10 anime with great stories weighed down by awful animation

Anime with great stories often takes center stage, drawing viewers into worlds filled with rich characters, intricate plots, and profound themes. However, amidst the fullness of anime offerings, some series stand out for their compelling stories and disappointing animation quality.

From iconic franchises like Tokyo Ghoul: Re and Berserk to newer releases such as Overlord, these anime with great stories have garnered acclaim for being anime with great stories while facing criticism for their subpar animation. Despite being anime with great stories, these shows serve as prime examples of how the visual aspect can sometimes detract from an otherwise exceptional viewing experience.

While the viewers explore the relationship between storytelling and animation, it highlights the creators' struggle to balance visual appeal with narrative depth. Here is a list of anime with great stories weighed down by awful animation.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any order.

Berserk, xxxHolic, Kingdom and 7 others are among other anime with great stories weighed down by awful animation

1. Berserk (2016)

Berserk (2016) (Image via GEMBA, Millepensee, Liden Films)

Berserk is a dark fantasy series that has captivated fans for decades with its intense storyline and deep characters. The original manga by Kentaro Miura is celebrated for its intricate artwork and gripping narrative. However, the 2016 anime adaptation failed to live up to its legacy.

CGI was a major point of contention, as it resulted in clunky character movements and a jarring visual style that contrasted sharply with the series's dark tone. Fans were particularly disappointed because Berserk deserved an animation style that could convey the story's emotional depth and brutal combat, as it was considered one of the anime with great stories.

The characters' stiff movements make them look unintentionally funny, with one scene showing Guts walking as if being pushed. The fight between Guts and Grunbeld, meant to be intense, is so poorly executed that it's hard to take seriously.

2. xxxHolic

The art style of CLAMP has always been polarizing, attracting hardcore fans while deterring others. xxxHolic is a supernatural series that delves into Japanese folklore through episodic stories linked by a common narrative thread.

Being an anime with great stories that follow Kimihiro Watanuki, a high schooler burdened with the ability to see spirits. The series explores various supernatural phenomena with humor and a touch of melancholy.

However, the animation is often criticized for its clunky execution and grotesque character models. The long limbs and exaggerated proportions, typical of CLAMP's style, were not effectively animated, resulting in stiff movements and repetitive scenes. Fans of the manga were particularly disappointed as the unique art style and storytelling deserved better animation quality.

3. Junji Ito Collection

Junji Ito Collection (Image via Studio Deen)

Junji Ito's nightmarish works, such as Uzumaki and The Enigma of Amigara Fault, are revered as some of the best horror manga ever created. When fans heard that several of Ito's short stories would be adapted into an anime, excitement soared, expecting it to be an anime with great stories. However, the Junji Ito Collection anime failed to capture the chilling essence that makes his manga so iconic.

The challenge of animating Junji Ito's work lies in faithfully reproducing his intricately detailed art and masterful paneling, which are central to the unsettling impact of his stories. This daunting task proved too difficult for Studio Deen, resulting in a disappointing adaptation that struggled to do justice to Ito's distinctive style.

Despite its shortcomings, the attempt highlights the inherent difficulty in bringing such a unique and visually complex horror narrative to life through animation.

4. Seven Deadly Sins (Imperial Wrath of the Gods)

Seven Deadly Sins (Image via Deen Studio)

The Seven Deadly Sins quickly became a fan favorite due to its intriguing story and dynamic characters. Being one of the anime with great stories, it follows the journey of the titular group of knights as they fight against demonic forces and uncover deeper conspiracies. However, the Imperial Wrath of the Gods season was marred by poor animation quality.

A change in animation studios from A-1 Pictures to Studio Deen and significant budget cuts led to lackluster visuals. The once-fluid fight scenes became static and awkward, and the detailed character designs lost their appeal.

Fans were vocal about their disappointment, as the animation did not do justice to the intense battles. The final battle between Escanor and Meliodas features poor animation and emotional moments crucial to the story, disappointing fans.

5. Overload (season 3)

Overload Season 3, Episode 6 (Image Via Madhouse)

Overlord enjoys popularity thanks to its gripping storyline following Momonga, a player trapped within his game character in a virtual world, driven to conquer it. The series garners praise for its unique plot and character development, making it one of the most anime with great stories.

Season three faced backlash over its animation quality. The heavy reliance on CGI for grand battle sequences fell short of expectations, lacking the finesse and detail of traditional animation. The rigid and awkward motions of CGI elements undermined the battles' grandeur, leading to viewers' disappointment.

