Unpopular Opinions Tag (Anime Edition)
Warning: The following post is based off of the Unpopular Opinions Book Tag created by TheBookArcher, whose original video link can be found here. Though the main point of the tag will be the same, some of the questions will be altered in order to accommodate this being anime based rather than book based.
Also, these opinions are my own, so if you wish to counterbalance them, please don't be harsh about it. I wouldn't mind getting into a discussion though.
So with that said, let's get started:
As I've watched more anime series and have gotten to know people who are fans of it, I'm always curious on what others think of a certain show or character. It's interesting to see if we'll agree or disagree or if their response has a lot of snark, I'd definitely get a good laugh out of that.
But I can't help but notice that a couple of opinions that I have aren't the typical norm. Ranging from the overall consensus of reviews I've read online, to discussions with various friends (both online and psychical) and hell, even from what I know of the show itself and how it could portray certain elements. So I'd say it's time that I share some of my own personal unpopular opinions regarding anime.
Are you ready? Let's start off with:
As I've watched more anime series and have gotten to know people who are fans of it, I'm always curious on what others think of a certain show or character. It's interesting to see if we'll agree or disagree or if their response has a lot of snark, I'd definitely get a good laugh out of that.
But I can't help but notice that a couple of opinions that I have aren't the typical norm. Ranging from the overall consensus of reviews I've read online, to discussions with various friends (both online and psychical) and hell, even from what I know of the show itself and how it could portray certain elements. So I'd say it's time that I share some of my own personal unpopular opinions regarding anime.
Are you ready? Let's start off with:
#1: What is a popular anime series that you don't like?
I actually have a few that I've watched that count as being popular, but I think I'd like to mention an older anime series that first aired almost 10 years ago that I just couldn't finish after watching the first 3 episodes of it dubbed that I think was pretty popular when it was first released in the U.S. That being:
My Bride Is a Mermaid.
For some reason, I feel like I could like this show. For one thing, it's a comedy, and I typically love anything that makes me laugh. I also found the premise of this anime to be pretty bizarre, but in a good way, so I was interested to see how it was going to turn out once my friend suggested we dive into it (haha, get it?).
We, at first, gave up after one episode, but we both gave it another shot, as I watched 2 more episodes on the way home from a wedding for my cousin. And it really didn't get any better.
Just thinking about this show is enough to honestly get me angry.
But why don't I first start off with the fact that this show ISN'T funny? For anyone looking to watch this show for great comedy, you're going to be disappointed. In the first 3 episodes, the show typically uses the same gags over and over again, the main one being the sexual misunderstandings between Nagasumi and Sun Seto. Every single time one of these came on, I didn't smile or laugh. One in Episode 2 actually made my blood boil. The thing is, if it was actually used once during Episode 1, it wouldn't be a big deal. But it seems like the show will have one almost in every episode, which doesn't sit well with me.
Let's also not forget the dumb reappearance of Sun Seto's father every episode. He just seems very persistent on making Nagasumi's life miserable, and just pops up wherever he goes to make sure he doesn't molest his daughter. Well, I'd be worried about that too, but just showing up every single episode is not going to do it for me, I'm sorry, you may be the leader of a yakuza group, but sometimes you need to take Sun's advice and just let loose once in a while. You don't need to be so controlling.
The animation is also probably one of the most low quality things I've seen. Even though Gonzo and AIC are behind it, it just looks very simple and lazy. Very dull for sure, and I don't think I could describe much else without wanting to punt this show up into the sun, seeing as I forget everything else about it.
So overall, I regret watching this anime, because I feel like I lost brain cells while watching it and I don't get its appeal. There are much better comedy series out there, such as D-Frag for example.
I wouldn't say that this anime series is popular, but the game that it's based on is quite popular on the internet. I came down to 2 choices for this slot, but I went with the one that had the more negative reception, with that being:
DRAMAtical Murder.
Okay, just to put this completely straight, I don't love this series, but I do really like it. I even rewatched it earlier this year, and my opinions of it haven't changed. Sure, the game will probably be a better experience overall (I'm still waiting for an official release over here), but for an adaptation, this was pretty solid.
I though the story was very unique and interesting, the characters to be pretty solid, the animation though at times gimicky still was fairly consistent, and the score to be pretty awesome. And on top of that, I surprisingly liked the OVA. Sure, it was in a mainly twisted way (I think some part of me was interested in seeing the bad endings play out) and while parts were hard to sit through (especially at night), I thought it was a pretty interesting direction for an OVA episode. I still wish they could have gone for a happier episode, but meh.
I'm still curious in seeing more game footage though, aside from the sex. I've seen some of it unmuted though, so that's a start in the right direction. I want to see more Noiz x Aoba stuff. :3
I'm going to move on now.
I think this trope just plain pisses me off rather than another one which just irritates me. Look tsundere #1,000,000, you've only seen this dude for about 5 seconds. Just because he somehow just happens to come across you naked or in your bra and panties doesn't automatically qualify him to be a pervert. You barely even listen to him anyways when he tries to explain how he got himself in this pickle, but you won't listen to that and keep telling him to die because of looking at your bare skin once. It's ridiculous.
Oh, and eventually, you're going to fall in love with him. It's inevitable, no matter how much you despise him at first sight. Just thought I'd let you know.
It makes me sad to see this tired trope again and again, because it does make its appearance more often than not in the fantasy harem magical school LN adaptations, but it also seems to rear its head in more mainstream anime, and look, it's not flattering anymore. It may have been funny at least the first few times, but it's been used and used SO many times now than it's just becoming abused.
Hopefully this gimmick can go away and have a short but sweet death, since it doesn't make me happy when I keep on seeing it in anime, unless it's done slightly differently.
I'm getting the feeling that I might piss a couple people off by saying I'm not going to watch this anime. There are many popular series over the last few years that have been the non-stop talk of certain anime seasons, and there is some curiosity in wanting to watch them (aside from One Punch Man, which I got to early).
Free! Iwatobi Swim Club may have a lot of manservice that even I've become uncomfortable looking at it too long (yes, coming from the person that appreciates it a lot compared to a lot of fanservice), yet it may produce some likable characters. Plus, I'm curious to see how Rin makes the turn-around in his behavior towards his former middle school club members.
Tokyo Ghoul looks interesting despite seeming to have a lot of gore in it, but some of the characters in the series actually look to be fairly complex, aside from Ken of course. Plus, I want to see his accepting of being a Ghoul and hope it's just not through boring angst.
Sword Art Online looks to be a pretty bad series, but I think down the line, I'm probably going to hatewatch it. There's some elements that look decent in the anime, and I'm curious to see how characters will get developed which may or may not be a lot depending on the looks of it.
This show though? Honestly, I just can't see myself watching this in my life. It's extremely overrated, appearing everywhere no matter how many times I blink. Some people I've talked to have called it the best anime ever, and it's the only anime they've ever watched. The plot looks to be something that's been done before and possibly done elsewhere better. Also, I don't think I'm going to like Eren. He seems to be in a constant state of anger more often than not and also a special snowflake.
When I found out something regarding him that occurs at the end of this show, I simply rolled my eyes, because of f**king course that had to happen. Sure.
I realized that I'm slightly interested in watching Kill la Kill as well, but I forgot to mention it eearlier on in this section. It's not as strong, but the feeling of watching it is there. But Attack on Titan isn't on my priorities at all, and the sole reason is that it's overhyped. It may turn out to be good, sure, but I still have this feeling in my gut that tells me I'll only be let down. So, yeah. Sorry.
For some reason, I feel like I could like this show. For one thing, it's a comedy, and I typically love anything that makes me laugh. I also found the premise of this anime to be pretty bizarre, but in a good way, so I was interested to see how it was going to turn out once my friend suggested we dive into it (haha, get it?).
We, at first, gave up after one episode, but we both gave it another shot, as I watched 2 more episodes on the way home from a wedding for my cousin. And it really didn't get any better.
Just thinking about this show is enough to honestly get me angry.
