Anime has many different genres and tropes, with countless series spanning different styles and themes, but some of these need to change. Whether it’s high-energy action, heartwarming romance, psychological thrillers, or slice-of-life comedies, anime offers something for everyone. However, with this variety comes a fair share of controversy. As the industry grows and changes, certain tropes, trends, and storytelling choices have become the subject of heated debates within the anime community. From the use of CGI in animation to the reliance on overused romance clichés, fans are often divided on what makes or breaks a great anime.
Some debates are purely a matter of taste, while others touch on deeper industry issues, such as ethical concerns regarding character design or the best way to release an anime for maximum impact. While some opinions are widely accepted, others remain controversial despite having a solid basis. The truth is,not every mainstream belief about anime holds up under scrutiny, but others should be seriously considered.
8CGI In Anime Can Be Good
CGI Is A Game-Changer When Done Right
The use of CGI in anime often gets a bad rap, with fans being upset about its first introduction years ago, which was full of awkward moments and lack of fluidity. However, when done right, CGI can enhance an anime rather than detract from it. Series likeBeastars, Trigun: Stampede, andIshuraprove that CGI can be a legitimate artistic choice rather than a lazy shortcut.
These anime series utilize CGI to create dynamic character animations and fluid action sequences that traditional 2D animation might struggle to achieve. Instead of dismissing CGI outright, viewers should appreciate how it can bring unique visual styles and innovations to the industry.
Anime Has Given CG Animation a Bad Rep, But Face It: The Art’s Not Bad
While there have been many bad CG anime in the past, CG is, undeniably part of anime’s future and it is not all bad.
Additionally, CGI allows artists to create more ambitious camera movements and fight choreography, pushing the boundaries of what anime can achieve. While there are certainly examples of poorly executed CGI, like the 2016Berserkadaptation, dismissing the technique entirely ignores the potential it holds when in the hands of talented animators.As technology improves, CGI in anime will only get better, and fans may need to reconsider their preconceived notions about its place in the medium.
7Action Scenes Do Not Need Over-the-Top Power-ups
Overpowered Battles Are Not Always the Most Exciting
Over-the-top power-ups and ultimate moves are a staple of shōnen anime, but they are not always necessary for an exciting battle.A well-choreographed fight that focuses on skill, strategy, and endurance can be far more enjoyablethan an endless exchange of ultimate techniques.Anime likeHunter x Hunter, Samurai Champloo, andVinland Sagaare amazingly good at delivering intense battleswithout relying on flashy transformations or one-hit kill moves. These fights feel more grounded, forcing characters to outmaneuver their opponents rather than simply overpower them.
A good balance between strategic exchanges and climactic finishing moves is what makes an action scene truly memorable, and more anime projects should consider that approach.
By focusing on the ebb and flow of combat, these battles build tension and showcase characters' fighting styles in more depth. While ultimate moves have their place in anime, an over-reliance on them can make fights feel predictable and repetitive. A good balance between strategic exchanges and climactic finishing moves is what makes an action scene truly memorable, and more anime projects should consider that approach.
6Love Triangles and Harems Are Overused For Drama
Love Triangles Are Not as Interesting as Fans Think
Romance in anime often leans heavily on love triangles and harem dynamics, creating an unnecessary drama that feels more frustrating than interesting. While these tropes can sometimes add intrigue, they are often overused to stall relationship progress rather than develop characters meaningfully. Real-life relationships rarely play out as dramatically as they do in anime, making these forced conflicts feel contrived rather than organic.
10 Best Reverse Harem Anime Of All Time
From well-known classic titles that defined the theme, to modern ones that continue to innovate upon it, reverse harem anime are uniquely charming.
Not every romance series needs to rely on these tropes to be enjoyable. Titles likeYour Name, Toradora!, andHorimiyaprove that romance can be great without the excessive melodrama of love triangles.More anime should focus on genuine relationship development rather than dragging out conflictsfor the sake of drama. While it may seem like a shift for the anime genre at large, it’s really a natural progression that many audiences would appreciate.
