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Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash was a series that showed immense promise at the beginning. It had stunning visuals, a grounded approach to isekai tropes, and a focus on character-driven storytelling that seemed realistic and relatable.

A still from Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash anime | Credits: Studio A-1 Pictures

It felt like a breath of fresh air in a genre that has been crowded with all types of overpowered protagonists and excessive fan service. However, as the series progressed, it fell from a good quality work that seemed to have a clear direction to a complete mess that was directionless and of low quality.

Due to its numerous glaring flaws, it has now become an example of how poorly planned or executed writing can cause even the most brilliant of settings to fall flat.

A story without a set direction

One of the most shocking revelations that the fans had...

The Legend of Zelda video game series by Nintendo has been capturing the hearts of fans since the first game released in 1986. In these games, the player usually takes control of an elven hero in green named Link. Like Link, they adventure throughout the world of Hyrule to save the princess and defeat the game's antagonist threatening the world.

Zelda fans who also love anime may be searching for series that capture the magic of their favorite video games. With each Legend of Zelda game offering a unique experience, different anime may resonate with different fans. For those craving a blend of magic and adventure, plenty of anime offer a similar sense of wonder and excitement.

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Reminds Fans of Hyrule Streaming On: Crunchyroll

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a dark fantasy isekai anime based on the light novel series written by Ao Jumonji and illustrated by Eiri Shirai.

First released in 2016, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash anime enjoys a dedicated fanbase as a result of its unique premise. Even after all these years, there have been no updates regarding a potential sequel of the series. While some fans still hold onto the hope that the isekai anime will return, it’s all but confirmed that the chances of that happening are slim.

A still from Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash anime | Credits: Studio A-1 Pictures

Despite not hitting the mark in terms of popularity, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash has some great aspects that make it a great isekai experience for many fans. However, there are a few reasons that explain the low popularity, and here’s what they are!

This reason hurt Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash’s popularity

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a story of Haruhiko and other young adventurers who wake up in a strange world.

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a stunning series by Jyumonji Ao that captivated audiences with its grounded storytelling, vast ranges of emotional depth, and painfully flawed human characters. Unlike the traditional isekai anime that focuses on overpowered heroes, flashy adventures, and the highest possible ideals, Grimgar stands out for its realistic and human portrayal of survival, fear of death and betrayal, and loss of loved ones.

Hunter Yume from Team Haruhiro | Credits: A-1 Pictures

This distinct and unique point of the series stems, of course, directly from its creator, Ao Jyumonji. Author Jyumonji always faced difficulty when he tried to keep pace with the fantasy genre and tried to write idealistic and a morally stubborn or righteous character. He has admitted to struggling with writing conventional heroic protagonists.

It may have been his weakness in crafting idealized heroes, but the way the characters seem flawed or human is what made them real.

There are all sorts of subgenres of isekai . Sometimes, it’s a slice-of-life isekai sort of day. Other times, watching characters struggle in a dark world, holding out hope for a glimmer in the dark is more the fare you’re looking for. If you want your next isekai with a side of death, inner turmoil, emotional devastation and utter despair, you’ve come to the right place. Without further ado, here are 7 grimdark anime to sink your teeth into. 1. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Sometimes it isn’t just you who finds themself in another world. Sometimes it’s you, all of your classmates and your teacher. This is exactly what happens to Hajime Nagumo in Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest . Except, all of his classmates have impressive new powers, while Hajime’s new ability is merely a transmutation skill. Things go from...

Audiences have endless options when it comes to anime entertainment and a large amount of material originates in another form before it receives a popular anime adaptation. The adaptation process is always difficult, regardless of the mediums involved, but it can foster incredible stories that manage to improve upon their source material.

Related: 10 Best Light Novels Everyone Should Be Reading In 2023

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Boogiepop 12 Episodes

Boogiepop is a series of light novels written by Kouhei Kadono and illustrated by Kouji Ogata that explore the titular apocryphal figure who's supposed to whisk away girls and act...