Anime series have a wide reach, with enthusiastic fans that inspire and generate significant hype. However, there are instances when the excitement surpasses the quality of the show, leading to what many consider an overhyped anime series.
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Widely popular shows likeSword Art Online, Tokyo Ghoul, andAttack on Titanhave been heavily criticized by some fans and critics for not living up to high expectations. While these series have undoubtedly amassed large and devoted fanbases, they also face critiques regarding pacing, storytelling, character development, and more, raising the question of whether they truly live up to their considerable hype.
Updated by Dev Tugnait on August 18, 2025:Exciting news for anime fans! Our article on the Most Overhyped Anime Series just got an update. We’ve expanded our list, adding five new entries that have sparked much debate in the community. Dive in to see which titles made the cut and join the discussion on these controversial picks.
15No Game No Life
Strategic Games
No Game No Life
No Game No Life’s Underwhelming Aspects:
No Game No Life is considered overhyped due to its unfulfilled potential and reliance on fan service. The story revolves around Sora and Shiro, sibling prodigies in gaming, who are transported to a fantastical world called Disboard by the god-like figure, Tet. In Disboard, all conflicts are resolved through games.
The anime garnered initial interest with the cleverness of its game-based challenges. However, as the series progressed, some viewers felt the emphasis on fan service and ecchi elements like Shiro’s suggestive clothing detracted from the narrative. The lack of plot resolution, especially with no second season to conclude the story, and the sometimes overly complex game rules left viewers wanting more substantive storytelling.
Release Date
Episode Count
Where To Watch
June 23, 2025
Crunchyroll
14Aldnoah.Zero
Intergalactic War
Aldnoah.Zero
Aldnoah.Zero’s Underwhelming Aspects:
Aldnoah.Zero is considered overhyped because of its underdeveloped characters. The series is set in a world where humans have colonized Mars, and a war breaks out between Earth and the Martian Vers Empire. Initially, it captivated audiences with its impressive animation, intense mecha battles, and a compelling premise involving advanced Martian technology, Aldnoah.
Major plot twists, such as Asseylum, the Martian Princesses’s survival following her assassination attempt, and subsequent amnesia, seemed contrived to some viewers, undermining the story. The second season, in particular, was seen as a decline in storytelling quality, with unresolved plot lines and a finale that left many viewers dissatisfied, like Asseylum suddenly marrying Count Klancain.
July 31, 2025
13Future Diary
Survival Game
Future Diary
Future Diary’s Underwhelming Aspects:
Future Diary is deemed overhyped due to its inconsistent storytelling and character development despite an intriguing premise. The series centers on Yukiteru Amano, a recluse who gets involved in a deadly survival game with a Future Diary that predicts the future. The game, orchestrated by the godlike figure Deus Ex Machina, pits him against other diary holders.
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While the concept and the initial episodes drew viewers in, the motivations and development of characters like the yandere Yuno Gasai, the vigilante Minene Uryu, and the detective Keigo Kurus seemed rushed. Key events, such as the twisted revelation of Yuno’s past and the escalating diary holders' battles, felt inadequately explained.
June 30, 2025
12Akame Ga Kill!
Assassins Against Empire
Akame ga Kill!
Akame Ga Kill!’s Underwhelming Aspects:
Akame ga Kill! is considered overhyped due to its handling of character deaths and a narrative that some viewers found lacked depth despite its dark and mature themes. The series follows Tatsumi, a young fighter who joins Night Raid, a group of assassins rebelling against a corrupt empire.
The show initially garnered attention for its willingness to kill off main characters, such as Sheele and Bulat, which created a sense of unpredictability. However, as the series progressed, some viewers felt these deaths became more predictable and were used more for shock value than meaningful story progression. For example, characters like Mine and Leone had dramatic arcs that ended abruptly.
July 02, 2025
11Black Clover
Magical Quests
Black Clover
Black Clover’s Underwhelming Aspects:
Black Cloveris labeled as overhyped due to its adherence to classic shonen tropes, seen in characters like Asta, a boisterous orphan with no magic in a world where magic is everything, and his rival, Yuno, a naturally gifted mage. Initially, the series was criticized for its predictable plot and Asta’s excessively loud personality, which some viewers found off-putting.
