10 Controversial Anime That Are Infinitely Better Than Haters Think

by

Fans are quick to criticize any type of media, and anime is no exception. Anime is constantly being evaluated, both by its audience and the public, for things like poor animation or questionable content. Sadly, this often leads to shows gaining a bad reputation and being disliked, even by people who haven’t actually watched them.

It’s disappointing when people don’t give a show a real chance, especially since many series are actually quite good despite what critics say. Almost every anime has some imperfections, and some of the most criticized shows are better than people realize.

The anime Goblin Slayer sparked considerable debate after its first episode featured a very explicit and disturbing scene of sexual violence. Many viewers felt the scene was unnecessarily graphic and used shock value. While it did demonstrate the harshness of the show’s world, critics argue that the scene could have been handled in a less extreme way. As the series progresses, it generally avoids similar levels of graphic violence, making the initial scene stand out even more.

However, Goblin Slayer stands out by offering a truly dark story without falling back on overused fantasy clichés. While the main character starts as someone solely focused on eliminating goblins, he develops into a more complex and relatable figure, adding significant depth and emotional resonance to the series.

At its peak, Fairy Tail was a very popular anime known for being fun and having a solid story. However, a common complaint among fans is that the plot feels predictable. Even when interesting villains like Zeref appear, they’re usually overcome by the characters’ friendship rather than clever tactics. The series also relies heavily on fan service, which many viewers find frustrating.

What fans love most about Fairy Tail is its fun and upbeat spirit. The story moves at a good pace, avoiding unnecessary or forced drama. But the real strength of the series is its memorable and endearing characters. The character designs are also fantastic, with Erza’s various forms being particularly noteworthy.

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is a well-made anime blending action, fantasy, and horror, but it often receives unfair criticism due to its similarities to Attack on Titan. Both shows were animated by the same studio, Wit Studio, and feature music by the same composer, Sawano Hiroyuki, who is known for his work on Attack on Titan.

While both anime share some common ground – one features giants and the other zombie-like creatures – their stories are quite distinct. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress boasts well-developed and engaging characters, especially its villains, and delivers exciting action scenes. Overall, it’s a solid survival thriller that deserved more attention.

If Charlotte feels similar to Angel Beats!, that’s because they were both created by the same person, Jun Maeda. He also worked on the music for both, so Charlotte features equally beautiful soundtracks and theme songs. However, many fans believe Charlotte isn’t as good as Angel Beats!, finding it has too many unanswered questions and a confusing, poorly explained central conflict.

Many viewers feel the ending of Charlotte is too rushed, leaving them unsatisfied. However, this actually highlights how strong the story is overall, following Yuu Otosaka and a group of high school students with unique abilities. What really makes Charlotte stand out is how it gradually shifts from a typical, lighthearted anime into a darker, more complex narrative.

Many dismiss Deadman Wonderland as a weak and underdeveloped anime, but that’s not entirely accurate. While it does have problems – especially since it never received a second season and left the story unfinished – the first season started strong but ultimately failed to deliver a satisfying conclusion, diminishing the initial excitement.

Despite its flaws, Deadman Wonderland starts with a compelling idea: Ganta is wrongly accused of a terrible crime and imprisoned in a brutal, dangerous jail. The first episode is particularly memorable – it’s incredibly shocking and violent, making for a strong beginning to the series.

When Black Clover first launched, many fans pointed out its resemblance to popular anime like Naruto and Bleach. Similar to Naruto, the main character, Asta, has a competitive relationship with his skilled and serious rival, Yuno. Both Asta and Naruto are optimistic and have ambitious goals – Asta dreams of becoming the Wizard King, while Naruto aimed to be Hokage.

While sharing similarities with other anime, some fans found Asta’s voice irritating. However, these familiar elements actually give Black Clover a charming, nostalgic feel. Despite some inconsistent animation, the anime excels with its power system and well-developed supporting characters, particularly Yami, making it a standout title.

From the beginning, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations faced a tough challenge living up to the incredibly popular Naruto. Fans had very high hopes, and when the new series didn’t quite meet them, it quickly received negative reviews. While Boruto isn’t a complete failure, its story isn’t as complex, and its characters aren’t as compelling as those in the original Naruto series.

Boruto Uzumaki, who is meant to follow in Naruto’s footsteps, hasn’t resonated with many fans because he’s quite different. However, the Boruto anime itself is enjoyable, offering a solid story that uses familiar elements from the shonen genre. The manga’s second arc looks to be even better, with a more compelling story and increased tension.

While The Seven Deadly Sins doesn’t stand out for its intricate plot or shocking twists – it follows a rather straightforward and predictable story – its biggest issue is the uneven quality of its animation. The first two seasons were animated by A-1 Pictures, but Studio Deen took over for the remaining seasons.

Recent seasons of The Seven Deadly Sins have been poorly received, causing many fans to lose interest. Despite this, the series explores compelling themes and features a visually appealing world inspired by medieval times. It draws heavily from Arthurian legends, with main characters named Meliodas and Elizabeth, and features a central love story that provides the series’ emotional depth.

The criticism of Fire Force isn’t simply about its fan service and suggestive content – those are valid concerns, as excessive and unnecessary nudity doesn’t make for a compelling story. However, the bigger issue is that the plot doesn’t immediately grab your attention. In contrast, Soul Eater, created by the same author, effortlessly draws viewers in from the start.

Despite its flaws, Fire Force isn’t a bad show at all. David Production did an excellent job with the animation, especially showcasing the fire effects. The sound design is also impressive, featuring fantastic music. Plus, the characters are truly engaging, both in action and during their everyday interactions.

The show Future Diary often divides viewers, and that’s largely because of its unique concept. It uses the familiar ‘death game’ format – characters trying to achieve a goal by any means necessary – but the challenges themselves are compelling. Some viewers may struggle with the main characters, Yukiteru and Yuno, who are complex, flawed, and not always easy to root for.

I’ve been watching this series, and I’ve noticed the main character, Yukiteru, isn’t exactly a strong leader. He often lets Yuno take control of things, which is interesting because Yuno is…intense, to say the least. She’s so obsessively in love with him that she practically defined the ‘yandere’ archetype – you know, the characters who are sweet but terrifying. It’s a pretty wild show, and while it definitely has some disturbing moments, it’s also incredibly entertaining with all the action and over-the-top craziness.

Read More

2025-11-05 07:13