10 New-Gen Anime That’ll Age Poorly in 5 Years

Over the last couple of years, anime fans have been treated to a slew of fresh series that have made their mark on the industry. A plethora of new shows are released each year for audiences worldwide to enjoy, with a handful becoming instant hits. These shows quickly enchant fans thanks to their amazing animation, charming cast, and thrilling plots.

Lamentably, not all of these anime will remain as cherished and popular among community members as they are today. Whether it is because of the delicate topics these shows mishandled or because of the rapid shift in interest shown by fans, there is a high likelihood that these anime will not be as fondly remembered in a couple of years.

10

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Has Several Glaring Red Flags

Objectively one of the most popular isekai series of the last decade, Mushoku Tensei follows Rudeus, a former middle-aged Japanese man who was reincarnated in a world of magic and adventure. The series managed to stand out from other entries in the genre by having a powerful yet not broken protagonist, as well as a plot that focuses mostly on his daily life and the bonds he forms.

While there are many praiseworthy aspects of the series, there is no denying how problematic Rudeus can be as a character. Not only does he frequently allow his worst impulses to take over, but he also engages in relationships with characters significantly younger than him mentally. The incestuous themes of the series can also make it hard to watch for many.

9

Solo Leveling Is an Amazing Show That Might Suffer From Shifts in Audience’s Tastes

A series that has dominated the industry since its release, Solo Leveling is an epic tale about growth and power, following one of the strongest anime characters of all time, Song Jin-Woo. The series serves as the ultimate power fantasy for fans, with a protagonist who holds the power to defeat the many enemies who dare to try to stop his dreams.

Although Solo Leveling as a series is quite enjoyable, with outstanding battles and an innovative power system, the era of overpowered protagonists is nearing its end. The overabundance of these types of characters over the years has caused major fatigue for audiences, and the fact that the story relies heavily on overused tropes might cause this show to lose its momentum soon.

8

Mashle: Magic and Muscle Might Be Hindered By Its Comedy

At first sight, Mashle might appear to be a simple yet charming comedy anime that challenges the stereotypes of the magical school genre. Yet, behind the silly jokes and over-the-top action scenes, the series hides a compelling critique of societal norms and discrimination. Mash’s journey might not be the most original, but it does inspire audiences.

Sadly, the chances of this series remaining as beloved as it was at release are virtually zero, as its cultural impact has already been diminishing. The series’ non-stop humor can become overbearing for some fans, who would like the story to take itself more seriously. Besides that, Mashle does not offer anything new to the battle shonen genre, meaning it might soon be forgotten.

7

The Rising of the Shield Hero Struggles to Keep Its Popularity Even Now

Once praised for being one of the most realistic and enjoyable shows among the plethora of isekai available, The Rising of the Shield Hero was a bleak and brutal reinterpretation of the tropes of this genre. The series does not present the protagonist, Naofumi, as a perfectly moral hero destined to become a savior. It is a crude depiction of the corruption, jealousy, and conflicts that would come with being sent to another world.

Its first few seasons were warmly received by fans, as the show had both an intriguing plot and a charming cast. Regardless, the quality began to drop as the story advanced, and several followers began questioning certain decisions made by the original author, such as the inclusion of slavery and the awkward relationship between Naofumi and Raphtalia, a girl he raised as a daughter.

6

The Eminence in Shadow Pushes Audiences Away With Sudden Tone Shifts

It’s no secret that the isekai genre has been one of the most dominant forces across the entire industry for almost a decade. As such, when a parody of these types of shows was announced, many fans were excited. The Eminence in Shadow includes many amazing criticisms of isekai tropes, pointing out their flaws and the gigantic leaps in logic fans must make to keep this genre afloat.

Despite this, the series has a major issue that might be its ultimate doom down the line, as it never quite managed to traverse the line between serious drama and comedic parody. Many fans have complained about how sudden the shifts in tone across the series feel. The fact that the show’s critiques will also feel outdated as soon as the isekai genre shifts focus does not help its future chances.

5

Demon Slayer’s Stunning Animation Might Not Always Be Enough

Anime fans across the globe are well acquainted with the Demon Slayer series and the massive impact it has had on the industry over the last couple of years. This beloved show is far more than just one of the greatest shonen of the era, but also living proof of the talent and dedication the artists behind fans’ favorite series put in. The art style, fluid animation, and stunning set pieces the show offers have no equal among its peers.

Regardless of its massive popularity, it’s clear that, according to a large portion of the community, the series has mostly retained its high ranking due to its captivating art style, as the plot is nothing to write home about. The story and characters, while appealing, are not enough to claim the same relevance as beloved franchises such as Dragon Ball or Naruto.

4

Re: Monster Might Prove to Be Too Dark

Dark and gritty as only a handful of isekai can be, Re: Monster abandons the tropes of the gentle and noble protagonist to focus on a more brutal main character. The story of Rou, a human reborn in the body of a Goblin with the ability to grow stronger by eating others, is not for the faint of heart, as it traverses the line between drama and more gruesome fantasy.

It is this innate darkness that might make the series feel unappealing to future audiences, as the story does not pull any punches. Themes such as slavery, kidnapping, and sexual assault are not handled properly, and the comedic reaction of the characters in these situations only makes it harder for some to enjoy. The series might still appeal to fans with edgier tastes, but the large majority will likely avoid it.

3

Oshi no Ko’s Social Critique Might Feel Outdated Soon

One of the most surprising successes of the last decade, Oshi no Ko serves as a deep dive into the toxicity and dangers that surround Japan’s idol culture. By using its murder mystery drama as a vehicle, the show explores themes such as the dehumanization of Idols, the dangers of parasocial relationships, and the corruption that drives this industry, all while telling a compelling story.

The main issues with the show and its premise are the necessary historical context that fans are expected to have to truly enjoy the plot. As the idol industry shifts, for better or worse, the social criticism of the series might feel uninteresting to newcomers. The implied incestuous relationships between the main characters have also been a major point of contention among fans since the series was first released.

2

Kaiju No. 8’s Popularity is Slowly Dwindling At the Moment

An innovative and fresh take on the Kaiju genre and its tropes, Kaiju No. 8 became popular among anime fans due to its simple but outstandingly thrilling premise. The show not only pits the heroes against the gigantic monsters trying to destroy them, but it also uses their power to aid the warriors on their quest to protect humanity. The main character, Kafka, is a noble and relatable individual, making it easier for fans to sit down and enjoy his adventure.

While there is no denying that the show is still widely popular among audiences at the moment, its impact has been slowly but surely diminishing as time passes. The second season of the anime was significantly less talked about than its predecessor, and the trend is highly likely to continue once Season 3 is finally released.

1

Blue Lock’s Reputation Might Never Recover

The power of friendship is by far one of the most common tropes found in anime, particularly in the sports genre, as these shows tend to put major focus on the importance of teamwork. Blue Lock challenged these customs by introducing a world in which each player is fighting for themselves only, creating a tense and exciting atmosphere that no other show of its genre had been able to produce in decades.

The first season of this outstanding anime was heavily hyped, something unusual for a sports anime. Yet, this popularity would soon begin to drop drastically once the second season was released, infamous for being one of the worst animated in the history of anime. This has caused major damage to the franchise and its reputation, something that will unfortunately influence the opinion of the series forevermore.

Release Date

April 6, 2019

Network

Adult Swim