For dedicated anime enthusiasts, the sting of disappointment is all too familiar. Each year brings a wave of highly anticipated titles that fail to meet expectations, leaving viewers puzzled about what went wrong. Regrettably, 2024 continued this trend, presenting a number of shows that garnered attention for all the wrong reasons. From haphazard adaptations to uninspired sequels, this year has certainly made its mark in anime history, albeit not in a desirable manner.
Even the most ardent fans can occasionally feel their patience waning after a series of lackluster releases. This year, several titles fell short of their lofty promises, leading to a mixture of frustration and disappointment among audiences. The causes varied from technical glitches to storytelling flaws, while some series simply suffered from inflated expectations. Regardless of the reasoning, these titles marked themselves as the most disappointing anime offerings of 2024.
10
Tower of God: Return of the Prince
A Promising Sequel That Fell Flat
The inaugural season of Tower of God set a remarkable standard with its distinctive animation, engaging action, and compelling cliffhanger. However, its second season, Return of the Prince, failed to capture that same magic. Instead, viewers were met with a decline in animation quality, employing cost-cutting techniques that drained much of the show’s original charm. Fans anticipating the continuation of Bam’s journey were left with a muddled plot and poorly developed new characters.
The pacing of the series contributed to its downfall, as it rushed through critical events merely to transition to the next arc. Although the soundtrack was commendable, it couldn’t compensate for the overall lack of coherence. This transition from a strong first season to a lackluster sequel ultimately resulted in disappointment.
9.
Uzumaki
From Horror Masterpiece to Animated Disaster
Fans of horror were eagerly awaiting the adaptation of Junji Ito’s classic manga, Uzumaki. However, the anime’s execution led to unintentional laughter rather than chills. Starting with intriguing character and creature designs, the show swiftly deteriorated into a series of incomplete animations and puzzling choices regarding aesthetics. The excessive reliance on stock effects compounded the production’s shortcomings, frustrating both critics and viewers.
Instead of delivering spine-tingling thrillers, it became a focal point for jokes about production failures, transforming what could have been a standout horror series into another disappointing adaptation of Junji Ito’s works.
8
Failure Frame
An Isekai That Lived Up to Its Name
Failure Frame aimed to inject freshness into the saturating isekai genre but fell prey to the same weary formulas. The protagonist’s quest to escape a dungeon had the potential to be captivating; however, it was mired in clichéd dialogue and repetitive scenarios.
To amplify the frustration, the animation quality fluctuated significantly, featuring uninspired character designs and inconsistent action sequences. The absence of creativity and clear direction rendered it tedious to watch, rightfully placing it among 2024’s disappointments.
7
The New Gate
A Familiar Premise That Failed to Shine
The New Gate began with an intriguing premise involving Shin, a player trapped in a virtual MMORPG. However, it quickly succumbed to mediocrity, lacking the suspense and innovative execution found in similar works such as Sword Art Online. The series was burdened by uninspired world-building and lacked depth in its side characters.
Although the first episode showed promise, the overall pacing and uninspired visuals led to a forgettable experience. Against the backdrop of superior series exploring similar themes, The New Gate felt unnecessary.
6
Suicide Squad Isekai
An Example of What Happens When Gimmicks Are Not Enough
Combining Western superheroes with the anime isekai genre had promise, but Suicide Squad Isekai ultimately failed to deliver. While the inclusion of anti-hero characters hinted at potential, their talents were squandered on cliched plotlines bereft of originality. The show’s weak world-building and character development fell short of audience expectations.
This reliance on traditional isekai conventions left it feeling derivative, with the occasional bursts of creativity overshadowed by ineffective storytelling. For anyone other than diehard fans of the DC universe, this anime may not be worth the watch.
5
Whisper Me a Love Song
A Sweet Story Undone by Poor Execution
Whisper Me a Love Song should have served as a touching portrayal of blossoming romance between two girls. Despite the engaging narrative, production hiccups marred the viewing experience. Frequent delays and an abundance of recap episodes compounded frustrations while the rushed pacing left much to be desired.
Despite its charming premise, the lack of polish overshadowed the series’ strengths, transforming the weekly viewing into a frustrating chore. This unfortunate experience solidified Whisper Me a Love Song as one of the year’s most disappointing titles.
4
Love Is Indivisible by Twins
Recycling the Worst Romance Anime Tropes
Romantic anime enthusiasts are familiar with cliches but Love Is Indivisible by Twins capitalized on the genre’s poorest elements. The show centers on Jun Shirasaki’s love triangle involving his childhood friends, the Junguuji sisters. Unfortunately, this series leaned heavily on tired tropes, offering little beyond a conventional love story.
The reliance on common plot devices rendered the narrative predictable and uninspiring. Rather than providing an engaging romantic storyline, Love Is Indivisible by Twins ended up amplifying the genre’s most frustrating clichés.
3
Ninjas
A Revenge Tale That Lost Its Way
Ninja Kamui kicks off with an intriguing premise surrounding Joe Logan, a former assassin on a quest for vengeance. However, missteps in storytelling and subpar animation quickly squandered this potential. What initially promised an intense narrative devolved into disjointed episodes filled with excessive exposition and superfluous CGI mech battles.
This uneven pacing and lack of narrative focus made it challenging to remain engaged with the story. While there were scattered moments of entertainment, Ninja Kamui ultimately did not fulfill its ambition, positioning it among the year’s more disappointing offerings.
2
KamiErabi GOD.app Season 2
Doubling Down on Disaster
Although the first season of KamiErabi GOD.app was problematic, its sequel managed to sink even lower. The convoluted plots, awkward character designs, and lackluster CGI reappeared, offering scant enjoyment for viewers. Despite commendable voice acting and a quality soundtrack, these aspects could not redeem the many flaws of the show.
As the chaotic finale of season two approached, many fans had already tuned out. The experience served as a stark reminder that competent audio cannot salvage poor writing or animation.
1
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian
A Gimmick-Heavy and Very Controversial Miss
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian presented a comedic premise brimming with potential for a delightful romantic comedy. Yet, the show faltered in balancing humor with meaningful character arcs. The unique cultural element of Alya speaking Russian, while initially engaging, soon wore thin and left little else to retain viewers’ attention.
Though some moments had their charms, they were eclipsed by questionable themes, including unnecessary incest plotlines and the sexualization of minors. Such elements made the viewing experience uncomfortable and often distressing. Given the abundance of quality romance anime available, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian remains a show best avoided, securing its reputation as one of 2024’s most disappointing titles.
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