Top 25 Worst Anime Of The Century (So Far)

This is a look at anime series that gained notoriety for problematic reasons, whether due to difficult production processes or disappointing adaptations. For each show, we’ll cover the basic premise, the creators involved, and key details about its release or production – information that sheds light on why the final product didn’t meet expectations. We’ll cover everything from short-form series and OVAs to full TV shows that struggled with issues like poor direction, animation quality, or writing. Think of this as a guide to understanding what went wrong and why these anime are often cited as examples of what not to do.

‘Mars of Destruction’ (2005)

This short animated film (OVA) features a team battling aliens in the ruins of Tokyo. Created by Planet studio, it’s around twenty minutes long. To create the action sequences, the filmmakers used a simple animation style and repeated footage. While brief, it gained a following thanks to its inclusion in several low-cost video collections.

‘Skelter+Heaven’ (2004)

This short animated film follows a team of young mech pilots fighting off a strange invasion. Created by Idea Factory, it was an early experiment with combining 3D visuals with traditional 2D animation. At less than an hour long, it’s a fast-paced watch, and it gained attention for its technical aspects, particularly when released on DVD.

‘Pupa’ (2013)

This show is based on a scary manga and centers around siblings who face disturbing changes and fight to survive. Animated by Studio DEEN, it’s made up of very short episodes, only a few minutes long. Because of the brief runtime, much of the original story and character development was removed. Early broadcasts also had a lot of censorship, making the already short scenes even harder to follow.

‘Vampire Holmes’ (2015)

This brief series, set in London, follows a detective who people say is a vampire, though he mostly solves crimes through luck rather than investigation. Created by Studio Studio! Cucuri, the episodes are incredibly short and made for watching on phones. It features simple visuals with mostly still shots and very little camera movement. The show aired late at night and was promoted through a companion app.

‘Ex-Arm’ (2021)

This science fiction action show is based on a manga and set in the near future, featuring stories about human minds and powerful weapons. The animation studio, Visual Flight, tried using a completely 3D animation process, combining computer-generated imagery with traditional 2D elements. However, this approach caused problems with how everything looked when combined, resulting in noticeable visual errors and unnatural camera work. These production issues were apparent from the very first episode, especially for viewers watching the show as it aired online.

‘Hand Shakers’ (2017)

This anime series, originally created by GoHands, centers around characters who compete in a special arena, with a wish as the prize. It’s famous for its dynamic, fast-paced camera work and extensive use of digital effects layered onto real backgrounds. The fights feature characters using abilities based on different types of equipment, all while dealing with typical high school relationship issues. A sequel series later expanded on this world with a new cast of characters.

‘Gibiate’ (2020)

This new anime series is set during a pandemic and tells the story of warriors from Japan’s Edo period who find themselves in a futuristic Japan overrun by mutants. The show brought together a team experienced in various media, including renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano, who created the concept art. Production was challenging due to real-world disruptions, and the final episodes used a mix of traditional hand-drawn animation and rapidly produced CGI for the mutant creatures.

‘Ousama Game The Animation’ (2017)

This series, originally a mobile novel, follows a class of students who are threatened into participating in dangerous challenges through anonymous texts. The show combines several story arcs into one season and uses flashbacks to reveal a past event. However, the fast-paced plot doesn’t allow much time for the detective work that’s important to the story, and characters are eliminated quickly as the dares become increasingly risky.

‘Big Order’ (2016)

The creator of ‘Future Diary’ brings a new series about people who develop superpowers based on their desires. Produced by Asread, this TV adaptation expands on a previously released pilot episode. The story unfolds rapidly, with frequent time jumps and major plot twists. Battles are depicted using dynamic visuals and special effects, creating a sense of epic scale.

‘Taboo Tattoo’ (2016)

This anime series centers around a martial artist who receives a mysterious mark that gives them incredible powers. Animated by J C Staff, the show blends cutting-edge military technology with magical elements. The story jumps between the protagonist’s everyday high school life and a larger, global conspiracy. Action sequences are dynamic, switching between impressive martial arts and powerful energy attacks.

‘Dies Irae’ (2017–2018)

This show is adapted from a lengthy visual novel and centers around supernatural battles connected to ancient artifacts and stories from World War II. The television version only showed part of the complete story, with extra episodes released online to finish it. Because there are many characters, new ones are introduced quickly. People unfamiliar with the original game often found the plot difficult to follow.

‘Wizard Barristers’ (2014)

I’m really fascinated by this unique series from Arms! It’s built around a cool concept – a legal system specifically for mages, with trials happening in special courts. What really grabbed me was how they blended intense courtroom drama with awesome action sequences featuring these incredible, mecha-like spirits. It’s a shame to hear the production faced some hurdles near the end, and they even had to use a recap and reuse some footage to finish things up. Still, I’m excited to see what they created!

‘Conception’ (2018)

This anime is based on a dating sim RPG where the main character needs to build relationships with twelve different women to protect a magical world. It uses elements from the game, like exploring dungeons and choosing partners. The show mixes short action scenes with comedic skits and jokes that often break the fourth wall. Later on, it’s revealed that much of what happened before was actually a performance within the larger story.

