For viewers who often look for a break from the franchises, anime movies often cater to their tastes. While there is no end to anime movies’ recommendations, the choices and the subsequent judgement often end up being a subjective matter. For example, one could say they don’t find the appeal in Studio Ghibli’s Ocean Waves, while another might say that they love the movie due to various reasons.
Perspectives vary, but not all anime movies can live up to the expectations of the viewers who are fans of the particular series. Like in the case of Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge or the Future Boy Conan film, their franchises boast higher ratings than the movies, and for a good reason. On that note, this article will list down five such worst anime movies from the franchises that had the potential to make a name for itself, except it flushed down the drain.
Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple and four other anime movies of different franchises that failed to live up to fans’ expectations
Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple
The entire movie can be considered a long extended filler episode of Bungo Stray Dogs. While the series retains its excitement factor one arc after the other, the events in Dead Apple become convoluted, raising more questions than answers.
Centering around the Dragon’s Head Rush Conflict that happened in Yokohama six years ago, the movie introduces a new antagonist, Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, the mystery of whose existence the protagonist and co. ultimately manage to defeat. However, Dead Apple doesn’t delve into the complexities, such as Shibusawa’s motivations. Apart from Atsushi’s background and good action sequences, the pacing, dialogs, and lack of explanations for certain events butcher the potential of the anime movie.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village
Despite the franchise advertising that Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village will be a precap of two episodes from Entertainment District arc and one from the upcoming season, the film didn’t live up to the hype it had established.
For example, the addition of several theme songs, that too with credits, after each episode ended, broke the continuity of attention that is apt while watching a series and not an anime movie. While Ufotable’s animation was top-notch and the action choreography deserved all the howls and cheers from the audience, the ending of the movie also didn’t manage to hold on to the excitement. As such, the reputation of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village as a movie wanes in comparison to Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train.
One Piece: The Giant Mecha Soldier of Karakuri Castle
Considered one of the worst anime movies in the franchise, the Straw Hats’ journey in the non-canon setting of One Piece: The Giant Mecha Soldier of Karakuri Castle has been disappointing for many fans. The plot sees the Straw Hats going on a treasure hunt to Mecha Island after saving an old woman who promises them of the legendary Golden Crown.
Unfortunately, the seventh movie in the franchise becomes a hodge-podge of several things, like the poor characterization of Luffy, an uninspiring, bland setting, a generic treasure hunt, and a boring antagonist. Hence, among the One Piece movies that viewers want to skip, The Giant Mecha Soldier of Karakuri Castle is an easy choice.
Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission
Although Hunter x Hunter has two movies under its wings, they are entirely skippable. The Last Mission, for example, offers nothing new with its misdirected plot, generic dialogs of friendship and kindness, and the lack of character development. Moreover, the anime is not exactly part of the canon, so the events surrounding it hardly impact the main storyline.
Set sometime after Green Island arc and the Chimera Ant arc, this Keiichiro Kawaguchi directorial sees the four main characters reuniting to support their friend Zushi participating in the Battle Olympia of Heaven’s Arena. However, trouble ensues when a group of cloaked figures invade the area, prompting Gon and his friends to find the mystery behind the attack.
Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker
While the movie isn’t the worst of its lot, it isn’t also the best. Compared to the other anime movies released within the franchise, the film turns out to be underwhelming as it sees Ash taking the role of a supporting character. Moreover, like the previous entry, this movie falls short on making an impression.
As per IMDb, the official synopsis of the movie reads:
“A magician attempts to use the power of the Millenium Comet to awaken the legendary Pokémon Groudon.”
Despite its promising aspect, the plot is slow, and the majority of the film invests in focusing on the ancient Jirachi and the magician. In fact, the best part about the film happens within the last 20 minutes, but that is not enough to qualify Wish Maker as one of the exciting Pokémon movies.
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