The Impact of Anime Sequels on Fan Perception and Franchise Longevity
Although second seasons of animes generate great expectations, since viewers are eager to know the continuation of the story, sometimes sequels may differ from the creators' intentions.
Many sequels can be disappointing and cause the decline of the franchise by damaging the fans' perception of the series and even leading to a subsequent abandonment of any plan to continue the projects.
However, many times, sequels make the difference between a regular work and a masterpiece by showcasing improved animation quality, solid narrative, direction, and character development, becoming even more successful than their predecessors.
Because of this, there are times when fans should watch a sequel as soon as possible, while others present many reasons to skip them and better hold onto the feeling of the original anime without tampering with it with a negative experience.
The following list outlines the best and worst anime sequels:
- 10 Worst: Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It - The second season became repetitive and ended with a dark storyline that betrayed the series' essence.
- 9 Best: Fruits Basket: The Final Season - A masterful conclusion that explores character development and themes of forgiveness.
- 8 Worst: The Devil is a Part-Timer Season 2 - A lackluster continuation with a change of studio that disappointed fans.
- 7 Best: Clannad: After Story - Explores adult lives with deep emotional impact and character growth.
- 6 Worst: Black Butler II - Divisive due to unnecessary changes in story tone and character depth.
- 5 Best: Mob Psycho 100 II - Exceeds expectations with visual innovation and character depth.
- 4 Worst: Tokyo Ghoul √A - An original story that wasted character development and created confusion.
- 3 Best: Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 - Considered an epic season with significant plot revelations.
- 2 Worst: The Promised Neverland Season 2 - A controversial adaptation that deviated radically from the manga.
- 1 Best: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - A comeback that delivered a proper conclusion with superior animation.
In conclusion, the success or failure of anime sequels significantly impacts franchise longevity and fan perceptions, demonstrating that not all sequels are created equal.
