The Fall 2023 anime season has come and gone; however, it has left a ton of fresh new anime for fans of various genres to enjoy. While some of these new anime series may not have found success like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, or the second season of Jujutsu Kaisen, many portray spectacular visuals and intriguing stories in their own right.

Unfortunately, many of them are outshone by their counterparts who bask in the limelight, and so they remain underrated gems ready to be found. While many shows such as Under Ninja, Dead Mount Death Play 2, and Overtake! are underrated, they are worth checking out.

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Fall 2023 Anime Lineup: Where To Watch Every Series

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10 Under Ninja

MyAnimeList Score: 6.65

Imagine being allowed to become a skilled undercover ninja as a part-time job. For 17-year-old Kuro Kumogakure, this became his reality as he was chosen as one of the ninjas who would protect Japan from foreign invaders. While the ninja organization ‘disappeared’ after the Pacific War, true ninjas never truly disappeared.

Despite being a high school loner, Kuro was chosen, and he saw it as the opportunity of a lifetime. Given the order to infiltrate a high school, Kuro is given the latest equipment and strives to fulfill his ninja assignment. Mixing the idea of high school and a world of ninjas is a different plot which may serve a great watch.

9 Our Dating Story

MyAnimeList Score: 6.71

Ryuuto is just about average in every way. However, when he loses a game, he is told to confess to the school's most beautiful girl, Runa, as a form of punishment. While he expected to be rejected and embarrassed, Runa ended up accepting him simply because she was free.

In an unexpected turn of events, the two start going out together; however, their friend groups, likes, and tastes are completely different. With Runa having dated many boys, she is experienced in matters of love; however, the gloomy Ryuuto is not, so their relationship may not last. Or would it? In one way or the other, Runa choosing to explore a relationship with Ryuuto in many ways provides a different plot direction viewers may not be so used to.

8 Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer In Orange

MyAnimeList Score: 6.76

The animated anime series Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange came to life after Kodansha animated the works of Japanese mangaka Masahito Soda. The simplicity and straightforwardness of the anime series make it alluring to its viewers as it portrays the lives of Toake Daigo, Onoda Shun, and Nakamura Yuki, who all want to become part of the Orange Special Rescue Corps of Firefighters.

With determination in their hearts and a willingness to risk their lives, these three come together to overcome a crisis that could burn Japan to the ground. Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange is no Fire Force, but the simplicity of the series may appeal to viewers who are not looking for anything too serious.

7 16bit Sensation: Another Layer

MyAnimeList Score: 7.17

Featuring otaku culture in a workplace setting, this anime series portrays Konoha Akisato, who can be said to have been born in the wrong period. Konoha is an illustrator who loves illustrating beautiful girls and bishoujo games.

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Having dreams of becoming a super famous illustrator one day, Konoha works at a video game studio; however, she only colors the backs of background characters as a sub-illustrator. Luckily for her, she then gets sent back in time to 1992, the golden age of Bishoujo, and gets the opportunity to fulfill her dream. Moving the plot from the modern setting fans are used too while also centralising it on the golden age of Bishoujo in many ways stands out from other Otaku Culture based series.

6 Migi & Dali

MyAnimeList Score: 7.19

Migi and Dali is a carefully crafted anime series with a standout plot. In the show, the wealthy couple Osamu and Youko Sonoyama adopt the beautiful and gentle Hitori. Although Hitori appears to be the ideal child, the couple is unaware that Migi and Dali's twin brother Hitori is merely a fictional character.

Moreover, this set of brothers does not simply want to keep living with the couple. Instead, they plan to find the root cause of an incident that left them with a quest for vengeance. With Migi the more emotional of the brothers and Dali the more rational one, a plot unfolds. While Migi and Dali employs mystery in one of the finest ways, these twins have the ability to captivate viewers in unexpected ways.

5 The Vexations Of A Shut-In Vampire Princess

MyAnimeList Score: 7.31

Power does a lot of things; however, in various societies portrayed in anime, if one is appointed to a place of power without sufficient strength, then only doom awaits. This exact situation is what Vampire Terakomari Grandesblood woke up to after three years as a shut-in.

As a vampire who does not drink blood and is inept at magic, being appointed as a commander in the Mulnite Imperial Army may do more harm than good. Moreover, as her subordinates will revolt if she shows the slightest hint of weakness, Terakomari must find a way to succeed even with the odds against her. Even though some mainstream shows have twinkled around the plot of this series, the idea of vampire being the opposite of her race communicates that viewers are in for varying plot structures.

4 Dead Mount Death Play

MyAnimeList Score: 7.31

With season one airing in the spring of 2023, Dead Mount Death Play returned for a second season in the fall of 2023; however, it’s not getting the attention it deserves as it's highly underrated.

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The show portrays the corpse god, a powerful necromancer who is suddenly reborn as Polka Shinoyama, a young boy in modern Japan. Various people who deal with the occult suddenly target Polka as he tries to adjust to his new body. But while Polka tries to adapt to his new body, he does not remain powerless. Although a reverse isekai, the idea of Polka trying to adapt while also trying to stay alive even though he is targeted may should appeal to viewers who want to see one of the ways the isekai genre can be utilized.

3 Overtake!

MyAnimeList Score: 7.37

Unlike the usual shonen anime series with an overpowered protagonist or a magic system, Overtake! is a diamond in the rough. This anime series shows the lives of Haruka Asahina, a professional Formula 4 driver, and Kouya Madoka, a freelance photographer who finds himself in a slump, as they intersect with one another.

Rather than the usual fantasy series, Overtake! is focused on F4 Auto racing, a trope not seen as a main focus in various anime series. Moreover, as an original anime series, this show leaves fans with suspense with every episode.

2 Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc

MyAnimeList Score: 7.41

Shows such as Blue Lock and Haikyuu portray the camaraderie that comes with sports. In the anime series Captain Tsubasa, this camaraderie is portrayed through a love of soccer.

Elementary school student Tsubasa is very passionate about soccer and dreams of representing Japan in the FIFA World Cup. While Tsubasa starts as one of the most talented individuals in his locale, after moving to Nankatsu city, he quickly realizes that, as John C. Maxwell wrote, "Talent is never enough, and he needs more than that to stand out from the crowd." Forming friendships and rivals, Tsubasa strives to reach higher heights. With its plot progressing further, the Junior Youth arc which propels the story fans were already used to aims to drop even more surprises than expected.

1 Tearmoon Empire

MyAnimeList Score: 7.42

This anime series features Mia, the conceited princess of the Tearmoon Empire, who receives a guillotine death sentence. As the guillotine blade falls, Mia suddenly wakes up as a 12-year-old. Back in the past, Mia sets out to correct the wrongdoings of the empire with the help of her maid, Minister Ludwig, and others.

In this anime series, Mia’s change of heart comes unconventionally as she strives to change the empire, not because she sees the wrongdoings of the empire but simply because the guillotine hurts like hell. While using a unique story to explain the narrative, Tearmoon Empire should serve as a good watch because its plot arises from the fact the protagonist just feels the guillotine hurts and does not want to go through that again; hence portraying uniqueness some viewers may like.

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