10 Most Underrated Anime Squads, Ranked

In the fantastical world of anime, the main characters shine brighter with each hard-won victory, becoming legendary and imposing figures. With many failures leading to a challenging win, anime characters rarely see their victory completely alone. Behind a mountain of successful fights are friends and family who fought just as hard as them. These squads may not have always seen an easy victory, but their determination while standing together, or taking on a villain each, is always an entertaining affair.

Anime squads never fail to captivate an audience. Shows, ranging from One Piece to Bleach have long since introduced beloved anime teams that are underestimated by both villains and viewers alike. While for loyal fans, the scenes of their favorite group of underdogs pushing themselves past their limits is a heartbreaking affair, it’s those burdensome battles won that truly leave a mark.

10

Team Rocket

‘Pokémon’

Pokémon delves into the life of Ash Ketchum, a kid with big dreams of becoming a Pokémon master. But no hero in any story is without its challenges, and Team Rocket happens to be a comedically awkward one for him.

Team Rocket is a hilarious trio of villains who always plan too big. Jessie, James, and Meoweth, are the perpetual underdogs that often showcase their grit and determination. Though their schemes continuously fall flat, the team never gives up, always coming back for one more try at “catching them all.”

9

Takemichi And His Childhood Friends

‘Tokyo Revengers’

If there is a debate about a squad of underdogs, there is likely a conversation going about the hit anime series Tokyo Revengers. The series follows an adult, Takemichi Hanagaki, living a wasteful life and learning that his childhood sweetheart, Hinata Tachibana, is gone, lost to gang violence. In a turn of unexpected events, Takemichi finds himself in the past, with Hinata alive and well. With the help of Hinata’s younger brother, Takemichi strives to rewrite his past in order to save his future.

The squad of the delinquents in Tokyo Revengers is a comedic group of young men, packed with loyalty, and the ability to get beaten up, often. With Takemichi being the uncoordinated crybaby at the helm of his friends, it is not surprising that fans find them all lacking basic common sense and proper fighting ability. Despite their many flaws, Takemichi and his group of childhood friends’ refusal to give in to their adversaries, cements their standing in the group of the most memorable anime squads to exist.

8

The Twin Brothers

‘Blue Exorcist’

Blue Exorcist has seen its fair share of ups and downs, both on and off-screen. The show officially debuted in 2011, following the character Rin Okumura, a troublemaker trying to find his stride as a good brother and a good son. Things take a turn for the worst when his adopted father-an exorcist, unbeknownst to Rin-dies, tragically saving his life. This leads to the exposure of Rin’s abilities and the truth about his and his twin brother, Yukio’s, origins.

The twins don’t have much of an easy life. This underrated iconic duo, faces the loss of their father, personal blame, and a troubling inferiority complex that leads to rising tensions between them. While Rin wrestles with the fact his genius brother happens to already be what he strives to be, he still often pushes himself to move forward. When it comes to Yukio, he often succumbs to toxic feelings towards his brother. Despite their conflict with each other and themselves, the two brothers share a fierce love between them, always showing up to defend one another and doing their best to take the win.

7

Gon & Killua

‘Hunter x Hunter’

Hunter x Hunter is a beloved anime going back to its debut in 2011. The story centers around Gon, a boy committed to being as great of a hunter as his father, and also to finding him. Alongside Gon, are his friends, one being a mysterious, white-haired kid with a dangerous vibe and an even more dangerous background.

Gon and Killua are one of anime’s most iconic duos. Gon’s friendly and optimistic nature, and Killua’s hardened and cocky demeanor, meld surprisingly well with each other. The two face deadly challenge after challenge, relying on each other in their weakest moments. Fans are enamored by the duo’s friendship. While they may not be the strongest, they strive for victory and personal growth even amid conflict, and most of all, they do it together.

6

Team 7

‘Naruto’

It’s hard to imagine a time when Naruto Uzumaki wasn’t dominating the field, but Naruto was always quick to remind fans of the main lead’s hardships, using the memory of the iconic swing. Naruto wasn’t the only one who suffered from “amateur syndrome” or the woes of ninja life. His teammates on Team 7, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, also faced their own challenges. The series may focus on Naruto’s journey to becoming Hokage, but the more entertaining highlights are Team 7’s hardest battles.

