If a genre exists, there’s probably an anime about it. Being an animated medium containing the richness of Japanese culture, imagination, and creativity, fans of any genre can associate at least one anime with them, be it a hit series or a cult classic. And being anime, there’s always room for classic tropes such as character archetypes, and even a dash of comedy here and there.
Unfortunately, some anime are just notorious for adding comedic moments to catch viewers off-guard and ensure they stay invested in both the anime’s story and its characters. Sadly, some anime just had the most potential to be great if it weren’t for out of place comedy that seems to take viewers straight out of immersion.
10 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba (2019)
Set in Taisho-era Japan, the Demon Slayer Corps wage a secret war against demons who plague villages, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba begins when kind-hearted Tanjiro Kamado is thrust into combat after demons killed his family and transformed his sister Nezuko into a demon, who fortunately retained her humanity. Armed with specialized swords and Breathing Styles, Demon Slayer demonstrates one of the best approaches to combat and drama possible, with Tanjiro constantly demonstrating hopefulness despite desperation and horrific events.
Unfortunately, where Demon Slayer shines in terms of its story and development is where it lacks in terms of comedic relief. While combat shonen definitely has room for comedy to break the tension, Demon Slayer does it in a way that can sometimes ruin immersion, making it not as appealing to viewers who want to be engrossed in its story.
9 Higurashi: When They Cry (2006)
Visual novel fans would fondly remember Higurashi: When They Cry for its rather wild storyline, especially when youngster Keiichi Maebara moves into the village of Hinamizawa in 1983 to experience the countryside. When Keiichi learns of a string of disappearances that happen yearly around the Oyashiro Festival that will happen close to his arrival, he and other friends are dragged into a mystery where their lives are constantly at stake.
With the original visual novel featuring separate questions and answer arcs that will have players piece together their interpretation of the story, Higurashi does the same thing with separate episode arcs. And while its mystery is easily something to boggle the minds of viewers, its almost “equal” blend of comedy and gore in the same episode can be enough to make the show a bit off-putting.
8 Hellsing Ultimate (2006)
In the alternate timeline of Hellsing Ultimate, Sir Integra Hellsing and the Royal Order of Protestant Knights is the only secret force standing between the mortal world and the threats of the undead and other supernatural creatures. Their best weapon is none other than Alucard, the original vampire, who swore loyalty to Abraham Van Helsing after his defeat in combat more than a century ago. Unfortunately for the organization, they’re put in their biggest challenge yet as remnants of a Nazi group called the Millennium seem hell-bent on reviving Nazi Germany through vampirism, transforming otherwise-isolated vampire encounters into a global threat.
Accompanying this rather dark premise is over-the-top action coupled with the brutality and darkness demonstrated by Alucard and other foes he’s facing along the way. Unfortunately, what perhaps ruins the show is a bit of its comedy, as its slapstick humor can sometimes ruin immersion in the show’s rather extremely dark tone.
7 Yakitate!! Japan (2004)
While there’s a lot of recommended cooking anime out there, perhaps none could compare to the appeal of Yakitate!! Japan, which focuses on baking. The anime tells the story of Kazuma Azuma, a talented baker who wants to make “Ja-pan,” a signature bread for Japan. Throughout the anime, Kazuma makes his way to Tokyo to prove his worth and work in the famous bread-making chain Pantasia, all the while honing his skills, meeting other bakers, and competing against them in various competitions.
Kazuma is known not just for his oddly-warm “Solar Hands” that ferments bread faster, but also for his creative genius. And this is usually coupled by his pun-tastic remarks about his Ja-pan prototypes, which easily becomes a highlight of the anime. Unfortunately, the overrated reactions and pun-filled final arcs of the anime has ruined its flair, especially when some reactions from judges and characters become more predictable than usual.
6 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
Given its setup as an action-paced shonen anime, it’s safe to assume that Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood definitely has comedic elements. This is quite surprising considering the depth of its story. In its setting of Amestris, Alchemy as a craft is widespread among those gifted enough to tap into this science, and the story centers around the Elric Brothers - Edward “Fullmetal” Elric and Alphonse - as they search for the Philosopher’s Stone to restore their bodies after a horrific incident in their childhood.
