In anime, character arcs typically involve a transformation or internal growth throughout the story. The characters start off as a certain type of person and then gradually change in response to the developments in the plot.
Despite the presence of compelling character arcs in anime, such as Naruto Uzumaki, Shigeo Kageyama, Eren Yeager, and others, there are also those that have disappointed viewers. Whether it be due to underdeveloped personalities, poor writing, or excessive fillers, these characters have failed to undergo significant growth and have remained stagnant throughout the series.
Let’s examine the most disappointing character arcs in anime.
Analyzing the weakest character developments in anime
Yuki Tsukumo from Jujutsu Kaisen
Yuki Tsukumo from Jujutsu Kaisen starts off this list of disappointing character arcs in anime. Despite being introduced as one of the four Special Grade Sorcerers, Yuki did not meet the expectations set for her. She made her first appearance in Gojo’s Past Arc as a lone sorcerer and later appeared towards the end of the Shibuya Incident.
Despite these two exceptions, she had minimal screen time and her character did not undergo significant development. She did, however, play a crucial role in joining forces with Death Painting Choso to prevent Kenjaku from reaching Master Tengen.
Despite being defeated by Kenjaku, her role in the story came to an end. If she had managed to survive, she could have played a crucial part in the current events of the story.
Jotaro Kujo (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Jotaro Kujo’s character arc in anime is often considered disappointing. Despite being stoic, aloof, collected, and highly intelligent, Jotaro was the main protagonist in Part 3 of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, known as “Stardust Crusaders”. He also played a significant role in Parts 4, 5, and 6.
Despite his tough exterior, Jotaro has always shown a compassionate side, especially towards those he loves. However, he is not one to speak much and struggles with expressing himself clearly. He maintains his composure even in the most challenging situations and constantly seeks out solutions.
Despite the series’ progression, the character’s development remains stagnant. He continues to engage in frequent battles and perform impressive actions, but his personality remains unchanged. Perhaps allowing him to be more vulnerable and expressive would add a more relatable aspect to his character.
Character Profile: Garlic Jr. (Dragon Ball Z)
Despite being a filler arc and not a part of the original series, Garlic Jr.’s arc in Dragon Ball Z is often considered one of the most disliked character arcs in anime. It was perceived as a diversion from the main story and ultimately failed to make a significant impact. In the end, Garlic Jr. was defeated by a 4-year-old Son Gohan.
Despite being introduced as a filler, it seemed as though the arc was intended to fill a void in the series. There was minimal character development and it mostly centered around showcasing Gohan’s fighting abilities. Due to the lack of focus on antagonist Garlic Jr., the arc as a whole was not well-received.
7) Character Profile: Tenten from Naruto
Tenten’s character arc is another example of an underwhelming arc in anime. Despite being a supporting character, she was portrayed as one of the weakest in the series.
Despite the significant improvements and power-ups seen in every other character, Tenten’s abilities remain relatively stagnant. Furthermore, her personality remains unchanged and lacks any significant growth. Surprisingly, even Sakura, who is often criticized for being poorly written, appears to have more character development in the series.
Megumi Fushiguro from Jujutsu Kaisen
Despite being initially introduced as a key deuteragonist and heavily involved in the early stages of the story, Megumi Fushiguro’s character arc ultimately falls among the disappointing character arcs in anime. His journey, though unexpected, was filled with disheartening events.
Despite being predicted to potentially surpass powerful sorcerers like Gojo Satoru and Ryomen Sukuna in the future, his Ten Shadows technique was already considered one of the strongest. However, he is hindered by a mental barrier that halts his progress. Once Sukuna takes control, he no longer has the desire to fight or even continue living.
Tamaki – A Character from Fire Force
Despite being among the underwhelming character arcs in anime, Fire Force’s Tamaki initially showed potential as a strong and formidable character, capable of rivaling the other cast members in the series.
Despite the progression of the show, she was consistently portrayed as fanservice. Tamaki frequently found herself in situations that objectified her in a sexual manner. While her reactions to these situations were realistic, it also highlighted the fact that the writing continuously placed her in these predicaments for the sake of audience titillation.
This lack of respect towards Tamaki is not only offensive to her, but also to female viewers. Additionally, it may leave a negative impression of the scene. Furthermore, Tamaki often seems to be overshadowed by the male characters in the series, consistently falling short in comparison.
Gon – Main Character of Hunter x Hunter
Gon from Hunter x Hunter is just one of the many characters who have disappointing character arcs in anime. He plays a crucial role as the protagonist for a significant portion of the series and also serves as the deuteragonist in the Yorknew City Arc. Given his important role in the story, it is natural to expect some development from him as the series unfolds.
Despite this, it appears that the character did not undergo any significant changes throughout the series. From the first episodes to the final ones, his personality remained largely unchanged, including his values, opinions, behavior, and persona. In contrast, Killua’s character underwent tremendous growth and transformation.
It appears that the majority of the other main characters experienced subtle to significant transformations. While Gon and Killua’s friendship motivated Killua to improve himself, Gon remained stagnant in his development.
Kirigaya Kazuto – Main Character in Sword Art Online
Kirigaya Kazuto, also known as Kirito, is a character whose development may be considered underwhelming when compared to other character arcs in anime. As the protagonist of Sword Art Online, Kirito appears to have everything going for him. He is one of the few players who were able to secure a beta spot at the start, giving him an understandable advantage over others.
Ever since then, he has consistently displayed a natural talent for any new game he plays. It is possible that he had to put in effort to build up his character’s stats, but it appears that this is the only instance where he puts in any significant effort to improve his strength.
Throughout the entire story, Kirito’s personality remains unchanged and simplistic. Although he is highly admired for his strength and skills, his character could have been even more impressive if it had been more developed and well-rounded.
Misa Amane – Character from Death Note
Although she started off strong, Death Note’s Misa Amane quickly falls short. She is considered one of the most disappointing character arcs in anime, as her potential is never fully realized. Misa’s decision to obtain Shinigami Eyes, a move that Light had initially hesitated on, made her appear invincible. However, her character ultimately falls flat.
Despite quickly realizing the futility of her feelings, she allowed herself to become consumed by her obsession with him and became a mere pawn in his manipulative hands. Throughout the series, she remained unchanged, showing no growth or development in her character. If the creators had chosen to have her evolve along with the story, she would have undoubtedly become a powerful force.
1) Star and Stripe: A Character Analysis of My Hero Academia
Star and Stripe ranks at the top of the list of exhausting character arcs in anime. Throughout My Hero Academia, her Quirk appeared to be extremely dominant, as she could establish a rule on any object she touched and verbally named.
Despite being hailed as America’s top hero, Star and Stripe’s time in Japan was brief. She answered All Might’s call for help and bravely fought against Tomura Shigaraki, but unfortunately, she did not survive the battle. If she had, her collaboration with All Might and Deku would have undoubtedly elevated the series to new heights.
Furthermore, witnessing her interactions with the other Heroes and Class 1-A would have been a remarkable experience. It would have been fascinating to observe how effectively she could collaborate with and motivate the Japanese Heroes to resist. Overall, her character arc in the anime may be disheartening, but it is worth noting that she did not allow Shigaraki to steal her Quirk and managed to destroy a significant number of his stored Quirks.
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