Key events like the Magic Knights Entrance Exam and early battles seemed formulaic to some, drawing parallels to other shonen series like Naruto. Despite this, the series later developed a loyal fanbase, praised for its character development, such as Noelle’s growth and high-energy battle sequences.
June 21, 2025
10Death Note
High-Stakes Mind Games
Death Note (2006)
Death Note’s Underwhelming Aspects:
Death Noteis considered overhyped, particularly because of the second half, following the intense mind games between the protagonist, Light Yagami, and the detective, L. The anime starts with Light discovering the Death Note, a notebook that has the power to kill. He begins a crusade to rid the world of criminals like Kira, while L seeks to unveil his identity.
The first half is highly praised for its intellectual battles and moral dilemmas. However, after L’s death and the introduction of successors Near and Mello, some viewers felt the series lost its original dynamic. Many fans were upset with the ending, especially how Light’s character unraveled, making it seem out of character.
July 01, 2025
9One Punch Man
Unbeatable Hero
One Punch Man
One Punch Man’s Underwhelming Aspects:
One Punch Manis overhyped, primarily due to its unconventional approach to the superhero genre and the disparity in reception between its first and second seasons. The series follows Saitama, a hero who can defeat any opponent with a single punch. Initially, the show gained immense popularity for its unique premise, subversion of typical superhero tropes, and Saitama’s humorous detachment.
However, the second season faced criticism compared to the first. Fans were disappointed with the drop in animation quality following a change in the production studio from Madhouse to J.C. Staff. Also, the focus shifted more towards other characters like Garou and the Hero Association, diluting the emphasis on Saitama’s character.
June 15, 2025
8My Hero Academia
Superheroes Training
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia’s Underwhelming Aspects:
My Hero Academiais deemed overhyped due to its overuse of the traditional and predictable shonen formula. The series follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy who, after receiving powers from the legendary hero All Might, attends U.A. High School to become a hero.
Fans argue that while the anime offers a compelling world and character designs, key story arcs, such as the U.A. Sports Festival and Izuku’s battles against the League of Villains, often follow a familiar pattern: a typical underdog story, training montages, and the emphasis on the power of friendship and perseverance. Additionally, some viewers feel that the development of side characters isn’t balanced, with a few like Todoroki and Bakugo, getting more focus than others.
July 13, 2025
7Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
New Ninja Era
Boruto’s Underwhelming Aspects:
Boruto: Naruto Next Generationsis considered overhyped by its struggle to emerge from the shadow of its highly successful predecessor, Naruto. The series focuses on Boruto Uzumaki, the son of Naruto Uzumaki, now the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. Fans have criticized it for lacking the original’s depth and emotional impact.
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Early arcs, like the Ghost Incident in the Hidden Leaf and the Chunin Exams, while echoing Naruto’s themes, feel less engaging. Additionally, character development has been a point of contention. Despite Boruto’s struggle with his father’s legacy and relationships with characters like Sarada and Mitsuki, some viewers feel these dynamics aren’t explored with the same intensity as in Naruto.
August 01, 2025
6Fairy Tail
Magical Adventures
Fairy Tail
Fairy Tail’s Underwhelming Aspects:
Fairy Tailis deemed overhyped due to its repetitive plotlines and heavy reliance on fan service. The series follows the adventures of Natsu Dragneel, a fire-breathing wizard from the Fairy Tail guild, and his friends. While it starts with engaging arcs like the Phantom Lord and Tower of Heaven, the show later receives criticism for reusing similar story formulas, particularly the ‘friendship triumphs over all.’
Moreover, many story arcs, such as the Grand Magic Games and the Alvarez Empire, rely heavily on deus ex machina resolutions. The series also frequently employs fan service, with characters like Lucy Heartfilia depicted in revealing outfits or comedic, suggestive situations, which some viewers feel detract from the plot.
