Ben 10: Alien Force follows a teenage Ben Tennyson as he reunites with Gwen and Kevin to face new threats, wielding the Omnitrix’s evolving powers against alien invaders and secret conspiracies.
The series stands out for its inventive power systems, underdog heroism, and the way it subverts expectations as its young cast matures into true defenders.
For fans who crave anime with similar themes—transformative abilities, complex character growth, and a mix of sci-fi and coming-of-age drama. These 15 underrated series deserve a closer look.
1. Parasyte: The Maxim (2014)
- Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 8.3
- Studio: Madhouse
- Awards: Tokyo Anime Award (2016)
- Plot: High schooler Shinichi Izumi forms a symbiotic bond with an alien parasite, battling others who threaten humanity.
- Similarities: Alien integration, moral ambiguity, evolving powers, and a protagonist forced to grow up fast.
2. World Trigger (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 99
- MAL Rating: 7.5
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Plot: Earth’s Border agency trains teens to fight off interdimensional alien invaders using customizable “Triggers.”
- Similarities: Team-based tactics, alien tech, underdog squads, and a focus on strategic power use.
3. Eldlive (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.6
- Studio: Pierrot
- Plot: Chuuta joins an intergalactic police force, discovering a voice in his head is an alien partner.
- Similarities: Alien allies, coming-of-age, and a protagonist learning to trust his team and himself.
4. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 48
- MAL Rating: 8.1
- Studio: 8bit
- Awards: Sugoi Japan Award (2019)
- Plot: Satoru is reborn as a slime, gaining the ability to absorb and mimic the powers of others.
- Similarities: Shapeshifting, power absorption, and creative use of evolving abilities.
5. Knights of Sidonia (2014)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.7
- Studio: Polygon Pictures
- Awards: Seiun Award (2015)
- Plot: Humanity’s last survivors fight shape-shifting alien Gauna aboard a massive spaceship.
- Similarities: Alien warfare, genetic modification, and a young hero rising to the challenge.
6. Towa no Quon (2011)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Episodes: 6 (movie series)
- MAL Rating: 7.5
- Studio: Bones
- Plot: Quon, a mutant with shapeshifting powers, leads a group of gifted youths against a shadowy organization.
- Similarities: Team of super-powered teens, shapeshifting, and themes of acceptance.
7. This Boy Can Fight Aliens! (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 4 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 6.7
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Plot: Kakashi, a boy with amnesia, is humanity’s only hope against an alien invasion.
- Similarities: Alien battles, psychological depth, and a young protagonist facing overwhelming odds.
8. Kill la Kill (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 8.0
- Studio: Trigger
- Awards: Tokyo Anime Award (2014)
- Plot: Ryuko wields a sentient uniform, battling a sinister academy in a world of transformative powers.
- Similarities: Transformative gear, high-stakes action, and subversion of superhero tropes.
9. Astra Lost in Space (2019)
- Streaming: Funimation, Hulu
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 8.1
- Studio: Lerche
- Awards: Manga Taisho Nominee
- Plot: Stranded students must survive in space and unravel a conspiracy after a mysterious accident.
- Similarities: Sci-fi adventure, teamwork, and young cast facing cosmic threats.
10. Black Clover (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 170
- MAL Rating: 8.1
- Studio: Pierrot
- Plot: Magicless Asta strives to become the Wizard King in a world dominated by magic.
- Similarities: Underdog hero, power progression, and team-based battles.
11. Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
- Episodes: 37
- MAL Rating: 8.5
- Studio: Bones
- Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Awards (2017)
- Plot: Psychic teen Mob struggles to control his immense powers while navigating adolescence.
- Similarities: Unique power system, character growth, and the burden of responsibility.
12. Bungo Stray Dogs (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 61
- MAL Rating: 7.8
- Studio: Bones
- Plot: Orphan Atsushi joins a detective agency where members wield supernatural abilities based on literary figures.
- Similarities: Team dynamics, creative powers, and young adult themes.
13. Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (2012)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 8.2
- Studio: Xebec, AIC
- Plot: Earth’s last defenders journey across the galaxy to save humanity from alien extinction.
- Similarities: Alien conflict, sci-fi tech, and a focus on teamwork.
14. Level E (2011)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 7.4
- Studio: Pierrot, David Production
- Plot: A high schooler’s life is upended by a mischievous alien prince hiding on Earth.
- Similarities: Alien integration, humor, and subversion of expectations.
15. Sgt. Frog (Keroro Gunsou) (2004)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 358
- MAL Rating: 7.7
- Studio: Sunrise
- Plot: Alien frog Keroro and his platoon bungle their mission to conquer Earth, leading to comedic misadventures.
- Similarities: Alien cast, humor, and the blending of sci-fi with slice-of-life.
Why These Anime Work for Mentioned Anime Fans
Each of these series channels the spirit of Ben 10: Alien Force with inventive power systems, team-based action, and the journey from inexperience to heroism.
Whether through alien invasions, transformative abilities, or coming-of-age struggles, these anime offer fresh takes on the themes that make Alien Force memorable.
Making them perfect picks for fans seeking more than just the mainstream hits.
