Nostalgia has a funny way of smoothing over the rough edges of beloved anime series, so that what was barely revolutionary later seems flawed to viewers. With time, perspectives change, and what was once groundbreaking about these titles in past years now reveals details such as pacing issues, narrative imbalances, and other frustrating aspects. Still, it is not to say these shows aren’t worth watching or are worthless or below par compared to their first viewing.
They are simply works with technical issues carried by the grace of initial positive expectations of the viewing public; at the time, these stories were culturally relevant. From complicated themes to rushed conclusions, these legendary anime have elements that show that they aged like milk rather than wine.
Death Note
Death Note presents one of the most iconic mouse-trap games between Light and L. The first half delivered some of the most truly mental intrigue in anime history, with two brilliant mind games that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Light’s descent into god complex and L’s superb detective work created magic that only a few shows have tried to replicate.
However, when L died, the story fell apart like a pack of cards. Near and Mello felt like an imitation of what was; they were far less compelling characters. Near becomes a watered-down version of L, lacking the quirkiness the original detective had.
Also, the last confrontation lacked the satisfaction fans deserved after watching Light’s journey, making the second half feel like an extended epilogue that people didn’t care for. Ultimately, the show was unable to replicate the tension that first made it legendary, and what should have been a great conclusion felt like watching an excellent series get finished in one line.
Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online came into the scene and promised almost everything – life, death, players, and their digital world with real consequences. The Aincrad arc started strong with tension and fascinating explorations of what living in a game meant. Kirito and Asuna’s relationship had beautiful moments of chemistry mixed with action.
Unfortunately, the series revealed some fundamental problems. Kirito becomes an insufferable power fantasy protagonist who wins through plot protection rather than clever strategies. The show’s treatment of female characters became uncomfortable with the infamous tentacle scene in the fairy dance arc, presenting a low point.
Though later arcs tried to correct it, the damage to the series’ reputation was done. Rewatching the series reveals how much the show relied on shock value rather than solid narrative. The pacing becomes rushed through essential moments and drags out pointless scenes, creating a viewing experience that some may consider immature compared to what modern isekai anime has accomplished.
Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied gained fame for its extreme violence and nudity, which was edgy when it first aired. The story tackles themes of discrimination, cruelty, and trauma of a girl who’s both a victim and a monster. For many viewers, the introduction was a darker, more mature storytelling approach that was emotionally gut-wrenching, hitting hard from the start of the series.
Rewatching the series reveals how much it uses shock value as a crutch instead of developing its narrative properly. The constant nudity is overpowering, undermining the profound moments with fan service that clashes with the heavy subject matter. The show’s treatment of trauma becomes repetitive, hammering the same points without any nuance.
What was seen as profound now seems exploitative. The anime confuses graphic content with maturity, believing that more naked bodies and blood automatically make the story adult. Finally, the melodrama feels exhausting due to the endlessly suffering characters; the story contrives, missing their tragic moments because of a lack of proper character development.
Mirai Nikki (Future Diary)
Mirai Nikki stuns viewers with its deadly survival games, alongside Yuno Gasai, who became the poster child for yandere characters in anime. The diary concepts created an interesting scenario, where participants needed to outsmart each other using prophecies on their phones. The twists and turns kept audiences engaged, with betrayals and alliances shifting throughout the Royale battle.
The real problem is that Yukiteru is one of the most frustrating leads in anime history. His whining makes him nearly unbearable to watch, turning the series into an exercise in patience. As it progresses, the logic of the show falls apart under itself due to time travel rules that change whenever it’s convenient for the plot.
Yuno carried the entire series on her back. Still, her character becomes one-note as the show progresses; she gets reduced to a screaming obsessive whose existence is solely for Yukiteru. The supporting cast of diary holders ranges from forgettable to irritating, and the ending tries to be powerful, but it just confuses viewers with more time travel mechanics.
