As December flies by and the year draws to a close, anime fans are reflecting on the past twelve months. Most agree that 2025 was a fantastic year for anime, with lots of new shows, returning favorites, and movies that were huge hits in theaters. Titles like Demon Slayer, Chainsaw Man, Solo Leveling, and Gachiakuta were particularly popular, becoming some of the year’s biggest successes. And looking ahead, 2026 promises to be just as good, or even better, with a strong lineup of new and returning series that fans are already excited about.
It’s good to celebrate successes, but it’s also important to discuss anime series that didn’t quite work out. Often, shows stray from what made them popular initially, and not every series can be a hit. We’ll be looking at three highly anticipated anime that, despite a lot of hype, ultimately fell short of expectations and didn’t live up to their potential.
3) One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man initially showed a lot of promise, but many dedicated fans were ultimately disappointed. The anime first aired in 2015, followed by a second season in 2019. After a five-year wait, viewers hoped the third season would be even better, as the show was previously praised for its excellent animation, dynamic fight scenes, and compelling characters.
When the new season of the series finally arrived in 2025, it disappointed many longtime fans. Common complaints focused on the noticeably lower quality of the animation and artwork compared to previous seasons. The story also felt rushed and didn’t flow well with what came before, creating a disjointed experience. Despite being one of the most anticipated shows of the year, this third season of One-Punch Man was considered a major letdown, largely due to the significant difference in quality compared to earlier content.
2) The Beginning After the End
The anime series The Beginning After the End is based on a well-known manhwa, but it initially faced high expectations that weren’t met when it premiered in 2025. After its release, excitement quickly faded as both general viewers and fans of the original manhwa noticed several problems with the adaptation. Many consider it one of the most disappointing anime releases of the past year, and some are hoping for a complete remake that more faithfully follows the popular web novel it’s based on.
Many fans were surprised when The Beginning After the End was renewed for a second season, especially considering the strong negative reaction to the first. Viewers created online petitions asking for a remake or even cancellation, citing issues with the animation quality – particularly during action scenes – which they felt didn’t do justice to the source material. The anime also suffered from unnecessary filler episodes and a slow pace, detracting from the complex and mature storyline that fans had been anticipating. Whether the series can improve in future seasons remains to be seen.
1) Takopi’s Original Sin
2025 saw a breakout anime hit with Takopi’s Original Sin. This exciting new series blended science fiction and drama, tackling difficult topics like bullying, abuse, trauma, and mental health within a fantastical story. Viewers quickly praised its nostalgic art style, complex emotional narrative, and well-developed characters. It rapidly became one of the year’s most popular anime, generating buzz comparable to shows like Gachiakuta and The Summer Hikaru Died.
Honestly, I was really enjoying this show, but the ending of the first season kind of left me disappointed. It felt like all the good will they’d built up just… vanished. Takopi making the ultimate sacrifice to fix the timeline for Shizuka was sad, sure, but what really threw me was the sudden friendship between Shizuka and Marina, her old bully. It just didn’t feel earned, and it kind of glossed over all the hurt both of them had been through. The whole thing felt rushed and unsatisfying, which was a shame because, up until then, the anime was genuinely great and a refreshing change from a lot of typical action shows.
https://comicbook.com/anime/list/10-most-underrated-anime-of-2025-your-probably-missed/embed/#
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2025-12-14 03:40