While many fans have strong opinions about the least favored anime adaptations, there are also those that are able to connect with fans and receive widespread praise.
Despite having omitted story arcs and underdeveloped characters, these adaptations ultimately failed to capture the essence of their manga counterparts. In this list, we delve into the reasons behind their fall from grace and analyze why they were unable to resonate with audiences, highlighting the key differences between the anime and their manga originals. Here are the ten most disliked anime adaptations and their shortcomings.
This article is ranked in descending order and reflects the writer’s opinion. Therefore, it serves as a disclaimer.
Most Disliked Anime Adaptations
10) The show Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online began as a captivating series that transported viewers into a game of life and death, where virtual deaths resulted in real-life consequences for players.
Despite a strong beginning, highlighted by the widely praised Aincrad arc, the series drew criticism for its sluggish pacing, overpowered main characters, and underdeveloped supporting cast. Later storylines, such as ALO, were criticized for their lack of effective conflict and for placing too much emphasis on the harem genre.
Despite its overall success, Sword Art Online has been met with criticism from viewers who feel that it failed to live up to their expectations. As a result, the show received a mixed reception and has become one of the most disliked anime for some fans. While the series appeared to be thriving, some critics view it as a cautionary example of how the franchise could have been mishandled and was only moderately successful at best.
Bokurano
Despite being a story about a group of children who must pilot a giant robot to protect Earth, Mohiro Kitoh’s Bokurano reveals a bleak future for the characters. Upon viewing the anime, it becomes evident that many elements of the plot have been altered or watered down, ultimately diminishing the impactful nature of the original narrative.
The personal impact and ethical spectrum of the manga were diminished by changes made to the character arcs and setting. This left many viewers disappointed with the anime adaptation, as it toned down the dark and depressive theme that they had enjoyed in the manga. As a result, the anime became one of the most disliked among fans.
Tokyo Ghoul √A
The anticipated sequel to Tokyo Ghoul √A was expected to follow in the footsteps of the first installment, delving deeper into the dark and complex world created by author Sui Ishida. However, it took a significant departure from the manga and introduced original storylines that left the target audience feeling perplexed and frustrated.
Unfortunately, the anime failed to introduce fresh developments in the plot and characters that were present in the manga. The narrative became disorganized and unsatisfying, resulting in it being one of the least popular anime adaptations. Many elements from the manga were altered or omitted, leading to disappointment among viewers who felt the anime lacked in-depth exploration, making it one of the most disliked adaptations.
7) Berserk (2016)
Berserk, written by Kentaro Miura, is adored for its intricate plot and multi-faceted characters with rich backstories and detailed depictions. However, the 2016 anime adaptation received criticism for deviating from the source material and adopting a more lighthearted tone, incorporating numerous comedic moments. Additionally, the use of CGI animation was heavily scrutinized as it failed to capture the gritty and dark aesthetic of the manga, ultimately resulting in it being one of the most disliked anime adaptations.
While previous adaptations of the source material were considered to be mostly faithful, this current adaptation falls short as it reads more like a summary, omitting significant plot points and character growth. Fans were especially frustrated with the show’s inability to capture the manga’s true essence, largely due to its lackluster animation and basic action sequences which failed to convey the intense emotions portrayed in the manga.
The Flowers of Evil
Shuzo Oshimi’s The Flowers of Evil can be described as a psychological drama that exposes the dark desires and impulses hidden within individuals. The decision to use roto-scoping, a technique that involves tracing over filmed footage, in the anime adaptation resulted in a jarring appearance that turned off many viewers.
Despite the manga being able to effectively capture the essence of the setting and events, the anime failed to achieve the same level of appeal due to its slow pace and experimental approach. The intricate character depictions and exploration of their psyches, which were well-received in the manga, were poorly executed and received criticism and dissatisfaction from the intended audience, resulting in the anime being one of the most disliked adaptations.
Seven Deadly Sins
Despite initially being well received for its vibrant visuals and appealing protagonists, Seven Deadly Sins faced challenges in its later seasons. The third season, in particular, suffered from animation that was not as polished as the first two seasons due to a change in studios. The series was plagued by issues such as poorly animated fight scenes, inconsistent character designs, and underdeveloped plot points.
The anime adaptation of the manga was widely criticized for its portrayal of battle scenes and character development. Fans of Nakaba Suzuki, the manga’s author, were especially dissatisfied with these aspects, leading to widespread disapproval of the anime and making it one of the most disliked adaptations.
Deadman Wonderland
Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou’s adaptation of Deadman Wonderland successfully captured the dark and somber tone that the manga is known for. However, the anime version was criticized for its slow pacing and incomplete storytelling. The series was discontinued after only 12 episodes, leaving many plotlines unresolved and some characters underdeveloped.
The manga failed to fully showcase certain skills and abilities, leaving fans with a limited understanding of the anime. This left audiences feeling unsatisfied, especially when the show ended abruptly. As a result, it became one of the most unpopular anime series.
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Gantz, from the start, possessed all the elements of a captivating anime, with a gritty and violent plot based on Hiroya Oku’s manga. However, the anime fails to effectively convey the gripping narrative and character development depicted in the manga.
While some elements of the plot and character growth were altered or left out, the show ultimately concluded with a few anime-exclusive scenes that felt rushed and lacking in depth, giving the impression of a final episode rather than a true series finale. Many viewers were disappointed by the anime’s failure to delve into the thought-provoking philosophical and ethical themes present in the manga, ultimately leading to it being widely regarded as one of the most disliked anime adaptations.
Rosario + Vampire
Despite the appealing idea of a “supernatural schoolgirl romance”and likable characters, Rosario + Vampire had the potential to be a great anime. Unfortunately, it became weighed down by excessive fanservice and strayed too far from Akihisa Ikeda’s original manga.
Despite the manga delving into darker themes and intricate storylines, the anime chose to focus on a lighter and more comedic approach, often incorporating elements of harem comedy. However, this shift in tone resulted in major characters and important story arcs being underdeveloped, ultimately disappointing fans and earning the anime a reputation as one of the most disliked adaptations.
The Promised Neverland Season 2
Despite the original series being a psychological thriller with twists, the first season of The Promised Neverland was widely praised for its almost perfect adaptation of the Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu manga. However, the second season took a different approach, speeding up the main storylines and leaving out certain characters and events. This resulted in the anime adaptation being heavily criticized and disliked by many viewers.
The anime failed to include several key story arcs, such as the Goldy Pond arc, which played a crucial role in developing characters and the overall setting. As a result, the narrative felt disjointed and rushed, and left many elements of the story incomplete. The rushed ending was unsatisfying compared to the well-crafted plot in the manga, leaving viewers feeling disappointed with the anime.
In conclusion,
While some adaptations successfully capture the essence of the manga they are based on, others fall short in capturing what made the manga so beloved, resulting in them being among the most disliked anime adaptations. The ten adaptations mentioned in this article serve as examples of the importance of staying true to the core elements of a story and not diluting its essence.
Therefore, considering the fervent requests of the fans for a high-quality manga adaptation, it is hoped that future animations will strive to steer clear of the mistakes of the past. This entails showing reverence towards the source material while also fully utilizing the potential of the anime format, a feat that previous adaptations have fallen short of achieving.
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