Koroshiya 1 The Animation: Episode 0

The criteria this time is no criteria. This is the final list in my Obscurities series. If there is any criteria, it's that I think you should watch these despite their quality, popularity, or even my rating, because you should see 'em. There's some good, some bad, and some real head-scratchers in here. It's mixed bag time in here!

Ascend: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/9816
Return to the surface: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/9517

Tags: Old, Obscure, Oldtaku, Retro, Underrated, Hidden Gems

The OVA market dried up as straight to video releases became a thing of the past, which is unfortunate because a lot of interesting and unique anime were released in this format. The point of the list is to feature worthwhile OVAs that are more than just fanservice or shoddy extras for TV series. Sigh, due to the explicit content warning feature, I've excluded Mezzo Forte, but it would be on here otherwise. I should also probably make room for Yukikaze at some point. I think there are too few titles to make a followup list, so I'll just link to any additional titles below:

https://myanimelist.net/anime/9608/Yuri_Seijin_Naoko-san
https://myanimelist.net/anime/6181/Highway_Jenny

Every cinema or direct to video anime film that came out in 2002.

2001: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/34837
2003: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/34840

Disclaimer: There are a few hentai movies, that could be counted as well:
- 69 Pink Riders 2 (2002)
- Happy Day (2002)

Standalone Avant Garde anime films with a duration of 45 minutes or more.

Counting summaries (Re:Cycle of the Penguindrum, Maroko), alternative versions (Shoujo Kakumei Utena Adolescence Mokushiroku, Alexander Senki), multi episode compilations (Genius Party) and long OVAs (Tenshi no Tamago).

Hitman, Contract Killer, Assassin, Bounty Hunter, Hired Gangster...
Here is a compilation of blood and tears


Rules of this list :

- The plot has to revolve around the HITMAN JOB. Being chased by one counts. Better if the Hitman is the main character. It doesn't have to be always the main focus but just having a assassin arc isn't enough.

- No sci-fi, No super-power, No supernatural, No fantasy. It has to be REALISTIC.

- Only pure ACTION, blood, chase scenes, explosions, firefights, crime, revenge, mafia.

- Contemporary period.

- Using GUNS (Some exeptions are made, if the spirit is still close to the other criterias).

- Maximum 2 anime per franchise.


PS: If you are not afraid of the H3ntaï tag, also check : Mezzo Forte and A Kite

Anime series that covers all of the original source they're based on, with some notes.

Check out the other parts at this link:
https://myanimelist.net/profile/Yuriko_Sakai/stacks?tab=created
The Stacks are updated constantly so check them every once in a while :)

A big "thank you" to my friend Lorissagg for helping me with some researches :D
Here's his profile if you're interested: https://myanimelist.net/profile/Lorissagg

Part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57297
Part 3: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/61468

These are anime that have unique genre pairs, and I mean literally unique as in these are the only ones with these combinations. For example, if you search up slice of life and horror, Gakkougurashi! would be the only thing to show up. This list may not be accurate in the future due to new anime coming out, but it is accurate as of October 22nd, 2025.

Anime that don't cover the entire story of the source material. If you want to know how the story ends, you have to read the source. For this stack, I'll only count anime whose source material has finished and properties that have yet to receive a complete adaptation, which means series like the 2001 Hellsing TV show or the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist adaptation won't be included. If a series here later gets a complete adaptation, it may disappear from this stack as well.

Part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/73671

For manga, short means 1 volume or less. For literary works, short means stories that are novella length or shorter. This stack will just cover non hentai works.