Many of the most acclaimed anime series of all time are adapted from outstanding source materials, such as popular manga, manhwa, or light novels. These adaptations often come with a passionate fan base eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see beloved stories animated on screen. However, the journey from page to screen does not always yield the success that fans hope for. While some animation studios are renowned for their exceptional work, not every studio is synonymous with quality when it comes to producing anime.

There are numerous captivating stories that unfortunately suffer at the hands of subpar animation. A strong source material should translate effectively into an equally compelling anime, but certain studios consistently miss the mark. If these manga series had been entrusted to different animation studios, they might have achieved cult classic status. Though there is always hope for future adaptations, many of these series remain overshadowed by their poorly animated incarnations.

9

The Way of the Househusband: A Missed Opportunity in Anime Adaptation

Animated By J.C. Staff, Based on the Manga By Kousuke Oono

The Way of the Househusband had the potential to be a standout anime series, particularly as one of the most engaging narratives about the yakuza. The story follows a former yakuza boss who chooses to leave behind his life of crime to support his wife. As she pursues her career, he embraces the role of a dedicated househusband. This captivating premise evolves beautifully throughout the series, offering viewers a unique blend of humor and heart.

However, the animation quality of The Way of the Househusband falls disappointingly short. Rather than delivering fluid animation, the series resembles more of a slideshow than a traditional anime. Instead of crafting dynamic scenes, animation studio J.C. Staff opted for a method that involved animating individual images, resulting in an unsatisfactory viewing experience for fans who anticipated a vibrant adaptation.

8

Dororo: The Dark Side of Anime Adaptation

Produced by Tezuka Productions, Animated By MAPPA, Based on the Manga By Osamu Tezuka

Dororo stands as one of the most haunting anime series ever created. Set against the backdrop of the Sengoku era in Japan, the narrative reveals a daimyo who sacrifices his own son to demons for the sake of his land’s prosperity. The son, Hyakkimaru, embarks on a harrowing quest to reclaim his body by defeating these demons, leading to the destruction of his father’s dominion.

While the majority of Dororo features commendable animation quality, there is one particular episode that draws significant criticism for its poor execution. Episode 15 is notorious for its bizarre animation choices, including a clumsy running scene that depicts Hyakkimaru as a stick figure and a nonsensical monster attack. These animation flaws detract from the overall impact of the series, making it difficult for viewers to overlook this glaring issue.

7

Seven Deadly Sins: An Animation Disappointment from A-1 Pictures

Animated By A-1 Pictures, Based on the Manga by Nakaba Suzuki

Normally, A-1 Pictures is celebrated as one of the top animation studios in Japan, boasting a portfolio filled with successful titles, including Solo Leveling. The Seven Deadly Sins was poised to be another triumph for the studio, yet the animation quality fell dramatically short of expectations. Despite the manga enjoying widespread acclaim and popularity, the anime adaptation failed to deliver the same level of excellence.

The animation in The Seven Deadly Sins is riddled with inconsistencies and awkward moments, leaving viewers perplexed. Although anime is a dynamic art form that thrives on movement, the numerous still frames and poorly executed scenes draw attention to the overall lack of quality. Characters often appear poorly animated, the fight sequences lack excitement, and what was anticipated to be one of the series’ most exhilarating confrontations ultimately disappointed many fans.

6

Overlord: A Dark Isekai Series with Animation Flaws

Animated By Madhouse, Based on the Light Novel By Kugane Maruyama & so-bin

Overlord is regarded as one of the most intense isekai anime series, showcasing a premise that stands out in the genre. Instead of placing the protagonist, Ainz Ooal Gown, in a quest to save the world, Overlord allows him to conquer it. This unique approach sets the stage for a captivating anime that would be incredible, were it not for a few awkward animation choices.

During a pivotal moment in the series, Ainz faces off against over 100,000 enemy soldiers. He casts a powerful spell that annihilates nearly all of them in mere seconds. However, Madhouse’s decision to utilize computer graphics for this scene resulted in poorly animated enemy soldiers, detracting from the epic scale of Ainz’s power and diminishing the overall quality of the series.

