10 Anime with Beautiful Animation and Disappointing Stories

Despite the hard work and dedication of the animators and production team, anime with stunning animation cannot always compensate for a storyline that lacks coherence or deviates from the source material. This often leads to a situation where the visuals overshadow the narrative, ultimately resulting in a disappointing viewing experience.

As a result, there are instances where the focus on aesthetics outweighs the importance of the narrative, ultimately leading to a less than satisfactory viewing experience. This is a topic of debate among fans, who often discuss anime with exceptional animation but lackluster plots.

This article presents the writer’s personal opinions and the entries are not listed in any particular order.

Anime with Great Animation but Disappointing Plots

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

Despite being highly anticipated for its impressive animation, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress was met with comparisons to Wit Studio’s popular series, Attack on Titan, upon its airing from April 8, 2016 to June 30, 2016. Viewers were initially impressed with the early episodes, but as the series progressed, it failed to maintain its momentum.

Despite its initial promise, Kabaneri was criticized for its repetitive fight scenes and formulaic plot, which revolved around characters fighting mindless zombies, a common narrative in survival anime. The lack of sustained excitement in the show left many feeling disappointed, as it failed to live up to the hype surrounding its release.

2) Redline – A Book Review

Miki and Todoroki from Redline (Image via Madhouse)

Despite its visually stunning animation, the plot of the anime Redline, created by Madhouse, has left viewers feeling confused since its premiere on August 14, 2009 (in Locarno) and October 9, 2010 (in Japan). While the characters are stylish and the action scenes are breathtaking, many anime fans have struggled to fully comprehend the storyline, comparing it to trying to navigate a maze while blindfolded.

Additionally, the abundance of characters in the story makes it challenging to develop a strong emotional connection with them. Despite its positive reception among anime fans, Redline falls short of reaching its full potential due to its complex plot and lack of emotional depth with the characters.

3) K

K, which was produced by GoHands, was broadcast from May 28, 2012 to August 15, 2013. It gained popularity for its exceptional animation, but was criticized for its mediocre storyline. The plot centers around Yashiro Isana, a young man with amnesia and an umbrella, as he becomes entangled in the power struggles between the Kings – individuals with supernatural powers who lead various clans.

Despite its stunning visuals, the series has faced backlash from fans for its lack of depth in characters, rushed storytelling, and disjointed plot. However, its dedicated fanbase remains strong, as shown through the various adaptations such as anime, movies, OVAs, manga, and light novels, all working to enhance its intricate narrative universe.

Clock Op. Destiny

Takt Op Destiny (Image via Mappa, Madhouse)

Despite being an anime with stunning animation, Takt Op. Destiny, which aired from October 6, 2021, to December 22, 2021, received mixed to negative reviews. Despite the involvement of two renowned animation studios, Mappa and Madhouse, and their impressive work on the visuals, the series failed to offer anything truly unique and was criticized for its pacing and narrative structure, ultimately leading to its negative reception.

Despite receiving mixed reviews, Takt Op. Destiny left some viewers feeling perplexed by its storyline and underdeveloped characters, leading to a lack of engagement with the series. Additionally, there were also those who were disappointed by the execution of the show.

Guilty Crown

One of the most well-known aspects of Guilty Crown is its exceptional animation, making it stand out among other anime. Production I.G. was responsible for its creation and it first premiered on October 13, 2011, running until March 22, 2012. The animation of the series is stunning, with stunning visuals and a futuristic aesthetic that set a new standard during its release.

Despite the belief of fans that the frequent character changes in the series are either hopelessly unresolved or hastily done, the issue is further intensified by the anime’s use of shortcuts to speed up its time-limited storytelling. Guilty Crown employs clichés to rush character development, sacrificing subtlety for quick-paced scenes and sudden character changes, ultimately affecting the overall storytelling.

Sword Art Online: A Popular Anime Series

Sword Art Online (image via Studio A-1 pictures)

According to anime enthusiasts, Sword Art Online was expected to be the standout show of the year. Produced by Studio A-1 Pictures, the animation impressively captures the essence of a Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) and helped to popularize the Isekai genre. The first episode introduces the intriguing premise of being trapped in a virtual reality MMO, where dying in the game results in real-life death. The show’s promise of escape through clearing all 100 floors was captivating.

