Summary
The problem with movies, TV shows, book series, etc., is that, if it’s great, people can’t get enough of it. If it’s got great writing, characterization, animation, and so on, why not keep it going? Why fix what isn’t broken? Because it can get worn out. As risky as changing things or even concluding conclusively can be, it can be better than doing the same thing over and over until it gets dull.
It happens to the best pieces of media, likeThe SimpsonsandGame of Thrones. It even happens to the biggest names in anime, as even their most keen fans know that, between their highs and lows, there are a lot of dull middles that go in one ear and out the other. These are somegreat anime that went on for too long.
FLCLonly has a grand total of 24 episodes. By most standards, that would only make up a single season. How can that be considered ‘too long?’ Because the classic OVA series from 2000 only had 6 episodes. The story of how 12yr old Naota’s life got turned upside down by the alien girl Haruko in her search for Atomsk the Pirate King was a brief bit of crazy fun some fans wished lasted longer.
Then 2016 saw the fingers on the proverbial monkey’s paw curl as the show returned withFLCL Progressive. ThenFLCL Alternativepopped up in 2018, followed byFLCL: GrungeandFLCL: Shoegazein 2023. While some people were glad to see Haruko and the gang return, many felttheir subsequent adventuresfell short of the original series in writing and animation. ParticularlyFLCL: Grunge, which only got 4.69/10 from MyAnimeList.
Stuck in a dead-end part of the world, Renton gets his chance for adventure when Eureka, a member of the mercenary group Gekkostate, crashes her Nirvash typeZERO mech into his garage.Eureka Seventold their story in a way that was so exciting it built itself a considerable fan base, and won a bundle of awards, including Best Screenplay and Best TV Series at the Tokyo Anime Awards.
However, others felt its 50 episodes tried to cram in way too much. The series was at its strongest when it covered the more classic, action-based story elements, as the cool, extreme-sports-inspired leads got one up on the villains. When it tried to get more serious and dramatic, it ended up melodramatic instead. With some editing, the series would’ve been shorter, but more palatable.
To the anime’s credit,Fist of the North Star’s152-episode run wasn’t strictly the studio’s idea. Creators Buronson and Tetsuo Hara wanted to end the original manga with Chapter 136 (adapted as Episode 108), where Kenshiro rides off into the sunset with his lover Yuria. However, the strip was still in high demand and the anime was a sensation. It’s hard to stop the gravy train while it’s in full swing, so the manga continued.
The anime adapted their subsequent arcs asFist of the North Star 2. It offered the same high-testosterone, bloody action as before, though it felt less inspired. Especially when the final villain, Kaioh, was just a clone ofFotNS1’s final villain, Raoh. Still, it managed to geta sweet, poignant ending, and avoided adapting the manga’s derided soap opera-like amnesia arc.
Bleach’srise and fall was so intriguing it inspired a popular SuperEyepatchWolf video on YouTube (before inspiring a more in-depth, corrected video by SuperEyepatchWolf). The series had the same 2000s charm as its rivalNaruto,only the cast were older, cooler, and fought off the corrupted Hollows samurai-style to save the realms of the living and the dead.
So, why did it fall short compared to the aforementioned ninja kids? The writing from its source material got weaker, retreading old ground in some arcs, making unpopular moves in others. The anime’s original episodes weren’t much better and haven’t aged well in their humor and tone. Eventually, the show took a break, and came back in style withthe acclaimedBleach: Thousand Year Blood War.
Narutowasn’t any better thanBleachin the filler department. If anything, it’s become a cliche to complain aboutNaruto’s filler to the point that it may be over-hated. After all, those episodes can’t all be bad. For every silly one (Rock Lee fighting a kangaroo), there were some that dug into a character’s motivations, or their background and relationships with the rest of the cast. At the very least, it gave the charactersfun things to do.
Then again, out of its 700+ episodes betweenNarutoandNaruto: Shippuden, 279 are considered filler. There are whole runs in seasons that fans who just want to follow the main arcs could skip, and even they could’ve benefited from some tighter editing to quicken the pace. But, when animators need to get a 20+ minute episode out in one week and only have so much material to work with, things are going to get stretched out.
Pokémon
Fans were shocked to hear thatAsh Ketchum and his Pikachuwould leave thePokemonanime in 2023 after 25 years on the show. Some because he was practically the human face ofPokemonoutside the games, and some because they thought the show ended ages ago. Nope, it’s still around. Now in its 26th season,Pokemon Horizons, the show got completely new leads in Liko and Roy.
Perhaps the anime should’ve done this sooner and switched protagonists and settings per series. Fans may have missed Ash, Misty, and co. in the short run. However, it would’ve made its 1,000+ episode run easier to digest as they could’ve gone straight to the season based on theGold,Diamond,orXgames. Then its different leads could’ve had fresh arcs without Ash sticking his red cap in and chucking a Pokeball at the camera.
Case Closed
LikePokemon,Case Closed(akaDetective Conan) has also been going on for 1,000+ episodes, and involves a character who’s been 10 years old for 3 decades. While investigating the mysterious Black Organization, Shinichi Kudo was doped with an experimental drug that de-aged him, turning him into a kid. As he searches for a cure, he takes on the pseudonym Conan Edogawa, and solves mysteries with his friends.
The series appealed to all ages with its engaging mysteries and charming characters. But it eventually got stuck in a rut because there was only so much the writers could do to make newer, fresher mysteries. By now, Conan and co have solved nearly a thousand crimes, been in hundreds of life-threatening situations, and met other classic anime characters likeLupin the 3rd. All they can do now is find Conan’s cure and stop the Organization for good, but that would mean the end of the show altogether.
Everything Under the Sun
Dragon Ball
Goku, a young, powerful boy with a tail, spends his days hunting and living off the land. His life changes when he meets Bulma, a teen genius on a quest to collect seven magical Dragon Balls that summon a dragon capable of granting any wish. Together, they set off on an adventure filled with powerful martial arts battles, formidable foes, and unlikely alliances.
The faults ofNaruto,Bleach,Fist of the North Star,and every other show on this list could also be seen inDragon Ball’sclassic run. It was riddled with filler and has the pacing of a tectonic plate. Creator Akira Toriyama tried to end the series on multiple high points, only to get pressed into penning more storylines, each weirder than the last, as he felt his creative juices run dry.
Yet there wasfun in that filler(Goku and Piccolo go driving!), andDBZ’s divisive Buu Saga and theGTseries still had the trademark epic battles and fan-favorite moments. Even when the anime did end, it gained new life via its animated movies, which brought in a fresh audience eager for more stories, which led to theSuperseries. It proves, likeBleach, some shows don’t need to end for good. They just need to take a break for a bit.
