20 Underrated Anime From The 2000s You Shouldn't Have Skipped

xxxHOLiC is one of several anime based on CLAMP manga that were popular at the time, but have been largely forgotten since their release. Kimihiro Watanuki can see spirits, and he hates it. A strange woman named Yuuko Ichihara claims to be able to rid him of this ability, but only if he works in her store granting people's wishes. 

Renton Thurston is a bored teenager who spends most of his days riding Trapar wave particles - basically, he's surfing in the air. His everyday life is turned upside-down when Eureka, a member of the Gekkostate, comes to his family's mechanic shop get her Nirvash typeZERO robot tuned up. Renton ends up becoming the Nirvash's co-pilot and joining the Gekkostate. 

Shaman King was popular when it first came out in 2001, but it's rarely mentioned anymore. After a run-in with ghosts at the local cemetery, Manta Oyamada discovers that his new friend Yoh Asakura isn't exactly what he seems. Manta's ability to see ghosts means that he isn't what he seems, either. Despite that, he has a lot to learn about Yoh, and about the Shaman Fight, a tournemnet that Yoh seeks to win.

After rescuing dog named Beck and returning it to its owner, Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka ends up meeting the person who will change his life: Ryuusuke "Ray" Minami, a rock musician. Along with Ray's sister Maho and several other musicians, they form a band called Beck that they hope will take the world by storm. 

NANA is an emotionally devastating anime about two young women with the same name and opposite personalities who develop a friendship. One is sweet, bubbly and aimless, while the other is a headstrong punk rocker. Both will encounter serious problems in love and life, and strengthen their friendship in the process. 

Planning to support him as he goes after his dream of becoming an idol Kyouko Mogami follows her childhood friend and crush Shoutarou "Shou" Fuwa to Tokyo. When Kyouko discovers that Shou sees her as little more than a maid, she decides that he can go screw himself. Her new goal isn't to support him: it's to become a better idol than he could ever be.