10 Hype Anime Series Were Supposed to Be Big Hits But The...

10 Hype Anime Series Were Supposed to Be Big Hits But Then Bombed

Kurotani with the spiral in her forehead in Uzumaki.

By Zach Zamora Published Feb 27, 2026, 9:00 PM EST Zach joined the ScreenRant Anime team as a contributor in June 2024, before taking on a Senior Writer role in November. Since then, he has covered breaking news and produced features and lists about the most popular anime titles. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Add Us On Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

As anime's consistent, ongoing, rapid rise in popularity continues, more and more eyes are focused on what might be coming next, causing certain shows to garner massive levels of hype and excitement well before they air. In recent years, titles like Chainsaw Man and Spy x Family arrived as already known commodities, and lived up to expectations.

However, other shows aren't quite as lucky. With increased exposure comes higher expectations and, if things don't go right, louder criticism. These 10 anime series appeared to have everything they needed to become massive hits enjoyed by generations of fans, but bombed instead.

Uzumaki

Animated by Fugaku and Akatsuki, Based on the Manga by Junji Ito

Uzumaki bad running animation in episode #2

When a name like Junji Ito is attached to a project, there's going to be tons of anticipation. The legendary horror artist is one of the most celebrated figures in manga history, yet none of his stories have ever been able to make a smooth transition to screens. That was, until an adaptation of Uzumaki promised to faithfully bring the artist's most iconic story to life.

Unfortunately, that wasn't exactly what happened. Production issues, and a lack of time and resources plagued 2024's Uzumaki, resulting in one of the most disappointing anime releases in years. The series got off to a good start in its first episode, but very quickly spiraled into mediocrity.

One-Punch Man

Animated by Madhouse and J.C.Staff, Based on the Manga by One

Saitama looking annoyed in One Punch Man Season 3

One-Punch Man is a bit of a different case from other shows that weren't able to live up to expectations, because, at least during its earliest sections, it very much did live up to the hype. The series' first season has been enjoyed by countless fans since its premiere nearly a decade ago, and is fondly remembered by all who experienced it.

However, the same cannot be said of One-Punch Man's second, and especially third, seasons. After Studio Madhouse handed off production to J.C.Staff, the quality of the series slowly plummeted, leading to a third season which received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics and fans alike.

Lazarus

Animated by MAPPA, Original Anime Series

Lazarus-Episode-13-Axel

With all the name power behind 2025's Lazarus, the series was expected to be one of the breakout can't-miss titles of 2025. There are few studios as wildly successful as MAPPA in recent years, and there would be no better candidate to bring Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe's newest anime to life.

Lazarus wasn't a disaster on any scale like some other disappointing shows. Rather, it simply came and went without being very memorable or making much noise. Coming from the creator behind Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and other classics, anything less than great would have been disappointing, and Lararus unfortunately fit that bill.

FLCL Sequels

Animated by Production I.G, Original Anime Series

FLCL is among the greatest works of the iconic '90s and 2000s anime studio, Gainax, which officially closed its doors last year. The six-episode OVA was incredibly well-received on airing, and remained a staple for generations of young teenage anime fans over the years.

More than 15 years later, the series was revisited, first in FLCL Progressive and then in FLCL Alternative. In 2023, FLCL: Grunge and FLCL: Shoegaze aired within a month of one another. The shows were mostly hit or miss, with Progressive in particular becoming divisive among fans. Unfortunately, following the masterpiece that was FLCL, anything short of perfection was a disappointment.

Platinum End

Animated by Signal.MD, Based on the Manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

Mirai joins the competition to become God in Platinum End.

Platinum End, in both the anime's and manga's version of events, was disappointing. The hype behind the series was real, with Death Note creators Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata returning with a new, dark, supernatural, death game story promising to feature all the edge and style that made their previous work so legendary.

Demon Slayer's Tanjiro, Fullmetal Alchemist's Edward, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's Jotaro in a red and blue collage with Tanjiro up front.

