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Some anime tropes are great fun or are at least tolerable, such as colorful hair and shouting attack names. Other tropes are definitely more problematic and aren't welcome in newer anime titles, and if they show up, they feel conspicuous in all the worst ways. Even when modern anime parodies those problematic tropes, the results make anime fans uncomfortable.

Notably, many of those problematic tropes were more commonly used in older anime titles from the 1990s and the 2000s. An entire generation of anime fans is used to seeing them by now. While they may not love these awkward tropes, they at least know what they're dealing with. Younger anime fans, however, have a different view. As the trends in anime kept shifting, audiences got used to more modern sensibilities, meaning newer anime fans won't tolerate the same dated tropes the way older fans might.

Simple Misunderstandings in Anime Insult...

Nothing sparks nostalgia like classic anime, bringing back memories of simpler times. However, just because an anime is considered a classic doesn’t mean it holds up. Nostalgia can mask major flaws, making outdated writing, poor pacing, or clunky animation seem better than they actually were.

These anime may still hold a special place in fans' hearts, but a rewatch tells a different story. Many haven’t aged well, whether due to tired tropes, lackluster storytelling, or production issues. Looking back, it’s clear these so-called classics are nowhere near as good as fans remember.

The Prince of Tennis Drags Across 178 Episodes Streaming On Crunchyroll

The Prince of Tennis is celebrated as a classic anime for being one of the first sports anime to really make it big. The series follows Ryoma Echizen, a tennis prodigy who joins the tennis club at Seishun Academy. Along the way, he makes friends...

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You is one of the most clever and creatively brilliant modern anime, which is ironic to say not only because of its wacky title and premise but also because of the genre it belongs in. At its core, the harem romance genre is inherently absurd — the concept of a random average high schooler with no unique traits or qualities being so desirable and attractive to a group of girls that they all fight amongst each other and get caught up with the protagonist in various lewd scenarios in the hope of one of them eventually becoming his girlfriend is as much of a wish fulfillment escapist fiction as isekai and power fantasy anime. Yet that absurdity is exactly what makes this genre so endearing and popular. The best harem anime are the ones that either embrace the wackiness or channel it...

2025 is a year full of anime anniversaries. Several beloved anime released in 2000 are now turning 25 this year, which is kind of hard to believe. So much time has passed since these beloved classics were first released, but at least streaming services make it easy to watch the anime fans had loved these past 25 years.

For fans who are feeling a wave of nostalgia, there's no time like the present to re-watch old favorites and treasure the memories of first seeing these anime series and films. These anime may be 25 years old now, but that doesn't mean they've lost their worth since they first aired. If anything, they've gotten better with time.

Mechs Enter the Taisho Period in Sakura Wars Streaming on Hidive

Sakura Wars is a steampunk multimedia series that first began with the Sega Saturn game in 1996. The first Sakura Wars anime adaptation was released in April 2000. The series...

In a groundbreaking moment for the world of manga, Ken Akamatsu, the acclaimed author of the fan-favorite series Love Hina, has been appointed to a leadership role in Japan's Parliament, the governing body responsible for overseeing the nation. Drawing from his extensive background in the arts, entertainment, and creative industries, Akamatsu will serve as the Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. This position aligns with his expertise and passion for promoting cultural and artistic freedom while addressing key issues in Japan's educational and cultural sectors.

As Vice-Minister and an accomplished mangaka, Akamatsu will be ideally positioned to advise the government on manga and anime-related matters. For over a decade, Japan has actively promoted these industries as a cornerstone of cultural diplomacy. However, initiatives like "Cool Japan" have fallen short of capitalizing on the global manga and anime phenomenon. Akamatsu brings a fresh perspective, energy, and expertise to revitalize these efforts,...

The introduction of AI-generated content has created serious obstacles for professional manga artists. According to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure creator Hirohiko Araki, AI-generated artwork is now so "sophisticated" that, in some cases, it is virtually impossible to distinguish it from works created by human artists.