Tokyo Ghoul
The first season of Tokyo Ghoul brought viewers to an emotional world where the lines between humans and monsters blurred beautifully. Kaneki’s transformation from a student to a ghoul created body horror and psychological torments that resonated deeply. The show asked hard questions about identity, survival, and what makes someone human.
Unfortunately, the production format the anime adopted rushed through the source material without regard, throwing important character and narrative development to the wind. The story’s emotional beat that should have been devastating lands nowhere because the show doesn’t give any time to breathe.
Later seasons would compound those problems, even though the first season showed signs of the adaptation issues that killed its reputation. As a last resort, the show tries to tackle complex topics about prejudice and survival, but the rushed pace means that it only leaves viewers with the shallow adaptation of a much richer story.
Darling in the Franxx
The series started as the Studio trigger’s answers to mecha romance, blending coming-of-age themes with robotic battles. The early episode had compelling relationships between pilots, especially Zero Two and Hiro, whose dynamic drove the emotional core of the series. Through them, it tackles essential themes like identity, humanity, human connection, and maturity, suggesting exceptional potential.
Then the concluding arc happened, and fans watched in dismay as the show trailed away from everything interesting. The shift in space battles and alien antagonists felt like a completely different series that discarded character arcs and thematic resonance for sci-fi action. The conclusion it delivered was nothing but a hollow ending that betrayed the audience’s expectations.
Erased
Erased captivated audiences with its time loop and tension surrounding Satoru’s attempt to prevent childhood tragedy. The show balanced its intent with heartfelt character moments, creating investment in both the relationships and mystery of Satoru, formed with the children he tries to save.
Sadly, the ending completely fumbled what the series built. The final reveal of the killer felt anticlimactic and badly foreshadowed, with clues that seem obvious in hindsight but weren’t deserved through proper setup. More frustrating, the show rushed through the resolution and skipped the aftermath, leaving Satoru’s characterization incomplete.
Additionally, the romantic subplot settled in a way that felt like a prize rather than a conclusion. Satoru’s relationship with Airi gets built up throughout the series, only to be thrown out for peering that seemed forced. In all, the last episode crammed too many resolutions into too little time, leaving fans disappointed after its hugely enjoyable start.
Psycho Pass (season 1)
Psycho Pass brought a dystopian future where society measured criminal tendency through technology, raising questions about free will, justice, and the importance of safety. The chess game instigated by Makishima delivered a mental thrill that was wrapped in cyberpunk style. Additionally, Inspector Akane’s journey, from a rookie to a hardened detective, provided a strong emotional anchor for the mental debates.
While some might consider it one of the better entries on the list, certain elements felt underdeveloped upon rewatch. The show sometimes prioritized looking smart over actually being smart, with philosophical discussions that seemed profound but actually lacked depth. Some plots strained credibility, particularly regarding how Makishima operated and why specific security measures existed or didn’t need to exist.
The treatment of the female characters outside Akane also raises a few eyebrows, with several existing solely to suffer for male character development. The action scenes, while stylish, felt repetitive, with the Dominator serving as an overpowering weapon. The world-building introduces cool concepts about free will, but does not explore ethical implications.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
This series changed anime with its storytelling, astute writing, and creative premise about a girl who controls reality. The show’s influence on the anime industry cannot be overemphasized, inspiring countless imitators that dominated anime for years. Kyon’s snarky narration and the SOS brigade’s adventures started something fresh that captured imaginations all over the world.
The problem, however, is that Haruhi herself is genuinely awful. Her treatment of others, particularly Mikuru, crosses the line from comedic to cruel, with sexual harassment played for laughs. Forcing someone into costumes and groping them isn’t quirky; it’s assault, and the show never adequately addresses how toxic Haruhi’s character is.
The infamous Endless Eight arc tested viewers’ patience by repeating the same episode 8 times with slight variations. The bold artistic choice mostly just annoyed people, showing contempt for the audience’s time. What seemed charming in 2006 now reveals how abusive behavior was excused because the abuser is a cute girl with god-like abilities, setting a problematic example.
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Aya Hirano
Haruhi Suzumiya
