15 “Hidden Gem” Anime on Crunchyroll to Stream Right Now

There’s a lot of anime on Crunchyroll, and some excellent series can be easy to miss among long-running hits and buzzy simulcasts. This guide gathers 15 lesser-discussed series that are available to stream now, covering a mix of genres—mystery, sci-fi, historical drama, slice-of-life, and more—so you can quickly find something new that fits your mood.

Each entry below includes a quick overview of what the show covers, plus concrete details like format, source, and where it sits in the catalog today. Availability on Crunchyroll can vary by region and change over time, so consider these listings a starting point and check your local library settings if a title doesn’t appear.

‘A Place Further Than the Universe’ (2018)

This original TV anime follows four high-schoolers who join a civilian expedition bound for Antarctica, tracking how the team trains, travels, and lives aboard an icebreaker on the way to a research base. The series streams on Crunchyroll with its full episode run available under the catalog entry ‘A Place Further Than the Universe’.

Directed at Madhouse and written for TV, it’s structured around a single, complete season. Crunchyroll also regularly covers related home-video releases and features for the show, which is useful if you want extras like booklets and soundtrack info alongside the streaming episodes.

‘Kyousougiga’ (2013)

Set in a “mirror” version of Kyoto, this TV remake of Rie Matsumoto’s earlier ONA retells the story of Koto and a family tangled up with priests, yokai, and city-sized paintings. The complete TV version is available on Crunchyroll under the ‘Kyousougiga’ series page.

Crunchyroll’s archives also document when the TV edition was added to the service and provide background on the project’s path from web episodes to a broadcast run, helpful context if you’ve only seen clips or the ONA.

‘The Eccentric Family’ (2013–2017)

Based on Tomihiko Morimi’s novels, this series follows a tanuki family in modern Kyoto—plus tengu and humans—balancing everyday life with old rivalries. Season 1 and its sequel are available on Crunchyroll; search the catalog for ‘The Eccentric Family’ and ‘The Eccentric Family 2’.

Both seasons adapt key arcs from the source material and keep the Kyoto setting central to each storyline. Crunchyroll’s series pages list the episodes together with synopses, so you can move straight from season 1 into season 2 without hunting around.

‘Gingitsune: Messenger Fox of the Gods’ (2013)

This adaptation of Sayori Ochiai’s manga focuses on a small Shinto shrine where a teenage caretaker communicates with a silver fox herald. The full run streams on Crunchyroll under ‘Gingitsune: Messenger Fox of the Gods’.

Crunchyroll’s feature coverage also notes the anime’s studio and broadcast details, which is handy if you like to track staff and similar shows from the same team.

‘Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju’ (2016–2017)

Adapted from Haruko Kumota’s manga, this two-season drama traces the art of rakugo storytelling across generations, beginning with an ex-convict who apprentices under a master. Both seasons stream on Crunchyroll; look for the ‘Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju’ series listing.

Crunchyroll’s episode listings and news posts confirm the complete adaptation order, so you can watch the prequel material and the continuation in sequence. Individual episode pages are also accessible directly if you want to sample before starting from episode 1.

‘ID: INVADED’ (2020)

An original sci-fi mystery, this series centers on investigators diving into “id wells”—virtual spaces built from criminals’ unconscious minds—to solve real-world cases. The show streams on Crunchyroll with its full season under the ‘ID: INVADED’ series page.

Crunchyroll’s news hub includes trailers and background on the project’s director and concept, useful if you like checking production notes before you commit. A Blu-ray listing in the Crunchyroll Store also outlines bonus features if you prefer a physical copy.

‘House of Five Leaves’ (2010)

Set in Edo, this adaptation of Natsume Ono’s manga follows a soft-spoken ronin who drifts into a kidnap-for-ransom gang called the Five Leaves. The complete TV series streams on Crunchyroll under ‘House of Five Leaves’.

Crunchyroll’s catalog notes the series’ addition to the platform and retains related news posts for reference, which is helpful for verifying region notes from its original catalog launch.

‘Mononoke’ (2007)

This horror anthology follows the Medicine Seller as he exorcises spirits by uncovering their Form, Truth, and Reason. The TV series streams on Crunchyroll under ‘Mononoke’.

Crunchyroll’s features and continued news coverage track the franchise’s new film projects and related updates, making it easy to watch the classic TV run and keep up with recent entries.

‘Planetes’ (2003–2004)

A near-future workplace drama about a crew that collects orbital debris, this adaptation covers commercial spaceflight logistics, EVA work, and how debris management affects satellite operations. The complete series streams on Crunchyroll as ‘Planetes’.

Crunchyroll’s news item confirms its addition to the catalog, and the store page provides format specs for the home-video release if you want technical details like runtime and audio options.

‘Run with the Wind’ (2018–2019)

Based on Shion Miura’s novel, this drama follows a university team training for Japan’s Hakone Ekiden, covering recruitment, training blocks, and qualifying rules over a full academic year. The full TV run streams on Crunchyroll under ‘Run with the Wind’.

Crunchyroll’s features and episode pages provide additional context on key race stages and episode airdates, which is helpful if you want to line up the timeline with the real-world relay.

‘FLIP FLAPPERS’ (2016)

This single-cour TV anime follows two girls recruited by an organization called Flip Flap as they travel through “Pure Illusion,” a shifting set of parallel realms with their own rules. The series streams on Crunchyroll as ‘FLIP FLAPPERS’.

Crunchyroll’s news coverage includes production background and creator interviews, and the store listing details the Blu-ray release if you want extras and packaging info.

‘ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.’ (2017)

Adapted from Natsume Ono’s manga, this political drama follows inspector Jean Otus as he audits the thirteen districts of a kingdom while rumors of a coup circulate. The TV series streams on Crunchyroll; the follow-up ‘Regards’ OVA is also available.

Crunchyroll’s catalog and store entries provide an overview of language options and episode coverage, and a news post confirms the OVA’s addition to the platform.

‘Shiki’ (2010)

Set in a remote village, this adaptation tracks a string of unexplained deaths and the medical and clerical investigations that follow. The full TV series streams on Crunchyroll under ‘Shiki’.

Crunchyroll’s news archive includes catalog announcements and features that outline themes and structure, which can help if you’re planning a watch order with the special episodes.

‘Tsukigakirei’ (2017)

An original school-set romance, this series follows two classmates as they navigate messaging apps, club activities, and family expectations while figuring out how to communicate. The full season streams on Crunchyroll under ‘Tsukigakirei’.

Crunchyroll’s news posts document its simulcast details and cast information from its initial broadcast period, which is useful if you’re checking voice actors or translation notes.

‘KAGEWANI’ (2015–2016)

Told in short, stylized episodes, this original horror series follows sightings of mysterious creatures and the researcher tracking them. Both the initial run and its sequel stream on Crunchyroll under ‘KAGEWANI’.

Crunchyroll also keeps the original catalog announcement and episode pages live, which makes it easy to confirm watch order and see when season 2 (‘KAGEWANI -II-‘) picks up.

Share your thoughts and favorite lesser-known Crunchyroll series in the comments to help other viewers find their next hidden gem.