5

Dragon Ball Super: A Legacy Series Worthy of Better Animation

Animated By Toei Animation, Based on the Manga By Akira Toriyama

The Dragon Ball Super anime should have been animated with far greater care and attention to detail than it received. The Dragon Ball franchise is arguably the most iconic manga/anime series in history, and the latest addition to its canon deserved more respect from its creators. Numerous moments within Dragon Ball Super feel lackluster, primarily due to animation shortcomings.

In contrast to its predecessors, such as Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball DAIMA, which were meticulously crafted, Dragon Ball Super falls short in terms of quality. The fight scenes lack the fluidity and artistry that fans have come to expect, and each frame fails to capture the same vibrant energy. Sadly, this inconsistency diminishes the overall impact of the series and leaves long-time fans wanting more.

4

Berserk (2016 Series): A Disappointing Adaptation of a Legendary Manga

Animated by GEMBA and Millepensee, Based on the Manga By Kentaro Miura

Berserk is heralded as one of the most iconic and critically acclaimed manga series ever created, and its creator, Kentaro Miura, is celebrated as one of the greatest mangakas. However, Berserk has not received a proper anime adaptation that does justice to its rich narrative and stunning artwork. Instead, audiences have been presented with a 1998 series, a trilogy of well-received films, and a poorly executed 2016 series.

The 2016 adaptation faced significant backlash for two principal reasons. First, it fails to faithfully animate many pivotal scenes from the original Berserk manga. Second, the studios behind this adaptation opted for computer-generated graphics instead of traditional hand-drawn animation, a decision that disappointed fans of the legendary series.

3

One-Punch Man (Season Two): A Lackluster Follow-Up to a Beloved Series

Animated By J.C. Staff, Based on the Webcomic By ONE

The inaugural season of One-Punch Man established itself as one of the most innovative and humorous anime series available. The narrative revolves around Saitama, the titular hero who can defeat any adversary with a single blow. The first season was masterfully animated by Madhouse, delivering an engaging experience. Unfortunately, for the second season, the baton was passed to J.C. Staff, leading to a noticeable decline in quality.

While the second season of One-Punch Man is not the worst in the realm of anime, it undeniably represents a significant decline in quality compared to the first season. The unique charm and innovative elements that characterized the debut season are noticeably absent, leaving fans disappointed and yearning for what could have been a stellar continuation of the beloved series.

2

The Beginning After the End: A Potentially Great Isekai Series with Animation Issues

Animated By Studio A-Cat, Based on the Web Novel/Webtoon By TurtleMe

The Beginning After the End had every opportunity to become the next major isekai series. The plot centers around King Grey, who is reincarnated as a young boy named Arthur, navigating the typical tropes of the genre with impressive finesse. Unfortunately, the anime adaptation falters dramatically, with animation quality that appears lifeless and uninspired, particularly in the first three episodes.

The visual quality was so subpar that the creator of the series, TurtleMe, felt compelled to issue a public statement addressing the overwhelming backlash. It is exceedingly rare for a series to receive such intense criticism after only a few episodes, prompting the creator to step in to clarify the situation. This level of dissatisfaction highlights the glaring issues with the animation.

1

Tower of God (Second Season): A Letdown for Fans of the Original Series

Animated By The Answer Studio, Based on the Manhwa/Webtoon By S.I.U.

Tower of God had the potential to become an iconic shōnen series. Not only is the manhwa/Webtoon one of the most popular in circulation, but the first season was a remarkable success. It showcased a distinctive art style that was unlike anything seen in the anime medium, along with a faithful adaptation of the source material, exceptional pacing, and a thrilling cliffhanger ending.

Regrettably, the second season marked a significant regression in quality. While the first season was animated by Telecom Animation Film, the second season was handed over to The Answer Studio. This change resulted in a noticeable decline in animation quality, with the unique visual style replaced by a more generic aesthetic. The fight scenes, instead of feeling dynamic and engaging, appeared as if they were presented in a PowerPoint presentation, leaving fans disheartened.