All-Star Superman redefines superhero storytelling by exploring legacy, morality, and the weight of power through Clark Kent’s introspective journey. Its themes resonate with anime that tackle underdog narratives, unconventional power systems, and subversions of hero tropes.
These 15 underrated series—spanning decades and genres—deserve attention for their unique approaches to heroism, character depth, and philosophical depth.
1. Casshern Sins (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Plot: In a ruined world, amnesiac cyborg Casshern seeks redemption while hunted by robots who believe consuming him grants immortality. His journey questions the cost of power and existence.
- Similarities: Like Superman confronting mortality, Casshern’s quest for purpose amid godlike abilities explores sacrifice and legacy. Both subvert heroism through existential dread.
- Notable: MAL 7.5 · 24 episodes · Studio: Madhouse · Awards: Tokyo Anime Award nominee.
2. Space Brothers (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: At 32, Mutta Nanba pursues astronaut training to match his brother at NASA, overcoming self-doubt in a demanding field.
- Similarities: Echoes Superman’s humility and growth, focusing on ordinary humans achieving extraordinary feats through perseverance.
- Notable: MAL 8.49 · 99 episodes · Studio: A-1 Pictures · Awards: Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize.
3. The Beast Player Erin (2009)
- Streaming: RetroCrush
- Plot: Erin, gifted with beast communication, navigates political strife and ethical dilemmas in a society where humans and mythical creatures clash.
- Similarities: Mirrors Superman’s moral conflicts, emphasizing responsibility and empathy amid power imbalances.
- Notable: MAL 7.9 · 50 episodes · Studio: Production I.G.
4. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Plot: Bullied teen Kenichi trains under eccentric martial arts masters, transforming weakness into strength through discipline.
- Similarities: Parallels Superman’s “man of two worlds” duality, balancing ordinary life with heroic duty through hard-won growth.
- Notable: MAL 8.05 · 50 episodes · Studio: TMS Entertainment.
5. From the New World (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: In a psychic-powered dystopia, Saki uncovers dark societal secrets while grappling with the ethics of absolute power.
- Similarities: Reflects Superman’s struggle with power’s corruption, using dystopia to dissect morality and control.
- Notable: MAL 8.3 · 25 episodes · Studio: A-1 Pictures.
6. Space Patrol Luluco (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Teen Luluco joins intergalactic police, balancing school life with chaotic missions alongside an alien partner.
- Similarities: Satirizes hero tropes like All-Star Superman, blending absurdity with heartfelt themes of duty and identity.
- Notable: MAL 7.2 · 13 episodes (short format) · Studio: Trigger.
7. Somali and the Forest Spirit (2020)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A stoic golem protects human child Somali in a monster-ruled world, facing prejudice during their search for her family.
- Similarities: Highlights Superman’s guardian role, emphasizing hope and connection in a hostile world.
- Notable: MAL 7.8 · 12 episodes · Studio: Satelight · Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Award nominee.
8. Ultimate Muscle (2002)
- Streaming: RetroCrush
- Plot: Cowardly prince Mantarou trains with wrestlers to save Earth, evolving from reluctant heir to confident hero.
- Similarities: Channels Superman’s legacy themes, transforming underdog insecurity into heroic resolve.
- Notable: MAL 6.92 · 51 episodes · Studio: Toei Animation.
9. Wolf’s Rain (2003)
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
- Plot: Wolves seek paradise in a dying world, battling despair while disguised as humans.
- Similarities: Like Superman’s timeless hope, it frames heroism as enduring faith amid desolation.
- Notable: MAL 7.8 · 26 episodes · Studio: Bones · Awards: Iconic Yoko Kanno soundtrack.
10. Yuki Yuna is a Hero (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Magical girls defend their world from monsters, but powers come at devastating physical costs.
- Similarities: Deconstructs heroism like All-Star Superman, exposing the trauma beneath glorified power.
- Notable: MAL 7.5 · 12 episodes · Studio: Studio Gokumi.
11. Hikaru no Go (2001)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: Hikaru masters board game Go with a ghostly mentor’s help, evolving from novice to prodigy.
- Similarities: Echoes Clark’s mentorship under Jor-El, framing mastery as intellectual heroism.
- Notable: MAL 8.08 · 75 episodes · Studio: Pierrot · Awards: Cultural influence on Go’s popularity.
12. Sket Dance (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A high school club helps outcasts, with members overcoming trauma through community service.
- Similarities: Celebrates everyday heroism, mirroring Superman’s belief in grassroots change.
- Notable: MAL 8.21 · 77 episodes · Studio: Tatsunoko.
13. Kingdom (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Plot: Slave-turned-general Xin unifies warring Chinese states through idealism and battlefield prowess.
- Similarities: Reflects Superman’s inspirational leadership, turning underdog ambition into legacy.
- Notable: MAL 7.93 · 77+ episodes · Studio: Pierrot/Signpost.
14. Made in Abyss (2017)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: Orphan Riko descends into a lethal abyss to find her mother, aided by robotic Reg.
- Similarities: Matches Superman’s exploration of sacrifice, using body horror to question the price of power.
- Notable: MAL 8.7 · 13 episodes · Studio: Kinema Citrus · Awards: Best TV Anime (Crunchyroll Awards).
15. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Investigator Re-L uncovers truths about android sentience in a domed city, blurring human/machine lines.
- Similarities: Philosophically dissects power and identity like All-Star Superman, challenging heroism’s foundations.
- Notable: MAL 7.85 · 23 episodes · Studio: Manglobe.
Why These Anime Work for All-Star Superman Fans
These series resonate through shared DNA: power as burden (Casshern Sins, Yuki Yuna), legacy-driven growth (Ultimate Muscle, Kenichi), and moral complexity (From the New World, Ergo Proxy). They prioritize character depth over spectacle, using unconventional settings—post-apocalyptic wastelands, psychic dystopias, or historical battlegrounds—to explore heroism’s human cost. Unlike mainstream hits, their underrated status stems from niche appeal, but their thematic richness offers profound alternatives for fans seeking substance beyond capes.
