Anime has experienced a massive boost in popularity overseas throughout the years, going from a niche only die-hard fans cared about to a much more mainstream form of entertainment. Now, series like Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, and others have massive followings.
But while many anime have found mainstream success in the West, there are some that just never caught on. Some of the biggest anime in Japan either have comparatively small fan bases here or are completely obscure to the average anime fan. You might be surprised to see just how much more popular these anime are in Japan compared to here.
7 New Anime You Can Stream on Crunchyroll in April 2026
Take a look at some of the best new anime you can stream on Crunchyroll in April.
Sazae-san
It might not be something a lot of fans here recognize, but Sazae-san is actually one of the most successful and beloved anime and manga series out there. The series follows the titular Sazae-san, alongside her family, focusing on everyday aspects of their life. The series can be pretty tame, which is probably why it hasn’t grabbed the attention of international audiences in the same way something like One Piece or Dragon Ball does.
But despite the lack of international acclaim, Sazae-san stands as a major series in Japan. The manga is one of the best-selling of all time, and the anime holds the Guinness World Record for longest-running animated TV series. Though it hasn’t clicked with many on this side of the globe, Sazae-san has been one of Japan’s most beloved anime for decades.
Lupin the Third
While it’s not necessarily obscure, the Lupin the Third franchise is way more popular in Japan than it is here. The series has been referenced in multiple anime and has been honored and celebrated on different occasions in Japan.
Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Between the anime. movies, manga, and everything else, Lupin the Third is a massive franchise. It can be a little intimidating to get into, but it’s worth the time you invest in it. The series has some really dedicated fans outside of Japan, and though it does get its flowers from dedicated anime fans overseas, it’ll never be as big globally as it is in Japan.
Doraemon
While many anime fans here grew up with series like Dragon Ball, Pokemon, or Digimon (among others), Doraemon is one that never really caught on with young audiences here the same way it has in Japan. Doraemon’s impact in Japan has been massive, with the titular character standing as a cultural icon and even being given the honor of being appointed as Japan’s first-ever anime ambassador.
The series will likely never have that kind of success overseas, though it is still incredibly popular in other parts of Asia. The series might just not translate all that well to more international audiences, but if you give it a shot, you’ll appreciate its charm.
Chibi Maruko-chan
There are some really popular, easy-going slice-of-life anime out there. But for whatever reason, Chibi Maruko-chan never really got much attention outside of Japan compared to others in the genre. The manga ran for 16 years, and inspired various anime movies, adaptations, and even a couple of TV dramas.
The series follows the titular Maruko-chan throughout her daily life. The 1995 series is currently still ongoing, and at over 1,400 episodes is up there with Sazae-san as one of the longest-running anime in history. Chibi Maruko-chan definitely seems like one of those series that speaks more to Japanese audiences than it does to worldwide anime fans. We’ll probably never hear much from it over here, but it looks like the series will continue to go strong in Japan.
Detective Conan
Detective Conan is a giant in the anime world, but that might come off as a surprise to fans outside of Japan. Though the series has a solid following here, it never quite reached the same highs overseas as it did back home.
You can chalk some of that up to localization quirks, with the series’ name being changed from its original ‘Detective Conan’ to Case Closed in the U.S. Character names were changed to be more Americanized, the series wasn’t really marketed much, and it just didn’t have the same flashiness that other series gaining traction at the time did.
Crayon Shin-chan
Don’t let the series’ protagonist’s youth fool you. Crayon Shin-chan might seem like a show aimed exclusively at children, but there’s plenty of crude jokes and innuendos crammed in there that might make it more appropriate for older viewers at times.
The series follows the misadventures of Shin-chan and his family, with Shin’s eccentric, often questionable behavior making him one of anime’s most memorable protagonists – sometimes for all the wrong reasons. It’s another one of those series that just seems too tailored to Japanese audiences to have hit it big in the West. Still, if you’re curious, it can be an interesting watch.
Gintama
Gintama is one of the great modern shonen, and while the series has its fair share of fans worldwide, it never quite reached the same level of popularity that other Jump titles like Dragon Ball, One Piece, or Naruto did. The series is primarily a comedy, but features some amazing action and genuinely well-written character development from its more ‘series’ arcs.
A lot of the humor in Gintama is rooted in Japanese pop culture and references, making some of the jokes hard to get. It’s not uncommon to be watching an episode and be met with a little footnote explaining a reference alongside the subtitles. That has made the series feel a little less approachable than its contemporaries to some. Add in the fact that it never really got a strong push over here the same way other big shonen did, and it’s easy to see why Gintama, as good as it is, is more of a cult hit over here.