Niche Anime Genres You’ve Likely Never Watched Before Posted Nov 27, 2020
While lots of people around the world watch anime shows, not many people are as invested as avid fans and followers who can break down tons of shows according to their genres. Not being able to do so is, by no means, a bad thing but it probably means that you have been missing out on quite a lot.
Perhaps the most notable anime genres for most people are action, adventure, comedy, drama, horror, mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy among others. Not many people pay attention to the sub-genres though and this is what I intend to shed some light on in this article. Most of the sub-genres I have uncovered are quite frankly big enough to be considered as full-fledged genres of this form of entertainment but due to their rather niche nature, they are not pushed as much. You have probably heard about several of them but I am going to focus on the ones that you are least likely to have ever heard about.
Let's begin.
1. Ecchi
If you are not the kind of person who has deep interests in adult content then you definitely will not have heard about Ecchi. Unlike Hentai which is known for being openly pornographic, Ecchi tones things down quite a bit by offering viewers less explicit content. These are implemented very tastefully and are often praised for being able to focus on sexual themes and depicting sexual imagery without necessarily being considered to be R-rated.
Ecchi anime shows such as To Love-Ru, Saekano, High School DxD, and Shimoneta are just a few of the amazing ones that you can find. These shows also blend elements of other genres such as comedy to make them more wholesome and thus more appropriate for general audiences.
2. Slice of Life
The one reason why you have probably never heard of this kind of anime show is because they are not particularly as exciting especially when compared to the action-packed counterparts. However, they are great for people who love vlogs and reality television shows simply because they share a lot in common. So, Slice of Life shows are generally depictions of a person's normal daily life in rather mundane settings.
This could mean anything from going to work, spending time with family, and even everyday recreational or fun activities. If you are looking for laid animes to watch then this genre is probably one of the best ones to try out. Most people will certainly appreciate the fact that these shows tend to be very low on drama while focusing on chill stories that, as it turns, has a pretty huge fanbase.
Great examples of these Slice of Life shows include Restaurant to Another World, Tonari No Seki Kun, ToraDora, ReLIFE, Non Non Biyori, and Barakamon.
3. Game
Unless you are interested in gambling or any other form of gaming entertainment then the Game genre is probably one that you may not have come across before. While many shows often depict different kinds of games, you may be surprised to know that some are dedicated to nothing but telling stories related to gaming.
So, whether you like board games, card games, puzzle games, or even virtual games, you will certainly find some shows to enjoy. Some of the shows you should definitely check out if you are looking for great gambling anime to watch include Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, Touhai Densetsu Akagi: Yami ni Maiorita Tensai, Saki, Legendary Gambler Tetsuya, Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler, Mahjong Hishouden: Naki No Ryuu, and C: The Money Of Soul And Possibility Control, et cetera.
4. Josei
These are hidden gems whose popularity is mainly held back by the fact that they often tend to target a specific demographic, that is, female viewers aged between 18 and 40. However, this does not take anything away from them. In fact, their depictions of life, romance, and sometimes sexuality in a more mature manner makes them very easy to recommend to any anime-loving adult. There is a lot to learn from them and they tell very interesting stories.
Some great shows that belong to this genre include Nodame Cantabile, Princess Jellyfish, Paradise Kiss, Yuri!!! on Ice, Ristorante Paradiso, Nana, 07 Ghost, Honey and Clover and, Michiko & Hatchin.
5. Parody
Winding up my list of the anime genre you have probably never heard of is parody anime which just as its name implied involves referencing other anime shows or genres. These are often more inclined towards bringing a comedic effect. Naturally, parodying content comes with its own set of problems and many anime creators do not take them lightly.
However, when done right, the shows can be pretty great to watch and enjoy. A few of the ones that you should check out include Carnival Phantasm, Ouran High School Host Club, Gintama, One-Punch Man (sort of), Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun, and Osomatsu-San.
Are They Worth It?
The simple answer to this question is yes. Still, it all comes down to personal preferences and interests whenever you are choosing a genre of anime to watch. My intention with this article was to just shed some light on a few great genres and popular shows that you would otherwise miss if you are not looking hard enough for them. This is certainly not all of them and I, just like you, also keep learning about new genres and shows from time to time.
Anime genres come and go or even change so these may also change at some point. This, however, rarely applies to popular genres. If there is a big enough fanbase these might even become as big as other genres. So, if you find a show that you like you can try to recommend it to more anime fans and maybe that will help keep the genres vibrant for much longer.
Hopefully, this niche genre list is complete enough and will be enough to help you begin your journey to discovery in the vast world of anime. Happy viewing!
