There are anime that have it all: good animation, powerful story and memorable characters, but as soon as they become too popular, haters magically appear. Has it ever happened to you that you love a series, but when everyone starts talking about it, public opinion turns around? Welcome to the strange world of “fame hate”. In this article, we take a look at 10 anime that nobody hated until they became popular, those titles that went from being beloved gems to easy targets of criticism just for being on the lips of many.
Anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
From a near-perfect anime it has been overrated. For years, FMAB was the anime that everyone recommended without fear: solid story, brutal development and a rounded ending. But over time, its constant position as “the best anime of all time” in MyAnimeList-like rankings made it a victim of jadedness. Now too many people hate it just because too many people love it. Ironies of life, isn’t it?
Jujutsu Kaisen
When it came out, everyone was obsessed with Gojo, the fights and the crazy animation. But all it took were a couple of controversial decisions in the manga and a noisy fandom for the networks to be filled with hate. Is it MAPPA’s fault? The fandom’s? The uncontrolled hype? Who knows, but Jujutsu Kaisen went from loved to hated in record time.
Naruto
We were all fans… until the filler and eternal debates burned everything. There isn’t an otaku who hasn’t had a Naruto phase, but over the years came the clichés, the thousand filler episodes and a fandom that turned every fight into a forum discussion. Suddenly, loving Naruto was basic, and criticizing it gave you anime wisdom points. But, no one can deny its impact or that it still has epic moments.
One Punch Man
It went from cool gem to repeated meme in every power discussion. The first season was a phenomenon: top animation, superhero satire, and Saitama being a god of dry humor. But between a second season that didn’t reach the same level, and the typical Saitama beats everyone in every conversation, the charm faded. Now many call it overrated, although deep down we know they enjoyed it like crazy.
Tokyo Ghoul
A story that started strong and ended in chaos and hate. The manga is a work with layers, metaphors and psychological drama. The anime… well, let’s just say it didn’t live up to it. Tokyo Ghoul was loved in its premiere for its dark aesthetic, but with poorly adapted seasons and narrative chaos, the fandom fragmented. What was love turned to disappointment. And from there to hate is just one step.
Death Note
The entry-level classic that many now look down upon with disdain. We all had our Death Note phase. It’s one of those anime that grabs you from the first episode, with a brutal premise and an addictive intellectual duel. But as it became the anime that every newcomer watches, many people started to downplay it, as if it was too mainstream to be taken seriously. Even so, Light and L are still icons.
Demon Slayer
Brutal animation, intense fandom, and a formula that many say is already tired. When Kimetsu no Yaiba first appeared, everyone’s mouths dropped open. But time, arcs that divide opinions, and an animation that sometimes shines brighter than the story itself, made the critics start to criticize. Add a passionate fandom that defends the series tooth and nail, and hate was a given. Even so, it is still a visual spectacle.
My Hero Academia
From the promise of modern shonen to the victim of burnout. In its first arcs, Boku no Hero seemed to be the heir to the greats: charismatic characters, a well-built world, and constant action. But over time, the narrative rhythm and overexposure tired more than one. And if we add a fandom that sometimes goes to extremes with intense shippers or absurd discussions, hate became inevitable.
Attack on Titan
A great work that divided the world with its ending. For a long time, Shingeki was the anime of the moment. Political plots, intense action and legendary plot twists. But as the finale approached, things got murky: controversial narrative decisions, endless debates and a divided fandom. For some, it became a monumental disappointment. For others, it remains a gem. But loved by all no longer.
Sword Art Online
From revolutionary anime to hate’s favorite target. When it came out, SAO was the anime of virtual worlds, romance and action, so this series had everything to blow your mind. But then came the sequels, the repeated clichés, and a narrative that didn’t always shine. What was massive hype ended up being a recurring meme. Few anime have been so loved and so criticized at the same time. But no one can deny that it was epoch-making.
Sometimes, the problem is not the anime but the fame. There are series that shine on their own merit, but when the spotlight becomes too intense, the complaints, the comparisons, the hate for sport begin to emerge. This list is not to say that those anime are perfect, but to remember that many times, what was once loved is now attacked just because “it’s trendy”. The solution? See things for what they are, not for what the internet says. In the end, if you like something, enjoy it. Whether the hate comes later or not.