The Reflection is a 2017 anime co-created by Stan Lee and Hiroshi Nagahama, produced by Studio Deen, where a mysterious event grants superpowers to people worldwide, leading to a clash between heroes and villains1. It explores complex power systems, underdog heroes rising against odds, and subverts typical superhero tropes by delving into moral ambiguities and unexpected narrative twists.
These selected underrated anime deserve more attention for their innovative takes on similar themes, offering fresh perspectives on empowerment, personal growth, and genre-bending storytelling that often fly under the radar despite their quality.
1. Zetman (2012)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Jin, a young man with mysterious powers, battles genetically engineered monsters while grappling with his dual identity as a hero and a potential destroyer.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Like The Reflection, it features a power system tied to human experimentation and subversion of hero expectations, with underdog protagonists questioning the cost of their abilities in a morally gray world.
- MAL Rating: 6.88
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Osamu Nabeshima at TMS Entertainment
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Action Anime at the 2012 Anime Grand Prix
2. Samurai Flamenco (2013)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: A male model becomes a vigilante hero without powers, inspiring others while facing escalating threats that blur the line between reality and fantasy.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: It subverts superhero expectations through ordinary underdogs gaining influence, mirroring power system explorations and narrative twists that challenge heroic ideals.
- MAL Rating: 7.00
- Episode Count: 22
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Takahiro Omori at Manglobe
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best Original Anime at the 2014 Newtype Anime Awards
3. Heroman (2010)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: A boy discovers a giant robot that grants him powers to fight alien invaders, transforming him from an everyday underdog into a defender of Earth.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Shares underdog stories of sudden empowerment and subversion of mecha tropes, with a focus on personal growth amid chaotic power dynamics.
- MAL Rating: 6.85
- Episode Count: 26
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Co-created by Stan Lee, produced by Bones
- Awards/Recognition: Received praise for international collaboration at the 2010 Tokyo Anime Award Festival
4. Concrete Revolutio (2015)
- Current Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Brief Plot Summary: In an alternate Japan, superhumans emerge post-war, leading to conflicts managed by a secret organization that questions the nature of heroism.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Echoes power system intricacies and subversion of superhero narratives, with underdogs navigating ethical dilemmas in a fragmented society.
- MAL Rating: 6.70
- Episode Count: 24
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Seiji Mizushima at Bones
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Innovation Award at the 2016 Media Arts Festival
5. Darker than Black (2007)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Contractors with supernatural abilities emerge after a mysterious event, leading to espionage and battles in a divided world.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Features a subversion of power systems where abilities come with personal costs, alongside underdog assassins redefining their roles.
- MAL Rating: 8.05
- Episode Count: 25
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Tensai Okamura at Bones
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best TV Anime at the 2008 Tokyo Anime Awards
6. Blood Blockade Battlefront (2015)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: In a chaotic city where humans and monsters coexist, a young photographer joins a secret society to combat supernatural threats.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Subverts expectations with quirky power systems and underdog protagonists forming unlikely alliances against otherworldly chaos.
- MAL Rating: 7.80
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Rie Matsumoto at Bones
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Animation at the 2016 Newtype Anime Awards
7. World Trigger (2014)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Aliens invade Earth, and a young agent with limited powers teams up with others to defend humanity using advanced trigger technology.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Highlights underdog growth through strategic power systems and subverts battle tropes with tactical, team-based narratives.
- MAL Rating: 7.58
- Episode Count: 73
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Toei Animation
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best Sci-Fi Anime at the 2015 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
8. Akame ga Kill! (2014)
- Current Streaming Availability: Netflix
- Brief Plot Summary: A naive boy joins a group of assassins to overthrow a corrupt empire, wielding cursed weapons in brutal, high-stakes battles.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Subverts expectations with dark twists on underdog heroism and power systems that demand heavy sacrifices.
- MAL Rating: 7.47
- Episode Count: 24
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Tomoki Kobayashi at White Fox
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Action at the 2015 Anime Grand Prix
9. Drifters (2016)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Historical figures are transported to a fantasy world to fight as warriors against dark forces in an epic, chaotic war.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Features underdogs with unconventional powers subverting historical narratives, much like sudden empowerment twists.
- MAL Rating: 7.88
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Kenichi Suzuki at Hoods Entertainment
- Awards/Recognition: Praised for unique art at the 2017 Newtype Anime Awards
10. Level E (2011)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: An alien prince crashes on Earth, leading to bizarre encounters and conspiracies involving hidden powers and interstellar politics.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Subverts sci-fi expectations with underdog humans facing alien power systems and narrative misdirections.
- MAL Rating: 7.40
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Toshiyuki Kato at Pierrot and David Production
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Comedy at the 2011 Anime Grand Prix
11. Hinamatsuri (2018)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: A yakuza member’s life is upended by a telekinetic girl from the future, leading to comedic and heartfelt chaos.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Offers subversion through everyday underdogs gaining powers, with unique animation highlighting absurd character developments.
- MAL Rating: 7.97
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Kei Oikawa at Feel
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best Comedy at the 2019 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
12. Land of the Lustrous (2017)
- Current Streaming Availability: HIDIVE
- Brief Plot Summary: Immortal gem beings fight lunar invaders in a post-apocalyptic world, exploring themes of identity and purpose.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Subverts power systems with crystalline abilities and underdog gems evolving through loss, featuring stunning 3D animation.
- MAL Rating: 8.38
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Takahiko Kyogoku at Orange
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best CGI at the 2018 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
13. Ranking of Kings (2021)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: A deaf, weak prince strives to become a worthy king, overcoming prejudices and battles in a fairy-tale world.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Centers on underdog heroism and subversion of royal expectations, with fluid animation emphasizing emotional growth.
- MAL Rating: 8.50
- Episode Count: 23
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Yosuke Hatta at Wit Studio
- Awards/Recognition: Won Anime of the Year at the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
14. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song (2021)
- Current Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Brief Plot Summary: An AI singer travels through time to prevent a war between humans and machines, rewriting history along the way.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Explores AI power systems and underdog narratives with subversive time-travel twists, boasting high-quality animation.
- MAL Rating: 8.40
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Shinpei Ezaki at Wit Studio
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Sci-Fi at the 2022 Anime Grand Prix
15. Charlotte (2015)
- Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Teens with limited superpowers attend a special school to hide from scientists, uncovering conspiracies and personal limits.
- Specific Similarities to The Reflection: Subverts power system tropes with flawed abilities and underdog students facing moral dilemmas.
- MAL Rating: 7.75
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Yoshiyuki Asai at P.A. Works
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best Original Anime at the 2016 Newtype Anime Awards
Why These Anime Work for The Reflection Fans
These series resonate with The Reflection’s essence by blending innovative power systems, compelling underdog arcs, and clever subversions that challenge genre norms, often through unique animation or storytelling. They provide deeper emotional layers and fresh perspectives on heroism, making them ideal for fans seeking overlooked gems that expand on themes of empowerment and unexpected twists without relying on mainstream hype.
