6 Engaging Anime with Great Stories but Poor Animation Quality

In the vibrant realm of anime, certain titles emerge with narratives that captivate, characters that resonate deeply, and universes that teem with creativity. Yet, despite their promise, some of these works falter in the visual realm, often due to factors like constrained production schedules, budget limitations, or unorthodox creative decisions. The result is an array of exceptional stories that fail to achieve their full potential due to inadequate animation quality.

This discussion is not intended to disparage these titles; rather, it aims to highlight their untapped potential. Each of the series mentioned here boasts a narrative that deserves commendation. However, a common thread among them is the disappointment stemming from their animation not aligning with their storytelling aspirations.

These selected anime could have reached greater heights if their visual presentations matched their written excellence.

6 The Seven Deadly Sins

When Studio Changes Break Sacred Bonds

The Seven Deadly Sins began as an engaging adaptation of Nakaba Suzuki’s manga, chronicling the journey of Meliodas and his band of knights who are unjustly accused of treason against the Kingdom of Liones. The initial two seasons, brought to life by A-1 Pictures, showcased impressive animation that successfully enhanced Elizabeth’s heroic quest to absolve the Sins and salvage her realm.

However, a drastic shift occurred when Studio Deen took charge of the third season, titled “Wrath of the Gods.”Viewers quickly noted a significant decline in animation quality, particularly in pivotal battle scenes. The much-anticipated confrontation between Escanor and Meliodas fell flat, manifesting instead as a sequence marred by static frames and lackluster choreography.

What amplifies this disappointment is the depth of the source material, which delves into themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the heavy toll of past transgressions. Ban’s undying love for Elaine and King’s struggles with his duties in the fairy realm add layers to the narrative. Meliodas, burdened by the legacy of being the Demon King’s progeny, yearns to break a cycle of reincarnation that has led to Elizabeth’s endless tragedies.

5 Kingdom

A War Epic Derailed by 3D Experiments

Rooted in the tumultuous history of China’s Warring States period, Kingdom tells the tale of a young boy’s aspiration to become the greatest general under heaven. The series is rich in military strategy, betrayals, and the philosophical discord among warlords, each characterized by their unique sense of justice.

However, upon its 2012 release, fans were taken aback by the excessive use of stiff CGI animations. The essential battle scenes, central to the series’ core, were depicted with lifeless 3D puppets, resulting in disjointed movement and lack of expression. It detracted from the immersive experience that the story promised.

Fortunately, subsequent seasons opted for traditional 2D animation after changing studios, which allowed the series to reflect its source material’s vitality. Initially, Kingdom was overshadowed by its visual shortcomings rather than celebrated for its strategic brilliance.

4. Dororo

A Soulful Reboot That Faded Frame by Frame

Dororo is steeped in sorrow, following Hyakkimaru, a boy stripped of limbs, sight, and skin, as he traverses a war-torn Japan, vanquishing demons to reclaim his lost body parts. Partnered with Dororo, a clever orphan, the series exudes emotional depth—a narrative exploring identity, vengeance, and the profound cost of restoring one’s humanity.

Produced by MAPPA and Tezuka Productions in 2019, the reboot premiered with striking visuals, particularly in its depiction of Hyakkimaru’s battles despite his limitations. Yet, as the season progressed, noticeable animation deficiencies began to surface—ranging from choppy fight scenes to inconsistencies in character designs and problematic framing. Static backgrounds and awkward camera angles often masked the lack of fluidity in movement.

This was particularly disheartening given Dororo’s exceptional writing in character development, pacing, and moral storytelling, all adapted from Osamu Tezuka’s original manga. As the tension surrounding Hyakkimaru’s showdown with his brother Daigo intensified, the animation faltered, resulting in a significantly diminished emotional impact, akin to witnessing a masterpiece obscured by a haze.

3 One-Punch Man

From God-Tier to Barely Average

Upon its debut in 2015, Season 1 of One-Punch Man transformed the anime landscape, showcasing breathtaking action sequences under the direction of Studio Madhouse and animator Shingo Natsume. The iconic clash between Saitama and Boros set a benchmark for action animation, where every blow felt impactful and earned.

However, the transition to Season 2 marked a decline.

With J. C.Staff at the helm, the momentum slowed, as did the animation quality. Saitama’s confrontations were relegated to off-screen antics shrouded in smoke and speed effects, avoiding the opportunity for full sequences. What was once kinetic energy in Genos’ battles devolved into basic effects and awkward still frames. The aesthetic suffered, with flat camera angles and uninspired background designs contributing to the overall reduction in quality.

Additionally, this second season coincided with the onset of the Monster Association arc, an intense part of the manga that introduced Garou—a complex anti-hero driven by his own twisted sense of justice. Instead of delivering thrilling confrontations, fans faced budget constraints, pacing issues, and restrained choreography.

2 Initial D

When Racing Became a PowerPoint Presentation

Initial D stands as a monumental presence in street racing anime, particularly cherished by car enthusiasts and Eurobeat aficionados. The series artfully merges authenticity in car mechanics, drifting culture, and underground racing into a thrilling viewing experience, centered on Takumi Fujiwara—a seemingly ordinary tofu delivery boy whose prowess on Mount Akina’s roads earns him legendary status.

Despite its fervent storytelling, the show struggled with animation quality, especially in early seasons. While the character animation was acceptable, race sequences heavily relied on rudimentary CGI. The cars often appeared clunky and lifeless, as if they were gliding on a surface rather than racing.

This stark contrast between the fluidity of 2D character animation and the clumsiness of 3D car models disrupted immersion. Nonetheless, fans remained engaged—drawn in by the compelling narrative.

1 Berserk

A Legendary Story Butchered by CGI

Kentaro Miura’s Berserk is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest manga ever created, following Guts—a mercenary grappling with a past tainted by betrayal and a fate steeped in turmoil. Its narrative explores profound themes such as revenge, trauma, and ambition, spotlighting the intricate relationship between Guts and Griffith.

The 1997 anime adaptation earned accolades for its faithful representation of the tragic saga involving the Band of the Hawk, despite resource constraints. However, the release of the 2016 sequel sparked hope for a more refined adaptation, expectations that were ultimately dashed.

Employing a disjointed CGI hybrid approach, the animation rendered movement awkward and unconvincing, with facial distortions and sluggish action sequences. The infamous “horse demon”incident became a cultural reference point for all the wrong reasons, while even quieter moments suffered from robotic character models and poor lip synchronization.

What compounded this tragedy was the neglect of Miura’s nuanced storytelling, bursting with existential struggles, moral dilemmas, and raw emotion. Instead, the production appeared hasty and indifferent, leading the series to become one of the most substantial letdowns in anime adaptation history.

Source&Images

Related Articles:

Ranked: 8 Iconic Weapons from Popular Shonen Anime

Ranking the 7 Most Powerful Female Characters in Studio Ghibli Films

Ranking 10 Overpowered Anime Characters Who Dominated Their Series

Top 6 Anime Characters with the Power of Invisibility

Digimon Story: Time Stranger Systems Gameplay Trailer Revealed

Microsoft Refreshes Media Creation Tool for Latest Windows 11 Update

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *