Many anime series are cursed to hook fans in and end in the blink of an eye. While these short and sweet series are sometimes perfect and are short for a reason this can leave many viewers a bit miffed and feeling bittersweet. However, one word evokes feelings of both hopes and fear into these fans everywhere.
That word is spinoff, and sometimes this word can be good or bad depending on the series. This list will look at some spinoffs that didn't live up to their successors and others that definitely did.
10 WORST: POKÉMON B&W
Pokémon Black & White may just seem like another installment in the long-running series but fans really dislike this one. While many love the fifth generation of the series this new anime really turned a lot of them off due to the soft reboot approach it took to the series.
It also decided to ignore the amazing story that took place in the video game of the same name and just became another rehash of the original anime.
9 BEST: BORUTO
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is an anime and manga series that takes off right where Naruto left off. For some, this anime is going by a bit slow and it's being hit by the same complaints its successor was hit with. However, if the manga is anything to go by then fans can rest easy knowing that things will be picking up fairly soon.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a series about Naruto's son who's trying to make a name for himself that isn't just the being the son of the new Hokage. Much like his dad, this mission is going to get him in a whole lot of trouble.
8 WORST: POWERPUFF GIRLS Z
Powerpuff Girls Z is an anime spinoff of the popular American cartoon Powerpuff Girls. This series is by Megumu Ishiguro and Yoshio Urasawa. It is a magical girl anime as well as an anime that absolutely no one wanted or needed. It was met with horribly poor reception from both anime and Powerpuff Girls fans.
Many just summarize their hate with the fact that this spinoff is just lame and unnecessary. It takes all the charm and wit of the original show and gives back nothing.
7 BEST: SOUL EATER NOT!
For those that loved Soul Eater, the series's spinoff series Soul Eater Not! will be a real treat. The series of course takes place at the Death Weapon Meister Academy. However, this series takes place a year after the ending of its predecessor anime and manga. And yes, all of the old series favorites make appearances.
However, this series's main characters are a trio of young girls that are much less talented than those old guns. These three must learn to wield their weapon and master abilities on a much higher level.
6 WORST: YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL
In the pantheon of Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, one series stands out like a sore thumb and garners more hate from the series's fanbase than any other. That series is Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal and it's been sitting at the lunch table by itself for a very very long time. There are multiple reasons for this hatred but one really takes the cake.
The main character is one of the most incompetent characters to ever curse the series. Yuma is just not fun to watch in the slightest. His English dubbed voice is the icing on the cake, turning many away within the first three episodes.
5 BEST: DRAGON BALL Z HISTORY OF TRUNKS
Dragon Ball is one series that is the king of anime spinoffs as many of them are done to perfection. The spinoff one-shot, Dragon Ball Z: History of Trunks is a great example of this writing excellence. This spinoff is about the future Saiyan, Trunks and his destroyed timeline that he must grow to protect from two deadly androids.
It may be a one-shot but it evokes more emotions than some whole anime series. The action is great, the characters are amazing, and yes, tears will be shed upon starting this one up.
4 WORST: SAINT SEIYA KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC
Saint Seiya Knights of the Zodiac is a Netflix produced anime spinoff of the classic Saint Seiya anime. While Netflix has been pretty hit in terms of their produced anime with shows like Devilman Crybaby and Ultraman being nothing short of amazing, Saint Seiya Knights of the Zodiac takes quite a few steps back.
Not only is this new spinoff plagued with rather bland CG animation but the story changes weren't for the best. This spinoff may have been best left in the notes and maybe Netflix should have just put the old series up for streaming.
3 BEST: DRAGON BALL Z FATHER OF GOKU
As stated earlier, Dragon Ball is one of the kings of anime spinoffs. Another great one-off spinoff in their library is the prequel OVA to Dragon Ball Z as well as Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball: Father of Goku. This series gives some insight into Goku's origins before he got to Earth, as well as the backstory on his father and his entire race.
Much like the Trunks one-off, Father of Goku will be sure to make on drop some manly tears. It was even popular enough to get its own spinoff sequel. That's quite a feat for a spinoff.
2 WORST: NEW CUTIE HONEY
New Cutie Honey may be based on a popular property from the mind of the great Go Nagai but it is anything but as great as the original version. New Cutie Honey was an OVA and a more edgy go at the Cutie Honey franchise.
This version made the fanservice come first and charm come second. In fact, the production company felt the dislike of this version head-on due to the heavy censorship needed for all of the fanservice.
1 BEST: POKÉMON ORIGINS
One of the best anime series to ever come from Pokémon is the Pokémon Origins spinoff. This series was about not the usual protagonist, Ash, but series favorite straight from the games, Red.
This series was basically a retelling of the original Pokémon Red and Blue games, with Red trying to become the champion against his newfound rival.