Araki discusses AI and its potential effects on the manga industry in-depth in his new book, New Manga Techniques. Recently, a chilling excerpt from the book began circulating on X (formerly Twitter). In one chapter, Araki recounts a situation where he genuinely mistook a piece of AI artwork as his own. "I came across a drawing and thought, 'this is something I drew, right?' I was shocked to find out that it was actually created by AI." This disturbing anecdote prefaces Araki's main argument, which asserts that, if left unchecked, AI will pose a major existential threat to the next generation of manga artists.

Related...

Tsundere is the most well-known of the classic "dere" anime types. These characters are often some of the most popular in a series, winning fans over with their combative and spunky attitudes that contrast their secret shy sides. But while most tsundere characters are great, not all of them are likable.

Some tsundere characters take their antics a step too far, often becoming downright mean with their words and acts of violence. Many tsunderes are so cruel they take the fun out of the trope, leaving fans uncomfortable as they continuously abuse their potential love interests. From Love Hina's Naru Narusegawa to Kyouya Sata from Wolf Girl and Black Prince, these are some of the worst examples of the tsundere archetype in anime.

Related: 10 Best Tsundere Characters In Shonen Anime, Ranked

Inuyasha (Inuyasha)

Inuyasha is one of the rare male tsunderes of anime. He's brash, abrasive, and though his feelings for Kagome are clear,...

Even if today's anime landscape is more diverse and saturated than ever, fans still look at older classics from way back with fond nostalgia. There's a reason that the classics are regarded as such. Innovative and daring, old-school anime possesses irreplicable charms modern shows lack.

Related:10 Harsh Realities Of Watching Classic Anime Series

Yet, with the change in time comes a shift in sensibilities, and some aspects of classic anime didn't age as well as others. Female representation remains an issue even in some modern series. Back in the day, heroines suffered from writers' neglect to an extreme degree. These female characters from classic anime were written exceptionally poorly.

Naru Narusegawa (Love Hina)

One of the first big hits in the harem romance genre, Love Hina, is the show fans have to blame for some of anime's most tiresome and toxic tropes. The tsundere archetype can be handled well, but...

Although the anime industry can be extremely creative and innovative, change is often slow, especially when it comes to certain demographics or genres. The same can certainly be true of the boys' love or yaoi genre, which may be changing for the better as of late but still carries a lot of baggage in regard to its various character and romance tropes, plenty of which have been around for decades.

In comparison, boys' love title Gakuen Heaven may not have been thought of especially well when it was released in the mid-2000s. Nonetheless, the anime is oddly far more refreshing when viewed today, precisely because it stands out from among the crowd with its good-humored clichés, purposefully over-the-top drama and relatively family-friendly content despite all the farcically obvious sexual references.

Related: What Is Today's Gateway Boys' Love Anime?

Gakuen Heaven Proves That All-Male Harems Can Be Done (Hilariously) Well...

I love anime. This in itself is hardly a revealing declaration, but I have a secret when it comes to which anime I enjoy. A horribly emasculating secret. I love romantic drama anime.

I was originally introduced to anime by my uncle at an early age. He showed me the classics, Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, and the like, but when I went to head back home he gave me a burned CD labeled “Escaflowne.” A few days later I decided to give this new show a shot and instantly fell in love. A raucous love story with giant robot knights and an awesome male lead that rides a dragon! It was my ungainly teenage dream. My exposure to Escaflowne was the beginning of the end. Through the years I have seen countless anime series, but I am here now to talk about my five favorite romantic dramas.

Art by...

The following is a list of all comic books, graphic novels and specialty items that will be available this week and shipped to comic book stores who have placed orders for them.

Aazurn Publishing

Tales Of Fear #1 (not verified by Diamond), $4.75

Action Lab Entertainment

Princeless Volume 2 #1 (Of 4), $3.99

Antarctic Press

Action Time Buddies #1, $3.99

Steam Wars #1, $3.95

Archie Comic Publications

Archie #642 (Archie Meets Glee Part 2)(Dan Parent Regular Cover), $2.99

Archie #642 (Archie Meets Glee Part 2)(Dan Parent Variant Cover), $2.99

Archie And Friends Double Digest #26, $3.99

Sonic The Hedgehog #247, $2.99

Ardden Entertainment

Devil Is Due In Dreary #4 (of 4)(resolicited)(not verified by Diamond), $3.99

Aspen Comics

Legend Of The Shadow Clan #3 (Of 5)(Cover A Cory Smith), $3.99

Legend Of The Shadow Clan #3 (Of 5)(Cover B Eric Basaldua), $3.99

Legend Of The Shadow Clan #3 (Of 5)(Cover C Eric Basaldua), Ar

Avatar Press

Caligula Heart Of Rome #4 (Of 6)(German Noble Gore Cover), $3.99

Caligula Heart Of Rome #4 (Of 6)(German Noble Imperial Incentive Cover...

