Worst anime series of 2025 that failed to meet expectations
Despite an exciting lineup and high-profile names, the Spring 2025 anime season delivered more than a few crushing disappointments. From broken adaptations to conceptually confused narratives and flat-out boring execution, several shows that seemed promising on paper ended up frustrating or boring viewers.
Some had production issues, others were plagued by terrible pacing or forgettable characters, and a few simply lacked direction altogether. Even star creators and beloved source material couldn't save these titles from spiraling into mediocrity—or worse. Below is a breakdown of the most underwhelming anime series of the season, as selected by the Anime News Network, and why they failed to live up to the expectations of fans and critics alike.
List of worst anime that are biggest disappointments of 2025 as cited by Anime News Network
7. #COMPASS2.0 ANIMATION PROJECT: A beige battle royale
Attempting to blend elements of Fate/stay night and .hack, this adaptation of a mobile 3v3 battle game felt like an uninspired mishmash of better shows. With bland visuals, unmemorable fights, and barely any world-building, #COMPASS2.0 lacked identity and engagement. Even its main characters failed to leave an impression, and the story felt like a copy-paste job with the opacity turned down. Gacha adaptations usually shine through quirky or charming characters, but this one couldn't even manage that.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Wiesbaden: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer vor 1972 geboren
GEERS
Undo
6. The Shiunji Family Children: Mixed messages and mild misery
What could have been a thoughtful exploration of familial boundaries and identity became another cookie-cutter harem with uncomfortable themes. The series attempts to tackle taboo step-sibling romance with some depth, but quickly abandons nuance in favour of tired anime tropes like awkward fanservice and forced romantic setups. Instead of making a statement, it constantly contradicts itself, creating an experience that's both boring and cringe-inducing.
5. Yandere Dark Elf: Not crazy enough to be fun
Despite its provocative title, Yandere Dark Elf lacks both the intensity and entertainment one might expect. Its supposedly obsessive protagonist is mostly tame, and the romantic dynamic never moves past mildly awkward flirting. Even the ecchi elements fall flat due to lazy animation and heavy censorship. With no real drama, no standout visuals, and no edge, the show is little more than a hollow fantasy.
4. Go! Go! Loser Ranger! Season 2: Style over substance
Season 1 offered clever satire and exciting energy, but Season 2 spirals into chaotic pacing and storytelling overload.
Plot twists are stacked too quickly for any to land meaningfully, and the production quality noticeably drops. What should have been a climactic season feels rushed and confusing, leaving fans wondering what happened to the slick, smart storytelling of the original.
3. The Beginning After The End: A misfire from the Start
Adapted from a popular web novel and webtoon, The Beginning After The End suffers from flat visuals and even flatter characters. While the production meets minimal standards, the writing is stale and overly reliant on genre clichés.
Its protagonist, meant to be a unique reincarnated king, ends up as another overpowered and underdeveloped isekai lead surrounded by lifeless side characters. Even fans of the source material found little to praise.
2. Lazarus: Wasted talent and empty promises
With names like Shinichirō Watanabe and John Wick's Chad Stahelski attached, Lazarus had sky-high expectations. But instead of a gripping sci-fi thriller, viewers got a confusing mess of disconnected plotlines, weak character writing, and music that only made the pacing feel more sluggish.
Despite excellent action choreography and visual potential, the show fails to make viewers care about any of its characters or its supposedly urgent stakes.
1. Your Forma: The Sci-fi thriller that forgot its story
Topping the list is Your Forma, a sci-fi detective drama with a compelling premise that falls apart due to one fatal flaw—it skips the first volume of its own story. Viewers unfamiliar with the light novels are thrown into a confusing world with no context or character development. While it tries to explore themes of AI and memory, it instead becomes a frustrating watch full of bland visuals, awkward pacing, and an incompetent protagonist who spends more time being rescued than solving anything.