But why don't I first start off with the fact that this show ISN'T funny? For anyone looking to watch this show for great comedy, you're going to be disappointed. In the first 3 episodes, the show typically uses the same gags over and over again, the main one being the sexual misunderstandings between Nagasumi and Sun Seto. Every single time one of these came on, I didn't smile or laugh. One in Episode 2 actually made my blood boil. The thing is, if it was actually used once during Episode 1, it wouldn't be a big deal. But it seems like the show will have one almost in every episode, which doesn't sit well with me.
Let's also not forget the dumb reappearance of Sun Seto's father every episode. He just seems very persistent on making Nagasumi's life miserable, and just pops up wherever he goes to make sure he doesn't molest his daughter. Well, I'd be worried about that too, but just showing up every single episode is not going to do it for me, I'm sorry, you may be the leader of a yakuza group, but sometimes you need to take Sun's advice and just let loose once in a while. You don't need to be so controlling.
The animation is also probably one of the most low quality things I've seen. Even though Gonzo and AIC are behind it, it just looks very simple and lazy. Very dull for sure, and I don't think I could describe much else without wanting to punt this show up into the sun, seeing as I forget everything else about it.
So overall, I regret watching this anime, because I feel like I lost brain cells while watching it and I don't get its appeal. There are much better comedy series out there, such as D-Frag for example.
#2: What is a popular anime series that everyone else seems to hate, but you love?
DRAMAtical Murder.
Okay, just to put this completely straight, I don't love this series, but I do really like it. I even rewatched it earlier this year, and my opinions of it haven't changed. Sure, the game will probably be a better experience overall (I'm still waiting for an official release over here), but for an adaptation, this was pretty solid.
I though the story was very unique and interesting, the characters to be pretty solid, the animation though at times gimicky still was fairly consistent, and the score to be pretty awesome. And on top of that, I surprisingly liked the OVA. Sure, it was in a mainly twisted way (I think some part of me was interested in seeing the bad endings play out) and while parts were hard to sit through (especially at night), I thought it was a pretty interesting direction for an OVA episode. I still wish they could have gone for a happier episode, but meh.
I'm still curious in seeing more game footage though, aside from the sex. I've seen some of it unmuted though, so that's a start in the right direction. I want to see more Noiz x Aoba stuff. :3
I'm going to move on now.
#3: What is an anime pairing/OTP that you do not like?
There are a lot of pairings out in the world (yes, including the gay ones), and I've developed a strong attachment from some (Shirayuki x Zen for starters). I'm honestly meh on some, and there are definitely ones that are going to grow on me in the near future (yes, including the gay ones).
But the one pairing that I've never really understood is:
Issei Hyodo x Rias Gremory from Highschool DXD.
The fact that I'm not a big fan of this pairing could just stem from the fact that I'm not a big fan of Rias herself. But something just feels kind of safe with this pairing, and it just screams "This is the obvious choice." Because while the two of them have nice moments as a couple, I can't help but feel just so bored with them overall.
Also, Issei's harem seems like it's just going to keep on expanding at this point, and I do see some slightly better choices than just the first pretty girl he met. As long as that isn't Asia, because she's 12 and the show objectifies her enough. It's also weird that I can't feel that Rias is in love with Issei as it's more like the other way around, which probably comes from the fact that I've only seen the first season and half of the second, but even from clips in Season 3, I didn't get that connection, even though I probably should. I mean, why would they be a popular ship from this series if it wasn't there?
Out of all the LN adaptions with the harem setup, this is probably the most generic and boring one out of the lot to me, and I don't want it to feel that way. But, at the same time, it's just there for my eyes to see. It's not like I can ignore it.
I'll pass on that, thanks.
Also, Issei's harem seems like it's just going to keep on expanding at this point, and I do see some slightly better choices than just the first pretty girl he met. As long as that isn't Asia, because she's 12 and the show objectifies her enough. It's also weird that I can't feel that Rias is in love with Issei as it's more like the other way around, which probably comes from the fact that I've only seen the first season and half of the second, but even from clips in Season 3, I didn't get that connection, even though I probably should. I mean, why would they be a popular ship from this series if it wasn't there?
