It's always exciting when a new anime sensation gets discovered, but sometimes an anime's popularity becomes its own undoing. Plenty of groundbreaking anime series work hard to genuinely push boundaries with their storytelling and visuals. However, there are even more anime that catch on with mainstream crowds and allow that popularity to foster a certain level of ambivalence or laziness.
Success isn't usually bad, and it's gratifying when a big audience can appreciate a smart, creative anime. There are still circumstances when big audiences and overinflated egos dilute the very things that attracted fans to a great anime series in the first place.
Updated on April 10, 2023 by Matthew Wood: CBR is dedicated to keeping its articles up-to-date and informative. This article's style and formatting has been updated accordingly.
12 My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is often described as a great series with a legacy tarnished by a notoriously rabid fanbase. From nonstop shipping wars to overprotective fans of certain characters or story arcs, My Hero Academia's fanbase has a reputation that precedes itself.
Unfortunately, MHA's fanbase has made it hard for many anime fans to take the series seriously or respect its great stories. My Hero Academia definitely isn't reinventing the wheel for shonen anime, but it's still a solid series that deserves the praise it receives.
11 Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man was one of fall 2022's most anticipated releases. The manga is already famous with a solid fanbase, and since the anime was in MAPPA's trusted hands, fans had high hopes for the anime adaptation of the series.
Unfortunately, several fans lashed out at MAPPA after the series debuted. One fan even made an online petition and wrote a long-winded letter to the director demanding a remake. Chainsaw Man's momentum isn't slowing down anytime soon, but it's safe to say that the fanbase's negative reputation has spoiled the series for many newcomers.
10 The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland was one of 2019's biggest anime and it's a shame that it's already in the fandom's rearview mirror. The Promised Neverland looks at a frightening escape from an orphanage into a brave new world where humans are viewed as food for demons.
The Promised Neverland should have been able to grow and develop across multiple seasons. Instead, it was wrapped up in two short seasons, paying short shrift to this universe and its story. It's understandable that the manga's creators didn't want the anime to get ahead of their storytelling but a brief hiatus would have allowed the brilliant anime to return without creatively stifling anyone.
9 Tokyo Ghoul
The colossal success of Tokyo Ghoul's dark manga quickly led to a highly anticipated anime adaptation, setting high expectations that may not have helped the series' development. Tokyo Ghoul's first season is a successful adaptation of this fascinating feud between man and demon. However, the anime's decision to forge its own path and diverge from its source material upset the manga's fans.
Consequently, when a future Tokyo Ghoul series eventually adapted the later events in the manga, the anime had already garnered too much ill will to succeed. By not staying true to its source material, Tokyo Ghoul alienated a passionate fandom.
8 Bleach
Most shonen fans are familiar with Bleach's fall from grace. Ichigo Kurosaki's hollow-hunting adventures lasted more than 350 episodes, but persistent filler and anime-exclusive material progressively pushed the anime off course from the story established in its manga source material.
Bleach's incredible popularity meant that the anime had to keep soldiering on rather than taking a second to figure out a more sustainable structure. Dedicated Bleach fans have finally been rewarded with 2022's Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, which adapted the manga's final arc and at least was able to provide some satisfying closure after an enormous wait.
7 Fairy Tail
Fairy Tail's playful fantasy world kept audiences entertained for more than 300 episodes. Some excellent action played out between Natsu Dragneel, Lucy, and the rest of the Fairy Tail Guild, but the anime also took some time to find its footing.
Natsu's development is a work in progress, and it takes a little too long for him to mature properly. Fairy Tail had a compelling foundation but its middle chapters felt aimless The series got into a rhythm where it was endlessly feeding into its fandom rather than telling the best story it could and persistent fan service can stifle any show's potential.
6 Dragon Ball
Akira Toriyama's signature shonen franchise is still going strong after more than three decades. The playful adventures of the young Goku progressively matured into an action-centric extravaganza that appeals to many adults. However, Dragon Ball has given itself some significant hurdles, as every time a character unlocks a new transformation or power, it gets harder to keep the series and its characters from permanently plateauing.
Dragon Ball's story would likely benefit from brevity, but its undying popularity continues to bring it back for more theatrical battles. Growing conflict within the fandom over canon and power levels also hasn't done Dragon Ball any favors. At this point, the anime is much better known than the manga but it's also a much sillier and less interesting story than its source.
5 Death Note
Death Note is a legendary series that's easy to get invested in due to its simple power fantasy premise, offering readers the promise of executing anyone who deserves it without repercussions. The first season of Death Note is suspenseful psychological storytelling at its best, but the series' success led to a second season that wasn't nearly as strong.
Death Note's intense popularity led to a live-action American movie and an upcoming live-action series that's also on its way to Netflix. These new adaptations don't erase the original, but sloppy takes on this series will only further tarnish its reputation.
4 Sword Art Online
Isekai was one of the biggest trends in anime over the past decade, and placing characters in virtual worlds or MMORPGs has also become a popular trope. Sword Art Online was a popular example of the subgenre, but there's nothing particularly unique about Kirito and Asuna's journey.
It's easy to initially get drawn into Sword Art Online, which is well-made, but the plot gets more ludicrous, and the show is increasingly willing to indulge in easy fan service. A passionate audience continues to champion Sword Art Online, and they're quick to attack newcomers who don't fall in love with the series.
3 Akame Ga Kill!
Akame ga Kill! is an inspirational story about underdog revolutionaries who long to right the wrongs that a corrupt capital has placed upon society. Tatsumi is a normal boy who finds himself suddenly leading the charge in the vigilante assassination squad, the Night Raid.
Akame ga Kill! is 24 episodes long, keeping its story about control and corruption brief. That being said, fans are quick to attack Tatsumi for being a thin main character and for the show's irresponsible treatment of death. Akame ga Kill! would be fine as a fringe cult classic, but it can't stand up to the scrutiny its success has brought it.
2 One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man is a fantastic parody of the superhero and shonen genres where its central character, Saitama, is frustrated by the fact that he's far too strong for any villain to survive even his gentlest blows. The show's first season is a gorgeous visual masterpiece, but the switch from Madhouse to J.C. Staff for its sophomore season angered many fans and created a toxic energy before it was even released.
Many fans have turned their backs on One-Punch Man following the second season or jumped ship over to Mob Psycho 100. However, the recent news that MAPPA will be animating the show's third season means that One-Punch Man might be able to return to its former heights.
1 Attack On Titan
Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan is one of this generation's biggest and most critically celebrated manga and anime series. This haunting tale of humans versus monsters grows infinitely more complicated, and its handling of lore, character development, and perspective is truly impressive.
Isayama ended Attack on Titan before it overstayed its welcome, but AoT's overly vocal fandom has damaged the property. These fans can gatekeep newcomers, and the manga's polarizing ending split the fanbase in ways that didn't help the series. Anyone who wants to get into Attack on Titan will have to deal with the most toxic elements of its fandom and it's just not worth it for many viewers.