30 Overrated Anime Everyone Seems To Like

The anime industry has produced thousands of series that capture the imaginations of fans worldwide and dominate streaming platforms. Certain titles achieve such high levels of popularity that they become staples of mainstream culture. These shows often generate significant discussion regarding whether their cultural impact aligns with their narrative depth. This list examines thirty prominent anime that frequently appear in conversations about immense popularity and critical reception.

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012)

This series follows Kazuto Kirito Kirigaya as he enters a massive multiplayer online role playing game where death in the game means death in the real world. Players must clear one hundred floors of a floating castle to escape the digital simulation. The story focuses on the relationship between Kirito and a skilled warrior named Asuna. It became a global phenomenon that popularized the isekai genre in modern animation.

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ (2019–Present)

The narrative centers on Tanjiro Kamado as he seeks a cure for his sister who has been turned into a demon. He joins an elite group of warriors dedicated to protecting humanity from supernatural threats. The series gained massive attention for its visual quality produced by the animation studio Ufotable. It broke several sales records for both its manga source material and its theatrical film release.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Humanity lives inside walled cities to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures that roam the wasteland. Eren Yeager vows to eliminate these threats after witnessing the destruction of his home. The plot transitions from a survival story into a complex exploration of war and historical trauma. This series is widely recognized for its intense action sequences and orchestral soundtrack.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016–Present)

In a world where most people possess special abilities called Quirks, a young boy named Izuku Midoriya is born without any powers. He eventually inherits the strength of the world’s greatest hero and enrolls in a school for aspiring protectors. The show explores the responsibilities of being a hero and the struggle between good and evil. It has become one of the most recognizable titles in the modern shonen genre.

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)

A young ninja seeks acknowledgment from his village while harboring a powerful spirit sealed within his body. Naruto Uzumaki faces various trials as he grows from an outcast into a respected warrior. The series is known for its extensive world building and focus on the concept of ninja bonds. It is one of the best selling manga adaptations of all time and has a massive international fan base.

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014)

Ken Kaneki becomes a half ghoul after a chance encounter with a predatory creature in modern Tokyo. He must learn to navigate a society where humans and ghouls live in constant conflict. The series explores themes of identity and the morality of survival in a hostile environment. It is often cited in discussions regarding the differences between original manga illustrations and animated adaptations.

‘Fairy Tail’ (2009–2019)

A young wizard named Lucy Heartfilia joins a famous guild where she teams up with a fire dragon slayer and other magical companions. The group embarks on various missions while emphasizing the importance of friendship and teamwork. The series features a wide variety of magical abilities and lighthearted comedic elements. It ran for many years and produced several seasons along with animated films.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

A high school student discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name is written in its pages. Light Yagami attempts to create a world without crime while being pursued by a mysterious detective known only as L. The story is a psychological thriller that focuses on the battle of wits between the two protagonists. It remains one of the most popular entries in the supernatural suspense genre.

‘The Future Diary’ (2011–2012)

Twelve individuals are forced into a survival game where they must use special diaries to predict the future and eliminate their opponents. The winner of the competition will become the new god of time and space. Yukiteru Amano finds himself protected by a highly obsessive classmate named Yuno Gasai. The series is notable for its dark themes and the popularization of the yandere character archetype.

‘Elfen Lied’ (2004)

A genetically modified human with invisible telekinetic arms escapes from a research facility and seeks refuge with two cousins. The story blends elements of science fiction with extreme violence and psychological drama. It explores the consequences of human experimentation and the nature of discrimination. This anime gained a cult following due to its unique visual style and provocative themes.

‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ (2014–2021)

A group of powerful knights who were once branded as criminals reunites to liberate their kingdom from corrupt holy protectors. The leader Meliodas leads his companions on a journey to find the remaining members of their squad. The series incorporates elements of Arthurian legend and high fantasy tropes. It received significant attention during its initial release on global streaming platforms.

‘No Game No Life’ (2014)

Two step siblings who are expert gamers are transported to a world where every conflict is resolved through games. They aim to challenge the god of this world and unite the various races under their rule. The series is recognized for its vibrant color palette and strategic gameplay scenarios. It remains a frequent topic of discussion among fans hoping for a second season.

‘Akame ga Kill!’ (2014)

A young fighter joins a group of assassins dedicated to overthrowing a corrupt government and its child emperor. The members use powerful ancient weapons to carry out their missions against formidable enemies. The series is known for its high mortality rate among central characters. It follows a distinct narrative path that differs from its original source material.

‘Blue Exorcist’ (2011)

Rin Okumura discovers that he is the son of the devil and decides to become an exorcist to defeat his father. He enrolls in a special academy where he learns to control his blue flames and fight demonic entities. The story focuses on the relationship between Rin and his twin brother Yukio. It has inspired multiple seasons and a theatrical movie.

‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations’ (2017–2023)

The sequel to the original ninja saga follows the adventures of the future generation of warriors in a modernized village. Boruto Uzumaki attempts to find his own path while living in the shadow of his famous father. The series introduces new technology and threats that challenge the traditional ninja way of life. It has generated much debate regarding its pacing and relationship to the original series.