‘My Sister, My Writer’ (2018)

This romantic comedy is based on a novel about a writer who’s famous for his talent, and his secret sibling who actually writes everything for him. The TV version had a lot of changes and edits compared to the released version, and the character designs sometimes look different even within the same scene. While the show playfully pokes fun at the entertainment industry, it often uses familiar, typical settings like school clubs.

‘Blade and Soul’ (2014)

This anime is based on a popular online game and centers around an assassin trying to uncover her history as she journeys through dangerous lands. Produced by Studio Gonzo, the series is structured like a game, with each arc feeling like a new quest and featuring unique villains. The show also visually incorporates the weapons and special abilities from the original game.

‘Magical Warfare’ (2014)

This anime is a fantasy story set in a world where magic exists secretly alongside everyday life. Animated by Madhouse, it features rival magical groups and emphasizes exciting training duels. The plot quickly escalates to involve time travel and the fate of different worlds. Unfortunately, the anime’s ending leaves several storylines unresolved, as the series wasn’t continued beyond the initial season.

‘Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid’ (2015)

This anime series, part of a larger franchise, takes place on an island where girls can turn into weapons when they team up. It’s known for its exciting battles, which are powered by the emotional connections between characters. The story combines fighting tournaments with the complex power struggles between different groups, and the visuals and attacks are inspired by the games the series is based on.

‘Berserk’ (2016–2017)

This installment of the long-running series adapts the Conviction and Falcon storylines from the Millennium Empire, relying heavily on computer-generated imagery. The animation studios, Millepensee and GEMBA, created 3D character models using simple line drawings as a base. The series employs a lot of panning camera shots to give the impression of action and movement. While some scenes were revised for home video releases, the overall production process remained largely the same.

‘Nobunaga the Fool’ (2014)

Satelight’s unique mecha series blends historical Japanese warriors with figures from Western mythology, all set on faraway planets. The story is structured around tarot card symbolism, organizing different groups and their conflicts. Familiar historical names are reimagined within a grand space opera. While cool mecha designs drove merchandise sales, the show itself combined thoughtful strategic discussions with visually exciting, dramatic battles.

‘Glasslip’ (2014)

I just finished watching this new series from P.A. Works, and it’s a really lovely coming-of-age story. It’s set in a beautiful coastal town, and glassblowing isn’t just a hobby – it’s woven throughout the whole thing as a key image. The story kicks off with a new student arriving, and she has this way of making everyone around her think about things differently. Honestly, a lot of the show is just these characters talking about what could be, rather than what they’re actually going to do. It’s less about big decisions and more about the little moments and the stunning scenery – the show really focuses on capturing everyday life. It’s a beautifully presented, atmospheric piece.

‘Coppelion’ (2013)

This exciting series centers on young women with engineered immunity to radiation as they explore a desolate Tokyo, hoping to find other survivors. The show uses a striking visual style – bright outlines against faded city backgrounds – to highlight the feeling of emptiness and isolation. Because the story takes place after a disaster, the broadcast faced some concerns about its sensitive subject matter. The plot largely revolves around military operations focused on logistics and rescue efforts.

‘Galileidonna’ (2013)

This new anime series from A 1 Pictures follows three descendants of Galileo as they race across Europe in search of a hidden treasure. The show combines family relationships with thrilling heist-style action and a chase from a powerful corporation. Each episode takes place in a new location, creating a fast-paced, travel-focused feel. However, a shift towards a bigger mystery towards the end means important plot points are revealed very quickly.

‘Ninja Slayer From Animation’ (2015)

Okay, so I recently stumbled upon this show, and it’s WILD. It’s based on some cyberpunk novels, but they’ve done this really intentional thing where it looks like it was made in early 2000s Flash – all rough edges and a bit janky, which is hilarious. It’s structured kinda strangely, switching between these super short, silly skits and longer storylines. The action is over-the-top – think ridiculous sound effects and cuts happening mid-punch. And the creators just love throwing in English phrases and stuff that’s basically begging to become a meme. It’s all part of the show’s really unique, goofy sense of humor.

‘Tesla Note’ (2021)

This action-packed spy series is based on a manga about secret agents who gather pieces of technology left behind by Nikola Tesla. The animation studio, Gambit, created the show using 3D characters with a cartoon-like visual style. However, the characters’ lip movements and facial expressions don’t always match what they’re saying. The show follows the main characters as they balance dangerous missions in the field with training exercises.

‘Wanna Be the Strongest in the World’ (2013)

This show is a sports drama about a popular idol who decides to become a professional wrestler. It realistically portrays wrestling, including the moves and the mental side of the sport, drawing inspiration from actual wrestling organizations. A lot of the story focuses on the intense training the main character goes through to get in shape and learn the necessary skills. The season is built around wrestling matches that take place at local events and competitions for championship titles.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which titles you would add to the list.

2025-10-24 12:18