Animes that disappointed fans when watching them again

Anime lovers on Reddit are engaged in a lively debate about their evolving tastes and perceptions of the series they used to love. The question that started this whole discussion was direct and profound: " What anime did you love but were 'disappointing' upon rewatch? "

Forum users expressed a variety of opinions and disappointing experiences on this sensitive yet relevant topic. Many shared stories of anime that captivated them a decade ago, but upon rewatching them years later, they found their appreciation for them had waned significantly. Personal development, growth, and exposure to new series and genres were cited as important factors influencing this opinion .

Some participants highlighted how their perception of certain plots, characters, or themes changed over time, affecting their overall enjoyment of the series . Others pointed out flaws in the narrative, animation, or character development that they hadn't noticed upon their initial viewings, contributing to their disappointment upon rewatching.

However, the debate wasn't limited to negative reviews. Many users shared how, despite feeling disappointed when rewatching certain anime, they still held a special fondness for them due to nostalgia or memories associated with their first viewing.

This aspect raised the larger question of whether it is possible to separate critical evaluation from the emotional connection to a beloved series.

"The original Naruto, especially the fight between Naruto and Sasuke. A great fight ruined by a cascade of Itachi flashbacks."
“Tokyo Ghoul, without a doubt.”
"Oh, yes, Love Hina was one of my favorites back then. Now that I'm in my 30s, I tried watching it again recently and couldn't stand it."
"Elfen Lied. For some reason, this anime has aged terribly, but the manga is still pretty solid."
"I tried to watch Elfen Lied for the first time as an adult. I can't, it's too embarrassing. It definitely had its day, but it's gone now."
"The Seven Deadly Sins. The first time I enjoyed it so much I watched it again later, but then the annoying pig, Meliodas abusing Elizabeth, and the absurdly inconsistent power scale made me dislike it. It went from a 9 to a 6 on repeat."
“I have avoided watching Golden Time and AIR for this very reason.”
"As an alternative, I tried watching Golden Time again and couldn't continue when ghost Banri started appearing. I really enjoyed the first half, but the pre-amnesia Banri annoyed me."

Other anime were also disappointing upon rewatch:

“Soul Eater after reading the manga”.
“For me, it was Sailor Moon. As a kid, I was obsessed with that show. Beautiful, powerful girls? It was the best way to keep quiet while glued to the TV screen. However, I watched Sailor Moon again when the '90s version was re-aired on TV, and it wasn't the same. Lots of filler episodes and poor pacing. But it's still a very beautiful show. I still love its aesthetic. But I guess that's how life is; our tastes can change.”
"Kaichou wa Maid-sama! I first watched it when I was 12 and recently decided to watch it again and realized how embarrassing it is, but the manga is definitely better than the anime."
"Rosario vs. Vampire and Given, I was 13 when I first watched it and didn't understand half of what was going on. I watched it again and I actually felt embarrassed for them."
"Death Note/Code Geass. I thought it was so cool when I first watched it as a teenager. Watching it as an adult is literally just fuel for the edgy teenager who thinks, 'I'm so much smarter than everyone I know.'"
“Lovely Complex was in my top 10 when I was a teenager, but after trying to watch it again, I couldn't even get through a full episode.”
“For me, it was Gundam Wing. When it was released and broadcast on TV, it was epic. Incredible battles, incredible story, incredible characters. Impressive mecha fights. A few years ago, I had some free time at work and watched the entire series. What pacing. Horrible. So slow. And the characters aren't as cool as they used to be.”
"Toradora. I really liked it when I first started watching the anime. But after trying it again, Taiga is so annoying and abusive to the male protagonist. I know it's a trope, but I really came to hate the overly violent and unfair tsundere. Although there are some exceptions."

Finally, it's time for you to give your opinion on which animes were disappointing when you watched them again.

Source: Reddit