A promising concept wasted by a bafflingly bad adaptation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Samantha Ruth Prabhu enjoys a lunch date with Keerthy Suresh; shares pictures of her June dump
Picture Credit: Instagram Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently delighted fans with a sweet surprise as she shared glimpses of what her month of June looked like. In one of the pictures, she is seen enjoying a special reunion lunch with Keerthy Suresh . On Sunday, the 'Kushi'actress took to Instagram to share snapshots from her June which were a mix of candid captures and cherished moments. The post kicked off with an adorable picture featuring Keerthy. In the photo, Samantha is seen pulling Keerthy in for a sweet side hug as the two share a light moment over dessert, specifically what looked like a fruit pudding. "Sat down for lunch, stood up at sunset," Samantha captioned her picture of the two. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) Fans were thrilled by this unexpected yet wholesome meet-up and quickly filled the comments section with love for the two stars. The rest of Samantha's photo dump included snaps of her gym workout, where she flaunted her strength and fitness goals. She also posted a still from her Take 20 podcast. In another snap, she could be seen enjoying red light therapy, a part of her holistic wellness routine. The actress is also seen donning a denim-blue dress in one frame, and a striking red outfit in another. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo One image featured Samantha sitting alone on a spacious balcony. The last photo in the dump looked like a concert night, with Samantha enjoying the music and vibe. Keerthy Suresh made her Bollywood debut last year in the 2024 film 'Baby John' opposite Varun Dhawan, playing a role originally portrayed by Samantha in the Tamil hit 'Theri'. In an earlier interview with Galatta India, Keerthy revealed that it was Samantha who had recommended her name to director Atlee for the role. On the professional front, Samantha is gearing up for her next venture — 'Rakht Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom', an action-fantasy series by Raj & DK. She will be also seen in an action drama film, 'Bangaram'. On the other hand, Keerthy Suresh will next be seen in the Telugu comedy-drama 'Uppu Kappurambu'.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Kuberaa' actor Rashmika Mandanna on her parents' initial hesitation about showbiz: "My dad wanted me in business, not films"
Actress Rashmika Mandanna recently opened up about her South Indian upbringing, her family's initial resistance to her film career, and the emotional journey that followed. "Dad wanted me to join his business" Rashmika shared with We The Women that she was never raised with acting as a career option in mind. Having completed her Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Psychology, and English Literature, she was equally drawn to the world of media. 'It would have been lovely either way,' she said when it was highlighted that she could have been a journalist. However, her father had other plans—he wanted her to join and support his business. Coming from a conservative South Indian family, the idea of entering the film industry was seen with suspicion and concern. 'They Were Just Being Protective' Speaking about her parents' mindset, Rashmika said, 'I think in South Indian families, at least back in the day, entering the film industry was considered wrong. They didn't understand how it worked.' As the only child for 16 years before her younger sister was born, Rashmika was especially precious to her parents. 'They were super possessive and protective,' she recalled with affection. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Despite their worries, she eventually pursued acting, trusting her instincts. 'No One from My Community Had Entered Films' Rashmika's first paycheck brought mixed emotions back home. 'The conversations were not easy. No one in our co-community had ever been in films. I was the first, and some people were judgmental,' she admitted. Still, she credits her journey to destiny and her ever-supportive audience. 'Thanks to them, I'm here today,' she said, filled with gratitude. On the professional front, Rashmika was last seen in 'Kuberaa', opposite Dhanush, and Nagarjuna. Sidharth Malhotra, Rashmika Mandana attend Mission Majnu trailer launch
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG Test: ‘Chosen twice' – Rishabh Pant shares emotional message on India's T20 World Cup win anniversary
Rishabh Pant posted an emotional message on his Instagram. A year on since their historic triumph in Barbados in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has recalled a heartfelt message about how life gave him a second chance. "Not many know what it feels like to be chosen twice — once by life, once by death," read one of Pant's Instagram stories. In his first tournament back in India colours after being out for nearly 14 months due to his injury setback from a road accident, Pant had failed to light up the final with the bat, bagging a duck. But Pant was instrumental in orchestrating a stoppage in play by signalling to his injured knee when South Africa needed 26 runs in four overs with six wickets in hand. Reflecting on the incident, Pant had previously told Star Sports: 'I was actually thinking what to do because the momentum had suddenly shifted (in South Africa's favour), they had scored plenty of runs in 2-3 overs, so I was thinking when that moment would come when we would win the World Cup final. 'I was asking the physio to take time. When Rohit bhai asked if my knee was fine, I said, 'Bhaiya, bas acting kar raha tha' (I was acting all this while). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Sometimes you have to do these types of things in matches. I'm not saying it works every time, but it does work sometimes, and if it works at that kind of moment, then nothing like it,' he added. Meanwhile, India's title-winning captain Rohit Sharma thought that Pant was in pain. "I genuinely thought that something had happened to him. After the accident he had, I thought he was just trying to… But actually, it was just to stop the game a little bit,' Rohit told Star Sports. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
