Fans have varying opinions on the concept of anime prequels and sequels. In some cases, a sequel, such as Dragon Ball Z, may gain more popularity than its prequel. However, there are also instances where a prequel, like Jujutsu Kaisen 0, may surpass the anime it is leading up to.
Despite this, there are numerous anime that may not necessarily require a sequel. In the eyes of fans, series like Inuyasha and Naruto are often considered to have superior storylines, with their sequels falling short in various aspects. Whether it be an unpopular pairing, a plot twist that contradicts established lore, or subpar animation, there are instances where a sequel can disappoint fans in significant ways.
Please note: The upcoming article will reveal spoilers for all the included anime and manga. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
5 Anime and Manga Prequels Worth Revisiting
Codename: Sailor V (Sailor Moon)
Despite being known as the prequel to Sailor Moon by fans, Codename: Sailor V never got the chance to be adapted into an anime due to the studio responsible for it shutting down. As a result, it may not have gained the same level of popularity as Sailor Moon. However, the manga-only prequel consisted of 15 chapters and offered a detailed look into Venus’ origin story, running in parallel to Sailor Moon.
While the 90s anime condensed Venus’ backstory into a single episode and the manga depicted her in two side stories, Sailor V delved deeper into Minako Aino’s evolution from a scatterbrained middle school student to Sailor Venus. The manga follows her year-long struggle against the Dark Kingdom’s predecessor, the Dark Agency. It is highly recommended for those interested in Sailor Venus’ origins.
Dragon Ball Series
Despite the mainstream success and popularity of Dragon Ball Z and its sequels, the original Dragon Ball by the late Akira Toriyama remains a strong and enduring series. Often overlooked due to its comedic nature, it deserves a second chance to be appreciated for its own unique qualities.
The characters Goku, Bulma, Krillin, Chi Chi, Tien and Chaotzu, Piccolo, and Master Roshi all begin their journeys in Dragon Ball. This series focuses on character development, adventure, and various challenges, rather than the apocalyptic stakes seen in Z or Super. Additionally, it introduces many well-known techniques, such as the Kamehameha.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (My Hero Academia)
The main series of My Hero Academia, which started in 2014, ran for over a decade until 2024. Its spinoff and prequel manga, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, was published from 2017 to 2022. Despite being overshadowed by the success of the My Hero Academia anime, there are still many compelling reasons to give the prequel a chance.
Vigilantes explores a variety of captivating topics that My Hero Academia does not cover, such as Quirk regulations, Stain’s origin story, Aizawa’s past, and the challenges of being a vigilante in a society governed by strict laws. It also delves deeper into All for One’s schemes, revealing that Shigaraki was not his only victim or objective.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin
Mobile Suit Gundam (also known as 0079) is widely regarded as the foundation for numerous mecha anime that came after it. It gave rise to the entire Gundam franchise and its subsequent installments such as Zeta Gundam, Char’s Counterattack, Hathaway, and the Seed Freedom anime as well as the Silver Phantom movie.
The 6-episode OVA Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, released from 2015 to 2018, was later re-released in 2019 as a 13-episode series called Advent of the Red Comet. It followed the story of Casval Rem Deikun as he transformed into the legendary Red Comet, Char Aznable, and provided insight into the origins of the One Year War. The series also delved into Char’s personal vendetta against the Zabi Family and its role in sparking the war.
5) Jujutsu Kaisen 0 – Jujutsu Kaisen Prequel
“Jujutsu Kaisen quickly gained popularity in the anime world after its debut in 2020, as the manga had already gained a strong following since its release in 2018. The prequel, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, was first published as a manga in 2017 and was later adapted into a movie in 2021.”
The prequel sparked a heated debate within the fandom, as many found Yuta Okkotsu to be a more compelling protagonist than Yuji Itadori. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 delves into Yuta’s experience at Jujutsu High, the events leading up to the final showdown between Geto and Gojo, Geto’s demise, and sets the foundation for Jujutsu Kaisen. It quickly gained popularity upon its release, particularly due to Yuta’s return in the aftermath of the Shibuya Incident arc.
