Top 10 Anime Series People Most Frequently Stop Watching: From Black Clover to One Piece

Anime enthusiasts often discontinue watching series for a variety of reasons, including pacing problems and repetitive storylines. These issues can range from the pacing feeling sluggish to narratives that become overly predictable. Despite the initial popularity of some series, they may struggle to retain viewer interest over time.

Factors such as an abundance of filler episodes, annoying character tropes, or significant deviations from beloved source material can contribute to this decline in viewership.

While many anime series successfully captivate audiences from start to finish, others fail to engage viewers, leading to a loss of interest in the plot. Here are ten anime that people frequently stop watching for evident reasons.

Disclaimer: This list is presented in no particular order and reflects the author’s opinions.

Bleach, Black Clover, and 8 Other Anime People Stop Watching

1) One Piece

Monkey D. Luffy as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

One Piece is often cited as an example of an anime that viewers frequently abandon due to its extensive episode count and slow pacing. With over 1,000 episodes, new viewers may feel overwhelmed by the commitment required to catch up.

The intricate arcs that comprise the overall narrative, coupled with frequent filler episodes, challenge fans who prefer steady plot progression. While many appreciate One Piece’s world-building, others find the sheer number of characters and complex interconnections to be overwhelming.

2) Black Clover

Asta as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Black Clover often loses viewers due to the boisterous personality and loud voice of its protagonist, Asta. His incessant shouting can detract from the appeal of a character-driven narrative. Additionally, the initial slow pacing may hinder viewers’ connection to the story.

As the plot unfolds, some fans find Asta’s journey toward becoming the Wizard King predictable and less engaging. These factors contribute to Black Clover being among the anime people often stop watching midway.

3) Tokyo Ghoul

Ken Kaneki as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Tokyo Ghoul begins powerfully but eventually diverges significantly from its manga source, alienating its most dedicated fans. The rushed pacing between Tokyo Ghoul √A and re glosses over crucial plot developments, leaving both manga readers frustrated and new viewers lost.

Moreover, the dark themes lose their impact due to inconsistent pacing and character development. As the series progresses, many feel it strays too far from what made it compelling, leading to its inclusion in the list of anime people stop watching.

4) Sword Art Online

Kirito as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Sword Art Online captures attention with its VR premise, but many viewers quickly lose interest due to inconsistent storytelling. The narrative shifts from a gripping survival story to a muddled development of characters and convoluted plots starting from the first arc. The Alicization arc, in particular, introduces intricate storylines that may frustrate casual viewers.

The overpowered protagonist, Kirito, reduces tension and renders outcomes predictable, contributing to a monotonous viewing experience, prompting viewers to disengage mid-way through Sword Art Online.

5) Pokémon

Ash Ketchum as seen in anime (Image via OLM)

Pokémon begins with enthusiasm but gradually loses viewers due to its repetitive nature. Each season tends to fall into a familiar cycle as Ash travels through various regions, collecting badges and battling Gym Leaders, only to reset the formula in subsequent arcs.

This lack of character and plot development leads to stagnation, making it tiresome for viewers who seek more substantial content. As a result, many stop watching Pokémon before Ash achieves his overarching goal.

6) Bleach

Ichigo Kurosaki as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Bleach starts with promise but loses a significant number of fans due to its dependence on filler arcs, which detract from the core narrative. The presence of extended filler episodes creates a disconnect from the main storyline.

Furthermore, the inconsistent pacing—where certain arcs stretch on longer than necessary—makes Bleach one of the anime people abandon before reaching its conclusion.

7) Boruto

Boruto Uzumaki as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Like Bleach, Boruto faces scrutiny for excessive filler episodes that interrupt the main narrative, complicating viewers’ engagement with the series. It fails to capture the emotional depth and compelling character arcs that made Naruto an iconic series.

Many fans feel the new generation does not meet the legacy set by the original series, leading to a decline in viewership due to poor pacing and missed expectations, thereby causing Boruto to be an anime that people frequently stop watching.

8) Fairy Tail

Natsu, Lucy, and Macao as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Fairy Tail starts with an imaginative world, magical guilds, and appealing characters. However, over time, it becomes predictable, relying heavily on power-ups that stem from friendship and yielding formulaic battle resolutions.

The lack of genuine consequences and the prevalence of fanservice contribute to viewer disinterest. Consequently, Fairy Tail is another anime that many viewers stop watching along its journey.

9) Seven Deadly Sins

Meliodas as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Although Seven Deadly Sins began with a captivating plot and character arcs, declining animation quality later hurt its audience appeal. Fans expressed dissatisfaction with poorly animated fight sequences, diminishing the impact of critical battles.

As the narrative became less consistent and rushed, character development suffered, resulting in disappointment. This decline left many viewers disenchanted, contributing to Seven Deadly Sins being yet another anime that people stop watching prior to its conclusion.

10) The Promised Neverland

Emma as seen in anime (Image via CloverWorks)

The Promised Neverland captivates audiences with its suspenseful plot and dark themes, but the second season disappointed many viewers due to the omission of key arcs from the manga. This choice led to a rushed narrative that lost the depth early episodes had established.

Manga fans found this deviation frustrating, leading to disengagement from the anime. As such, The Promised Neverland is counted among the anime that people quit watching because of its hurried and inconsistent storytelling.

Final Thoughts

The reasons people stop watching anime vary widely, often relating to issues like pacing, repetitive plots, and inconsistencies in character development. Series such as One Piece and Black Clover grapple primarily with their extensive lengths and the quirks of their characters, while Tokyo Ghoul and Sword Art Online struggle with significant divergences from their source material.

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