Anime has come a long way since its beginnings. It has evolved in just about every single way, with changes in style, animation quality, writing, and more. Fans always have a soft spot for their first anime series, but it's hard to deny that many of them don't hold up like they used to. Whether it's due to dated animation, dated animation, writing flaws, or simply changes in what's popular, plenty of anime that were once highly regarded are now all but forgotten.
Some are still ongoing but have lost their luster along the way for these reasons and others, causing fans to lose interest. Though they were great in their prime, some anime fail to stand the test of time and have slowly faded into obscurity.
10 The Hype For Yo-Kai Watch Has Died Down Considerably
At its peak, Yo-Kai Watch was a big hit with kids and adults alike. With the game franchise picking up speed, the anime series quickly saw a lot of success, evening matching up to the likes of Pokémon and Digimon. However, the series never managed to maintain its popularity, and interest declined fairly rapidly.
Since the initial series ended in 2019, Yo-Kai Watch has become a thing of the past, and mainstream fans barely utter its name. While some holdouts remain loyal to the franchise, most have moved on to the next new thing.
9 Elfen Lied Has Aged Poorly And Is No Longer Considered A Classic
When Elfen Lied first came out, anime fans everywhere couldn't get enough of it. It was everything an edgy teen of the 2000s hoped for in an anime, with dangerously cute girls and a dark, depressing story. Even as the years passed, the series remained an anime staple, and many considered it a rite of passage for newcomers just beginning their anime journey.
Today, most look back on Elfen Lied and cringe. From its questionable relationships to its shock-value gore, there's a lot about the series that hasn't aged well for a modern audience. While many can still appreciate its influence, most would rather skip this former classic.
8 Chobits Used To Be Everywhere, But Now It's Barely Recognizable
Each decade has its iconic series that shape the style of the time, and Chobits is one of the 2000s' most iconic. Its adorable female lead Chi was plastered anywhere anime was sold, and many fans couldn't get enough of it. Despite its undeniable popularity, Chobits dropped off pretty quickly after the series ended. Fans who had adored it before no longer gave it a second thought.
In today's modern landscape, Chi and Hideki are hardly recognizable anymore, especially compared to more recent anime couples. Many still have a special place in their hearts for this series, but the hype is gone now that it's over.
7 Tenchi Muyo Is Just Another Harem Anime Now
Harem anime have been a big thing for a long time, but there's nothing like a '90s harem. Tenchi Muyo was probably one of the biggest harem series around at the time. With multiple series, movies, and OVAs, it's still a huge franchise today. However, it's lost a lot of its former popularity, even with such an impressive catalog.
Nowadays, harems are a dime a dozen, and Tenchi Muyo is just another face in the crowd. It may be one of the originators that popularized the genre, but no one really cares about it these days. Coupled with the fact that many fans no longer care for the harem genre in general, Tenchi and the gang just don't stand a chance.
6 Fruits Basket 2001 Has Been Replaced With The Reboot
Fruits Basket is a major part of shojo, and it's easily one of the most beloved series of the genre. Back in the 2000s, the first anime adaptation saw just as much success as the manga. Unfortunately, it ended before the manga's completion, so a lot of key characters and plotlines aren't present.
Now with the 2019 reboot, Fruits Basket 2001 is practically obsolete. Fans have little reason to watch the first series when the reboot includes the manga's iconic story in full. Pretty much the only reason anyone gives it a watch these days is purely for the nostalgia.
5 Gravitation Is An Outdated BL Romance
Years ago, positive LGBTQ+ representation was few and far between. Most of the time, the toxic and unhealthy relationships in BL anime were overlooked, and this was definitely the case with Gravitation. For many long-time anime fans, the series was their introduction to BL. Many were less educated on what good representation looked like, so fans adored the on-again-off-again relationship between Shuichi Shindou and Eiri Yuki.
As the years have gone by, many more BL series have made it to mainstream media, finally giving proper representation. Compared to these modern couples, Shuichi and Yuki's relationship is questionable at best and abusive at worst, and few fans can still support it.
4 Azumanga Daioh Is A Forgotten Staple Of Anime
No one can mention 2000s anime without thinking of Azumanga Daioh. It exploded into popularity upon its debut, becoming one of the most influential series of the decade. In fact, Azumanga Daioh's influence can still be felt in the slice-of-life genre to this day. Despite that, after the 2000s were over, the series eventually faded from fans' memories.
While many series have come after it that emulate its style, Azumanga Daioh has become a product of the time, and hardly any modern fans recognize it. It was a staple of anime at one time, but now it's only really loved by old-school fans.
3 Lucky Star Was Once An Anime Giant
Among many other forgotten anime that shaped the 2000s, Lucky Star was one of the biggest. Love it or hate it, there's no denying the immense popularity it gained during its run. However, much like many other comedy series of the time, it's become a dated relic of the decade that no one really talks about anymore.
While it's still left an influential mark on anime, slice-of-life, and comedy, the most it's known for nowadays is its catchy OP and that iconic dance. Lucky Star is a shining example of the very best of 2000s anime, and though it's become outdated by today's standards, it's still thought of fondly.
2 The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya's Popularity Suddenly Dropped Off And Never Came Back
When it first aired, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was a huge hit. Fans couldn't get enough of the dynamic between quirky Haruhi and cynical Kyon, not to mention, the rest of the colorful cast. Its wacky premise set it apart, and the dance number in the ED is still remembered today. However, it didn't take long for Haruhi to overstay her welcome, and the series' popularity eventually plummeted.
Nowadays, most find the series to be pretty cringe-worthy, and Haruhi is considered more annoying than endearing. The series may have resonated with fans at first, but changes in tastes, as well as the landscape of modern anime, have made it impossible for Haruhi Suzumiya to ever recover.
1 Yu-Gi-Oh Fans Lost Interest After The Original Series Ended
Yu-Gi-Oh is a massive franchise that still puts out new series to this very day. Since the first series began, the franchise sky-rocketed into success, and the anime saw just as much popularity. However, once the original anime's series finale ended and Yu-Gi-Oh GX began, fans slowly began to lose interest in the anime series.
Now with several series under its belt, the franchise is still going strong. However, this is more thanks to the trading cards and toys than the anime at this point. Most long-time fans don't even watch the anime anymore and focus more on collecting the cards and playing the games.