Top 10 Times Anime TROLLED the Fans

“Katanagatari” (2010)

As far as epic fight scenes go, this series is packed to the brim with them. And yet, we still can’t get over that one time it blindsided us by completely skipping over what had been built up as a monumental clash. As per usual, Shichika and Togame are on the hunt for the legendary Deviant Blades, which brings them into conflict with one of its owners. While you’d naturally assume we’d get to see said fight, instead it cuts to an entire side-plot involving Shichika’s sister slaughtering some C-Grade villains, only to cut back to the lead duo post-victory…discussing what happened. The real kicker? They had a promo for the actual fight which was never used!

“Pop Team Epic” (2018)

Right out of the starting gate, these two gave their audience a giant middle finger before taking them on a wild ride filled with more satire than we knew what to do with. After delivering the first half of the episode, the girls proceed with a follow-up that was strikingly similar to the first. In fact, it was the exact same thing, only difference being the change in voice. Despite the fact that they got some awesome voice actors for this second half, it ended up making it an incredible chore to watch. And if you thought you could just skip it well too bad because you’d be missing out on some new scenes every now and then.

“Gintama” (2006-)

Fresh off the first Gintama movie fans were looking for more and what better way to announce a brand new sequel than to give fans a quick preview during one of the episodes! Depicting a fierce battle against the invading Amanto forces, we see Gintoki, Katsura and the rest slaying their way through endless hordes of opponents, lamenting thier life choices, and generally giving us the origin story that we’ve always wanted to see. Only for Gin to appear at the end and declare that it ain’t happening. You did us dirty Gin!

“The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” (2006-09)

You know it, we know it, this set of episodes is a massive exercise in endurance. Being trapped in a time loop isn’t a new concept and has been done well in other shows, we’d even go as far as to say the first three times we follow the SOS Brigade through the same summer day it’s quite endearing, but to go through said cycle five more times, and even be teased an ending multiple times only to go through the motions at the last second, is just too much. Even for Haruhi!

“Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues” (2018)

Look, we weren’t expecting the ultimate loser to become a regular star of this spin-off, but considering that this IS a spin-off, it would have been nice to at least get a cameo. For a moment it looked like the show had the same idea when Tonegawa encountered a guy who looks exactly like Kaiji…only for it to be some randomer dressed like him for no reason whatsoever - other than to jab fans in the gut. Just hurry up and make a third season already!

“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders” (2014-15)

There are Grandad jokes, and then there’s Joseph Joestar. Only he would take the opportunity, seconds after being brought back to life via an emergency blood transfusion, to rattle his heavily wounded grandson by making him think that by using the blood of the recently slain Dio, that he has accidentally brought the vampire back from the dead. Naturally, Jotaro tries to knock his ass flat…only for Joseph to immediately confess that it was just a prank bro! Still surprised Star Platinum didn’t break his perfect jaw for a stunt like that!

“Hyouka” (2012)

You were so close, Hyouka! You could have given us the ending we all wanted! Instead, you gave us a fake out that may have remained true to the characters but holy cinnamon rolls was it frustrating! Just when we thought that Oreki had confessed his feelings to Chitanda (let’s be honest – we all would!) it turns out that he hasn’t said a word, and his confession is just in his head. Ergo, we DON’T get the pairing we had been dying to see get together from the get-go, and Chi remains a single pringle.

“Boruto: Naruto Next Generations” (2017-)

Evidently the Will of Fire is only interested in yaoi. In an almost shot-for-shot call-back to the time Naruto and Sasuke accidentally locked lips, Boruto and Sarada found themselves moments away from sharing in their father’s misfortune. Given the likeliness that these two will likely head towards headcanon territory, you can imagine many were rooting for Cupid to strike again. Only it turns out that Sarada has better reflexes compared to her Dad when he was her age, since she shuts that shit down fast!

“Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans” (2015-17)

This is just cruel. We had just watched Mika lose his life during the final battle against Gjallerhorn, all before he and Barbatos got their heads removed courtesy of Queen Plank Julieta. That was a tough pill to swallow, which was made all the worse following the time-skip when we see a silhouette of Mika approaching an aged up Kudelia. Was he alive after all? Did he somehow survive the Gundam curse? Nope. It’s just his and Atra’s son who has an identical hairstyle. Didn’t know that was genetic…

“Pokémon” (1997-)

You just couldn’t resist, could you? You knew that every fan was paranoid that Ash was going lose this latest tournament, because he’s Ash Motherflipping Ketchum. During the Alola tournament, Ash battles his rival Hau, and in all too familiar fashion loses when his Rowlet appears to get wrecked by Dedicueye. However all is not as it seems as Hala suddenly points out that Rowlett is in fact asleep… allowing the match to resume for some reason. Not sure what’s more infuriating – the fact this might be the sketchiest battle of Ash’s career, or the possibility of him getting away with this and potentially losing again later down the line.