Anime Creators Who Ignored Fan Feedback Leading to Declines

Anime creators often have a singular vision for their stories that may not always align with the expectations of their audience. While some directors and writers incorporate viewer feedback to improve their work, others choose to ignore it to preserve their original creative intent. This commitment to a specific vision can sometimes lead to a decline in popularity or critical reception if the fans feel their concerns are being neglected. Examining these instances reveals the complex relationship between creative independence and the demands of a global fanbase.

Hajime Isayama

The final chapters of ‘Attack on Titan’ generated intense backlash from a large portion of the global fanbase regarding character motivations. Hajime Isayama acknowledged the mixed reception in several interviews but maintained that the ending aligned with his original intentions. The controversy led to online petitions for a rewrite and a noticeable decline in the series’ critical standing. He eventually released additional pages in the final volume that further polarized the community.

Masashi Kishimoto

The introduction of Kaguya Otsutsuki in ‘Naruto’ remains one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the franchise. Fans had spent hundreds of chapters anticipating a final confrontation with Madara Uchiha only for him to be abruptly replaced. Masashi Kishimoto chose to prioritize the expansion of the ‘Naruto’ lore over the fan desire for a traditional payoff. This narrative shift caused a decline in satisfaction among long term fans during the series’ final stages.

Yoshiyuki Tomino

Yoshiyuki Tomino returned to his iconic franchise with ‘Gundam Reconguista in G’ but employed a very dense and confusing storytelling method. Viewers and critics alike complained that the plot was difficult to follow without significant external research. Tomino responded to the feedback by suggesting that the audience simply needed to watch it more carefully to understand his vision. The series struggled with low ratings and is often cited as a difficult entry for modern fans to enjoy.

Shoji Kawamori

Shoji Kawamori took a bold direction with ‘Macross Delta’ by centering the conflict around a tactical idol group rather than traditional aerial dogfights. Longtime fans of the franchise expressed a desire for the more grounded military tone found in earlier iterations. Kawamori stayed committed to the musical focus which resulted in lower domestic sales compared to previous high points in the series. The shift in tone caused a temporary decline in the global momentum of the ‘Macross’ brand.

Mamoru Oshii

Following the massive success of the original ‘Ghost in the Shell’ movie, fans expected the sequel to maintain a balance of action and intrigue. Mamoru Oshii instead created ‘Ghost in the Shell 2 Innocence’ as a deeply philosophical and slow paced meditation on humanity. He intentionally moved away from the commercial elements of the first film to explore his personal interests in linguistics and philosophy. This creative choice led to a significant drop in mainstream appeal and box office performance.

Goro Taniguchi

Goro Taniguchi decided to take ‘Code Geass Akito the Exiled’ in a direction that excluded the core political drama and characters of the original series. Fans were vocal about wanting a continuation of the story involving Lelouch Lamperouge rather than a separate side story. Taniguchi ignored these demands to focus on a new cast in a European setting which failed to capture the same level of interest. The franchise saw a lull in popularity until the eventual return to the original continuity years later.

Hirofumi Ogura

The director of ‘Black Butler II’ made the decision to focus on an entirely original cast of characters rather than following the manga source material. Fans of the franchise were disappointed by the departure from the established story and the introduction of characters like Alois Trancy. Hirofumi Ogura and the production team stuck to this original narrative path despite the vocal preference for manga canon. The season is frequently cited by the community as a low point for the ‘Black Butler’ anime.

Kunihiko Yuyama

The creative team behind the ‘Pokemon’ anime famously decided to have Ash Ketchum lose the Kalos League finals despite immense fan anticipation for a victory. This decision was seen as a way to maintain the status quo and keep Ash traveling to new regions indefinitely. The move caused a massive backlash on social media and a sharp decline in viewership for the subsequent ‘Pokemon Sun and Moon’ series. Many fans felt the loss invalidated years of character growth and tactical development.

Gen Urobuchi

Gen Urobuchi followed a dark and often polarizing path during the production of ‘Aldnoah Zero’ which led to significant fan dissatisfaction. The audience was particularly critical of the way the main character’s journey was handled in the second season. Urobuchi and the staff maintained their creative direction despite the negative feedback regarding the romantic and political resolutions. The series suffered a sharp decline in its once high rankings and ended on a divisive note.

Hiroshi Nagahama

Hiroshi Nagahama chose a controversial rotoscoping style for the adaptation of ‘The Flowers of Evil’ to evoke a specific feeling of unease. Fans of the manga were immediately critical of the visuals as they looked nothing like the original art style. Nagahama defended the choice as a necessary artistic departure to capture the psychological depth of the story. The anime was a commercial failure and remains one of the most polarizing adaptations in the industry.

Share your thoughts on which of these creative decisions had the biggest impact on your favorite series in the comments.