‘Guilty Crown’ (2011–2012)

In a future Japan under international control a high school student gains the power to draw weapons out of other people. He joins a resistance group to fight for the independence of his country. The series features music by the popular group Egoist and high quality production by Production I.G. It is often discussed for its ambitious plot and visual presentation.

‘Black Butler’ (2008–2014)

A young orphan enters into a contract with a demon who serves as his loyal butler while seeking revenge for the death of his parents. Ciel Phantomhive works as the Queens watchdog to solve mysterious crimes in Victorian London. The series combines elements of dark fantasy with gothic aesthetics. It has maintained a dedicated fan base through several animated adaptations and specials.

‘Vampire Knight’ (2008)

At Cross Academy humans and vampires coexist in separate classes while a small group of students maintains order. Yuki Cross protects the secret of the night class while dealing with her feelings for two rival vampires. The story focuses on the ancient conflict between vampire hunters and aristocratic bloodsuckers. It is a prominent example of the shojo supernatural romance genre.

‘Deadman Wonderland’ (2011)

A high school student is falsely accused of murdering his classmates and sent to a private prison that doubles as a theme park. Inmates must participate in lethal games to survive while the protagonist discovers he can manipulate his own blood. The series features a dark atmosphere and intense action sequences. It is frequently mentioned in discussions about series that ended before completing the full story.

‘Darling in the Franxx’ (2018)

In a dystopian future children are raised to pilot giant robots in pairs to protect humanity from mysterious monsters. The story centers on a pilot who cannot fly and a girl with horns. The series explores themes of adolescence and human connection within a controlled society. It received significant attention for its character designs and polarizing conclusion.

‘The Rising of the Shield Hero’ (2019–Present)

A college student is summoned to another world as one of four legendary heroes but is quickly betrayed and left with nothing but a shield. He must work to rebuild his reputation and protect the kingdom from waves of monsters. The series focuses on his journey from an outcast to a respected leader. It sparked considerable discussion regarding its subversion of common fantasy tropes.

‘Overlord’ (2015–Present)

A dedicated gamer stays logged into a virtual world as the servers shut down and finds himself transported to a new reality as his skeletal avatar. He decides to expand his influence and protect his loyal non player character servants. The story is told from the perspective of a powerful protagonist who takes on the role of a conqueror. It is a popular entry in the dark fantasy isekai genre.

‘Bleach’ (2004–2012)

Ichigo Kurosaki gains the powers of a soul reaper and takes on the duty of protecting humans from evil spirits. He travels to supernatural realms and battles powerful enemies to maintain the balance between worlds. The series is famous for its large cast of characters and stylish transformations. It is considered one of the three most influential shonen titles of the early two thousands.

‘One-Punch Man’ (2015–2019)

A hero named Saitama can defeat any opponent with a single blow but suffers from a lack of challenge and existential boredom. He seeks a worthy rival while navigating a world filled with professional heroes and terrifying monsters. The series began as a webcomic before receiving a highly acclaimed animated adaptation. It parodies common superhero tropes while delivering high quality action scenes.

‘Goblin Slayer’ (2018–Present)

A mysterious warrior dedicates his life to the singular task of exterminating goblins after experiencing a childhood tragedy. He teams up with a priestess and other adventurers to clear out infestations in a dark fantasy world. The series gained notoriety for its gritty tone and realistic approach to low level fantasy threats. It focuses on the strategic methods used to overcome numerous and cunning foes.

‘Rent-a-Girlfriend’ (2020–Present)

After a difficult breakup a college student uses an app to hire a girl to act as his partner for social events. The situation becomes complicated when they discover their families are connected and they attend the same university. The story follows the awkward interactions and romantic tension between the main characters. It has become a notable title within the modern romantic comedy genre.

‘Fire Force’ (2019–2020)

Special fire brigades are tasked with fighting a phenomenon where humans spontaneously combust and turn into living flames. Shinra Kusakabe joins a team of firefighters with pyrokinetic abilities to uncover the mystery behind the infernals. The series features unique visual effects and fast paced battle choreography. It is set in a world where society has rebuilt itself around a massive thermal power plant.

‘Your Name.’ (2016)

Two teenagers living in different parts of Japan begin to swap bodies periodically and must find a way to communicate across time and space. The film explores themes of fate and memory through stunning visual landscapes and a central mystery. It became one of the highest grossing animated films in global history. This production established director Makoto Shinkai as a major figure in the international film community.

‘Spy x Family’ (2022–Present)

A secret agent must create a fake family to infiltrate a prestigious school and complete a mission to maintain world peace. He unknowingly adopts a telepathic daughter and enters a marriage with a professional assassin. The series blends elements of action with domestic comedy and heart warming family moments. It quickly became a major success due to its charming characters and unique premise.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–Present)

Yuji Itadori swallows a cursed finger and becomes the host for a powerful demonic entity known as Sukuna. He joins a secret organization of sorcerers who use cursed energy to exorcise malevolent spirits. The series is recognized for its dark tone and complex system of supernatural combat. It has achieved immense popularity through its detailed animation and engaging character arcs.

Please share your thoughts on which anime titles you believe are the most overrated in the comments.