5 Overrated Shonen Anime on Crunchyroll

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Crunchyroll is the go-to streaming service for many anime fans. It has a huge library, including popular classics like Attack on Titan, recent favorites like Jujutsu Kaisen, and excellent remakes such as Fruits Basket. While some shows are better than others, Crunchyroll’s top-rated anime make it well worth the subscription price.

Certain anime series on Crunchyroll have become incredibly popular, rivaling classics, but their actual quality doesn’t quite measure up. These shows tend to be overhyped, with inflated reputations and high ratings. It’s not that they’re poor – many are enjoyable – but there’s often a difference between what fans claim and the actual viewing experience. While this difference can sometimes be small, making them still worth watching for fun, it’s important to remember that a lot of hype doesn’t always equal genuine quality.

Solo Leveling and its OP Hero Love to Aura Farm

Jinwoo is About 80% as Cool as He Looks

Image via A-1 Pictures.

The anime Solo Leveling has sparked a lot of discussion. Fans consider it a modern classic, praising its unique ‘aura farming’ element, while critics dismiss it as superficial. It’s clear that the aura farming made Solo Leveling memorable, but whether it actually improves the show or just makes it visually appealing is where the debate lies, and it’s understandable why some find the anime problematic.

I’ve been watching Solo Leveling, and what strikes me is how seriously it takes its power fantasy premise. It’s definitely worth checking out at least once. A lot of people seem to love Jinwoo Sung – he’s a really cool, strong character who’s come a long way from being the weakest. But honestly, that’s pretty much the core of the show. While Jinwoo feels more grounded than characters like Luffy, Goku, or Deku, relying on that ‘cool guy’ vibe only gets you so far. Right now, the show doesn’t quite deliver the emotional punch, detailed world-building, or surprising twists that would make it truly stand out – though it might get there eventually.

Demon Slayer is Solid, But it’s Not “Big Three” Material

Demon Slayer is Leaner But Not Meaner Than Bleach

Okay, so I get the hype around Demon Slayer, but honestly, it’s not the absolute best anime ever – not even close! Still, I’d definitely recommend checking it out at least once. While fans love it, and it is good, it’s not mind-blowingly amazing, and that’s perfectly fine. What I really appreciate is that Demon Slayer delivers exactly what you expect – a fast-paced, visually stunning experience. It doesn’t mess around with unnecessary filler; it just keeps the story moving, with some genuinely funny moments thrown in. And yeah, it definitely pulls at your heartstrings when it needs to!

Despite its flaws, Demon Slayer shines thanks to its incredible animation and emotionally impactful scenes, making it a strong series, though not quite a classic. It’s similar to Bleach by Tite Kubo, but more streamlined. While this makes Demon Slayer fast-paced and exciting, it also means it lacks the philosophical depth that Bleach explored. It’s a thrilling ride, but doesn’t delve as deeply into complex themes.

Sword Art Online Needs to be Much More Than a Gamer Power Fantasy

The Isekai Boom Has Left Kirito Behind

Image via A-1 Pictures.

Both Sword Art Online and Solo Leveling feature action-packed anime worlds centered around gaming, with strong, constantly improving main characters. Back in the early 2010s, Sword Art Online‘s Kirito was a pioneer, helping to popularize the isekai genre. However, more recent isekai series like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and Re:Zero have become much more popular, and it’s unlikely Sword Art Online will regain its former prominence.

Initially, Sword Art Online had a really compelling concept: thousands of players trapped in a virtual game where death feels all too real. However, the show quickly lost its momentum due to uninspired character designs, an overused harem trope, repetitive fight scenes, and problematic portrayals of its female characters. While Sword Art Online did attempt to broaden its story with arcs like Asuna’s fight to save Kirito, the series ultimately feels overly self-indulgent and suffers from awkward storytelling and design choices, preventing it from reaching the level of quality its biggest fans claim.

One Piece is Stronger in Manga Form

There’s a Reason the One Pace Fan Project Exists

Image via Toei Animation.

The core story and world-building of One Piece are truly deserving of its praise, easily ranking among the greatest adventure stories ever written. While the story itself is fantastic, the way it’s presented can vary in quality. Unfortunately, the anime adaptation is the weakest link. This is particularly disappointing because the anime is more widely watched than the original manga. While it has its strengths, the anime suffers from extremely slow pacing that can be frustrating for viewers. Despite the compelling narrative, the anime feels overly long and drawn-out.

I think the One Piece story truly comes alive in the manga. While its length can be intimidating for newcomers, you avoid the anime’s biggest problem: slow pacing. In the manga, you don’t have to re-watch the same scenes over and over within a single story arc – it just keeps moving and allows all the great twists to breathe. It’s telling that fans felt the need to create the One Pace project to speed up the anime, honestly. It shows how much the original pacing needed fixing.

Dragon Ball Super is More of the Same, For Both Good and Ill

Goku’s Adventure Keeps Going in Circles With the Illusion of Growth

Image via Toei Animation.

The Dragon Ball series increasingly relies on reminding everyone of its influence on modern action anime to stay popular, alongside the strength of its established legacy. While it’s been running for a long time, Dragon Ball Super isn’t just watched out of habit – it actually has merit. The series delivered some truly imaginative and memorable storylines, like the Future Trunks arc which felt like a take on The Terminator. Plus, the Universe 6 saga featured wonderfully strange battles, such as Vegeta versus Auta Magetta.

If you already love Dragon Ball Super, you’ll likely enjoy the new season – it delivers more of what fans expect. However, for more casual anime viewers, it might not be as exciting. The show isn’t bad, but it can feel repetitive, with the series revisiting familiar storylines. Many of the battles and power-ups seem drawn out or exist just to prolong the story. Plus, new power-ups that initially feel significant often become quickly outdated with the arrival of each new, more powerful enemy.

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2026-01-28 04:35