The following is a list of all comic books, graphic novels and special items that will be available this week and shipped to comic book stores who have placed orders for them.

12-gauge Comics

Ice Volume 1 Tp (not verified by Diamond), $14.99

Abstract Studios

Rachel Rising Volume 2 Fear No Malus Tp, $16.99

Terry Moore’s How To Draw Sc, $16.99

Action Lab Entertainment

Princeless Short Stories For Warrior Women #1 (One Shot), $3.99

Amryl Entertainment

Cavewoman 2010 Heroes Con Sketchbook (Signed Edition), $8.75

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Complete Calvin And Hobbes Sc (Slipcase Edition)(not verified by Diamond), $100.00

Dr Seuss The Cat Behind The Hat Hc, $75.00

Antarctic Press

Last Zombie Before the After #2, $3.99

Archaia Entertainment

Elegy For Amelia Johnson Hc (Leatherbound Edition), $29.95

Grand Duke Hc, $24.95

Last Days Of An Immortal Hc (resolicited), $24.95

Archie Comics

Archie Double Digest #235, $3.99

Betty And Veronica Double Digest #207, $3.99

Sonic Super Special Magazine #5, $9.99

Sonic The Hedgehog Legacy Volume 2 Sc, $14.99

Sonic Universe #46, $2.99

Ardden Entertainment

Heroes Of...

The following is a list of all comic books, graphic novels and special items that will be available this week and shipped to comic book stores who have placed orders for them.

12 Gauge Comics

I.C.E. #4 (Of 4), $3.99

Action Lab Entertainment

Fracture Volume 1 Tp (not verified by Diamond), $9.99

Ape Entertainment

Kung Fu Panda Digest Volume 2 It’s Elemental And Other Stories Tp, $6.95

Richie Rich Volume 1 Welcome To Rich Rescue Tp, $14.99

Arcana Studio

Howard Lovecraft And The Undersea Kingdom Gn, $12.95

Marlow Gn, $14.95

Nether World Gn, $19.95

Network Gn, $14.95

Red Light Gn, $14.95

Archie Comic Publications

Betty And Veronica Friends Double Digest #224, $3.99

Life With Archie #19, $3.99

Sonic The Hedgehog #236, $2.99

Aurum Press

Ray Harryhausen’s Fantasy Scrapbook Hc, $55.00

Robert Wells Trilogy Volume 1 Sacrifice Gn, $24.95

Big Dog Ink

Rex Zombie Killer (One Shot), $3.50

Bongo Comics

Bart Simpson’s Pal Milhouse (One Shot), $2.99

Simpsons Illustrated #2, $3.99

Boom! Studios

Fanboys Vs Zombies #2 (Cover A Humberto Ramos), $3.99

Fanboys Vs Zombies #2 (Cover...

The following is a list of all comic books, graphic novels and special items that will be available this week and shipped to comic book stores who have placed orders for them.

215 Ink

Fall Gn (not verified by Diamond), $7.99

Price (One Shot), $3.99

Abstract Studios

Rachel Rising #4, $3.99

AC Comics

Crypt Of Horror Volume 13 Tp (not verified by Diamond), $29.95

Adventure House

Lone Ranger Magazine November 1937 Replica Edition, $14.95

Antarctic Press

Gold Digger #134, $3.99

Gold Digger Holidays Special #1, $3.50

Archaia Entertainment

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Black Fire Hc, $24.95

Billy Fog Volume 1 The Gift Of Trouble Sight Hc, $24.95

Dare Detectives The Snow Pea Plot Hc (Collected Edition), $24.95

Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal Volume 1 Creation Myths Hc (not verified by Diamond), $19.95

Archie Comics

Betty & Veronica Double Digest #197, $3.99

Life With Archie #16, $3.99

Ardden Entertainment

Atlas Unified #1 (Cover A Jimbo Salgado ‘Grim Ghost’), $2.99

Atlas Unified #1 (Cover B Jimbo Salgado ‘Phoenix’), $2.99

Atlas Unified #1 (Cover C Jimbo Salgado ‘Wulf’), $2.99

Atlas Unified #1 (Cover D Jimbo Salgado...

