There is no denying the emotional pull of nostalgia. For manyanimefans, certain classics hold a permanent place in peoples hearts, no matter how much time passes. But when fans revisit these older titles with fresh eyes, or introduce them to a new generation, the cracks start to show. Whether it is outdated animation, uncomfortable tropes, or just poor storytelling in hindsight, not every classic has aged like fine wine.
To be clear, these are not bad anime. In fact, they are often beloved, groundbreaking, or uniquely weird in ways that still attract fans today. But watching them now, it is hard to ignore the signs of their time. Here is a closer look at seven anime classics that have not held up quite as well as fans had hoped they would, even if fans still cannot help but love them.
Anime Film by Group TAC; Based on the Novel by Kenji Miyazawa
This surreal and dreamlike film was once praised for its philosophical depth and beautiful simplicity. Featuring anthropomorphic cats on a spiritual journey through space,Night On The Galactic Railroadtaps into deeply existential themes about life and death. For many, it remains a profound and unforgettable experience, especially if fans encountered it as a young viewer and love to rewatch it as a nostalgic childhood treat.
But in modern rewatchings, the slow pacing and stilted, almost hypnotic dialogue can feel more alienating than poetic. Its animation, while charming in a minimalist way, often comes off as static and lifeless by today’s standards. The heavy religious symbolism and melancholy tone also feel overly drawn-out and ill-explained without enough narrative propulsion to sustain younger or more contemporary audiences.
6Highlander: The Search For Vengeance (2007)
Anime Film by Madhouse; Based on the Highlander Franchise Created by Gregory Widen
Directed byNinja Scroll’sYoshiaki Kawajiri, this anime spinoff of theHighlanderfranchise was once celebrated for its gritty style and bloody action. It blended Western style and storytelling with Eastern animation flair, and for fans of hard-boiled antiheroes and gothic aesthetics, it scratched a specific itch that few anime series dared to touch at the time. But now, the anime landscape is ull of antiheroes, morally gray characters, and goth aesthetics, making one of the few good aspects of Highlander: The Search for Vengeance almost void.
Yet, despite its visual flair,Highlander: The Search for Vengeancenow feels weighed down by shallow writing and wooden voice acting. The story lacks the emotional resonance needed to elevate its over-the-top violence. What was once edgy now borders on juvenile, and its grimdark tone often overshadows any real substance. The female characters, in particular, are little more than plot devices, which alienates many female anime fans who want to see more equality in the medium.
5Wicked City (1987)
Anime Film by Madhouse; Based on the Novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi
A staple of late-night anime marathons and one of Kawajiri’s most infamous works,Wicked Citywas once hailed as a boundary-pushing blend of noir and body horror. Its portrayal of a hidden world of demons and the agents who fight them felt groundbreaking at the time, especially for audiences who had never seen anything quite so grotesque or sexual on screen.
But revisiting it today,Wicked Cityis extremely difficult to recommend without a long list of content warnings. Its sexual violence is deeply disturbing and, frankly, gratuitous. The female characters are treated horrifically, often reduced to shock-value plot twists, which is something that is completely unacceptable both then and now. What may have once seemed edgy now reads as exploitative and offensive, making it hard to appreciate even for fans of horror.
4Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)
Anime Film by Production I.G; Original Concept by Mamoru Oshii
Blood: The Last Vampirewas lauded as a technical marvelwhen it was first released. Its crisp digital animation, moody aesthetic, and enigmatic protagonist offered a sleek, compact action thriller. At just under 50 minutes, it made a bold statement with its minimal dialogue and stylish atmosphere, and it inspired an entire franchise.
However, its visual edge does not quite save it from its narrative shortcomings. The film feels more like a prologue than a complete story, offering little context or character development. Modern viewers may find it hard to connect with Saya or even follow the sparse plot. What once seemed cool and cryptic now comes off as undercooked and incomplete, especially compared to some of the modern digitally animated films likeDemon Slayer: Infinity Castle.
3InuYasha The Movie: The Castle Beyond The Looking Glass (2002)
Anime Film by Sunrise; Based on the Manga by Rumiko Takahashi
This secondInuYashafilm gave fans more time with their favorite feudal-era gang, mixing fantasy action with romantic tension. It captured the show’s signature charm, and for many longtime fans, it provided several satisfying scenes that fans had been begging for, especially in the long-awaited emotional and romantic moments between InuYasha and Kagome.
Unfortunately, it is not a film that holds up well on its own. The animation, while serviceable, lacks polish, and the villain is one of the most forgettable in the series. The plot feels like an overlong filler episode, with little consequence or growth. For newcomers, it is a confusing and underwhelming ride that leans heavily on nostalgia and romance to stay afloat.
2Pokémon 4Ever (2001)
Anime Film by OLM, Inc.; Based on the Game Franchise by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures
Featuring the mythical Pokémon Celebi and a time-traveling twist,Pokémon 4Evertried to add emotional depth to the franchise’s cinematic outings. It aimed for something more serious, with themes of environmentalism, loyalty, and loss, which resonated with young audiences at the time, and are still important issues today that need to be tackled by films and television shows. If fans are looking for some good alternative anime on those subjects, Studio Ghibli’sPrincess MononokeandNausicaä of the Valley of the Windare great options that are also child-friendly.
But compared to modernPokémonmovies, or even earlier ones likeThe First Movie, Pokémon 4Everstruggles to maintain relevance. Its animation feels flat and dated, and the story lacks emotional weight in hindsight. Ash’s connection to Celebi feels forced, and the villain is cartoonishly evil without real development. It is a charming time capsule, but one that is hard to recommend today outside of pure nostalgia.
1Ichi The Killer: Episode 0 (2002)
OVA by AIC; Based on the Manga by Hideo Yamamoto
Intended as a prequel to Takashi Miike’s infamous live-action film, this OVA attempts to explore Ichi’s traumatic past through a disturbing psychological lens. At the time, it was seen as a bold attempt to expand theIchi the Killeruniverse using the freedoms of animation. Its raw, unflinching tone made it a curiosity for horror anime fans.
ButEpisode 0is deeply uncomfortable to watch, and not in a productive, thought-provoking way. It leans heavily into sadism, offering little in the way of redemption or emotional insight. The animation is crude, and the storytelling lacks subtlety or nuance. It has not just aged, it was problematic from the start and has not improved with time.
