10 Anime That Shockingly Change Genres Midway Through!

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Summary

  • Some anime switch genres unexpectedly, like Vinland Saga Season 2, creating remarkable experiences.
  • Shows like Shadow Star Narutaru and Yu Yu Hakusho shift genres to surprise and elevate the story.
  • Series like Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Neon Genesis Evangelion undergo dramatic genre shifts for impact.

Experiencing a shift in the plot of an anime that initially seemed predictable can be quite surprising, sometimes even amusing. Some series lure viewers in with a suggested theme only to subvert expectations, leaving you off-balance.

When animes employ this technique, it often results in a truly captivating experience. However, it has the potential to backfire spectacularly as well. Yet, when executed skillfully, it can propel the anime to unprecedented levels of quality. This method serves either to dismantle the show or genre being portrayed, or simply for pure amusement. In any case, it usually leaves viewers in a state of awe.

8. Shadow Star Narutaru

The Most Deceptive Show

In my opinion, there’s nothing quite as misleading as the opening sequence of Shadow Star Narutaru! At first glance, it appears to be a delightful, crayon-colored world filled with charming kids and adorable creatures frolicking together. But little do you know, this seemingly innocent setup is just the beginning of an extraordinary journey!

As for me, I found myself right in the middle of this captivating tale when I met Tamaii, a character who finds herself befriending a peculiar creature named Hoshimaru while visiting her grandparents. Little did she know, this friendship would lead to a series of unexpected adventures that would change her life forever!

Following an initial episode that sets up the series as a lighthearted, Pokemon-esque show, the narrative subsequently takes a chilling turn. It is revealed that Tamaii isn’t the only child encountering peculiar creatures, and unlike Hoshimaru, these entities are not friendly.

7. Yu Yu Hakusho

The Classic Shonen Did Hop Around A Bit, Genre-Wise

Initiating “Yu Yu Hakusho” and witnessing Yusuke perish while saving a child from an approaching vehicle might easily lead someone to assume that the series is a dramatic or supernatural production centered around a boy’s quest to reclaim his physical form.

Initially, I found myself in a situation where things were precisely as they seemed, but eventually, Yuusuke regained his physical form. This transition, however, didn’t maintain the status quo; instead, it transformed the narrative into something akin to a mystery series, with Yuusuke assuming the role of a spirit detective. Later on, there was another shift – a return to familiar grounds, as the storyline morphed into a classic battle shonen genre, marked by the emergence of an intense tournament arc.

6. Negima!? Magister Negi Magi

From A Generic Harem To An Action-Packed Battle Shonen

Negima!? Magister Negi Magi revolves around a boy named Negi who finds himself in a classroom filled with females. The story takes a humorous turn as various antics unfold. At its core, it appears to be a standard harem series with erotic undertones due to the ample fanservice. However, the plot twists when Negi confronts an adversary, and the tone of the show begins to change.

As the narrative unfolds following a confrontation with a vampire, the series gradually delves deeper into conventional battle shonen elements, featuring transformations and power enhancements. In what seems like the blink of an eye, the show undergoes a genre transformation, with the girls from Negima’s class now fully-fledged warriors.

5. Samurai Flamenco

Things Get Really Wild As The Story Goes On

Some series gradually increase the importance of their conflicts from modest beginnings to astonishingly high stakes. “Samurai Flamenco” follows this pattern, but it also transitions between genres during its progression. Initially, it mimics sentai stories with the main character Masayoshi aspiring to be a hero, but eventually, it transforms into the genre it initially mocked.

The unexpected transition of the series from a comedic format into an all-out Sentai action show took numerous viewers by surprise. Consequently, Masayoshi found himself no longer battling petty crooks, but instead facing global stakes.

4. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

One Of The Most Popular Genre Shifts

From my perspective, I’ve found myself captivated by the undeniable allure of “Puella Magi Madoka Magica.” This series has left an indelible mark on the realm of magical shows, serving as a catalyst for Gen Urobuchi’s rise to fame. Initially, it presents itself as a straightforward tale of a young girl acquiring magical powers and realizing her dreams.

In a surprising twist, the series veers away from its initial dreamy magical girl setting and morphs into a dark psychological thriller. This unexpected change reveals that all is not as it appears in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, which has earned it high praise for its masterful genre deconstruction, often ranked among the top shows of this kind.

3. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Many Forget It Didn’t Start Out This Way

Back in the day, who would’ve thought that the gripping saga we now know as Neon Genesis Evangelion would initially take shape as a run-of-the-mill monster-of-the-week anime? It’s hard to believe, given its massive impact today! Granted, it had a somber undertone from the get-go, but let’s not forget, many an action series has dabbled in discomfort.

However, at approximately halfway through, Evangelion transformed into something entirely different, delving deeper into psychological themes and exploring the intricacies of the human mind. It stands as one of the most significant animes ever produced; had it persisted with its original format, it likely would have been merely a good action anime.

2. Reborn!

It Changed Genres To Save Itself

Initially, when Tsunayoshi Sawada’s escapades commenced, many viewers anticipated a light-hearted, somewhat ordinary comedy anime with an unusual narrative centered around a hitman who was also a baby (and remarkably skilled at his profession).

Initially, the storyline of “Reborn!” leaned towards a different genre. But as the narrative progressed, it transformed into an action-packed battle shonen series filled with power dynamics and intense battles. Interestingly, this change came at a time when the manga was waning in popularity and was on the brink of being cancelled. However, the creator, Amano Akira, decided to alter the genre, leading to a resurgence in its success.

1. Gintama

The Best Of Both Worlds

Throughout its storyline, I’ve noticed that Gintama doesn’t confine itself to a single genre shift; instead, it skillfully switches genres multiple times. This unique anime is renowned for its side-splitting humor, but the intriguing premise of powerful samurai and other capable characters hints at the possibility of captivating action scenes. Surprisingly, it delivers on this promise by weaving mesmerizing action sequences into the narrative.

Gintama predominantly centered around humor, but occasionally delved into narratives that emphasized intense action sequences and fights. These action-packed storylines were among the finest of their kind! Regardless of the genre Gintama attempted to portray, it excelled at it remarkably well!

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2025-05-24 06:56