Out of all the LN adaptions with the harem setup, this is probably the most generic and boring one out of the lot to me, and I don't want it to feel that way. But, at the same time, it's just there for my eyes to see. It's not like I can ignore it.
#4: What popular anime genre do you hardly watch from?
As I've grown, so have my tastes in anime, as I've mentioned in the past. Back when I was 14, I wasn't too keen on yuri shows in general, preferring yaoi ones to go through eventually, since there wasn't an abundance of ones that sound good outside of Revolutionary Girl Utena. Also, yuri just seems to be modernly sexualized in today's day and age, seeming to pop up in a couple of fanservice shows just so that it can sell and appeal to a wider audience.
But if there's one genre I've stayed away from, it'd be:
Horror.
This goes for most mediums in general though. I've always been a bit squeamish when it comes to gore, but it's not really something I'd find entertaining. Sure, I can handle cartoon violence and some violence in books, but horror movies these days either sound too creepy or too stupid that I wouldn't really call myself a fan. With anime, it's not really the same thing, but it's mainly to do with the gore aspect.
I hate graphic violence, and though I've seen some of it in the past, I don't think I'd be able to go through a series that might have a lot of it. Not to mention that some things that have horror in them have the tendency to give me nightmare or strange thoughts on occasion.
I'd prefer to be immersed in an anime, and not be scared by it so much that I won't be able to finish it. At least that's my opinion.
#5: Who is a popular anime character that you don't like?
From the popular anime series, we get the main characters as the ones people mainly talk about. But I'm going to go over to the fanservice side of the equation and further talk about:
Rias Gremory.
I mentioned back in my original review for Highschool DXD that I dislike Rias as a character. I still stand by my opinions of her, and why I'm just not that big of a fan of her unlike any others who have seen this show. Again, not going to deny that she looks great, can be seen as sexy, and there's some moments where I admire her leadership. But I just can't help but feel like she's a little TOO perfect, especially with the harem of girls that seem to only live off the power that Issei has and the air he breathes.
Despite her arranged marriage to Rider in the first season's second (and last) story arc, along with the expectations of being able to live up to the Gremory household name, Rias just doesn't have any sort of flaw. She gets slightly embarrassed in Season 3 when her mother and father question Issei when he and the other Occult Research Club members (who cares about that anymore?) go to her family's manor over summer break, but it doesn't seem like she has a ton of emotional range outside of coy, happiness, and occasional sadness. She seems too balanced and underdeveloped compared to the other club members, and I'm wondering even if Ichiei Ishibumi (the original author of the light novels) has any plans to develop Rias outside of just making her out to be some sort of goddess that Issei wants to bed.
When you think about the fact that the two of them end up together, this whole harem feels so unnecessary. We already have one love interest that fits the bill and does love our main hero back, and yet all of these other girls are continuing to lust after him despite this fact?
#6: What is a popular anime trope that you're tired of seeing?
The main male walking in on the main girl in a state of undress, which is then followed by the girl yelling "YOU PERVERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and beating the living crap out of him trope.
I could point out the entire entity of the stereotypical LN adaptations that we're used to getting in every anime season nowadays, but that would be too broad. In fact, why don't I talk about one that seems to pop up in almost every single one of these shows:
I think this trope just plain pisses me off rather than another one which just irritates me. Look tsundere #1,000,000, you've only seen this dude for about 5 seconds. Just because he somehow just happens to come across you naked or in your bra and panties doesn't automatically qualify him to be a pervert. You barely even listen to him anyways when he tries to explain how he got himself in this pickle, but you won't listen to that and keep telling him to die because of looking at your bare skin once. It's ridiculous.
Oh, and eventually, you're going to fall in love with him. It's inevitable, no matter how much you despise him at first sight. Just thought I'd let you know.
It makes me sad to see this tired trope again and again, because it does make its appearance more often than not in the fantasy harem magical school LN adaptations, but it also seems to rear its head in more mainstream anime, and look, it's not flattering anymore. It may have been funny at least the first few times, but it's been used and used SO many times now than it's just becoming abused.