Throughout their journey, Ed and Al start meeting other people, all with unique backgrounds, agendas, and sometimes even combat skills. Fans love Fullmetal Alchemist for its approach in combat in particular, especially how combatants can get creative in fights. However, the comedic elements of the anime can sometimes ruin otherwise intense scenes, especially the “Edward is short” running gag that can get old quickly.
5 Code Geass (2006)
Japan does not exist in Code Geass but rather Area 11, with its former name “stripped” when the Holy Britannian Empire conquered the land with their mecha called Knightmare Frames. With the world seemingly divided into two other global powers outside the Empire, Earth has had relative peace. That is, until exiled prince Lelouch vi Britannia meets a mysterious woman called C.C. Who grants him the “Geass,” also called the “Power of Kings.”
Bestowed with the ability to seemingly manipulate anyone into doing what he wants, Lelouch creates a masked alter ego called Zero and forms the Order of the Black Knights, beginning a rebellion against the Holy Britannian Empire that shakes the world to its core. Despite the awesome nature of this us-versus-them premise, Code Geass has comedic elements in the form of Lelouch’s high-school life that can sometimes ruin the show’s otherwise serious elements.
4 Death Note (2006)
When high school student Light Yagami discovers the “Death Note,” he’s shocked to see that its claims of killing anyone whose name is written on its pages. Armed with this new “weapon,” Light discovers he can finally rid the world of criminals and “rule” in his own peaceful image, beginning a crusade against criminals as Kira. This seemingly-unstoppable crusade is halted by the arrival of the enigmatic L, called the World’s Greatest Detective, and perhaps the only person to match Light’s genius.
What results is an anime where both Kira and L try to outwit one another in each other’s mind games, where lives are both manipulated and played with in a chess board with the world at stake. Despite this suspenseful premise, Death Note’s otherwise comedic moments - unnecessary witty banter and antics here and there - can ruin the depth of the show.
3 Your Lie In April (2014)
Anyone who says Your Lie In April is a feel-good anime to watch at “any point in time” is a liar, but it remains one of the most emotionally-charged coming-of-age stories out there. The story revolves around Kosei Arima, a teenage piano prodigy who abruptly stops playing after his mother’s death caused him PTSD - resulting in the “loss” of his capability to hear the piano.
Things change for Kosei upon meeting Kaori Miyazono, an otherwise free-spirit girl with a remarkably vibrant way of playing the violin. The anime shows the story of how Kaori manages to help Kosei rekindle his love for the piano. Despite the anime’s depth throughout its 22-episode run, fans can’t deny that “typical” comedy in anime scenes can ruin the intensity presented in the story, making abrupt cuts in the drama that could otherwise plunge viewers deep into the hearts of the characters.
2 March Comes In Like A Lion (2016)
Similar to Your Lie In April is March Comes In Like A Lion, another coming-of-age tale, this time focusing on the Japanese board game shogi. The anime centers around Rei Kiriyama, a shogi prodigy who begins living alone after leaving his foster family, whom he stayed with throughout much of his childhood after the rest of his family died in an accident.
The anime focuses on Rei’s growth both as a shogi player and as a person, particularly when stepping out of his shell as an introvert and developing his relationships with others. Despite the rather serious tone of the anime, the comedic elements to “lighten up” the mood tend to ruin immersion on part of the viewers. This is especially in instances where the anime takes great lengths to elaborate the emotional state of Rei, only to “break” atmosphere with a comedic highlight.
1 Brynhildr In The Darkness (2014)
A decade before the start of the series, Ryota Murakami entertains his childhood friend Kuroneko in her belief and subsequent “search” for alien life. This dream becomes “serious” for Ryota when an accident injures him but kills Kuroneko. Now a member of the school’s Astronomy Club, Ryota becomes the protagonist of Brynhildr In The Darkness when new student Neko Kuroha not only resembles Kuroneko, but somehow possesses vast powers.
Not only that, but Ryota gets the shock of his life when Neko reveals that she’s actually a “witch” that escaped from an alien research lab. With this new knowledge, Ryota gets plunged deep into Neko’s world, now tasked to help other escaped witches, all the while knowing that the scientists in Neko’s former lab will kill anyone who knows about their project. And despite the dark premise of the show, the rather comedic elements and “building” Ryota’s obligatory shonen harem can definitely spoil the anime’s serious tone at times.