Since the 1970s, the Filipino audience has seen and enjoyed a ton of anime shows aired on our TV.
From mecha heroes Voltes V and Daimos, Ghost Fighter, Flame of Recca and Hunter x Hunter to Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Naruto, anime has influenced the youth and given way to the rise of the local otaku culture.
However, several anime titles Filipino otakus didn’t know reached local TV. While some are not that popular compared to mainstream shows, they still left a mark and made a decent following.
Here are ten of them.
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (ABS-CBN, 1997-1998)
Inspired by the works of Jules Verne that hatched from a concept by Hayao Miyazaki, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, or Ang Mahiwagang Kwintas in Filipino dub, follows young inventor Jean and circus performer Nadia on their journey of saving the world from the invading Neo-Atlantean forces and discovering the secrets of the latter’s pendant.
His and Her Circumstances (Studio 23, 2005)
Otherwise known as Tales at North Hills High, His and Her Circumstances tells the comedic love story between the “perfect” student Yukino Miyazawa and her academic rival Soichiro Arima and their voyage towards self-discovery.
GunXSword (Studio 23, 2009)
GunXSword centers on Van and his companions as they travel around the Planet of Endless Illusion in search of a “mysterious man with an artificial claw.” Van fights foes with the help of his armor, Dann of Thursday.
Oh, My Goddess! (GMA, 2003)
Oh, My Goddess! (Ah My Goddess! during its Philippine airing) stars Keiichi Morisato, a hapless college student who accidentally summons the goddess Belldandy after calling the Goddess Relief Office. After granting his wish of letting her be by his side forever, Belldandy lives with Keiichi in an old temple, allowing the odd couple to discover more about themselves and their relationship.
Cat’s Eye (GMA, 2002)
Cat’s Eye follows the Kisugi sisters — Hitomi, Rui, and Ai — who lead double lives as art thieves and steal works of art that belonged to their art-collecting father who went missing during World War II.
Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier (ABS-CBN, 2004)
Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier tells the story of nine humanoid cyborgs that rebelled against Black Ghost, a top-secret crime organization while saving the world from its diabolical schemes using their powers and abilities.
Full Metal Panic! (GMA, 2004)
Full Metal Panic is about Sousuke Sagara, a soldier of the military group Mithril, as he secretly protects Kaname Chidori, a high-schooler who unconsciously holds scientific knowledge against organizations pursuing the latter’s abilities.
Sakura Wars (ABS-CBN/Studio 23, 2002)
Based on a series of video games by SEGA of the same name, Sakura Wars follows Sakura Shinguji and The Imperial Flower Division as they prevent the enemy from destroying shrines that protect the city.
Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl (QTV, 2008)
Inokuma Yawara, the granddaughter of a Judo master, wants to live an ordinary life as a high schooler. However, her grandfather forces her to practice the martial art to be Japan’s hope for a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Twin Spica (QTV, 2007)
Twin Spica tells the coming-of-age story of Asumi Kamogawa as she fulfills her dream of becoming a rocket pilot.