With Sasuke’s thirst for vengeance, Naruto’s amateurish skills and emotional torment, and Sakura’s unrequited love for her broody teammate, Team 7 was as dysfunctional as they come. The squad fought brutal battles with some very powerful enemies, some hard-won and some not won at all. Despite their current status in the series Boruto, Team 7 were once the underdogs in many featured moments.

5

Class A

‘My Hero Academia’

There aren’t many anime fans who aren’t familiar with the iconic anime, My Hero Academia. The show has gained massive popularity with its gripping tale and fantastically clean animation. The series follows Izuku Midoriya, a quirkless boy who gains a quirk from his all-time hero, and his journey to become one of the greatest heroes alongside his classmates at UA High.

Class A is filled to the brim with kind-hearted and driven kids. Though, initially, not every student in Class A hopes of being the greatest hero who ever lived, they all share the goal of saving as many lives as they can. Unlike most of the classes in UA, Class A earned its status due to its uncanny ability to draw fearsome villains right to them. Class A has often sidelined their own intense rivalries and personal ambitions, all in the name of protecting those who can’t protect themselves, embodying what it means to be a true hero.

4

Class D

‘Classroom of the Elite’

Classroom Of The Elite gained popularity for its intriguing story, back in its premiere in 2017. The show follows Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, alongside his classmates as they attend a prestigious but academically brutal school that wishes to mold its students into becoming the elites of society. Despite Class D’s status, there are those who are optimistic, and still striving to move up the ranks.

While Ayanokoji is a famed character, the underrated, Class D, doesn’t get enough praise for doing what they do. With all their clashing personalities, impulsive behavior, and academic struggles, Class D somehow takes their unique status as “problem children,” and gains the upper hand.

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3

The Black Bulls

‘Black Clover’

Black Clover is cherished by its fans for its Naruto-like plot and overall lovable characters. The Black Bulls, a ragtag group of mages that include main lead Asta, are the weakest among the Magic Knights squads in the Clover kingdom. While Black Clover focuses mainly on Asta’s drive to becoming the Wizard King, his journey would be bland for his life and the viewers, both, if he weren’t a part of the underrated Black Bulls.

Despite the group’s battling personalities and infamous reputations, they consistently defy others’ dismal expectations. United, under their team’s captain, Yami, the band of mages with some very undependable qualities, somehow beat their terrible odds, and prove themselves as a legitimate Magic Knight squad.

2

Akudama

‘Akudama Drive’

It’s rare for audiences to root for the villain, but it happens, whether based on something as vain as looks and power or on their heartbreaking story. Akudama Drive is one such series. This cyberpunk anime introduces an ordinary young woman who assumes the alias “The Swindler,” after a group of hardcore criminals threaten to end her life. She then embodies her new persona, growing closer to the strange criminals that she’s found herself stuck with.

A great anime indeed, underrated in both plot and characters. Akudama Drive’s squad of criminals is a good time to watch. They all face impossible challenges in hopes of a better future for themselves, despite their criminal and psychopathic disposition. While among them their personalities clash, they all work together to meet their goals, defeating some unbelievable odds, and coming to terms that sacrifice is inevitable to take the win. When talking about an underdog squad, one can’t leave out this underrated, chaotic group of villains.

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1

The Survey Corps

‘Attack on Titan’

Attack On Titan’s fans have long hoped for an outcome where the Eldians steal the victory, but they cheer the hardest for the agents of the Survey Corps. Within the story of Attack On Titan, which follows Eren and his friends’ journey to one day find life beyond their home walls, there lies the brutality of the Survey Corps’ lives.

The Survey Corps exemplifies what it means to be a true underdog squad, fighting battles that they are likely to not win, and making sacrifices that lead to nothing. The group of hardened individuals fights regardless of their lack of resources and the fact that their leaders see them as expendable cogs. The outcome for the crew of the Corps is likely grim, but when they win it is a celebrated affair for fans all around.

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