Hopefully this gimmick can go away and have a short but sweet death, since it doesn't make me happy when I keep on seeing it in anime, unless it's done slightly differently.
#7: What is a popular anime series that you have no interest in watching?
I'm just going to lay this show simply on the line:
Attack on Titan.I'm getting the feeling that I might piss a couple people off by saying I'm not going to watch this anime. There are many popular series over the last few years that have been the non-stop talk of certain anime seasons, and there is some curiosity in wanting to watch them (aside from One Punch Man, which I got to early).
Free! Iwatobi Swim Club may have a lot of manservice that even I've become uncomfortable looking at it too long (yes, coming from the person that appreciates it a lot compared to a lot of fanservice), yet it may produce some likable characters. Plus, I'm curious to see how Rin makes the turn-around in his behavior towards his former middle school club members.
Tokyo Ghoul looks interesting despite seeming to have a lot of gore in it, but some of the characters in the series actually look to be fairly complex, aside from Ken of course. Plus, I want to see his accepting of being a Ghoul and hope it's just not through boring angst.
Sword Art Online looks to be a pretty bad series, but I think down the line, I'm probably going to hatewatch it. There's some elements that look decent in the anime, and I'm curious to see how characters will get developed which may or may not be a lot depending on the looks of it.
This show though? Honestly, I just can't see myself watching this in my life. It's extremely overrated, appearing everywhere no matter how many times I blink. Some people I've talked to have called it the best anime ever, and it's the only anime they've ever watched. The plot looks to be something that's been done before and possibly done elsewhere better. Also, I don't think I'm going to like Eren. He seems to be in a constant state of anger more often than not and also a special snowflake.
When I found out something regarding him that occurs at the end of this show, I simply rolled my eyes, because of f**king course that had to happen. Sure.
I realized that I'm slightly interested in watching Kill la Kill as well, but I forgot to mention it eearlier on in this section. It's not as strong, but the feeling of watching it is there. But Attack on Titan isn't on my priorities at all, and the sole reason is that it's overhyped. It may turn out to be good, sure, but I still have this feeling in my gut that tells me I'll only be let down. So, yeah. Sorry.
#8: The saying goes that the book is always better then the movie, or in this case, the manga is better then the anime adaptation. Was there a case where you preferred a series's anime adaptation over the manga?
This is a tricky question to answer, due to the fact that I haven't read a lot of manga that would later be adapted into anime. But if there was one adaptation that I've managed to look at that is thus far better than the manga, it would be:
The first 20 episodes of Bleach, before the start of the Soul Society arc.
There's one main reason as to why I think the anime is better thus far. Sure, the animation isn't really anything jaw-dropping (though it gets better and more consistent over time), and the characters haven't been properly developed yet, but the fights are much more engaging in the anime, as well as being faster paced. In the 16 volumes I've managed to read from the manga, some of the fights just seem to drag for the longest time, whereas in the anime they only take up about 1 and a half episodes,
I don't think the fights later on will be like this, but I'd still probably prefer them animated since I'll be able to not get bored as quickly. And I'm curious to see if this will apply to the filler arcs as well.
Well, that's going to do it for me. What unpopular opinions do you all share with me? Do you have some different ones? How about opinions that disagree with my own?
The first 20 episodes of Bleach, before the start of the Soul Society arc.
There's one main reason as to why I think the anime is better thus far. Sure, the animation isn't really anything jaw-dropping (though it gets better and more consistent over time), and the characters haven't been properly developed yet, but the fights are much more engaging in the anime, as well as being faster paced. In the 16 volumes I've managed to read from the manga, some of the fights just seem to drag for the longest time, whereas in the anime they only take up about 1 and a half episodes,
I don't think the fights later on will be like this, but I'd still probably prefer them animated since I'll be able to not get bored as quickly. And I'm curious to see if this will apply to the filler arcs as well.
Well, that's going to do it for me. What unpopular opinions do you all share with me? Do you have some different ones? How about opinions that disagree with my own?
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