Despite starting off strong, the series eventually became unfocused and strayed from its main plot and character development by introducing too many side stories. Additionally, a two-year time skip only served to distance viewers and prioritize the main character’s romantic relationship over crucial elements, causing a disconnect despite the impressive animation.

Darling in the Franxx

The unique animation style of Darling in the Franxx, which was originally broadcasted between January 13, 2018 and July 7, 2018, is a product of the combined efforts of A-1 Pictures, Trigger, and Cloverworks, resulting in a visually stunning anime. This show has incited heated discussions, with viewers divided into two camps – those who consider it overrated and those who believe it is underrated.

The anime Darling in the Franxx caused a stir among fans, with heated debates surrounding the intriguing characters of Zero Two and Ichigo. While many praised its animation, the overall reception of the show has drawn comparisons to that of Guilty Crown. This is due to the controversial introduction of the “true enemy”and the sudden shift from the established narrative towards the latter half of the series.

Aldnoah.Zero

Despite its visually stunning animation, the A-1 Pictures and TROYCA produced anime Aldnoah.Zero, which aired from July 5, 2014 to March 28, 2015, failed to impress due to its mishandling of character development and plot progression.

Despite its impressive animation, this mecha series faced criticism during Slaine Troyard’s arc due to abrupt shifts and inconsistencies. The uneven pacing and sudden introduction of crucial plot points without proper buildup or resolution furthered the frustration among audiences.

Despite its intriguing premise and high-quality animation, Aldnoah.Zero ultimately disappointed viewers due to its lack of cohesive storytelling and compelling character arcs. Although the series initially generated interest, it ultimately struggled to keep viewers engaged. This highlights the significance of balanced storytelling and consistent character development in satisfying audiences, as the show’s deficiencies in these aspects left many viewers disappointed.

9) Deadman Wonderland

Deadman Wonderland(image via Image via Manglobe)

In 2011, Manglobe released Deadman Wonderland, which aired from April 17, 2011, to July 3, 2011. The anime is set in a dystopian future where Tokyo is devastated by a powerful earthquake and follows the story of a dark amusement park-like prison called Deadman Wonderland. Despite its visually impressive animation, smooth motion, and captivating action scenes, the anime received a mix of reviews.

Despite its visually impressive elements, these flaws detract from its overall appeal to viewers.

Seraph of the End

The anime Seraph of the End, which was produced by Wit Studio and aired from April to December 2015, embodies the typical “generic”style. Its predictable plot and lack of character development fail to make a lasting impression.

In a dystopian landscape where humans fight against vampires, the plot of this series is predictable and reminiscent of many others. Although the animation is impressive, the anime falls short with sparse battles and a sluggish pace. The storytelling relies heavily on convenient plot devices rather than a well-crafted narrative.

Despite showcasing great animation and creativity, the anime lacks in character development. Protagonist Yuu Hyakuya and his companions are portrayed as typical shounen archetypes, causing them to blend in with one another. Additionally, the mismatch between the character designs and backgrounds takes away from the overall visual experience.

Despite its outstanding opening theme and soundtrack, “Owari no Seraph”fails to make up for its unoriginal plot and poorly developed characters. In the end, the show falls short and offers little more than tired clichés and missed chances to tell a meaningful story.

In summary

Darling in the Franxx, an anime renowned for its exceptional animation, highlights the significance of striking a balance between stunning visuals and engaging plots. As the series unfolded, certain viewers were disappointed by its intricate plot and unresolved mysteries, yearning for more substance to complement its style. A few viewers felt that the storyline lacked depth, leaving them desiring for more.

These illustrations demonstrate how crucial it is to combine exceptional animation with a gripping plot. For enthusiasts of anime, a well-crafted series strikes the ideal harmony, offering both breathtaking visuals and enthralling storytelling. This fusion guarantees that certain series will continue to captivate our imaginations, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next installment.