Anime has the power to transport viewers to fantastical worlds, tell gripping tales, and introduce memorable characters. However, sometimes even the most captivating stories are hindered by less-than-stellar animation. Here’s a look at ten anime series that, despite their narrative strengths, have been criticized for their animation quality.
10 Anime Series with Compelling Narratives Overshadowed by Subpar Animation
1. Berserk: A Dark Fantasy Epic
The dark fantasy series “Berserk” has a loyal fan base, thanks to its intense storyline and deep characters. However, the anime adaptation has often been criticized for its animation, particularly the 2016/2017 series, which was notorious for its clunky CGI.
2. xxxHolic: A Supernatural Journey
“xxxHolic” weaves a supernatural tale rich in Japanese folklore, with episodic stories that are connected by a common narrative. Despite its intriguing premise, the animation has been noted as a weak point, failing to match the visual flair of the manga.
3. Junji Ito Collection: Horror Masterpieces
Junji Ito’s works, such as “Uzumaki” and “The Enigma of Amigara Fault,” are celebrated for their horror storytelling. The anime adaptation, “Junji Ito Collection,” however, received criticism for its animation quality, which many fans felt didn’t do justice to the source material’s detailed artwork.
4. The Seven Deadly Sins: Dynamic Adventure
“The Seven Deadly Sins” gained popularity for its exciting story and characters. However, the animation, particularly in later seasons, was a letdown for many viewers, with numerous complaints about the decline in quality.
5. Overlord: A Gamer’s Conquest
“Overlord” follows Momonga, a gamer who becomes his avatar in a virtual world and seeks to dominate it. While the story is engaging, the anime’s animation has been a point of contention among fans, with some scenes relying heavily on CGI.
6. Dragon Ball Super: The Legacy Continues
“Dragon Ball Super” continues the adventures of Goku and friends with new enemies and power-ups. Despite its popularity, the series has faced criticism for inconsistent animation, with some episodes having noticeably lower quality than others.
7. Tokyo Ghoul: A Dark Coexistence
“Tokyo Ghoul” explores the tension between humans and ghouls in a dark fantasy setting. The anime adaptation, particularly its later seasons, has been criticized for its animation and pacing, which many believe did not fully capture the essence of the manga.
8. Kingdom: A Seinen Favorite
“Kingdom” is highly regarded as one of the top seinen manga, with a story that has garnered a strong following. The anime adaptation, however, particularly its first season, was widely panned for its poor use of CGI animation.
9. Dororo: A Remake’s Downfall
The remake of “Dororo” started strong, praised for both its story and animation. However, as the series progressed, many fans noticed a decline in animation quality, which detracted from the overall experience.
10. Arifureta: From Commonplace to Disappointment
“Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest” is an example of how compelling storytelling can be overshadowed by substandard animation. The series has been subject to much criticism for its animation techniques, which many viewers found jarring.
While these anime series offer great stories that have the potential to captivate audiences, their animation quality has been a significant drawback. Fans of these series often find themselves in a love-hate relationship, appreciating the narrative while lamenting the animation that fails to do it justice. Despite these shortcomings, the stories themselves continue to resonate with viewers, proving that strong storytelling can sometimes overcome visual flaws.
