Anime frequently showcases distinctive tropes that recur across its various genres, be it shōnen, romance, or horror. These familiar plot devices can significantly influence storytelling, with some enhancing narrative progression while others detract from the overall experience. Recognizing which tropes fall into the categories of best and worst is essential for discerning anime enthusiasts.
10
Worst: Saying and Not Showing
Exposition Dumps Are the Worst
One of the most detrimental storytelling techniques in anime — and indeed, all entertainment — is the tendency to “tell”rather than “show.”Good storytelling is all about engaging the audience through vivid representation of events and emotions. A notable example of this failure is found in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, particularly in its third season, which is draped in tedious meetings filled with exposition rather than dynamic storytelling.
This third season earned the disdain of fans, commonly dubbed ‘That Time I Got Trapped in a Meeting’, as viewers expressed a greater desire to witness Rimuru and his companions confronting adversaries instead of sitting idle in discussions. Sadly, this tendency isn’t unique to one series; many anime resort to long-winded exposition that dilutes their narrative punch.
9
Best: The Tournament Arc
Pure Fighting for an Entire Arc
The Tournament Arc stands out as a crowd favorite among anime tropes, delivering exhilarating action through a series of high-stakes battles. Unlike other arcs, the Tournament Arc allows characters to clash directly without excessive delays, creating thrilling moments for the audience. Dragon Ball Z exemplifies this trope, with Goku participating in numerous tournament-style battles throughout the franchise.
Fighting-centric shows like Baki and Kengan Ashura thrive on Tournament Arcs, offering minimal exposition and focusing intensely on breathtaking action sequences. After all, fans of action anime tune in primarily for one thrilling reason: fights. Narrative complexities can often take a back seat when characters engage in brawls that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
8
Worst: Interruption During a Confession
Fireworks Couldn’t Come at a Worse Time
In romantic narratives, a confession is a moment of profound courage and vulnerability. Unfortunately, some anime derail this pivotal moment with interruptions, whether from fireworks or other characters. Instead of a heartfelt exchange, viewers are left with characters stuck in a state of ambiguity, neither knowing what the other intended to convey.
Such scenarios present frustrating and avoidable storytelling pitfalls. Confessions could be excellent opportunities for character development and emotional connections, but when they get interrupted, it creates an annoying lag in character progression.
7
Best: The Power of Friendship
Friends Can Help Solve Any Problem
At the heart of many shōnen anime lies the power of friendship. Typically, protagonists are depicted as reliant on their comrades, showcasing that they aren’t alone in their battles. This vital dynamic not only gives characters the strength to confront obstacles but also establishes significant bonds that resonate with viewers. Notable representations of this theme can be seen in Black Clover and Haikyuu!.
In Black Clover, the Black Bulls come to Finral’s aid in an intensely hyped moment, proving that camaraderie amplifies their strength. Similarly, Haikyuu! emphasizes the powerful partnership between Kageyama and Hinata as they evolve into exceptional volleyball players together.
6
Worst: Stubbornly Dumb Protagonist
Some Protagonists Aren’t the Brightest Bulbs in the Bunch
A recurring frustration in anime is the depiction of protagonists possessing an excessive lack of intelligence. While not every character needs to be exceptionally smart, their overwhelming ineptness can detract from the narrative. Heroes like Luffy, Goku, and Gon often display naive tendencies that, while often compensated by engaging writing, can still lead to moments of disbelief or irritation.
Characters such as Sawako from Kimi ni Todoke capture this trait vividly, revealing fundamental misunderstandings about human interactions, leading to comedic yet aggravating scenarios. This imbalance hinders connection and realism, leaving audiences feeling perplexed.
5
Best: Pushing Glasses Up to Show Intelligence
A Quick Way To Show Off
A familiar visual cue in anime is when characters push their glasses up, signaling a moment of cleverness or a strategic plan. Typically employed by the intellectuals of a series, this gesture elevates the character’s perceived intelligence in a subtle way, often during critical moments of strategy or resistance.
Shiroe from Log Horizon epitomizes this trope, demonstrating his strategic prowess through the simple act of adjusting his glasses, indicating to viewers his superior grasp of complex tactics over his peers. This trope provides a quick and effective method for conveying intelligence without needing extensive backstory or dialogue.
4
Worst: Not Actually Dead
Anime Characters Can Be Too Durable
Well-executed character deaths can add profound emotional weight to a story. However, when the narrative includes hollow deaths—where a character seemingly dies only to return later—it often leaves a bitter disappointment among viewers. This tendency undermines the serious impact of character loss, causing audiences to question the permanence of any stakes presented in the series.
Notably, Dragon Ball Z has earned a reputation for frequent character resurrections, creating an environment where death feels less consequential. Characters like Goku and Frieza have faced death yet somehow re-emerged, thus diluting the emotional gravity such moments are meant to convey.
3
Best: Rage Mode
Rage Brings Out Extraordinary Powers
Rage Mode serves as an exceptional means of demonstrating a character’s emotional state and latent strength. This trope emerges at critical moments, typically triggered by loss or despair, unleashing hidden power reserves. Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan as a result of Krillin’s death remains one of the franchise’s hallmark scenes that redefine his character arc.
Moreover, Trunks showcases a similar transformation during his showdown with Zamasu, exuding raw power fueled by rage. Gon’s rage mode marks a pivotal evolution in his character journey, emphasizing the darkness that can emerge when pushed to the limit.
2
Worst: Young Appearing Characters Being Put in Uncomfortable Situations
The Ancient Vampire Who Looks Like a Child Trope Has Been Mocked For Good Reason
Despite the beauty of anime as a storytelling medium, a prevalent trope involves older characters who appear exceedingly young, often placed in questionable scenarios. This approach raises discomfort for many viewers, particularly when these characters are romantically involved with significantly older ones. One example would be Arifureta, where Yue, who appears like a child, navigates a romantic relationship with the 17-year-old protagonist Nagumo—a scenario that many find difficult to reconcile.
While some characters, like Biscuit Krueger in Hunter x Hunter, manage to escape problematic implications due to their lack of sexualization, the frequent blending of youth and uncomfortable situations contributes to a growing discomfort in the audience. This unsettling trope calls into question the ethics of character representation in storytelling.
1
Best: Transformations
The Best Way To Show an Increase in Strength
The trope of character transformations is arguably the most beloved in anime, vividly showcasing a character’s evolution and increase in power. Dragon Ball Z excels in delivering dramatic transformations, characterized by striking visual changes, including vibrant hair colors and significant power boosts that highlight the stakes of the conflict. These transformations create compelling moments that resonate with audiences.
Transformations are prevalent in other series like One Piece, Naruto, and Tokyo Ghoul, with Naruto’s forms like Sage Mode and Baryon Mode exemplifying thrilling power growth. Luffy’s Gear Five transformation even recently caused significant buzz across platforms, symbolizing a monumental leap in his abilities.
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