5Anime Does Not Always Need to Subvert Tropes To Be Good
Familiar Storytelling Can Work Well In Anime
Some anime fans praise subversions of common tropes as better than using tropes, but a well-executed trope can be just as satisfying. Shows likeMy Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, andOne Piecefollow familiar formulas but execute them in exciting ways that fans love.Just because an anime uses tropes does not mean that it lacks originality, but rather that it can refine and perfect those tropes.
Conversely, some anime series try too hard to subvert expectations and end up alienating their audience. If a series focuses more on shocking twists than solid storytelling, it risks feeling gimmicky rather than innovative. The key is a balance of subversion andwell-executed anime tropesto make for the best story possible. In short, anime projects should offer audiences a story that feels both new and familiar at the same time.
4Some Anime Needs To Be Batch Released
Not Every Anime Benefits From A Weekly Schedule
Weekly episode releases work well for hyped series likeJujutsu Kaisen, Solo Leveling,andAttack on Titan,but not every anime benefits from this format.Smaller, character-driven series likeHoney Lemon SodaorAnyway, I’m Falling in Love with Youmight perform better if released in batches, allowing viewers to stay interested in the story rather than forgetting about it between episodes.
New Romance Anime Proves is an Instant Classic For a Simple Reason That’s Easy to Miss
There are a ton of romance animes out there that miss the mark, but Crunchyroll’s latest is doing everything right without skipping a beat.
Binge-watching allows audiences to absorb stories in a more immersive way, especially for slow-burn stories that do not rely on cliffhangers to maintain interest. This has worked well for certain non-anime shows, but platforms like Netflix have already experimented with batch-releasing anime as well. This approach could be the future for certain series that risk losing momentum with weekly airings.
3Some Series Do Not Need To Be As Long As They Are
Shorter Series Often Tell Better Stories
Not every anime needs to stretch out its story for hundreds of episodes.While long-running series likeOne PieceandNarutohave found success, many anime and manga suffer from unnecessary padding and drawn-out arcs. When a story drags, it loses its impact, making it difficult for audiences to stay invested.
Shorter, more concise stories can be just as powerful as long ones. Anime series likeDeath Note, Code Geass, andSteins;Gatetell compelling stories in a limited number of episodes, proving that brevity can enhance an anime rather than hinder it. Creators should prioritize tight and amazing stories over endless serialization, or, at the very least, consider which format best serves their particular story.
2Fanservice Of Underage Characters Needs To Stop
The Uncomfortable Truth About Certain Anime Tropes
One of the most troubling aspects of anime is its persistent fanservice involving underage characters.In other genres, fanservice refers to including certain scenes fans want to see, regardless of whether they benefit the story. However, it takes on a more specific meaning in anime, referring to sexual scenes used to appeal to audiences. Many high school romance anime and ecchi series depict minors in sexualized ways, which are both uncomfortable and unnecessary. Regardless of an anime’s target demographic, this type of content needs to be phased out entirely.
There is no justification for objectifying fictional minors, and the industry absolutely needs to move toward more responsible portrayals of young characters.
If fanservice is going to be present in an anime, it should involve adult characters who can be depicted in mature situations without ethical concerns. There is no justification for objectifying fictional minors, and the industry absolutely needs to move toward more responsible portrayals of young characters.
1Being Faithful To The Source Material Is Not Always The Best Course Of Action
Anime Adaptations Should Not Fear Change
Many fans demand that anime adaptations remain completely faithful to their source material, but this is not always the best approach. Some adaptations make the necessary changes to improve pacing, animation quality, or story coherence.Solo Leveling, for example, has made some big changes from the original manhwa, yet it still remains a fantastic adaptation.
Why Does the Solo Leveling Anime Change the Manhwa’s Names? It Is Complicated
Despite being an international success, Solo Leveling has recieved a lot of censorship in Japan and here is why.
An anime’s success should be judged on its own merits rather than how closely it mirrors its source material. Deviations can sometimes lead to better storytelling, as seen inFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodversus the originalFullmetal Alchemistanime. Adapting a story is an art, andsometimes changes are necessary to make a series work in a different medium. The same approach is often celebrated outside of the anime genre, so the precedent is there.
