5 Anime That Should Have Been Massive Hits (But Left Us Disappointed)

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It’s especially frustrating when anime with huge potential—based on popular manga, previous versions, or a large fanbase—turn out to be disappointing. These series seem destined for success, possessing all the ingredients for a blockbuster, but unfortunately, they don’t quite deliver.

It’s always a letdown when an anime series loses quality, but it’s particularly frustrating when it had so much potential. We’ve all seen shows that started strong, like Attack on Titan, but didn’t live up to expectations, or those that fizzled out after a promising first season. These are great examples of that disappointing trend.

5) Tokyo Ghoul

When it first came out, Season 1 of Tokyo Ghoul was incredibly popular. Unfortunately, the anime’s quality declined after that, and it doesn’t get much attention now, even though the original manga is still highly praised. If the later seasons had stayed true to the manga’s story, Tokyo Ghoul could have become as successful as anime like Attack on Titan or Jujutsu Kaisen. But the changes made in Tokyo Ghoul: Root A and the attempt to fix things with Tokyo Ghoul:re disappointed many fans and stopped the show from reaching its full potential as a major anime hit from the 2010s.

4) Digimon Adventure (2020)

The 2020 reboot of Digimon Adventure didn’t quite live up to the original, which is disappointing. While the 1990s Digimon Adventure remains a beloved classic, it definitely shows its age. An updated version with modern animation and improved dialogue—especially the English dub—could have been a hit, particularly with Millennials who grew up with the show. It had the potential to tap into that nostalgia, but unfortunately, it missed many of the details that made the original so special. The reboot lacked the charm of its predecessor and didn’t develop its characters—both heroes and villains—as fully. With a little more effort, it could have been a much bigger success for dedicated Digimon fans.

3) Wonder Egg Priority

When it first came out, Wonder Egg Priority received a lot of positive attention, which is unusual for a completely new anime. However, the show’s quality declined as it went on, ultimately damaging its reputation. Its short run of just 13 episodes likely contributed to the issues. A longer series could have allowed for better pacing, more thorough exploration of themes, and answers to unresolved plot points. Alternatively, the creators could have streamlined the story into a concise and impactful single season. Sadly, neither of these happened, and the anime ended up being largely forgotten. It’s disappointing because the initial buzz and the show’s potential suggested it could have been something truly special.

2) The Promised Neverland

Originally, The Promised Neverland showed a lot of promise as a horror anime, especially given how popular the manga was. The first season was a faithful adaptation and seemed destined for success. However, the second season unfortunately fell short. It strayed from the manga’s storyline, particularly by cutting a key arc, which disappointed longtime fans. The lack of the suspenseful twists that made the first season so compelling also left new viewers unimpressed. Because Season 2 was the last one, the series never had a chance to recover, and is now remembered as a missed opportunity.

1) One-Punch Man

A prime example of an anime with huge potential that didn’t quite reach its peak is One-Punch Man. While the series is still running, many expected it to become as popular as hits like My Hero Academia or Demon Slayer, especially considering its fantastic source manga and the strong reaction to its first season. There was clearly an audience for its unique blend of superhero action and comedy, and the existing manga fans provided a solid base. Sadly, the second season suffered from noticeable production issues, which dampened enthusiasm. Combined with the extremely long wait for Season 3, the show lost a lot of its momentum. Unfortunately, Season 3 didn’t deliver the improvements fans hoped for, and it’s going to be a real challenge to regain that lost ground, though a comeback isn’t impossible.

What anime do you think deserves more attention? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-03 21:14