Have you ever sat through an anime that made you wonder if you’d just wasted hours of your life? You’re not alone. In fact, studies show that a surprising number of fans admit to regretting certain series due to poor storytelling or sloppy animation. This post explores the worst anime of the decade (2015–2025), examines what went wrong, and—most importantly—offers actionable tips to help you steer clear of similar pitfalls.
What Makes an Anime “Bad”?
Before we dive into our hall of shame, it’s important to understand what generally qualifies an anime as “bad.” While taste is always subjective, several objective flaws tend to plague the most infamous series:
- Story Catastrophes: Plots that are overly predictable, nonsensical, or completely unoriginal.
- Animation Woes: Choppy, inconsistent, or downright sloppy animation that disrupts the viewing experience.
- Flat Characters: Characters that are one-dimensional or entirely unrelatable.
- Pacing Problems: Episodes that either drag on without focus or rush through important plot points.
- Adaptation Issues: A failure to capture the essence of source material, leading to a diluted or unfaithful narrative.
These elements frequently appear in anime that earn a spot on “worst of” lists. In fact, data from IMDb’s lowest rated anime lists highlights many series falling short on one or more of these points.
The Hall of Shame: Worst Anime of the Decade
Let’s take a look at some of the series that have become notorious for their shortcomings over the past decade. Whether you’re watching out of morbid curiosity or seeking to avoid another viewing regret, these examples provide valuable lessons.
1. Mars of Destruction
Originally released in 2005, Mars of Destruction is so infamous that it continues to be referenced despite not fitting neatly into our 2015–2025 window. This 20-minute OVA is widely panned for its incoherent plot, laughably poor animation, and characters so bland they’re practically interchangeable.
Why it’s bad:
- Plot Issues: Scenes seem to be stitched together without any logical progression.
- Animation: The visuals are so amateurish they’ve become a byword for bad animation.
- Character Development: There’s not enough personality or backstory to make the characters engaging.
2. Hand Shakers (2017)
Hand Shakers is a more recent example of an anime that struggles under its own bizarre concepts. The series attempts to blend high school drama with supernatural battles—but ends up as a sensory overload of conflicting styles and clumsy storytelling.
Why it’s bad:
- Visual Clutter: A chaotic mix of animation styles distracts from any potential narrative.
- Confusing Plot: The premise of gaining powers through hand-holding is explained poorly, leaving viewers scratching their heads.
- Character Flaws: The characters lack depth, making it hard to invest in their struggles.
3. Berserk (2016–2017)
Fans of the legendary manga were left disappointed by the CGI adaptation of Berserk. Although the source material is renowned for its dark tone and complex characters, this adaptation is marred by stiff animation and a rushed narrative.
Why it’s bad:
- CGI Catastrophe: The heavy reliance on CGI makes action scenes look awkward and lifeless.
- Inconsistent Animation: The jarring transitions between CGI and 2D elements create a disjointed visual experience.
- Narrative Shortcuts: Important plot points and character development are sacrificed for speed, diluting the story’s impact.
4. Exarm (2021)
Exarm is another modern example, infamous for its subpar CGI and clunky storytelling. This anime attempts to mix futuristic cyber themes with superhero tropes, but ends up as an exercise in how not to execute CGI in anime.
Why it’s bad:
- Poor CGI: The computer-generated visuals are outdated and awkward, undermining the futuristic setting.
- Stilted Movement: Characters move in a robotic manner that disrupts the flow of the action.
- Mismatched Styles: The blending of 3D and 2D elements is handled so poorly that it creates a disjointed viewing experience.
5. Diabolik Lovers (2013–2015)
Although slightly outside our decade range, Diabolik Lovers deserves mention for its problematic themes and unengaging characters. The series is often criticized for romanticizing abusive relationships and failing to develop any genuine emotional connection with its audience.
Why it’s bad:
- Problematic Themes: The narrative glorifies toxic and abusive dynamics, which many viewers find disturbing.
- Character Arcs: The protagonist and supporting characters lack depth, rendering the story predictable and unengaging.
- Repetitive Plot: The storyline fails to evolve, leading to a monotonous viewing experience.
Honorable Mentions:
Other series such as Vampire Holmes, Tenkuu Danzato Skelter Heaven, and Gibiate have also been widely criticized.
Why Even Bad Anime Can Be Fascinating
Despite their shortcomings, bad anime often develop a cult following for one reason: they are unforgettable. Some series are so bad that they become entertaining in their own right, offering a unique experience that you simply can’t replicate with well-crafted shows. They can serve as cautionary tales, teaching us what not to do in storytelling and animation. And sometimes, watching these misfires with a critical eye can be a fun, guilty pleasure
To sum up, here are the key takeaways:
- Recognize Common Flaws: Weak plots, inconsistent animation, and unengaging characters are recurring issues in poorly executed anime.
- Take Action: Use tools and community insights to avoid falling into the trap of wasting time on subpar series.
- Embrace the Experience: Even bad anime can be fascinating and, in some cases, even enjoyable as guilty pleasures or cult classics.
Which anime do you consider the worst of the decade? Have you ever enjoyed a series so bad it turned into an unexpected delight? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!.
