The year 2024 has proven to be an exciting time for anime enthusiasts, showcasing a diverse array of captivating shows across various genres. Noteworthy titles like Dandadan, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Kaiju No. 8, and Solo Leveling have dominated conversations, while other less-publicized gems such as The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash, Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again, Girls Band Cry, and Welcome Home have also made their mark. The anime industry seems to have successfully catered to nearly every genre, ensuring that audiences had ample satisfaction—except perhaps in the horror category.
Nevertheless, every year comes with its share of disappointments, with specific shows failing to meet the high expectations set by viewers and critics alike. While these disappointing anime from 2024 are not outright failures, they did not quite resonate or endure in the public memory. It’s important to note that each of these series carries its own merits, despite not achieving the desired level of success.
What follows is a list of the most disappointing anime of 2024, not the worst, but those that left fans wanting more.
1. Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror
A Horror Manga Masterpiece Gets One Great Anime Episode… Just One
One of the most frustrating anime experiences of the year, Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror, began with immense promise. Its initial trailer set a haunting tone, generating significant buzz before the release of a well-received first episode. Fans hoped for a successful adaptation of Junji Ito’s celebrated horror manga.
However, the decline was rapid following the premiere. The subsequent three episodes felt rushed, quickly advancing the plot without giving vital moments room to breathe. The inaugural episode, albeit flawed in pacing, managed to encapsulate a gripping introduction to the eerie happenings in Kurouzu-cho. By the time episode four arrived, what started as a highly anticipated title had transformed into one of Fall 2024’s greatest letdowns.
2. Tower Of God Season 2
Rushing Through The Manhwa Source Material
Touted as one of the finest manhwa ever conceived, Tower of God remains a popular entry point into the webtoon world. Despite the first season being an adequate companion to the manhwa, it fell short in many respects, simplifying the narrative and sacrificing depth for brevity.
Regrettably, Season 2 intensified these shortcomings, adopting a breakneck pace that hastily traversed critical arcs like The Prince of Zahard and Workshop Battle. Consequently, the series reduced complex storylines to mere skirmishes, leading to fights lacking tension. This sequel not only failed to expand on the original’s strong animation but also diminished the exciting fight scenes that fans had come to expect.
3. Whisper Me a Love Song
The Troubled Production Of A Once Promising Girls Love Anime
While boys love anime witnessed a surge in quality, the same cannot be said for girls love titles. Whisper Me a Love Song appeared poised to elevate the genre, bolstered by a garnished manga reputation. Despite not being a disaster, the anime ultimately underwhelmed, with the primary relationship failing to evolve significantly after an initially captivating start.
Though the opening episodes showed some potential, subsequent episodes displayed erratic pacing that disrupted character development. The inconsistent animation further exacerbated its shortcomings. The announcement of a significant delay for the final two episodes—moving them to a December 29, 2024 release on HIDIVE—added to the diminishing anticipation.
4. Suicide Squad Isekai
Suicide Squad Isekai had the potential to be a standout, yet ultimately played it too safe. The show leaned heavily on the novelty of familiar characters like Harley Quinn and Peacemaker navigating conventional isekai scenarios.
While the series is technically acceptable with sporadic witty dialogue and serviceable action scenes, it struggles with a lack of engaging plot developments. The ten-episode runtime feels like an extended filler, failing to utilize the whimsical aspects of its isekai setting effectively.
5. Blue Lock Season 2
Motion Is Optional (But It Does Get Better)
Fans expected Blue Lock Season 2 to build on the immense success of its predecessor, introducing high-stakes 11v11 matches featuring the best players versus Japan’s U-20 national team. Though the stakes are high midway through the season, the initial half disappoints with subpar animation and a static presentation.
The storytelling, while consistent with earlier episodes, feels let down by moments of awkward pacing and poor animation that detract from the viewing experience. For fans who anticipated thrilling gameplay and dynamic visuals, the beginning of this season comes off as a frustrating letdown.
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