Anime isn't the easiest to get into. Part of it is accessibility with so many of the newest titles going to streaming services like Crunchyroll and Funimation, which simulcast episodes airing in Japan and out west. Another is culture. Not everyone wants to get so deep into anime that things like Isekai, Shounen, Shoujo are meaningful markers of what to expect from a show. A solution for the cautiously curious is as simple as opening up the Netflix anime section.
Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services in the world so accessibility is less of an issue, but sifting through the anime genre can be a bit overwhelming to the uninitiated. Maybe now is not the time to go full bore and sit down for something like Attack on Titan. Maybe Naruto and One Piece are too safe and it's time to dive into something different. Many of the anime exclusives Netflix has acquired and produced fall under this middle ground category. These are the "Hidden Gems" or the "anime that don't seem like anime" depending on perspective. Each one offers up something that everyone can relate to, while at the same time showcasing everything great about the genre.
Japan Sinks: 2020
A sprawling disaster epic that would make Roland Emmerich proud. It's equal parts spectacle and heart, telling the story of a catastrophic earthquake that somehow causes Japan to sink into the ocean, and following two siblings that are trying to survive the whole thing.
The focus is primarily on sister and brother Ayumu and Gou Moutou as they embark on a harrowing journey to survive the apocalypse, but it's also on the spectacle done in the unique visual style of director Maasaki Yuasa. It's a roller coaster ride worth taking for 10 episodes.
Violet Evergarden
It’d be hard to find an anime that is both as beautiful to watch and as heartbreaking as this one. The studio behind this anime Kyoto Animation is known for its attention to detail and quality animation, but of all their works Violet Evergarden is one of its most compelling.
This anime tells the story of a young woman named Violet who grew up a ruthless soldier with little to no emotions, but later on, resolves to fulfill the request of her commander's final wish and to learn what love is. Post-war she works as an auto-memory doll helping ordinary citizens writing letters that perfectly capture the emotions they want to convey. Deep themes and beautiful animation make this so easy to sink into.
The Great Pretenders
Think back to what made the Ocean’s 11 movies great: a perfect cast, an epic heist, and the smart snappy dialogue to match the frenetic pacing. The Great Pretenders has all of this, plus the visual stylings of Wit Studios, which is a unique blend of realism on a watercolor canvas.
The story follows a small-time Japanese con-man named Makoto Edamura who makes it into the big time when he is recruited by an international group of con-artists that pull off heists all over the world. This show is just plain cool, plus the ending theme is Freddie Mercury with cats.
Carole and Tuesday
There are a lot of stories that feature great music, but few that are about musicians. Not only is this show about making music, but doing so in a far-flung future where humanity has long conquered the stars. The backbone of the story is the two heroines who are trying to make it in the music industry -- on Mars.
The two leads, Carole and Tuesday, are a duo worth listening to (looking for the soundtrack on Spotify is encouraged,) but it's made all the more interesting when it's Martian society. What makes the duo's story of rising stardom interesting is that their success is built upon their ability to write music without the help of AI, which is unheard of in this society. This is a must-watch for Cowboy Bebop fans with the director of that show, Shinichirō Watanabe, behind Carole and Tuesday.
Brand New Animal
If ever there were an anime that would be right at home in a Saturday morning cartoon block on Cartoon Network in the age of Powerpuff Girls or Samurai Jack it would be Brand New Animal. This show about a society that features beast people is often overshadowed by its more serious counterpart, Beastars, but it's definitely no slouch. The show follows a young woman named Michiru who is a "beastman" and trying to flee the wider world for Anima City, the only safe haven for people like herself.
The show is definitely fun, thanks to the visual style of Studio Trigger, but also has something substantial to say about prejudice in society. It strikes the perfect balance, which makes it a must-watch.