Top 10 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Famous Anime

“Pokémon” (1997-)

Perhaps the most infamous episode of the long running “Pokémon” anime is the one that debuted the Pokémon Porygon. It was reported after broadcast that some scenes with flashing lights induced seizures in over 600 people, mostly children. Many assume that the polygonal Pokémon is the one responsible for the seizures. After all, the episode was never rebroadcast and Porygon and its evolutions have never appeared again in the TV series, ostensibly to prevent any reminders of the incident. However, the strobe effect was actually caused by Pikachu! Given that they couldn’t exactly drop their mascot Pokémon, the decision to shun Porygon was understandable, if unjust. If most Pokémon could talk, we have a feeling Porygon would say, “Et tu, Pikachu?”

“Ghost Stories” (2000-01)

This horror anime has become infamous for its English dub, which features risque and 4th wall breaking jokes. The prevailing rumor online has often been that writer Steven Foster and the actors were given free rein to do whatever they wanted with the script, because “Ghost Stories” proved unpopular in Japan. However, this is far from the truth. The novels the anime is based on were very popular. “Ghost Stories” also had good ratings when it aired, and was successful in magazine popularity polls. It’s unclear whether the myth that it was originally a flop originated with Foster or if it was a misunderstanding due to its ratings being poor in other Asian markets. Whatever the case, “Ghost Stories” certainly scared up plenty of attention.

“My Hero Academia” (2016-)

The world’s number one hero, All Might, spends much of the first part of the series swapping between his skinny form and his muscular hero form when using his Quirk, One for All. This leads some people to mistake All Might’s muscles as being caused by his Quirk. However, this conveniently glosses over the fact that All Might’s protege Izuku also has One for All and does not have this form. Izuku has to train his muscles in order to handle the Quirk’s power, whereas All Might had already trained his body to the point where he could handle it right away. All Might’s withered physique is the result of injuries, and he describes his muscular appearance as flexing to return to his former look.

“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-)

He may be one of the primary villains of “JJK,” but not everyone understands Ryomen Sukuna. Many assume that Sukuna is a cursed spirit, like other major antagonists in the series. Several cursed spirits support him and believe Sukuna will lead them to an age of cursed spirit supremacy. He’s also confusingly called “the King of Curses.” However, Sukuna is actually a Jujutsu Sorcerer, born a millennium ago. To preserve his consciousness, Sukuna transformed himself into 20 cursed objects, his own fingers, after death. By certain hosts, namely Yuji, eating the fingers, Sukuna can reincarnate into a new body. He may be every bit as vicious and savage as cursed spirits, but Sukuna is ultimately just a terrible human being.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2019-)

This period supernatural action series features a ton of flashy sword techniques. Using various elemental themed breathing techniques, the eponymous Demon Slayers appear to produce various effects when using their swords against their demonic foes. “Appear” is the operative word here. According to the manga volumes, breathing elements are simply included for visual effects, to make the attacks look flashier. The Demon Slayers might visualize their sword swings with fire, water, wind, or…snakes, but their swords don’t actually make them. We can understand the confusion, since demons themselves have magical abilities that often produce wild effects. But Demon Slayers have almost always been the underdogs compared to their immortal enemies, and elemental attacks would make the conflict more even than it actually is.

“Attack on Titan” (2013-23)

Thanks to a much-circulated Polygon article and some viewers completely misunderstanding its messaging, many mistakenly believe that “Attack on Titan” is supportive of fascist ideologies. While the series may feature elements associated with fascism - racism, segregation, nationalism, political violence, genocide - it also consistently depicts these things as being awful. “Attack on Titan” repeatedly demonstrates that fascism and the intolerance it inspires only leads to a cycle of revenge that’s ultimately futile and self-destructive. The paragon of virtue in the series isn’t protagonist Eren Yeager, who hopes that by destroying all his enemies he will achieve “freedom.” Instead, we’d argue that it’s Sasha’s dad Artur, of all people. He’s willing to put down his weapon, and let hatred die, instead of passing it on.

“One Punch Man” (2015-)

Conventional wisdom among anime fans is that if a series has good animation, it means the budget is big. So, naturally, when fans saw the mind-blowing fight scenes of “One Punch Man” season 1, many assumed that they were achieved with a high budget. This impression was further reinforced after season 2 switched to a new studio with less detailed or fluid fight scenes. However, season 1’s budget was average, and the quality was due to director Natsume Shingo and his connections. Natsume gathered a talented pool of animators he knew from previous projects, including some from other studios who were hired on a freelance basis. The great animation came from the people and the time allowed to animate, not the money or studio.

“One Piece” (1999-)


He may be Luffy’s first crewmate, but Zoro’s not the first mate. Despite airing over a thousand episodes, the Straw Hat Pirates have never referred to Roronoa Zoro as the crew’s first mate and/or vice-captain. That just blew your mind, didn’t it? Official sources in the manga also deny that Zoro holds the position. It’s easy to understand why everyone believes this. Zoro often takes charge of the crew or lectures Luffy on leadership. Some side characters refer to Zoro as the first mate or the second-in-command. The live-action version even gives Zoro the title. But all official sources simply call him “a fighter/swordsman” of the crew. Even if Zoro being the first mate is head canon, it does feel right, admittedly.

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10)

There are 2 “Fullmetal Alchemist” anime. Famously, the first one has an original ending, with its entire second half diverging from the manga. However, despite popular belief, this doesn’t mean “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” adapted the entirety of the manga either. It does feature a largely faithful depiction of the manga’s latter half, barring a few character moments here and there, and a fight or two. The beginning does have more cuts though. In addition to featuring slightly more rushed pacing, a couple of early side stories are removed entirely. One of them is briefly recapped by Yoki, explaining his grudge against the Elrics. “Brotherhood” also never gave us the train hijacking that served as Maes Hughes’ original introduction. And who wouldn’t want more Hughes?

“Dragon Ball” franchise (1986-)

“WHAT?! But Vegeta and Goku are rivals, and Vegeta is so insecure about Goku being stronger! Surely Goku has won one of their fights, right?!” Nope. Well, not exactly. Their first fight does see Vegeta retreat, but that’s because Goku got the assist from Gohan, Krillin, Yajirobe, and energy from the entire world - after Vegeta wrecked him. In their rematch, Goku could’ve won if he’d gone Super Saiyan 3…but he didn’t. Plus, they got distracted by Buu, and Vegeta knocked Goku out. And in “Dragon Ball Super” and the accompanying movies, the duo spar several times, but either the fight gets interrupted or Goku admits defeat. Goku may have won some of their informal bouts - but they were all offscreen, Kakarot fans! Victory for Vegeta.



Is there an anime mistake we were mistaken for leaving off our list? Help correct us by sharing your picks in the comments!