Worst Anime Regrets: Ranked

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Sometimes, anime doesn’t deliver a flawless conclusion as expected. This is just inherent to the genre. For every well-executed plotline or climactic finish, there might be a miscalculation; a character action that disrupts the narrative flow, a production blunder that detracts from the whole, or a viewer experience that feels disappointing and squandered.

These types of memories tend to linger. They frequently resurface in fan arguments, post-viewing analyses, and casual conversations late at night where someone might still remark, “They didn’t need to handle it that way.” The instances mentioned aren’t merely confined to the past; they continue to be a subject of discussion.

This collection ranks the top 8 most profound disappointments experienced within the realm of anime, highlighting just how deeply our emotions can be affected by these shows.

Or:

In this compilation, we’ve listed the 8 most poignant disappointments found in anime, demonstrating the significant emotional impact they can have on us.

8.
Spike Spiegel’s Final Walk – Cowboy Bebop

Beautiful, Stupid, and Everything in Between

Spike chooses not to seek redemption; instead, he faces Vicious, as he feels there’s no other path for him after their upcoming duel.

In a poetic fashion, the scene is presented: the cigarette, the rose, the quiet click of a trigger with his finger. Yet, opinions differ among fans if this was an essential move. Spike had the option to depart, Faye urged him to, yet Jet wouldn’t have prevented him. Still, he opted for the gun.

That decision shattered something, yet it was both chilling and memorable. However, it also caused an outpouring of sorrow among viewers as they watched a beloved character striving for genuine connections. A lingering sense of remorse echoes in the silence following the ending credits.

7.
Code Geass and Shirley’s Death – R2

When the Power Turns Against You

Lelouch never intended for Shirley to perish, but despite his efforts to shield her from his manipulated reality using his Geass, she unfortunately found herself caught in the line of fire regardless.

Her passing brought an unspoken sorrow. She yearned for his comprehension. She desired to embrace him despite everything. Instead, she found herself marked, and a prolonged farewell in the embrace of the lad who arrived too late to prevent her demise.

This loss hit me hard, and it wasn’t something I could shake off quickly. That fateful day, sleep eluded me entirely. The death wasn’t some sort of noble sacrifice or deep symbolism. It was simply… unsettling. And the discomfort lingered.

6.
The Tokyo Ghoul Anime Divergence – Tokyo Ghoul √A

When the Adaptation Lost the Plot

The initial season of Tokyo Ghoul was richly layered, encompassing elements like psychological terror, artistic style, and a deeply intriguing exploration of identity. However, the second season took an unexpected turn by departing from the original manga’s main narrative.

Rather than further developing the initial storylines, the anime deviated Kaneki’s character trajectory, a shift that left longtime enthusiasts perplexed. In essence, the underlying motivations behind his actions became murky and the emotional impact was lost. Unfortunately, subsequent seasons were unable to restore clarity or resonance to the narrative.

Readers who only follow manga versions also experienced disappointment. The potential for this animation to be a timeless classic was vast, but unfortunately, it turned into an example of how a poorly executed adaptation can lead to complete destruction.

5.
Shou Tucker’s Experiment – Fullmetal Alchemist

The Regret That Belongs to Everyone

What makes Shou Tucker’s regret even more profound is that he never seemed remorseful. This stems from the fact that, contrary to expectations, he merged his daughter Nina with her dog not due to sorrow or necessity, but rather under professional compulsion.

The remorse from that event didn’t reside within him; instead, it etched itself into the minds of the audience. Every viewer recalls the scream. Everyone recalls Ed’s expression. Everyone recalls wishing to erase it, and everyone remembers what alchemical terror it symbolized.

Among the rare instances in anime that evoke a universal, powerful emotional response, Tucker’s sin is one of them. This moment signified a turning point in Fullmetal Alchemist, when it began to reveal its darkest truths without reserve.

4.
The Masterpiece Missed – Every Fan’s Backlog

The “I’ll Watch It Later” That Lasts Too Long

Everyone seems to have a series that they’ve been meaning to watch for quite some time, a highly-recommended show that has lingered on their ‘To-Watch List’. Eventually, when they decide to start watching it, they come to understand the reasons why so many people spoke so highly of it.

Instead of merely watching masterpieces like “Monster”, “Gundam”, or “Steins;Gate” in silence, you’ve also missed out on engaging in meaningful discussions about them. The online community has moved on from these topics, leaving behind a trail of memes, theories, and live reactions that are now obsolete. It can be disheartening at times.

This regret is deeply personal, resonating profoundly within me. The significance lies in the fact that, had I begun watching this series earlier, it could have fundamentally altered my perspective on anime as a whole.

3.
Lelouch’s Decision to Trust – Code Geass R1

The Knight That Never Returned

In my gaming perspective, I wish I had held back on using the Geass command on Euphemia in that critical moment. You see, I wasn’t aware that it would activate then, and under its influence, she unintentionally sparked a bloodbath. The tragic outcome was the loss of dear Princess Euphemia, as well as a string of events unfolding with Suzaku, which were far from what either of us had expected.

That instant disrupts the progression of events just as a sharp piece of debris would. It alters allegiances, fractures bonds, and propels Lelouch deeper into solitude. An unspoken word spoken out of context sets off a chain reaction of misfortune.

Euphemia’s demise wasn’t anticipated in our original scheme. However, when Lelouch took action without discussing it first, things unfolded tragically and seemed unavoidable. I often ponder over what could have been different if he had merely chosen a different set of words.

2.
The Erased Ending – Erased

A Brilliant Start, a Rushed Goodbye

The story commences as a grand painting does: An intricate puzzle of a murder, intertwined with the enigma of time travel. A haunting antagonist. A hero determined to prevent a life’s erasure that should not have occurred.

As the last episodes approach, the pace quickens significantly. However, certain motivations become less clear and the resolution for the story’s buildup seems to evaporate. While the journey remains enjoyable, the ending leaves a slight mark or disappointment.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but express my disappointment. Initially, I was deeply engrossed and moved by the raw emotionality and intricate plotline that seemed perfectly crafted. However, it felt as though the story was hastily completed and released. Despite its undeniable merits, I often find myself recommending Erased, but with a caveat. The lingering sentiment of regret is never absent from the discussions about this series.

1.
Kamina’s Death – Gurren Lagann

The Flame That Burned Too Fast

It seemed as though Kamina shouldn’t have passed away so soon. His essence was what made the show pulse: he was reckless, impassioned, and more vibrant than life itself. Yet, unexpectedly, he vanished from the storyline.

His demise is deeply impactful; it shatters Simon, resonates with viewers, and establishes a show that perpetually pursues what it has irretrievably misplaced.

The issue isn’t with the narrative itself, but rather our overzealous enthusiasm. We plunged in headfirst and swiftly, and the series failed to give us time to catch our breath. That sense of hurt still persists. Despite the continuous rotation of the storyline.

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2025-04-23 14:10