“Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons” explores legacy heroism through inexperienced young protagonists confronting cosmic threats, emphasizing underdog resilience and father-son dynamics. These themes—underdog triumphs, unconventional power systems, and narrative subversion—resonate across lesser-known anime that deserve wider recognition.
The following 15 underrated series mirror these elements while offering unique storytelling, animation styles, and character-driven conflicts.
Underrated Anime Recommendations
1. Super Crooks (2021)
Streaming: Netflix
MAL Score: 7.1
Episodes: 13
Plot: Small-time crook Johnny Bolt recruits eight super-villains for a heist against a ruthless crime boss, blending high-stakes action with moral ambiguity.
Similarities: Like the Super Sons’ underdog dynamic, it features inexperienced heroes challenging overpowered antagonists, with themes of legacy and unconventional teamwork.
2. Golden Kamuy (2018–)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Score: 8.0
Episodes: 48+
Plot: A war veteran and Ainu girl hunt hidden gold in 1900s Hokkaido, battling military factions and assassins while navigating cultural clashes.
Similarities: Echoes the treasure-hunt urgency and father-figure bonds of Super Sons, with survival-driven teamwork against overwhelming foes.
3. Terror in Resonance (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Score: 8.0
Episodes: 11
Plot: Two teens code-named “Sphinx” steal an atomic bomb, challenging authorities with riddles to expose government corruption.
Similarities: Mirrors the cat-and-mouse tension and moral complexity of young protagonists defying systemic evil, akin to the Super Sons’ defiance of established heroes.
4. Akame ga Kill! (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Score: 7.8
Episodes: 24
Plot: A rebel assassin group fights a corrupt empire, facing brutal betrayals and moral sacrifices.
Similarities: Subverts hero tropes like Super Sons, with underdog characters confronting legacy power structures and tragic growth.
5. Saint Seiya (1986)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Score: 7.75
Episodes: 114
Plot: Orphaned warriors protect Athena against gods, wielding cosmic armor in mythic battles.
Similarities: Features young, underestimated heroes (like Jon Kent) rising against divine foes, emphasizing loyalty and legacy.
6. Blood Blockade Battlefront (2015)
Streaming: Funimation
MAL Score: 7.7
Episodes: 24
Plot: In a monster-infested city, a photographer joins a secret agency to maintain chaos-order balance.
Similarities: Blends supernatural action with quirky teamwork, paralleling the Super Sons’ tone of youthful heroes in over-the-top crises.
7. Deca-Dence (2020)
Streaming: Funimation
MAL Score: 7.6
Episodes: 12
Plot: In a dystopia, a tank mechanic and her cyborg mentor uncover a reality-bending conspiracy.
Similarities: Underdog protagonists challenge systemic lies, reflecting Jon and Damian’s fight against inherited corruption.
8. Tekkonkinkreet (2006)
Streaming: Tubi
MAL Score: 7.95
Runtime: 111 minutes
Plot: Orphans Black and White defend their city from yakuza and developers using street-smart tactics.
Similarities: Focuses on brotherly bonds and youthful resilience against oppressive forces, akin to the Super Sons’ dynamic.
9. Memories (1995)
Streaming: Not widely streaming (DVD/Blu-ray)
MAL Score: 7.71
Runtime: 113 minutes
Plot: An anthology exploring a haunted space station, a bioweapon outbreak, and a war-obsessed city.
Similarities: Its psychological depth and unconventional narratives mirror Super Sons‘ thematic boldness.
10. Lu Over the Wall (2018)
Streaming: Netflix
MAL Score: 7.39
Runtime: 117 minutes
Plot: A glum teen befriends a music-loving mermaid, revitalizing his fishing village through dance.
Similarities: Shares Super Sons‘ themes of unlikely friendships and challenging societal norms with whimsical action.
11. Black Clover (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Score: 7.6
Episodes: 170
Plot: Magicless orphan Asta defies odds to become the Wizard King, aided by loyal allies.
Similarities: Asta’s underdog journey parallels Jon Kent’s growth, emphasizing perseverance against magical elitism.
12. Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Score: 8.5
Episodes: 37
Plot: An overpowered psychic teen seeks self-worth through mundane growth, battling spirits and ego.
Similarities: Explores legacy power (like Superman’s) through a protagonist balancing ordinary life and extraordinary responsibility.
13. Dororo (2019)
Streaming: Amazon Prime
MAL Score: 8.2
Episodes: 24
Plot: A samurai regains his stolen body parts by slaying demons, aided by an orphan thief.
Similarities: Features a father-son conflict and body-horror power struggles reminiscent of Damian Wayne’s lineage struggles.
14. Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront)
Streaming: Funimation
MAL Score: 7.7
Episodes: 24
Plot: In a monster-overrun New York, a photographer joins a secret society to maintain chaos-order balance.
Similarities: Balances absurd action with heartfelt camaraderie, echoing the Super Sons’ blend of high stakes and humor.
15. The Big O (1999)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Score: 7.5
Episodes: 26
Plot: A negotiator pilots a giant robot in a retro-futuristic city with lost memories.
Similarities: Merges Batman-esque noir with Superman-scale mecha battles, focusing on legacy and identity.
Why These Anime Work for Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons Fans
These series prioritize underdog narratives where young heroes confront legacy power structures, much like Jon and Damian’s journey. They subvert expectations through moral complexity (e.g., Akame ga Kill!’s tragic rebels) or unconventional power systems (e.g., Golden Kamuy’s survival-based teamwork). Animation styles—from Terror in Resonance’s gritty realism to Lu Over the Wall’s fluid whimsy—complement the thematic depth, offering fresh takes on heroism. By spotlighting lesser-known titles, fans discover nuanced alternatives to mainstream tropes while retaining the core appeal of growth against impossible odds.
These anime prove that stories of legacy, resilience, and unconventional heroism transcend cultural boundaries, providing rich ground for fans seeking depth beyond capes and cowls.
