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Initially Underestimated, This Anime Became a Huge Success and Changed the Japanese Industry

Initially Underestimated, This Anime Became a Huge Success and Changed the Japanese Industry

Japanese Anime

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Initially Underestimated, This Anime Became a Huge Success and Changed the Japanese Industry

Not all anime immediately receives attention upon release. Some are even deemed failures before airing due to factors like studio, genre, and the reputation of the original work. However, the world of anime is often full of surprises. Several underestimated titles have managed to captivate millions of viewers worldwide thanks to strong stories and incredible visual touches.

This phenomenon proves that success is not always determined by initial expectations. From Cyberpunk: Edgerunners to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, these anime demonstrate that the quality of the story, emotion, and execution can transcend all boundaries of predictions in the Japanese entertainment industry.

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ONE PUNCH MAN: The concept is simple, a hero who always wins with one punch. Many considered ONE PUNCH MAN to be just light comedy when it was first announced in 2015, but that is precisely its strength. ONE PUNCH MAN then became a global phenomenon and made the character Saitama recognized as a symbol of absurd humor in Japanese pop culture.

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DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA: When it was announced in 2019, DEMON SLAYER was seen as just an action anime with a classic formula. However, the spectacular visuals from Ufotable and the deep emotions between Tanjiro and Nezuko changed everything. The fight scenes in DEMON SLAYER propelled this anime into the ranks of the best-selling anime of all time.

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STEINS;GATE: When STEINS;GATE first aired in 2011, many viewers complained that the pacing was too slow. However, after episode 12 aired, everything changed. A major plot twist transformed the audience's perspective, making it one of the most iconic time travel-themed anime. Fans referred to that moment as a symbol that patience in enjoying a story always pays off sweetly.

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FRIEREN: BEYOND JOURNEY'S END: Although the manga has a loyal fanbase, the adaptation of Frieren was initially doubted for its success due to its slow pace. However, after its release in September 2023, the anime was immediately praised for its stunning visuals and profound philosophy about time and loss. Many viewers have called Frieren one of the most touching anime of the last decade.

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RE:ZERO: When RE:ZERO was first announced in 2016, many anime fans were skeptical because the isekai market was considered saturated. However, the fourth episode quickly changed public perception with its dark plot and the tragic yet strong character of Subaru. Re:Zero also won the Best Isekai Anime award at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

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ODD TAXI: Before its release, this anime received almost no attention due to its main character being an anthropomorphic walrus. However, once the third episode aired, viewers began discussing its complex and socially satirical mysterious narrative. Since then, this anime has been referred to as a "hidden gem" by the anime community and has become one of the best-written series of the decade.

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CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS: When this anime was announced, many were skeptical due to the poor reputation of the game Cyberpunk 2077. However, this anime turned the situation around. Studio Trigger delivers stunning animation and a tragic storyline that resonates with viewers. Within a week, CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS managed to break into the global Netflix trending list and received a lot of praise. Come on, read articles about other anime recommendations on Kapanlagi.com. If not now, when?