Disappointing Anime from the 2020s

In the world of media today, some of the most impressive anime titles come from the 2020s, including popular titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, Moriarity the Patriot, and Tonikawa which all debuted in this decade.

Although roses are beautiful, they come with thorns. Similarly, there are anime series that initially appear amazing, but upon closer inspection, they end up being disappointing. These series may have had promising first impressions, trailers, and even a few strong episodes, but ultimately they fail to deliver.

In this article, a compilation of 10 anime from the 2020s is presented. These shows initially garnered a lot of excitement from fans, but ultimately ended up disappointing them after they began watching.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and may differ from individual to individual.

C Danshi, Listeners, and 8 other anime from 2020 That Initially Seemed Promising but Ultimately Fell Short

In/Spectre (Winter 2020)

Kurou as seen in the anime (Image via Brain's Base) — Kurou as seen in the anime (Image via Brain’s Base)

Despite initially captivating audiences with its intriguing storyline and female lead, Kyokou Suiri, a mystery-supernatural anime from the 2020s, ultimately fell into the same tropes as other supernatural anime, resulting in a lackluster ending.

The setting of the anime is in a supernatural realm where the balance between the world of the living and the deceased is disrupted by an immortal entity. Kotoko, the female lead and the God of Wisdom, attempts to resolve these conflicts but becomes entangled in ones that are difficult to evade.

Sing ‘Yesterday’ to Me (Spring 2020)

Haru as seen in the anime (Image via Doga Koba)

Despite having one of the most impressive first episodes in recent memory, Yesterday no Utatte ultimately falls short as its plot abruptly disappears after the fourth episode. The most disappointing aspect is that fans become fully invested in the story, only to be let down after dedicating their time to it.

The focus of the anime is on Rikou, the male lead, who is employed at a convenience store, and Haru, one of the female leads, who lives independently. Both characters are struggling with their pasts and seek solace in each other’s presence.

3) Listeners

Myuu as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

Listeners is an anime from the 2020s that was produced by the renowned animation studio MAPPA and is set in a world where music has ceased to exist. Given its association with MAPPA, there were high expectations for this unique anime series.

Despite high anticipation, this anime proved to be a letdown from the very first episode. Its protagonists lacked intrigue, the plotline was unfocused, and the heavy emphasis on world-building made it difficult for fans to follow the convoluted premise.

Gibiate: A Summer 2020 Anime

Kanzaki as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Elle & l-a-unch・BOX)

Despite high expectations, Gibiate, an anime set in a future where a deadly virus known as ‘Gibia’ ravages humanity, has turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments of this decade. In order to combat the virus, a ninja and a swordsman from the Edo Period are transported to the future and aided by two formidable fighters and a medical team.

Despite its promising plotline, the series was ultimately let down by its subpar animation and slow pacing, leading to disappointment among fans after the first episode. Despite the efforts of a talented staff and strong online promotion, this anime has become one of the most disliked series of all time due to its use of low-quality CGI and a sluggish storyline.

The Day I Became A God

Youta (left) and Hina (right) (Image via P.A. Works)

Hailing from the creator of the drama-romance anime Clannad, Jun Maeda, Kamisama ni Natta Hi was highly anticipated by fans. The first few episodes were met with great success, but unfortunately, the series gradually declined in popularity.

Similarly, Jun Maeda had a comparable experience with Charlotte, so he intended for The Day I Become God to be similar to Clannad or Charlotte. Unfortunately, it turned out to be more like the latter.

The anime’s plotline takes a backseat after a few episodes, as the main focus shifts to the music, which is a recurring theme in Jun Maeda’s works. The narrative revolves around Hina, a self-proclaimed deity, who disrupts Youta’s life with her miraculous interventions. However, there is more to these miracles than initially meets the eye.

Title: Ex-Arm (Winter 2021)

Akira as seen in the anime (Image via Visual Flight)

Despite being the first animation project of Studio Flight, Ex-Arm was arguably the biggest disappointment of this decade. Unfortunately, the studio has yet to release another anime after this blunder. Fans, who had high hopes for the new animation studio and staff, gave it a chance but were ultimately let down after watching the first episode.

Focusing on Akira, who awakens from a coma and is given the task of preventing the dangerous weapon Ex-Arm from falling into the wrong hands. This anime disappointingly encompassed elements such as slow pacing, unpolished writing, and subpar CGI animation, earning it a spot as one of the most lackluster releases of the 2020s.

Farewell, My Dear Cramer (Spring 2021)

Nozomi as seen in the anime (Image via LIDENFILMS)

Despite being written by the same author as Your Lie In April, Sayonara Watashi no Cramer faced high expectations upon its adaptation announcement. However, it ultimately failed to meet the standards of its intended audience, the fans of sports anime.

This anime depicts the journey of girls striving to become football players and challenging the belief that only boys can excel in the game. The pacing of the story remained consistent with its source material, but the animation on the field was a major issue. Many fans were disappointed as the characters appeared to be running like video game players instead of realistic athletes.

Platinum End (Fall 2021)

Mirai as seen in the anime (Image via Signal.MD)

Platinum End, a series from the renowned author of one of the most beloved anime of all time, Death Note, had high expectations to live up to. The plot revolves around 13 individuals competing to become God, each accompanied by their own angel.

The series experienced issues with its animation, particularly with the CGI aspect. However, the biggest flaw was in its storyline, which began to unravel after the defeat of its initial antagonist, Metropoliman.

Housing Complex C (Fall 2022)

Kimi as seen in the anime (Image via Akatsuki)

Despite fans’ hopes that it would challenge the stereotype that “horror cannot be animated,”C Danchi ultimately fell short with its supporting characters who had no impact on the plot and a disjointed storyline, despite consisting of only 4 episodes.

The focus of this anime revolves around Kimi’s life in a housing complex situated in the seaside town of Kurosaki. She seems to attract misfortune wherever she goes. Is she under a curse, or is there something deeper at play?

10) Buteraba – The Story of a Man Who Turned into a Pig (Fall 2023)

Jess as seen in the anime (Image via Project no. 9)

Despite the usual abundance of 5 to 6 isekai-themed anime series per season, Butareba stands out with its unconventional plot that unfortunately suffered from a lack of consistency in mixing various genres and delivering them effectively in each episode.

The focus of the story is on a main character who is reborn as a pig in a different world, which is why the anime is titled as such. The protagonist then joins forces with a girl who is enslaved in order to help her escape from her harsh existence.