The world of anime is often full of surprises. Not all anime receive a warm welcome when they first air.

Some titles were even mocked due to animation quality, stories considered strange, or slow pacing. However, over time, these works have proven to grow into global phenomena with solid fanbases.

Many anime that were underestimated in their early episodes managed to turn things around and make history as critically and commercially successful series.

Here is a list of 5 of the most successful anime that were initially considered bad. From those criticized for their visuals to those called boring.

Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate was known to be slow in the beginning. The first five episodes were often called boring and confusing, causing many viewers to give up before reaching the climax.

Some thought the plot was too cliché, a revenge story about a family tragedy caused by a devil.

But everything changed when episode 19 aired. Epic action scenes, amazing animation from Ufotable, went viral on social media, drawing millions to the anime.

Now, Steins;Gate is regarded as one of the best sci-fi anime ever and frequently recommended as a must-watch.

One Piece

Hard to believe, but One Piece was once underestimated because its art style was seen as “too cartoonish” and its main character, Luffy, was considered too silly. Many casual anime viewers preferred darker series like Naruto or Bleach.

Early episodes were also considered slow and didn’t show signs of major conflict. The animation quality in the initial arcs was far below the standard of popular shounen anime at the time.

But who would have thought One Piece would grow into an industry giant? With over 1,000 episodes, the highest manga sales of all time, and a praised Netflix live-action adaptation, One Piece now stands as a true legend in the anime world.

Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World

When it first aired, Re:Zero received criticism for its confusing plot. The double-length pilot episode was considered slow, and the main character Subaru Natsuki was seen as annoying and overly loud.

However, starting from episode four, the narrative revealed psychological depth and a brutal, surprising isekai world.

Viewers began to understand that Re:Zero is not a generic isekai but a psychological thriller wrapped in a tragic time-loop element.

Today, Re:Zero is one of the most influential isekai anime, sparking long discussions in the anime community and introducing iconic characters like Rem and Emilia.

Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Before its episodes aired, Demon Slayer was feared to fail in competing with other big shounen anime.

But after the story’s turning point, the plot shifted dramatically into a thrilling time-based narrative. The character journeys and the consequences of time travel were portrayed with detail and emotional depth.

Now, Demon Slayer is not only a narrative success but also broke box office records with its movie Mugen Train, becoming the highest-grossing anime film ever.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

When it first aired, many were confused by JoJo’s very different art style, dramatic poses, vivid colors, and an over-the-top atmosphere. The anime was called “weird and unclear” by many new viewers.

But after a few episodes, many realized its uniqueness was its main strength. Each arc brings a completely different story, with strong characters and strategic battles.

Now, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has one of the most loyal fanbases and is a symbol of artistic courage in the anime world.