10 S-Tier Anime With F-Tier Fan Bases

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Anime started gaining international popularity in the 1990s, with hits like Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon becoming well-known around the world. Groundbreaking series, often called the Shonen Big 3, helped establish anime’s presence, and the medium continues to evolve and reach new heights. The positive reception to recent shows—including Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and the Fruits Basket remake—proves that anime isn’t going anywhere.

Even anime with small followings often have dedicated fan communities, which speaks to the lasting power of the art form. This kind of online fan culture really took off in the 2000s, with fans sharing thoughts, arguments, and funny content across the internet. Sadly, a small but loud group of fans sometimes creates negativity around even the best anime series. While most fanbases are positive, a few groups can actually discourage new viewers from getting into a show.

Attack on Titan Has One of the Worst Anime Fandoms

Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan became a huge hit in the late 2010s, concluding in 2023. The series was praised for its complex look at politics and war, and for exploring the age-old human tendency to divide into ‘us’ and ‘them’. It showed that these divisions don’t need to be based on real differences – not on shared ancestry, beliefs, or history – because ultimately, people are more alike than they think.

Unfortunately, the “us versus them” mentality played out within the Attack on Titan fanbase, turning discussions about the show’s complex themes of nationalism and morality into heated arguments. Some fans even began to idolize Eren Yeager, creating a subreddit that was eventually shut down for promoting hateful content. Others seemed to miss the fact that Eren was a flawed character. Despite any shortcomings, Attack on Titan is a truly thought-provoking series.

Violet Evergarden Is Great Even When Viewers Don’t Cry

Violet Evergarden is a beautifully complex story about grief and kindness, with each episode thoughtfully exploring what it means to be human. The main character, Violet, struggles to understand emotions after being raised as a soldier during wartime. The anime unfolds through the letters Violet writes, and while it’s deeply emotional, it’s more than just a sad story – it finds beauty and hope within the pain.

It’s unfortunate that some fans have been unfairly evaluating others’ enjoyment of the series based solely on whether or not they cried while watching it. Dismissing fans who didn’t tear up oversimplified Violet Evergarden and ignored the fact that many people experience emotions differently. Ultimately, there are all sorts of emotionally powerful anime, and claiming Violet Evergarden is the only standard is simply inaccurate.

Bleach Has Been Idolized to Heaven and Back

Some anime fans question why Bleach is considered one of the best, but its early success explains it. While the story had some issues later on, particularly with the Fullbring arc and a lot of filler episodes, Bleach was originally recognized as one of the top three most popular anime series. Tite Kubo created a distinctive and impactful anime world, even if it wasn’t quite as detailed as One Piece. This unique style only reinforces Bleach‘s lasting reputation.

Some viewers pointed out valid concerns about the anime, like characters becoming too powerful and shifts in its tone. However, other fans went to the opposite extreme, praising it without criticism. This led to countless power rankings and heated arguments, as people strongly disagreed about which characters were the strongest. For instance, a popular and highly-regarded villain, Aizen, was often downplayed with jokes. Adding to the tension, fans of the original series clashed with newer fans, only making the disagreements worse.

Sword Art Online Has Its Share of Blindly Loyal Fans

I’ve seen a lot of discussion about whether Sword Art Online is truly top-tier, and it’s not perfect – even some fans point to issues with the pacing. But what it did do was incredible. It really grabbed a whole generation with its idea of freedom within a virtual world, and it’s largely responsible for the popularity of the ‘trapped in a game’ storyline we see so often now. The show did a great job of exploring complex ideas by focusing on how its characters changed psychologically as they dealt with their situation.

Sword Art Online connects with viewers through relatable characters like the brave Asuna and the more reserved Kirito. The show’s world and characters are well-developed and believable. However, some fans strongly embraced the series, calling it the best anime ever made, and were unwilling to acknowledge its flaws. Kirito, similar to Eren from Attack on Titan, was sometimes put on a pedestal by fans, though to a lesser extent.

Steins;Gate Is Brilliant and Deserves a Wider Audience

Many stories fail to truly captivate, but Steins;Gate is a standout. It begins as a lighthearted comedy about everyday life, but gradually reveals a deeply tragic side. The anime masterfully combines compelling character development with the complexities of time travel, creating a focused exploration of choices and the regrets that follow. Even amidst all the sadness, Steins;Gate offers a glimmer of hope.

What truly elevates Steins;Gate to masterpiece status isn’t its clever science fiction, but the way the characters’ individual stories come together for a deeply satisfying resolution. The series brilliantly demonstrates that intelligence and emotional depth can coexist. However, because the anime is complex and requires careful attention, some fans have become overly eager to explain every detail, creating a frustratingly exclusive fanbase. Despite this, Steins;Gate is a show everyone should experience, even though it unfortunately suffers from some of the most intense gatekeeping in anime.

