Crunchyroll’s Most Refreshing Shonen of 2025 Wrote Its Own Downfall With Its Season Finale

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2025 offered a huge selection of anime, and Crunchyroll streamed most of it as the top platform for the genre. While many shows were popular, shonen anime consistently drew attention, and one series, in particular, became a standout hit on Crunchyroll. Gachiakuta immediately grabbed viewers with its unique approach, focusing on a protagonist driven by revenge – a departure from typical shonen stories. As the series unfolded, it continued to surprise audiences with its consistently fresh and unexpected twists on familiar tropes.

Although Gachiakuta already felt like a mature shonen series thanks to its detailed world and other features, its main character truly set it apart. Rudo wasn’t the typical shonen hero; he was deeply emotional and motivated by a desire for revenge after his adoptive father died. He acted on these feelings, even resorting to violence against someone who was defenseless, just to get even with Amo. Throughout the first season, Rudo consistently stood out from the crowd. However, the introduction of a familiar trait in shonen protagonists at the end of the season is worrying, as it suggests the next season might become more predictable and lose the unique qualities that made the series so compelling.

Crunchyroll’s Gachiakuta Completely Lost Its Uniqueness by the End of Season 1

The story of Rudo began with a focus on revenge, leading viewers to anticipate he’d become a typical dark and brooding hero. The series supported this idea with glimpses into Rudo’s potentially ruthless side, showing him acting aggressively, like when he defeated Amo, and making questionable choices. This direction was promising, making Rudo a unique shonen protagonist and helping Gachiakuta differentiate itself. However, the story took an unexpected turn when Rudo prioritized loyalty to his friends over an alliance with Zodyl and the Raiders, even though they shared his objectives. This decision marked a significant shift in his character arc.

Characters motivated by revenge usually make bad decisions, highlighting how damaging it can be. However, Rudo’s choice to side with the Cleaners instead of the Raiders goes against this idea, making him act more like a traditional hero in action stories. While this shows he’s growing as a character – which makes sense considering his age – the season finale really pushes him into that familiar heroic role. The finale also reveals a surprising connection: Canis Surebec, an important character from the past, is deeply involved with the Watchman Series – a set of powerful and unique tools.

The fact that Rudo also shares the Surebec family name strongly suggests he’s connected to something important by birth. This is a common trope in shonen anime, where the hero’s path feels preordained rather than earned through effort. This is frustrating because Gachiakuta had been building towards being a truly original shonen series. Unfortunately, by falling back on these familiar tropes in its finale, the show undermined its own potential for uniqueness and, in a way, diminished its own strengths.

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2025-12-25 16:13