Last week, North American anime distributor Viz Media began airing the first episode of the long awaited conclusion to Rumiko Takahashi’s hit series, Inuyasha. Appropriately titled “Inuyasha: The Final Act”, the series will run for 26 episodes, and finally bring the animated version of Takahashi’s beloved feudal fairy tale to a close. The first episode, “Naraku’s Heart”, aired Saturday in Japan and was streamed on Hulu with English subtitles, making this a near simultaneous release. Upcoming episodes will be released the same way, with new installments airing each Saturday.

Loyal fans won’t be disappointed. Right from the start, this looks and feels like vintage Inuyasha, with beautiful opening animation set to the sounds of Do As Infinity’s “Kimi ga Inai Mirai.” Dai are no strangers to Inuyasha soundtracks, having also done the second and fifth ending themes for the show, “Fukai Mori” and “Shinjitsu no Uta” respectively.

I’ve been promising this Nhk review for a long time. While I Could blame the delay on a massive, world wide conspiracy (which in light of the show’s premise would be completely appropriate), the truth is, its hard for me to write about a show that I *really* like. Sounds counter-intuitive, I know. You’d think the more I like something, the easier it would be to gush about it, but for me, it doesn’t work that way. If I think something is pretty good or just “okay”, its easy to talk about it. But if I really think its great, my opinion comes out something like, “Nhk: watch it.” — which would be a great review coming from Yuki Nagato, but it doesn’t really work here.

Welcome to the Nhk is special to me for several reasons. For one thing, it was among the last shows...

Someone once remarked that the thing about J.R.R. Tolkien fans is that they don’t want to Read about Middle Earth — they want to Go there. It was a stunningly brilliant observation, and I’m borrowing it for a moment because I think the same observation holds true for anime fans. At least, I know it does for me.

At any given time, I’ll have two or three series I’m watching or reading that I’m really hooked on. For a while it was Inuyasha, Big O, and Cowboy Bebop. Then it was Evangelion. I went through a Love Hina phase, a Negima and then a Haruhi phase. Mahoromatic was in there, too. Most recently it’s been Rozen Maiden and When They Cry. The final arc of Higurashi may not have been all that great in the way of resolving loose plot ends — heck, it left me...

Summer is here, at least for another month or so, and as Yuko would tell us, hot weather makes the perfect setting for ghost stories! That’s not just an excuse to drink more sake, though (not that Yuko needs an excuse, anyway); summer is also the season for Obon, the festival to honor the dead. Tokyo has it’s bon festival around July 15, but for most of the country, bon odori happens around August 15, so to celebrate this spooky time, and look forward to Halloween (notice those fall decorations going up in stores yet?), this week’s AniMania features a horror series, When They Cry.

The title comes from the sounds of the cicada calls in late summer. Also known as Higurashi, this fiendishly clever show recounts a series of strange murders that took place in the small town of Hinamizawa. The story follows Keiichi, a young man who...

Fullmetal Alchemist Premium Ova Collection One of the best things about anime is the “omake”, or extras — also known as that stuff at the end of the tape. Long before DVD’s with their menu of special features, in the dark ages of VHS, anime fans were being treated to a smorgasbord of little goodies — from previews to music videos to something as simple as a visual catalog of a company’s other titles — pretty much anything the studio could find to throw on the last few minutes of a video tape. It was one of the things that made anime, well, anime. Lately we’re seeing fewer extras, as the industry and the economy as a whole have been forced to makes some painful cuts to stay alive. But if you’re longing for some of those good old days, not to worry. Funimation is about to release an entire collection of bonus material,...