The world of anime is vast and varied, filled with captivating stories, dynamic characters, and breathtaking animation. However, not every series that garners significant buzz manages to live up to the hype. Sometimes, a show’s initial promise fades, or its execution falls flat, leaving viewers disappointed. Here are 10 anime that, despite their popularity, have been deemed overrated by many fans and critics.
The Promised Neverland Season 2
The first season of The Promised Neverland was a smash hit, praised for its suspenseful plot, clever characters, and faithful adaptation of the manga. However, the second season took a sharp turn, skipping over a beloved manga arc and rushing towards the climax. While the production value remained high, the altered storyline left many viewers feeling betrayed and the once stellar anime’s reception took a significant hit. This change is a prime example of how deviating from a successful formula can severely impact an anime’s overall reception.
One-Punch Man Season 2
The first season of One-Punch Man was a breath of fresh air, a hilarious and action-packed satire of superhero tropes. The animation by Madhouse was phenomenal, bringing Saitama’s deadpan humor and devastating punches to life. The anticipation for Season 2 was high but, unfortunately, the animation duties were handed over to J.C. Staff, resulting in a noticeable dip in quality. The drop in animation exposed the show’s more repetitive nature, leading many to view the second season as a significant step down from its predecessor.
Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul started with a compelling premise: a young man turned ghoul navigates the dark and brutal world of human-eating creatures. The initial episodes were engaging, exploring themes of identity and morality. However, the anime deviated from its source material, leading to a muddled plot and inconsistent character development. The attempt to rectify the issues with Tokyo Ghoul:re didn’t quite succeed, leaving the series as a whole falling short of its potential.
Darling in the Franxx
Produced by Studio Trigger, known for hits like Kill la Kill and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Darling in the Franxx was expected to be the next big thing in mecha anime. While it started strong with an intriguing mix of drama and mystery, the series failed to deliver satisfying answers and a cohesive conclusion. The romance between the main characters felt forced, and the story often echoed plot points from Neon Genesis Evangelion, making it feel unoriginal. The initial hype quickly faded as viewers realized the show’s potential was not realized.
Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online was a landmark anime that introduced many viewers to the isekai genre. However, it has also faced considerable criticism for its shallow characters, inconsistent plot, and heavy reliance on tropes. While it was praised for its innovative premise and action sequences, many fans now consider it overhyped due to its numerous flaws and the plethora of similar isekai anime that have followed. The series’ popularity doesn’t negate the criticisms about its narrative and character depth.
Bleach
As one of the “Big Three” of Shonen Jump, Bleach enjoyed massive popularity during its run. However, its lengthy 366-episode run is marred by excessive filler episodes and a meandering plot. While the initial story was engaging, the anime eventually became a frustrating experience for many viewers, who felt the series dragged on without a clear direction. The show serves as a cautionary tale about the potential downsides of long-running anime adaptations.
No Game No Life
No Game No Life features a unique premise involving siblings who are gaming prodigies transported to a world where conflicts are resolved through games. However, the anime has been criticized for its reliance on fan service and ecchi elements, which detract from the story. The series lacks a proper conclusion, with no second season to resolve the numerous plot threads, which leads to a feeling of unfulfilled potential. This lack of narrative closure is a common point of criticism.
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Deadly Sins, or Nanatsu no Taizai, is an anime that has received criticism for a number of reasons. Some viewers found the story to be underwhelming. Others disliked the show’s overreliance on perverted humor and teasing, leading to many finding the series distasteful. While the story had potential, the execution did not impress many viewers, who found it to be an overhyped series.
Digimon Adventure tri.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the original series, Digimon Adventure tri. brought back the original cast in a series of feature-length films. However, the story was a convoluted mess, lacking the adventure and heart that made the original series so beloved. Many fans were disappointed by the changes to the characters and the overall storyline, deeming it an underwhelming continuation of the franchise. The nostalgic aspect couldn’t mask the numerous shortcomings of this release.
Sakamoto Days
The upcoming Sakamoto Days anime adaptation has already generated significant backlash from fans, particularly in Japan. Despite the manga’s popularity, many are criticizing the animation quality and voice acting choices. The controversy has been amplified by allegations that the studio is deleting negative comments, sparking accusations of censorship. Fans feel that the adaptation does not live up to the manga’s action sequences and characters, creating an underwhelming adaptation experience.
Why Some Anime Fail to Meet Expectations
Several factors can contribute to an anime being considered overrated. Sometimes, the hype surrounding a series sets unrealistic expectations. Other times, poor writing, rushed pacing, animation issues, or deviations from the source material can diminish the overall quality. Even a great premise can fall flat if the execution is lacking, and a series can lose its way by focusing on elements that are ultimately unengaging.
Conclusion
While popularity can often be an indicator of quality, it is not always the case. These ten anime serve as examples of series that, despite their initial hype, have not lived up to the expectations of many fans. It’s a reminder that critical analysis and audience reception are crucial in determining whether an anime truly deserves its praise, and that sometimes, even the most anticipated series can disappoint.
