade has a lot of dark and depressing tones, but it’s also an excellent anime. The show tackles morality and emotions, asking what good those feelings are if we lose control over them. The show is set in the afterlife, where people who recently died play games with each other to determine whether they move on to reincarnation or stay trapped as spirits. Chiyuki is a spirit who doesn’t realize she’s dead. She forms an unlikely friendship with Decim, the bartender of the afterlife, and the two help each other process their emotions. This one is a perfect choice for people who like Psychological drama in an afterlife setting. The story follows the people who are judged at a bar called Quindecim. They enter one door and come out another, but that’s just the beginning. You’ll have to watch it to find out more.
5. Kids on the Slope:
Kids on the Slope is a coming-of-age story about two high school boys who meet at a music club. They bond over their shared love for jazz and inevitably fall in love with each other. It’s not a yaoi anime, but it’ll leave you feeling romantic all the same. It even won the Animation of the Year award in 2009 from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Koji Morimoto is a talented young jazz drummer who gets inspired to take up the instrument after hearing American pop songs on the radio. He soon meets Kaoru, an attractive upperclassman who’s mastered classical piano and dreams of playing in an orchestra. Koji and Kaoru are apprentices under legendary musician Satoru Okabe (and his wife, Sachiko), who teaches jazz music. With their newfound knowledge, the kids decide to start a jazz band. How does it go? Watch to find out.
6. Baccano! :
This anime has an all-star cast, with the same director as Durarara!! And what some have called the best opening scene in anime. Throughout several decades on board a train, the story takes place where several different plots co-occur. It doesn’t sound obvious, but you won’t care by episode three or four because it is incredibly entertaining. If you’re in the mood for something lighthearted, Baccano! Might be what you’re looking for. The series features multiple story arcs focusing on different characters crossing paths in 1930s America. Each story is told with narration that jumps around in time, so it’s easy to follow along while working without getting too distracted.
Conclusion: If you’re looking for some underrated anime to watch when you need to focus, here are six recommendations. Whether you’re working on a project, studying for an exam, or need to get things done, watching anime can be a great way to relax and de-stress. So go ahead and add one (or all) of these shows to your list!
