Anime Debates That Will Never Be Fully Settled

Fandoms are built on strong feelings and different ways of understanding the stories we love. Anime fans, in particular, are famous for passionately debating details – sometimes for decades! These arguments usually come from endings that are open to interpretation or complicated storylines that allow for many different opinions. Surprisingly, even with new shows coming out all the time, these long-standing debates still fill online forums and anime conventions. Here’s a look at some of the most famous disagreements in anime history.

‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989) – Goku vs. Superman

For decades, fans have debated who would win in a fight between Goku, the Saiyan warrior, and Superman. The discussion typically centers on Goku’s ability to constantly become stronger versus Superman’s incredible natural strength and resilience, which comes from the sun. Trying to compare their powers by looking at different stories from both the manga and comics often leads to different opinions. This imaginary battle is arguably the most famous hypothetical fight in the history of geek culture.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009) – Brotherhood vs. 2003

Fans frequently argue about which version of the Fullmetal Alchemist story is better. The 2003 anime series takes a lot of liberties with the original manga, while the 2009 Brotherhood series stays very close to it. Those who prefer the 2003 version appreciate its more serious mood and well-developed characters. Brotherhood fans, on the other hand, enjoy its consistent storyline and richer details about the world. This disagreement shows the contrast between staying true to the source material and taking creative risks.

‘Death Note’ (2006) – Was Light Yagami Right?

Viewers are still debating whether Kira’s actions – eliminating criminals with deadly force – are morally right. Some believe the significant drop in crime proves his methods are justified, while others argue that no one should have the power to decide who lives and dies without a fair trial. The show intentionally avoids providing easy answers, leaving viewers to grapple with questions about justice and the dangers of unchecked power.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995) – Rei vs. Asuka

As a longtime anime fan, I can tell you the debate over Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu has dominated the fandom for over twenty years. It’s a classic ‘who’s better?’ argument! Rei is all quiet strength and enigma, while Asuka is this incredibly talented but often prickly and complex character. The popularity always seems to swing back and forth – one minute Rei merchandise is flying off the shelves, the next it’s all Asuka. What’s really interesting is that the creator, Hideaki Anno, intentionally designed them to challenge typical anime tropes, which just keeps the comparisons going and going. It’s a never-ending discussion!

‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’ (2006) – Did Lelouch Die?

The series finale sparked intense debate about what happened to Zero, the masked revolutionary. Some fans closely examined details like the cart driver and the rules surrounding immortality, believing they proved he lived. Others argued his death was crucial for the story’s overall message, known as Zero Requiem. Even though later movies touched on this, fans still discuss what the creators originally intended.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998) – Spike Spiegel’s Fate

The ending of the story is intentionally unclear: the bounty hunter collapses on the cathedral steps after fighting Vicious. The director, Shinichiro Watanabe, never revealed whether he lived or just passed out from his injuries. Many fans believe the star that fades during the credits symbolizes the warrior finally finding rest. This ambiguous conclusion leaves it up to the audience to decide if Spike is dreaming or if he has finally succumbed to his burdens.

‘One Piece’ (1999) – Skip Skypiea?

People new to the series often wonder if watching the Sky Island saga is necessary. Some fans believe it’s vital because it reveals important backstory about the Void Century and Gol D. Roger, which becomes relevant later on. Others find it drags on too long and feel the villain, Enel, doesn’t really connect to the main story. This disagreement highlights a common problem with long series: balancing a fast-moving plot with building a rich and detailed world.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013) – The Controversial Ending

Hajime Isayama’s ending to his popular dark fantasy series proved very divisive. While some fans felt the conclusion didn’t align with the characters’ established personalities and felt hurried, others saw the story’s tragic depiction of endless conflict as a realistic and moving commentary on humanity. The change in focus from political schemes to more philosophical questions has led to differing opinions on how the series will be remembered.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind’ (2018) – How King Crimson Works

Diavolo’s stand ability is notoriously confusing for fans. It’s a power that seems to erase time, but in a way that still makes sense logically, which is hard to grasp. People have created memes and drawn diagrams trying to figure out how he can react to things that, from everyone else’s perspective, never actually happened. The way the power looks on screen doesn’t always match up with how it’s explained, making it the most discussed and debated ability in the entire series.

‘Naruto’ (2002) – Sakura’s Usefulness

Many fans criticize Sakura Haruno for not being as strong or having as much influence on the story as Naruto and Sasuke. However, her supporters highlight her skills as a medical ninja and her important contributions during the final war. A common complaint is that the story focused more on the rivalry between the two male leads, hindering Sakura’s own development. This debate also raises broader questions about how female characters were written in popular action manga during the early 2000s.

‘Pokémon’ (1997) – The Coma Theory

A popular fan theory proposes that Ash Ketchum never recovered from the accident at the beginning of the Pokémon series. According to this idea, the characters who never age and the recurring Nurse Joys represent Ash’s mind creating a stable world within his imagination. This theory tries to explain why the show’s timeline is inconsistent and why nothing ever truly changes. Despite being a bit dark, it’s still a widely discussed idea among fans, even though the show itself is generally lighthearted.

‘Digimon Adventure’ (1999) – Digimon vs. Pokémon

Growing up in the nineties, kids constantly debated whether ‘Digimon’ or ‘Pokémon’ was better. ‘Digimon’ had a continuing storyline where characters developed and faced serious challenges, unlike ‘Pokémon’ which was more focused on individual adventures. ‘Pokémon’ had a wider variety of creatures and was easier for people to pick up and enjoy. Even now, both franchises are huge, expanding into video games, movies, and more, and the debate still goes on!

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011) – Ging Freecss Parenting Skills

Gon’s father is often considered a very neglectful parent because he left his son to become a Hunter. While some fans believe this was a necessary step to help Gon become independent and strong, others feel it was unforgivable, even if it did lead to Gon’s growth as a character. This makes him a complicated figure, different from the typical wise mentor seen in many adventure stories.

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012) – Masterpiece or Trash

Reki Kawahara’s virtual reality anime series often divides fans. While many appreciate its impressive visuals and the exciting concept of a life-or-death game, others find the story loses momentum and the characters become less compelling after the first part. Whether or not you enjoy the show often seems to depend on how familiar you are with similar fantasy worlds (‘isekai’).

‘Dragon Ball Super’ (2015) – GT vs. Super

The release of a new official continuation of the ‘Dragon Ball’ story has led to a debate among fans. Some prefer the older, non-official sequel, ‘Dragon Ball GT,’ praising its unique Super Saiyan 4 transformation and the Shadow Dragon storyline. Others favor the newer series, enjoying its expanded multiverse and the powerful Ultra Instinct technique. Essentially, this disagreement boils down to a love for classic nostalgia versus appreciation for updated animation and storylines.

Tell us which side of these arguments you support in the comments.

2025-11-21 17:18