5 Anime Sequels That Disappointed Fans
1) Comparison of Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Z
Despite not being considered one of the Big Three of Shonen, Dragon Ball Z was able to achieve global recognition. However, its sequel, Dragon Ball GT, is widely regarded as a catastrophic failure that many fans choose to forget, thanks to the success of Dragon Ball Super.
Despite its popularity, Dragon Ball GT is widely regarded as the weakest installment in the franchise, with the exception of the notoriously disappointing live-action adaptation, Dragon Ball Evolution. The animation quality greatly decreases, Pan and Giru become more bothersome than beneficial, and the decision to revert Goku back to a child does not add depth to his character. It is evident that the only redeeming aspects of this sequel are the introduction of Super Saiyan 4, the fusion of Gogeta, and the formidable Omega Shenron.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (Naruto & Naruto: Shippuden)
Despite some initial criticism, Boruto was met with positive reactions upon its debut, similar to the reception of both Naruto: The Last and the Boruto movie upon their releases. With Naruto’s successful conclusion after ten years, fans were excited to witness the developments following his ascension to Hokage.
Upon its release, Boruto was met with disappointment from fans. They had numerous reasons for their dissatisfaction, including finding the main character uninteresting, feeling that the story had tarnished the legacy of Naruto’s generation, and the anime’s rapid shift towards filler episodes. Although Boruto has regained some fans with the Code arc and subsequent manga plots, for many it was not enough to make up for their initial disappointment.
Manga and Anime Series: MF Ghost (Initial D)
Initial D is widely acknowledged as a top-tier racing anime. It is praised for its authentic representation of street racing culture, with each car and character showcasing their unique personalities through their driving and racing styles. The diverse range of cars in Initial D is just as captivating as the characters themselves, making it a must-watch for any car enthusiast.
On the contrary, MF Ghost lacks the same level of excitement. The numerous races have been condensed into a single event, and the cars are less impressive as they now consist of high-end models like Porsches and Ferraris instead of a regular street car. Additionally, the underdog tale of Kanata Rivington pales in comparison to the captivating story of Takumi Fujiwara.
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon (Inuyasha)
For Inuyasha fans, the original series is considered a masterpiece. However, the same level of praise cannot be given to its sequel, Yashahime. Despite its immense success in Japan, English-speaking fans believe that the series should be disregarded. One of the reasons for this is that it primarily revolves around Sesshomaru’s children rather than Kagome and Inuyasha.
Many fans were turned off by the fact that Sesshomaru and Rin became a couple, making it the primary reason for their abandonment of the sequel. This was especially the case for those who were not familiar with the series, as Rin is portrayed as being younger than Kagome and remains so throughout most of the story. This unexpected romantic relationship between the two, who were previously seen as having a surrogate father-daughter dynamic, was a major disappointment for many fans.
Persona 4: Golden (Persona 4)
Despite its rocky history with anime adaptations, the Persona video game series has had some successful adaptations. The Persona 4 anime is widely considered the best, while the Persona 3 movies are considered decent. On the other hand, Persona 5’s anime is often criticized as the weakest of the adaptations. However, the Persona 4: Golden anime, despite being a direct sequel, is often overlooked and forgotten for various reasons.
Despite its flaws, the Persona 4: Golden anime is remembered fondly by fans for its inclusion of a New Game Plus playthrough, showcasing a more confident Yu and delving deeper into Adachi’s story. However, the addition of Marie, who was already disliked by many fans, along with the downgraded animation and significantly shorter length of only 13 episodes, ultimately make it an anime that is best forgotten.
The definition of a good prequel and sequel may vary among fans of mass media, including anime. Some fans may prefer certain sequels over others, while others may find the prequels to be superior. This is also true for fans of different anime series that may have sequels or prequels.
Ultimately, whether a sequel or prequel surpasses its original or if the original should remain standalone is open to interpretation. As long as prequels exist, fans will continue to both appreciate them and voice their criticisms.
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