Scissor Seven is a Chinese anime (donghua) known for its quirky humor, stylized animation, and surprisingly emotional storytelling beneath its offbeat surface. Following a seemingly clueless barber-assassin with amnesia, the series blends slapstick comedy with heartfelt character arcs and surprising depth.
Its charm lies in subverting shonen tropes, delivering underdog grit, unique power systems, and genre-fluid storytelling. If you’re craving more shows with similar DNA—blending comedy, action, offbeat characters, and unexpected emotional depth—these 15 underrated anime series deserve your watchlist.
1. The Daily Life of the Immortal King (2020)
Streaming: Netflix
MAL Rating: 7.2
Episodes: 15
Studio: Haoliners Animation League
A seemingly average teen hides overwhelming magical powers in a school full of cultivators. Despite his power, he just wants a peaceful, ordinary life.
Similarities: Chinese origin, supernatural abilities, deadpan humor, and a subversive take on overpowered protagonists.
2. Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
MAL Rating: 8.5
Episodes: 12
Studio: Bones
Mob, a quiet psychic, wants to live a normal life despite overwhelming power that can erupt if emotions boil over. He’s guided by a con artist “mentor” in his path to self-control.
Similarities: Emotional growth of an underdog, stylized animation, humor-action fusion, and themes of self-identity.
3. Kaiba (2008)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.1
Episodes: 12
Studio: Madhouse
Creator: Masaaki Yuasa
Set in a world where memories can be digitized and swapped, a boy with no memories journeys through surreal worlds uncovering hidden truths.
Similarities: Memory loss, unconventional art style, nonlinear storytelling, and philosophical undertones.
4. Ninjas & Shokunin (2018)
Streaming: YouTube (limited regions)
MAL Rating: 6.8
Episodes: 8
Studio: Independent
A comedic blend of ancient ninja traditions with modern urban life. A failed ninja takes odd jobs in a city teeming with absurdity.
Similarities: Assassins-for-hire, episodic comedy, offbeat tone, and gritty yet humorous world-building.
5. Dorohedoro (2020)
Streaming: Netflix
MAL Rating: 8.0
Episodes: 12
Studio: MAPPA
A man with a reptilian head and no memories searches for the sorcerer who cursed him, navigating a brutal city filled with magic and madness.
Similarities: Amnesia, assassins, hyper-stylized visuals, dark comedy, and a loveably bizarre cast.
6. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.4
Episodes: 12
Studio: Satelight
In a city where assassins outnumber civilians, a cross-dressing hitman and a revenge-driven private detective form an unlikely partnership.
Similarities: Hitman-centric, dark humor, character-driven storylines, and genre subversion.
7. BNA: Brand New Animal (2020)
Streaming: Netflix
MAL Rating: 7.2
Episodes: 12
Studio: Studio Trigger
A human girl turns into a beastman and flees to Anima City, uncovering corruption and her own mysterious transformation.
Similarities: Identity themes, colorful art, social commentary wrapped in action-comedy, and rapid tonal shifts.
8. Angel Densetsu (1996)
Streaming: DVD/YouTube (unofficial uploads)
MAL Rating: 7.5
Episodes: 2 (OVA)
Studio: Pierrot
A kind-hearted boy with a terrifying face is misunderstood as a violent delinquent, unintentionally rising through the school’s gang hierarchy.
Similarities: Mistaken identity, oddball humor, and a lovable protagonist who’s nothing like he seems.
9. Gokudou-kun Manyuuki (1999)
Streaming: RetroCrush
MAL Rating: 6.9
Episodes: 26
Studio: Trans Arts
An anti-hero swordsman accidentally becomes the “chosen one” in a chaotic magical adventure he never wanted.
Similarities: Parody of hero tropes, chaotic storytelling, and unpredictable humor with action elements.
10. Hinamatsuri (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.2
Episodes: 12
Studio: feel.
A telekinetic girl crash-lands into the life of a yakuza member, leading to heartwarming and hilarious slice-of-life mayhem.
Similarities: Superpowers meet mundane life, absurdist comedy, and unexpectedly emotional character arcs.
11. Sarazanmai (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.4
Episodes: 11
Studio: MAPPA, Lapin Track
Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara
Three boys are turned into kappas by a mythical being and must extract the “secrets” of others to return to normal.
Similarities: Surreal humor, bizarre transformations, strong emotional core under absurd plots.
12. Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.2
Episodes: 12
Studio: Madhouse
A series of psychological mysteries unfolds as students experience supernatural events linked to a dark urban legend.
Similarities: Nonlinear storytelling, psychological twists, and hidden truths behind the surface narrative.
13. Excel Saga (1999)
Streaming: Funimation
MAL Rating: 7.4
Episodes: 26
Studio: J.C.Staff
A hyperactive girl works for an incompetent secret organization bent on world domination, with every episode parodying a different genre.
Similarities: Unpredictable tone shifts, absurd humor, and genre-bending storytelling.
14. Flcl (Fooly Cooly) (2000)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
MAL Rating: 8.0
Episodes: 6
Studio: Gainax
A young boy’s life is turned upside down when a mysterious woman on a Vespa smashes him with a bass guitar, unleashing alien chaos.
Similarities: Coming-of-age themes, surreal comedy, over-the-top animation, and emotional undercurrents.
15. Kemonozume (2006)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.0
Episodes: 13
Studio: Madhouse
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
A love story between a human monster hunter and a flesh-eating monster unfolds with visceral animation and emotional complexity.
Similarities: Stylized visuals, morally gray characters, action-laced with emotion, and unconventional romance.
Why These Anime Work for Scissor Seven Fans
Fans of Scissor Seven are drawn to its off-kilter storytelling, stylized visuals, and emotionally resonant moments buried in absurdity. These 15 underrated anime deliver similar punches—whether through quirky protagonists, amnesia-driven mysteries, or bizarre yet beautiful animation styles.
From Chinese donghua like The Daily Life of the Immortal King to experimental classics like Kaiba and Kemonozume, these series offer new ways to enjoy the chaotic charm that makes Scissor Seven unforgettable.
