Anime is an industry in constant flux, with creatives continuously pushing boundaries through new animation techniques and storytelling innovations. For anime creators from the 1970s, modern-day studios might seem unrecognizable, a testament to the remarkable evolution of the medium. Many older anime, once revolutionary, would struggle to pass through today’s development pipelines due to cultural shifts and new production demands. Some shows simply wouldn’t make it past the pitch phase due to outdated sensibilities or unmarketable formats. Below, we explore ten iconic retro anime series that would face significant challenges in the modern anime landscape.
10. Tomorrow’s Joe: Slow Build, No Instant Action
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Tomorrow’s Joe (1970), based on the manga by Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba, tells the story of Joe Yabuki, a troubled youth who discovers a passion for boxing. While the series remains a cornerstone of Japanese anime, its pacing might be considered a barrier to modern audiences. Joe’s journey toward becoming a professional boxer doesn’t even start until episode 32, after a lengthy build-up in the first 13 episodes. In today’s fast-paced anime landscape, where viewers expect quicker engagement, this slow-burn approach might deter contemporary viewers accustomed to faster storytelling in sports anime.
9. Ghost Stories: Humor Lost in Translation
Streaming on Crunchyroll
The 2000 horror anime Ghost Stories (Gakkou no Kaidan), based on Tōru Tsunemitsu’s novels, initially aimed to deliver a chilling story about a group of kids confronting vengeful spirits. However, when ADV Films acquired the American rights in 2004, they reworked the show into a comedic dub with dark humor, making it a cult hit in the West. Today, however, anime localization has shifted dramatically. With more attention on maintaining a show’s original tone and avoiding controversial alterations, Ghost Stories’ style of edgy, irreverent humor likely wouldn’t fly in today’s international streaming climate.
8. Seraphim Call: The Anthology Experiment
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Released in 1999 by Sunrise, Seraphim Call is a unique entry in the anime canon. Set in a futuristic city, the series is an anthology, with each episode focusing on a different girl and their personal dilemmas. The show’s experimental nature, including episodes told from unusual perspectives—such as a girl’s stuffed animal—challenges the traditional anime format. Today’s anime market, which favors easily marketable and predictable series, would likely struggle to embrace a show as unconventional as Seraphim Call, especially with its non-linear storytelling and niche appeal.
7. Mobile Suit Gundam: A Risky Gamble That Paid Off
Streaming on Crunchyroll
The 1979 classic Mobile Suit Gundam revolutionized the mecha genre, but its production was anything but smooth. The series initially faced low ratings and was cut short from 52 episodes to 43. Modern anime production, where series are often limited to one or two cours (about 24 episodes), would never allow such an ambitious, untested original anime to reach the same scale. The long-running story and complex world-building of Mobile Suit Gundam were groundbreaking at the time, but today’s anime industry tends to favor shorter, more commercially viable series over high-risk ventures.
6. Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!: Too Much Product Placement
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The 1986 film Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! holds a historical place in anime as one of the first adaptations of a video game. However, it features excessive product placement that would be jarring for modern audiences. Mario and Luigi pause their adventure to eat branded ramen and rice seasoning, with the products’ logos prominently displayed. While product placement still exists in modern anime, it is typically much more subtle. The blatant promotion of real-world items in a children’s film would not resonate with today’s discerning viewers.
5. Serial Experiments Lain: A Moment in Internet History
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The 1998 series Serial Experiments Lain is considered a seminal work in anime. It explores themes of technology and identity as the protagonist, Lain, becomes immersed in a virtual world known as “The Wired.” The series was released during a time when the internet was still a novel concept, and the separation between the digital and physical worlds was far more pronounced. In today’s hyper-connected, always-online world, the premise of Serial Experiments Lain would lose much of its mystique and intrigue, making it difficult to replicate its impact in a modern setting.
4. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: Confusing Narrative for Today’s Audiences
Streaming on Crunchyroll
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006), based on the light novels by Nagaru Tanigawa, is famous for its non-linear storytelling and subversion of anime tropes. One notable example is the Endless Eight arc, where a time loop is depicted by repeating the same episode eight times with only minor changes. While this approach was groundbreaking in 2006, it would likely be met with confusion and frustration by modern audiences who expect clear narrative structures. The series’ unorthodox storytelling and emphasis on repeated content make it unlikely to succeed in today’s anime market, where linearity and ease of comprehension are prioritized.
3. I My Me! Strawberry Eggs: Outdated Gender Politics
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Released in 2001, I My Me! Strawberry Eggs centers on Hibiki Amawa, a man who disguises himself as a woman to secure a teaching job at an all-girls school. The premise, which involves gender identity issues and inappropriate teacher-student dynamics, is uncomfortable by today’s standards. Additionally, the anime struggles with inconsistent tonal shifts, alternating between comedy and uncomfortable situations. In an era that prioritizes sensitivity to gender issues and workplace dynamics, Strawberry Eggs would likely be criticized for its outdated approach.
2. Lucky Star: A Cultural Time Capsule
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Lucky Star (2007), an anime adaptation of a four-panel comic strip, is known for its referential humor, constantly alluding to otaku culture and contemporary anime. However, in today’s fast-moving media landscape, where trends evolve quickly and audiences are fragmented across different platforms, a show relying so heavily on specific cultural references would likely struggle to connect with global audiences. The anime’s jokes, while clever at the time, may not have the same resonance with a new generation of viewers who are less likely to have shared experiences or reference points.
1. Dragon Ball Z: Too Much Filler
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Although Dragon Ball Z (1989) remains one of the most influential anime series of all time, its excessive filler content, slow pacing, and repetitive action sequences would be considered problematic in today’s market. Modern anime audiences, accustomed to tighter plots and faster-paced storytelling, would find the countless episodes of endless battles and filler arcs less engaging. While the series remains a classic, its pacing issues would not fit the expectations of today’s fast-paced streaming culture.
Conclusion
The anime industry has evolved considerably over the past few decades, and many retro series that were groundbreaking in their time would face significant hurdles if made today. From outdated gender politics to unconventional narrative structures and slow pacing, these classics serve as a reminder of how much anime has changed in response to cultural shifts and modern production standards. As the medium continues to evolve, these retro series remain important milestones in the history of anime, despite their potential difficulty in finding success in the contemporary landscape.
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