In 2023,the anime worldhas been a wild ride ofhighs and lows! Fans cheered forpopular serieslikeOshi No KoandMy Happy Marriage, but there were also major letdowns. Some shows, plagued by lackluster second seasons and uninspiring storylines, failed to live up to the hype. These disappointments, marked by poor production and writing, were the downside ofthis year’s lineup.
The Marginal Service
The hype around a promising series,The Marginal Service, fizzled out when it failed to deliver an exciting time. The plot revolves around former cop Brian Nightraider and his involvement in a Secret Service policing aliens, who suffered from various shortcomings. A team is gathered to investigate an alien drug ring.
What Disappointed Fans
Unlikable characters, cringe-worthy storylines, and offensive humor left audiences unimpressed. While it attempted to blend an adult Western cartoon aesthetic with anime elements, this fusion didn’t resonate with viewers. Another problem was the lack of energy in the action sequences. For instance, a scene featuring the main characters in color-coded construction outfits fighting a giant alien should have been a highlight. However, the attempts at injecting fun into the show seemed forced, with characters standing still and firing guns at static monsters, devoid of clever twists or creative subversions.
Stream on Apple TV
The Legendary Hero Is Dead!
This anime sparks intrigue by subverting the typical fantasy adventure narrative – the protagonist, Sion, is someone who has already experienced death. Resurrected by a necromancer, Touka continues his quest with Sion’s legendary, powerful body. This premise held the promise of a refreshing and unconventional storyline.
However, the series swiftly disappoints with its clichéd tropes and exhausting humor. Touka’s character relies heavily on repetitive and predictable comedic elements. His rumor consists of either fleeing from a situation or objectifying women sexually. Moreover, the anime fails to capitalize on its innovative concept sigh character dynamics that lack nuance. As a result, the series misses out on offering the fans something refreshing.
Stream on Crunchyroll
FLCL: Grunge
In the latest installment, titledFLCL: Grunge, a departure from the original, CGI is used. The storyline centers on a city plagued by despair and poverty, with the youth accepting their bleak reality until Haruko disrupts their lives. She plunges the city into chaos while the adults have given up hope for a better tomorrow.
The use of CGI in this new series, unlike the original, is a divisive decision, especially given the raw and eccentric nature ofFLCL. Moreover, the narrative appears loosely linked to the original, making it more suitable as a standalone series. Trying to forcefully connect it toFLCLleads to judgment, setting the anime up for failure.
Stream on Prime Video
Summoned to Another World for a Second Time
Adapted from a manga, the plot follows a once-popular hero, Setsu, from another world, who is sent back as a baby to his original realm. Unexpectedly summoned again, he navigates his second chance as a gloomy high-schooler, embarking on a new fantastical adventure.
Summoned To Another Worldfalters in its attempt to elevate the standard isekai formula. Setsu’s return to his world lacks depth, missing the chance for compelling interactions with past acquaintances. The scene where Setsu meets his old friends is anything but happy or fun, he looks like he doesn’t want to be there. Furthermore, the fantasy world portrayed lacks uniqueness with its typical fantasy settings. It’s not a very pleasing sight to the eyes.
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My Home Hero
Based on a beloved manga,My Home Herowas intended to be an authentic crime drama. Tetsuo, a father, protects his daughter Reika from an abusive relationship with a yakuza member. Tetsuo takes drastic action, leading to repercussions from the criminal organization.
The script is excessively exaggerated, making it challenging to engage with the storyline seriously. A more concerning problem lies in the portrayal of domestic violence. When Tetsuo first notices Reika’s bruises, the scene inexplicably downplays the gravity of the situation, almost treating it as comedic. This show disappoints with its subpar production and themes, failing to do justice to the manga.
The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses
Promising a heartwarming tale, the story follows Komura, a high school boy who has a crush on his classmate Mie. Despite his feelings, he struggles to approach her. When one day Mie forgets her glasses, he tries to help her, and their close encounter makes his heart flutter.
The romance in the series doesn’t develop much, and most plot lines revolve around the same gimmick. Despite promising art in teasers, the actual anime’s intense visuals were a drawback. This series lacks engaging plot lines and a memorable premise. All the episodes are just repetitive, with Komura going around trying to help Mei or crushing over her.
Magical Destroyers
In a dystopian Japan set soon, a secretive group called SSC has manipulated the public into embracing the eradication of otaku culture. Simultaneously, their Shobon Army captures otaku and their cherished belongings, confining them in concentration camps.
Many anime enthusiasts find this series lacking the desired appeal due to its confusing plot, unmemorable characters, and abrupt shifts in tone. Despite its promising premise,Magical Destroyersstruggles with inconsistent direction, often deviating from its core storyline after just a few episodes. This lack of focus proves detrimental to the overall impact of the show.
The Gene of AI
This Gene of AIpresents an engaging concept, portraying a world where AI closely resembles humans. Delving into philosophical questions about human consciousness, the series explores potential shifts in the presence of advanced technology, offering a thought-provoking perspective.
The series faced setbacks because of its plot. Although the intriguing plot about the protagonist’s mother creating a copy of herself and facing arrest had potential, the anime faltered in its execution. On the other hand, the subpar art and animations were a disappointment. Character designs lacked uniqueness, making it difficult to distinguish between them.
Related:10 Anime Films That Were Nominated for Academy Awards
The infamous Gen Urobuchi missed his chance to makeRevengera hit, just like his other shows. A deceived samurai seeks vengeance after unknowingly assassinating his future father-in-law. He becomes entangled with the Revenger, a group dedicated to avenging others.
The potential depth of the series is lost as it lacks a nuanced exploration of its ideas. The plot meanders aimlessly, and in its last episode, concludes simplistically with “The heroes attacked the castle and defeated the villains.” What can be more annoying than a boring ending?
Kizuna No Allele
The announcement ofKizune No Allele, the pioneering VTuber anime series, sparked excitement. Kizuna Ai, a virtual sensation, rose to fame rapidly, winning the prestigious Lapin Doll at the Virtual Grid Awards for five years. However, her fame was short-lived, as she vanished from the virtual world as swiftly as she had emerged.
Kizuna No Allelefalls short compared to other idol series, notablyOshi no Ko, which also premiered during Spring. The musical scenes, meant to mirror VTuber performances, come off as unnatural and awkward. The episodes incorporate music videos to showcase Kizuna Ai’s abilities, but the songs are excessively produced, lacking the authenticity of live performances. Fans of idol anime might find this series boring.
