Anime 5 Winter 2026 that didn't live up to the hype

Like Winter anime season 2026 is coming to an end, there are many series that will leave fans wanting more. Hits like Frieren, Oshi no Ko and Jujutsu Kaisen were the highlights of this season and everyone will be waiting for news regarding future seasons or movies.

However, as is often the case, there are shows that we all wanted to see, but once we did, they weren't as great as we thought. Fortunately, the season was not full of them, but there were some. Here are a few anime that didn't exactly live up to the hype this winter (or summer, if you live south of the equator).

Yoroi-Shinden samurai soldiers

The new Ronin Warriors weren't as big as fans wanted

Return from Ronin warriors with a brand new series, Yoroi-Shinden samurai soldiersshould have been great news for anyone who watched the show decades ago. It's a follow-up to the 1988 story with plenty of room to deliver amazing storytelling. However, as with many revivals of old franchises, the execution did not live up to the hype for some, although the anime managed to find a solid fan base. It's a bit of a love it or hate it case.

First, the anime relies heavily on 3D animation, which feels empty and doesn't match the aesthetic of the old series. These revivals of franchises from the 1980s or 1990s usually use a “cleaner” design that feels more in touch with younger audiences, but often fails to satisfy older fans.

The anime is still ongoing and could keep getting better, especially since fans are excited to see some familiar faces in the new anime. But so far, the plot and pacing haven't lived up to expectations, and the new characters haven't quite won over fans (although that's a common hurdle for sequels without original characters).

Trigun Stargaze (reboot)

Sequel to Trigun Stampede

Trigun Stampede was a polarizing reboot Trigun series, but many fans still thought so Trigun Stargazecontinuation Panicwould be able to solve a few problems and live up to the legacy of the franchise. Even those who enjoyed it Panic are now expressing their disappointment at the sequel.

Although Panic and Stargaze Never claimed to be individual manga adaptations, many feel the series is rushed this season. Sure, it's more of a “retelling” of the story, keeping many of the events but changing the setting for a more “modernized” approach (which is polarizing in itself), but the anime fails to explore the original story as much as it should. There were complaints about characters like Meryl, Milly, and even Vash. While some of the issues seem to stem from production issues, there are many things that are mostly directional and writing choices that didn't even please. Panic fans.

The Darwin Incident (Darwin Jihen)

Great idea with poor execution

This is probably the most talked about “disappointment” of this anime season. Many people enjoy the series that takes bold stances on the very philosophical and political issues of our world, such as animal rights and even terrorism. However, the direction often does not fulfill the potential The Darwin Incident.

The premise is amazing: after an extremist animal rights organization called the Animal Liberation Alliance (ALA) attacks a research lab, it rescues a pregnant chimpanzee. The chimpanzee soon gives birth to a human-chimpanzee (“human”) hybrid named Charlie, who is adopted and raised by a human couple. Its existence is a source of conflict between scientists, institutions and animal rights advocates. The story focuses on 15-year-old Charlie as he goes through high school and the prejudices surrounding his existence.

The series sometimes takes a path that seems too simple, and the dialogue often feels rather superficial. Scores on sites like MyAnimeList are lower than expected since this was a big news release for the season, though they're still fair (it's a 6.61 on MAL). However, while the series is still quite compelling with its unique premise, the animation also feels lacking. Some stories don't need “best animation ever” to be good, but it's always better if the quality of animation and storytelling is at least consistent.

Hell's Paradise (Jigokuraku)

The pace has slowed down in the new season

Image via MAPPA studio.

After a great first season, fans expected a lot from the sequel Hell's paradisebut the production took an unexpected turn. While the animation quality remains great, many feel that the pacing is terrible and there are a lot of flashbacks and replays of scenes. There are also many complaints about the overly expository dialogue.

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But fans who didn't watch the first season just for the fight scenes and action have a generally more favorable opinion of the new season. This may just be an issue related to this specific arc, but fans seem to be divided on the series right now.

Hana-Kimi (Hanazakari no Kimitachi)

30 years of waiting is not worth the patience

Hana-Kimi was a popular shoujo manga in the mid-90s and early 2000s, and fans were definitely excited when the anime was announced. The series has been adapted into major dramas in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, and the anime commemorates the manga's 30th anniversary. There was simply no reason for it not to turn out well.

But it didn't happen. While the story has some themes that definitely resonate with anime viewers today, including a proactive female protagonist who isn't shy about pursuing the boy she loves (which was a bit rarer back then), the animation doesn't live up to the legacy. First of all, the design doesn't match the late Hisaya Nakajo's art style and the budget seems to be a big problem as the animation is limited. The anime seems to lack an identity and the slow pace doesn't help. It's a shame for such a classic manga, which clearly deserved more.