The sheer volume of anime that viewers can watch is pretty massive. It can honestly take eons for some people to get through their recommended anime list, given the sheer amount of quality in this medium. From intense thrillers to hilarious rom-coms — the diverse and interesting nature of this medium is why so many people go absolutely ballistic over anime at times.
So, it's important for any new fledgling anime to get off on a strong foot, which is easier said than done. Many anime tend to fade into obscurity when their openings aren't as riveting as many people would've assumed. The following anime are notorious for having bad and off-putting endings that, more often than not, don't convey the actual quality of these shows.
10 Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied's first episode is notorious for featuring a ton of gore, more than any other episode in the series. The depraved manner in which Lucy twists and rips the bodies of her attackers is hard to watch and makes for one of the most violent moments in anime history.
While Elfen Lied does have its fair share of action, the crux of the anime is about one's psyche and what it means to even be human. The first episode makes it seem like a mindless gorefest, which is far from the case.
9 Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate is easily one of the most thought-provoking and engaging anime around. The lovable cast of characters and the mind-bending antics make for a great ride...although the start of this journey can be extremely rocky.
This is because Steins;Gate starts off its episodes with multiple exposition dumps and extended dialogue sequences. This really kills the pacing, which thankfully picks up once events are set in motion.
8 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Boruto has been criticized by many fans for being a shallow way to cash in on the popularity of Naruto. Seeing how Konoha evolves with a new generation of Shinobi is great, but Boruto definitely overstays its welcome.
The slow beginning turns many people off from the entire experience. This is a shame since Boruto has many stellar moments...although they only appear a long way into the series.
7 Black Clover
There was a time when Black Clover seemed like nothing more than the most generic anime show around. Asta didn't really endear himself to audiences with his incessant angst, with fights feeling rather threadbare at times.
However, Black Clover takes a while to get going and truly shines in its strongest parts. It's just a shame that the opening arcs are so generic that most people get turned off from the overall experience.
6 Bleach
Bleach is a show that has one of the best arcs in shonen history, another arc that tries to emulate the same with a lesser degree of success, and one of the most tepid beginnings and endings to any anime...or manga, for that matter.
The first few episodes of Bleach take on a monster-of-the-week format and feel pretty barebones. It takes some time for the Soul Society arc to finally rear its head, which is more than worth the wait.
5 Gintama
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Gintama is one of the most hilarious anime around, with this legendary shonen series also featuring some pretty riveting arcs of its own. However, the first two episodes of Gintama are some of the very worst in the entire series.
These episodes are completely original to the anime and are meant to be a treat for existing fans. However, new viewers trying to get into the series will be completely perplexed by the weird nature of this filler.
4 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Now, the first episode of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood isn't the worst thing around. However, this extra content feels like filler that really doesn't have an impact on the main plot.
The fact that the anime rushes through the first few chapters of the manga isn't that great either. As a result, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood takes a while to establish itself as a decent anime, but it's all forgiven once the show ramps up its immense quality.
3 Baccano!
Baccano! is one of the most confusing anime that anyone can watch. Trying to keep track of three intertwined narrative threads that air out of order is a huge thing to ask from the fans, with the first episode being the most confusing of the lot.
It's understandable if most anime fans just give up after the first episode, but it's highly recommended to give the entire series a shot. The story told in the series is unique and unlike anything seen in regular anime.
2 Fate/Zero
Fate/Zero is arguably the best anime in the Fate series, serving as a brilliant prequel to introduce established characters. However, the first episode is an exposition dump of the highest order that doesn't do justice to the excellent quality set by later episodes in the series.
Viewers who might find the anime to be mediocre and overhyped after the first episode just need to power through. The best moments in the anime are truly in a class of their own and make it clear why Fate/Zero is so beloved by the masses.
1 Berserk
It sounds like sacrilege to criticize Berserk for anything, but even its most ardent fans have to admit that the start of the series is anything but riveting. The manga feels extremely generic, with Guts doing no favors by displaying a thoroughly unlikeable attitude.
It's only after the background of the series is expanded upon that viewers realize how Guts became so hateful. Berserk is an excellent manga with the 1997 adaptation being the greatest of the lot, and judging it based on the first episode alone would be an unfortunate mistake.