Fans were particularly disappointed with the introduction of Einz summoning the five Young Ones – CGI goat demons with tentacles, an addition that felt more suited to a dream sequence than the main narrative. Despite these flaws, Overlord's captivating story and characters kept fans engaged, underscoring the contrast between narrative excellence and animation execution.

6. Dragon Ball Super

Dragon Ball Super (Image via Toel Animation)

Dragon Ball Super extends the legacy of Goku and his comrades, weaving new narratives filled with formidable adversaries, grandiose battles, and exhilarating power-ups. Among its standout storylines is the Universe Survival Saga, marked by the climactic Tournament of Power, injecting unparalleled tension, making it one of the anime with great stories.

However, the series grappled with animation inconsistencies, notably evident in its initial episodes. Fans were upset because of the off-model character portrayals and the lack of smoothness in combat sequences, a departure from the impeccable standards set by prior Dragon Ball iterations.

While Toei Animation tried rectifying these shortcomings in subsequent episodes, the initial animation flaws lingered, tarnishing the otherwise captivating narrative. This disparity ignited ongoing discourse among enthusiasts, debating the series' overall animation quality and its impact on the viewer experience.

7. Tokyo Ghoul: Re

Tokyo Ghoul is a dark fantasy series exploring the conflict between humans and ghouls. Its initial seasons garnered praise for their gripping storylines and character development. However, Tokyo Ghoul: re Season 2 faced notable criticism due to its rushed pacing and inconsistent animation. Key action sequences and emotional moments suffered from poor animation quality, particularly in crucial episodes.

Fans were let down as these animation issues detracted from the story's dramatic tension and emotional impact, as it was considered among anime with great stories. The visual execution in this season fell short of expectations.

Many scenes felt more like slideshows than fully animated sequences, relying heavily on quick cuts and zooming techniques to compensate for limited character animation. Although both series had their moments of good animation, the overall viewing experience left much to be desired.

8. Kingdom

Kingdom is one of the most popular seinen manga ever, making it one of the anime with great stories. It took a while for the series to get the anime adaptation it deserved. The story follows Xin, a war orphan who aspires to become the greatest general under the heavens during China's Warring States period. While the anime showcases high-quality animation at times, fans strongly dislike CGI.

The battles central to the series often appear stiff and unnatural due to the CGI. Incorporating CGI without a noticeable drop in animation quality is challenging for any anime, and Kingdom is no exception.

Fortunately, these CGI moments are brief and don't overshadow the viewing experience. Fans particularly appreciate the return to traditional 2D animation, which brings detailed and dynamic fight scenes that enhance the series' appeal.

9. Dororo

Dororo (image via MAPPA and Tezuka Productions)

The remake of Dororo was initially impressive for being among the anime with great stories and animation quality. However, a noticeable decline emerged in subsequent episodes, notably in episode 15, titled The Story of the Scene From Hell.

Here, animation quality significantly dropped, resembling hastily crafted flipbook-like sequences. While some fight scenes shone, others, including the final confrontation, lacked refinement and detail. Even the protagonist, Hyakkimaru, suffered in depiction, notably in a scene where he runs through the woods, appearing awkward and out of sync.

Additional instances of subpar animation were evident in various action sequences throughout the series, which were not moving smoothly and missing small details. This disappointed fans expecting consistent quality from a series known for its compelling narrative and strong character development.

10. Arifureta

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest exemplifies how great storytelling can be marred by abysmal animation. Adapted from acclaimed light novels, the series faced criticism for its poor animation quality and disjointed narrative. Viewers lamented the lack of context in the first episode and criticized the pacing and character development.

Despite some praise for its sound design, the overall reception was overwhelmingly negative, with the anime being described as a "dumpster fire." This starkly contrasts the original novels' popularity, celebrated for their intricate world-building and character depth.

Ultimately, Arifureta serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the challenge of translating engaging stories into visually compelling anime adaptations.

Final thoughts

When we look back at older anime series with less-than-stellar animation, it's important to remember that they were made in a different time. They didn't have the fancy technology and effects we have today, and often, they didn't have a big budget either. But despite the poor animation, many of these are anime with great stories.

Unfortunately, some fans might overlook these anime just because of the way they're animated. The medium may have let these series down in terms of animation quality. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't give them a chance. These anime with great stories that deserve appreciation, regardless of their visual flaws. So, next time you encounter an anime with less-than-perfect animation, don't judge it too quickly. You might just find a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

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