For everyOne PieceorNaruto, there areShonen Jumpanime that completely miss the mark, either botched in adaptation, plagued by production issues, or simply doomed by bad storytelling. Even the mightyShonen Jumpname cannot save certain titles from being disasters. These anime leave fans disappointed, confused, or outright embarrassed to admit they gave them a shot.
While some series are salvageable in manga form, these adaptations were critically panned or quietly buried.Whether it was due to rushed plots, inconsistent animation, or wasted potential, these seven anime series have largely faded from public memory, and maybe that is for the best.Here are sevenShonen Jumptrainwrecks the anime world would rather forget, and fans should not waste their time watching.
At first glance,Shaman Kinghad everything: a cool concept involving spiritual battles, likable characters, and a killer early-2000s soundtrack. However, its original 2001 anime adaptation was produced before the manga ended, and it shows. The anime invents its own rushed and messy conclusion that alienated manga fans and derailed its long-term popularity.
Instead of giving the complex world-building time to breathe, the anime compresses major arcs and characters into cliff notes. Emotional beats fall flat, and the lack of a satisfying payoff undercuts what could’ve been a breakout hit.While the 2021 reboot tries to fix things, the damage done by the first adaptation still haunts theShaman Kingfranchise.
6Ninku
Anime Series by Studio Pierrot; Based on the Manga by Kōji Kiriyama
Ninkuaired in the mid-’90s and somehow feels older than that.Despite having a mildly unique concept of combining ninjas and kung-fu masters, the series is both visually and narratively underwhelming.The art style looks washed-out, and the pacing drags more than it excites, making it hardly ideal for a battle anime meant to compete with the likes ofDragon Ball Z.
It also lacks a compelling lead; Fuusuke, the protagonist, is too generic and emotionally flat to carry the story. The fights are poorly choreographed and often anticlimactic, leaving little incentive to keep watching. WhileNinkudid gain a small cult following in Japan, its forgettable qualities ensured it never had staying power internationally.
Torikowas hyped to be the nextOne Piece,as a wild adventure filled with monstrous foods and larger-than-life battles. Unfortunately, the anime adaptation felt more like a bland meal than a gourmet feast.To make the show more “family-friendly,” Toei watered down the violence and intensity that gave the manga its flavor, removing what made it stand out.
In trying to appeal to everyone,Torikoended up satisfying no one, and its anime quietly disappeared without fanfare.
On top of that, the pacing is painfully uneven. Arcs are either stretched too long with filler or cut short with little resolution. Characters who were nuanced in the manga become one-note and overly cartoonish on screen. In trying to appeal to everyone,Torikoended up satisfying no one, and its anime quietly disappeared without fanfare.
4Twin Star Exorcists
Anime Series by Studio Pierrot; Based on the Manga by Yoshiaki Sukeno
Studio Pierrot is infamous for taking liberties with its anime adaptations, andTwin Star Exorcistsis a prime example. What starts as a promising supernatural romance quickly descends into filler chaos. The anime deviates wildly from its manga roots, inventing characters and plotlines that derail the story’s tone and coherence.
Instead of exploring the nuanced relationship between its main duo, the show opts for shallow monster-of-the-week episodes and clumsy melodrama.The animation quality also dips noticeably in the second half, further highlighting the lack of care put into the production.By the time the original ending rolled around, most fans had long stopped watching.
Tokyo Ghoulcould have been one of the greatest modern dark fantasy animeif not for its staggeringly poor execution. The first season only loosely adapts the manga and omits critical development, while the second (Root A) completely ditches the source material’s plot. This left even hardcore fans scratching their heads.
TheTokyo Ghoulanime’s tonal inconsistency and convoluted direction ensure it remains one ofShonen Jump’sbiggest missed opportunities.
The pacing is erratic, characters make nonsensical decisions, and arcs are resolved with little emotional payoff.Later seasons likeTokyo Ghoul:reonly worsened the confusion by cramming entire story arcs into just a few episodes.TheTokyo Ghoulanime’s tonal inconsistency and convoluted direction ensure it remains one ofShonen Jump’sbiggest missed opportunities.
2Soul Hunter / Hakyu Hoshin Engi
Anime Series by C-Station; Based on the Manga by Ryu Fujisaki
The 1999 adaptation ofSoul Hunterwas flawed and not the best, but at least watchable, with its colorful character designs and simplified plot structure.But the 2018 reboot,Hakyu Hoshin Engi, attempted a “faithful” adaptation, and failed spectacularly.It rushed through dozens of manga chapters in each episode, making it impossible for viewers to follow the story.
Key characters were introduced and discarded almost immediately, and emotional moments landed with no impact due to the breakneck speed. Instead of honoring the complexity of the original myth-inspired tale, the anime turned it into a chaotic highlight reel. Fans of the manga were left frustrated, and newcomers were too confused to care.
Season 1 ofThe Promised Neverlandwas a psychological thriller masterpiece, blending horror and strategy with incredible finesse. But the second season ofThe Promised Neverlandignored nearly all of that, abandoning the major arcs, characters, and world-building from the manga. Entire volumes of lore were erased in favor of a rushed anime-original ending that betrayed the story’s core themes.
Plot points are glossed over or outright skipped, robbing the narrative of emotional stakes. Beloved characters like Yuugo and Lucas were never even introduced, and the tone shifted from suspenseful to aimless. What could have been one ofShonen Jump’smost prestigious adaptations became one of anime’s most notorious falls from grace.
