Hidden Gems of 2026: Underrated Anime with High Scores
Overlooked 2026 anime that scored high on AniList but flew under the radar. Includes Journal with Witch, Medalist Season 2, and Fate/strange Fake.
Hidden Gems of 2026: Underrated Anime with High Scores
Some 2026 anime scored 75+ on AniList but never broke 50,000 popularity — meaning they flew under most people's radar. Here are the ones worth your time.
Why high scores don't always mean mainstream success
AniList score and popularity don't always move together. The shows below had real audience approval but lacked one specific thing: a simulcast marketing push, a seasonal spotlight slot, or simply luck with algorithm timing.
- Journal with Witch (87, 44,535 popularity) — A slice-of-life drama about a novelist and her niece. The quality is obvious from episode one, but it never got a marketing push from any major platform.
- Medalist Season 2 (83, 17,867 popularity) — The figure skating choreography is noticeably more realistic than most sports anime bother with. The audience stayed small because Season 1 was hard to find on most streaming services.
- Fate/strange Fake (83, 75,543 popularity) — Technically above the popularity cutoff, but still underperforming relative to the Fate franchise's usual reach. The lore barrier is real for newcomers who haven't followed the franchise.
| Rank | Title | Score | Popularity | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journal with Witch | 87 | 44,535 | Drama, Slice of Life |
| 2 | Medalist Season 2 | 83 | 17,867 | Drama, Psychological, Sports |
| 3 | Fate/strange Fake | 83 | 75,543 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery |
| 4 | The Holy Grail of Eris | 69 | 22,025 | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural |
| 5 | Kusunoki's Garden of Gods | 70 | 15,243 | Comedy, Fantasy, Slice of Life |
| 6 | Even a Replica Can Fall in Love | 67 | 13,730 | Drama, Romance, Supernatural |
| 7 | SNOWBALL EARTH | 62 | 11,467 | Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi |
| 8 | The Food Diary of Miss Maid | 64 | 10,272 | Slice of Life |
| 9 | Kujima: Why Sing, When You Can Warble? | 57 | 4,171 | Comedy, Fantasy, Slice of Life |
| 10 | RILAKKUMA | 57 | 1,349 | Fantasy, Slice of Life |
Which ones are actually worth watching
The top half of this list is where the genuinely worth-watching entries live.
Journal with Witch is the closest thing to a must-watch on this list. It trusts its characters to carry scenes, and they do. No exposition dumps, no forced drama.
Medalist Season 2 is only worth it if you watched Season 1. The skating choreography is noticeably better this time around, with more realistic frame timing on the jumps.
Fate/strange Fake — with the caveat that the Fate franchise is essentially impenetrable without prior context. If you're already deep in that ecosystem, it's a fresh entry with stronger energy than recent mainline entries. If you're not, start somewhere else.
The lower-ranked entries are interesting as statistical curiosities, but most have pacing or production issues that explain why they stayed quiet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-scoring underrated anime of 2026?
Journal with Witch leads the list with an AniList score of 87 and 44,535 popularity, followed by Medalist Season 2 at 83 and Fate/strange Fake at 83. These shows earned high audience approval without the marketing momentum of mainstream hits.
Why do some anime have high scores but low popularity?
High scores with low popularity typically indicate that a show is excellent but lacked a simulcast marketing push, a seasonal spotlight slot, or simply luck with algorithm timing. The audience that does find these shows tends to be deeply invested and vocal in their praise.
Is Journal with Witch worth watching?
Yes, Journal with Witch is the closest thing to a must-watch on the underrated list. It trusts its characters to carry scenes without exposition dumps or forced drama, making it a rewarding experience for viewers who appreciate character-driven storytelling.
What makes an anime "underrated"?
An underrated anime is one that scored well with viewers but never broke into mainstream visibility due to factors like limited marketing, niche subject matter, or poor platform placement. These shows often reward viewers who discover them through word of mouth or community recommendations.