Related 20 Years, 20 Legends: Ranking the Best Anime Series Since 2005

Anime has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity over the past couple decades, and these hit shows are to thank for that.

Posts 53 By Zach Zamora

Unfortunately, Platinum End just couldn't live up to the hype, with a main character that was an unlikable, morally gray figure lacking the charisma of a Light Yagami failing to connect with audiences. Eventually, the series came to a conclusion that left just about no one satisfied.

The Promised Neverland

Animated by CloverWorks, Based on the Manga by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu

There may be no anime series as disappointing as The Promised Neverland. Following a first season that hooked viewers on Netflix before the streaming service had the wide selection of anime it offers today, the series returned with a second season that dropped the ball entirely.

Fans of the series waited eagerly to find what awaited the children beyond their orphanage walls, but by the time the second season wrapped up, many wished they could take back their time. Rushed pacing and the omission of entire arcs steered The Promised Neverland towards a largely incoherent and wholly unsatisfying finish.

Darling in the Franxx

Animated by A-1 Pictures, Trigger, and Clover Works, Original Anime Series

Premiering in 2018, Darling in the Franxx was a promising new mecha series garnering widespread attention well after the peak of mecha anime had passed. Packed with style, substance, and an overload of fan service, it appeared the series had everything it needed to become the genre's latest mega-hit.

That was, until Darling in the Franxx sped its way towards a final act that left very few fans pleased with their viewing experiences. In the years since its airing, the fanfare surrounding Darling in the Franxx has faded entirely, and very few newer fans would know just how popular the series was less than a decade ago.

Katanagatari

Animated by White Fox, Based on the Light Novel by Nisio Isin

Main characters from 2010's Katanagatari in a field.

It's no secret that anime's popularity has exploded around the world over the past decade or so, and many newer fans might never have heard of Katanagatari. No one would blame them, as the show came and went without much fanfare when it aired in 2010, despite having all it needed to become a success.

Subscribe to our newsletter for clear anime insights and more

Curious why big-name anime sometimes disappoint? Subscribe to the newsletter for thoughtful breakdowns and context on hyped series and broader anime coverage - so you can better understand hits, misses, and trends. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Katanagatari was produced by White Fox, which, at the time, was an exciting up-and-coming presence in the anime industry that would go on to release Steins;Gate just a year later. Featuring action, a historical setting, and even some romance, while having a built-in following from the light novel series, it's still a surprise that Katanagatari simply didn't catch on with anime fans.

Vampire Knight

Animated by Studio Deen, Based on the Manga by Matsuri Hino

The main cast of 2008's Vampire Knight.

Vampire Knight was disappointing to fans, not because it wasn't any good, or because its quality dropped off a cliff over time. Rather, the series was disappointing because it never actually ended. The anime aired throughout 2008, coming to a semi-open conclusion and never returning to screens. Meanwhile, the original manga continued until 2013.

Vampire Knight is far from the only anime series to end prematurely, but it is one that doesn't seem to get quite enough love these days. Despite a disappointing end, the series is still worth a watch, and is deserving of better nearly 20 years later.

Undead Unluck

Animated by David Production and TMS Entertainment, Based on the Manga by Sawako Hirabayashi and Yoshifumi Tozuka

Undead Unluck Episode 23 Autumn roaring with its mouth agape.

Undead Unluck, unlike some other shows, wasn't really disappointing. Viewers responded well to the series and fans of the original manga were satisfied when it aired in 2023. Mediocre stories don't typically run for 200-plus chapters in Weekly Shōnen Jump, which is proof of Undead Unluck's quality.

Nevertheless, the series just didn't create much buzz. Undead Unluck aired in the midst of the Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 craze, which might have been a contributing factor to its underwhelming reception. A second season was confirmed in December, but fans will likely have to wait for David Production to finish with the next part of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure before production ramps up.