Chainsaw Man Ironically Mocks Several Fan Opinions

Chainsaw Man is a chaotic and visually striking anime, much like a Jackson Pollock painting – full of intense action and hidden depths. While most shonen anime avoid excessive gore, Chainsaw Man demonstrates that violence can be powerfully artistic. The anime uses its stylized brutality to represent complex emotions like guilt, shame, loneliness, and the feeling of being taken advantage of. What sets the main character, Denji, apart from typical shonen heroes is his desire for a simple, ordinary life.

It was incredibly refreshing to see Denji break away from typical anime clichés, suggesting that popular shows are evolving. Chainsaw Man has a divided audience – some are overly critical, while others just enjoy the edgy memes. The show cleverly pokes fun at both these viewpoints by exaggerating common anime tropes. Overall, Chainsaw Man is a remarkably self-aware series, but its impact is unfortunately lessened by distracting online trends and endless debates.

Death Note Fans Mistook Their Fascination for Intelligence

Death Note is a thrilling psychological drama, essentially a battle of wits between the incredibly intelligent Light Yagami and L Lawliet. While Light starts as the hero, the story soon reveals a much darker side. After gaining the power to decide who lives and dies, Light transforms into Kira, a villain who shows that anyone – even us – is capable of evil. The central idea is brilliant, and despite a few minor story issues, it drives the plot effectively to its conclusion.

I’ve noticed a strange trend with Death Note – it’s become both incredibly popular and strangely misinterpreted. It reminds me a lot of the reaction to Eren Yeager; some fans seem to focus on the power fantasy aspect and end up glorifying Light Yagami even as he becomes truly monstrous. This kind of ‘dark and edgy’ appreciation doesn’t last, especially when fans start to think their enjoyment proves their own intelligence. Death Note isn’t exactly light entertainment, but honestly, it was frustrating to hear people act superior simply because they claimed to be fans.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Suffers from Petty Gatekeeping

Though Neon Genesis Evangelion features giant robots battling each other – classifying it as a mecha anime – its core is a deep exploration of humanity’s struggles and purpose. It’s not your typical robot show; it delves into increasingly dark and complex themes, often leaving viewers feeling unsettled and confused. While this can be frustrating – and many fans disliked the ending – it’s ultimately what makes the anime so powerful and memorable.

These days, characters like Rei, Asuka, and Misato are often seen as objects of fan attention and desire, which overshadows the complex personalities the creators originally intended. Some fans claim it takes many viewings to truly understand Neon Genesis Evangelion, and while the show is certainly deep, this idea can feel exclusionary. Plus, the constant repetition of memes like “Get in the robot, Shinji” just detracts from the series.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Is Not Supposed to Glorify Tragedy

The magical girl genre really took shape with Sailor Moon, which emphasized the emotional strength found in stories aimed at young girls. Then, Puella Magi Madoka Magica completely flipped the script, revealing a hidden truth: that even with magic, achieving your dreams can come at a terrible cost. Despite the darkness, the series also beautifully portrays the kindness and bravery of girls facing overwhelming challenges. Ultimately, Puella Magi Madoka Magica moves beyond simple tragedy, as the main character, Madoka, finds a way to save herself.

The anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica cleverly challenged typical magical girl tropes, but its fanbase sometimes missed the point. The show offered a dark take on hope and sacrifice, yet some viewers turned it into a contest of who endured the most hardship. While the anime itself criticizes focusing on suffering, a dedicated group of fans continued to prioritize that aspect. Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a thoughtful and artistic work, not simply a showcase of tragedy.

Cowboy Bebop Fans Overhype the Anime’s Coolness

Shinichiro Watanabe’s Cowboy Bebop is widely credited with bringing anime to a larger audience in English-speaking countries. The show, which originally aired in 1998, consists of 26 outstanding episodes with a satisfying finale. While Spike Spiegel is a central figure, his story is best understood through his relationships with the people around him – his friends, partners, and rivals. However, one of the anime’s most enduring qualities is its music – a blend of jazz and blues that still sounds fresh and impactful today.

Watching Cowboy Bebop, I always felt it was just effortlessly cool – and it’s no surprise the fans really latched onto that. But sometimes, the fandom takes it a bit too far, acting like it’s a test to prove you’re a ‘real’ anime fan, and even putting down people who are new to it. I think that kind of attitude actually pushes people away from something amazing like Cowboy Bebop. And while it’s true that some newer anime haven’t quite reached the same level, nobody deserves to be made fun of for enjoying what they enjoy – even if it seems simpler.

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2025-10-27 22:14