Anime spin-offsexpand worlds and offer a fresh perspective on characters and settings. Some build upon their source material with their storytelling, lore, and inventive revelations that elevate the original experience of the main series. Whether through prequels, sequels, or even alternative universes, some spin-offs stand out as worthy companions to the main series; however, others don’t achieve the same level of success.
While some spin-offs build upon and even,at times, outshine their predecessors, others fail to capture the essence of what made the originals so special. Whereas spin-offs have the opportunity to enrich and surpass the main series, it’s also possible for the exact opposite to occur. The bottom line is that some anime offshoots deserve recognition as must-watch experiences for fans of the original series, while others serve as examples of how not to handle an extended storyline.
10Worst: Saint Seiya: Omega
Produced by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga Saint Seiya, by Masami Kurumada
Saint Seiya: Omegais a sequel to the classicSaint Seiya, set years after the original series. It introduces a new generation of Saints, led by Koga, a young warrior who inherited the mantle of Pegasus. With Athena threatened once again, Koga and his allies battle powerful enemies. The series retains familiar elements of the original, but it shifts toward a more modernized and youthful, shonen-style approach.
Despite its attempt to modernize, the series falls short due to its lackluster storytelling and underdeveloped characters. The spin-off diluted the charm and depth of the original, replacing it with a storyline that lacked emotional weight. Longtime fans found the drastic changes in lore and combat mechanics unnecessary, making the series feel disconnected fromSaint Seiyaandcoming across as a misguided attempt to appeal to a younger audience.
9Best: Magi: Adventure of Sinbad
Produced by Lay-Duce, Based on the Maga Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, by Shinobu Ohtaka
Magi: Adventure of Sinbadis a prequel toMagi: The Labyrinth of Magicand follows the early life of Sinbad, King of Sindria. The series follows his humble beginnings as a poor boy from Parthevia to a powerful dungeon conqueror. Throughout the series, Sinbad meets loyal companions and overcomes many struggles that play a role in shaping his legacy.
What makesMagi: Adventure of Sinbadstand out isthe development of its world and characters. As a compelling figure from the original series, Sinbad’s backstory serves as a strong premise. However, the spin-off elevates this with its well-paced storyline and expansions to theMagi lore. The series skillfully blends action and political drama, offering fans a fresh yet familiar experience with its solid animation, engaging battles, and colorful cast.
Dragon Ball GTtakes place years after the end ofDragon Ball Z, following Goku’s transformation back into a child due to the Black Star Dragon Balls. Along with Pan and Trunks, he goes on a journey across the universe to recover the Dragon Balls before Earth faces destruction. The series then later shifts to focus on new villains, including Baby, Super 17, and the Shadow Dragons, while introducing abrand-new transformation, Super Saiyan 4.
Dragon Ball GT Is a Controversial Anime, But Here’s Why Its Most-Hated Arc Is Secretly Genius
While the tone of Dragon Ball GT’s Black-Star Dragon Ball Saga has problems, there are many aspects of it that are seriously underrated.
Unlike its predecessor,GTwas not based on Akira Toriyama’s manga, and he had little influence on the series. Despite ambitious ideas, the spin-off waswidely regarded as a disappointing follow-up to the beloved series. The story not only feels disjointed but also struggles with character development and finding a balance between high-stakes battles and lighthearted adventure. While some arcs had merit, the series overall was a lackluster expansion ofDragon Ball.
7Best: Dragon Ball: The History of Trunks
Produced by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama
Dragon Ball: The History of Trunksis one ofthe most intriguing storylines in theDragon Ballfranchise. Set in an alternate timeline, where Goku succumbs to a heart virus, and nearly every Z-Fighter is slain by the ruthless Androids 17 and 18, the narrative follows Trunks as a young boy as he trains under Gohan, the last remaining warrior, in a desperate attempt to save what is left of humanity.
The special follows Trunks’ painful journey in a world defined by loss and hardships, ultimately leading him to travel back in time to warn the past. What makesThe History of Trunksstand out is its dark tone and emotional undercurrent.The bleak, post-apocalyptic setting adds weight to the narrative, making his eventual transformation into Super Saiyan one of the franchise’s most powerful moments.
Soul Eater Not!is both a spin-off and a prequel toSoul Eaterandfocuses primarily on slice-of-life themes rather than high-stakes battles. The story follows Tsugumi Harudori, a young girl who can transform into a weapon and subsequently enrolls at Death Weapon Meister Academy. Unlike the original series,Soul Eater Not!explores the daily lives of students in the NOT (Normally Overcome Target) Class, specifically Tsugumi’s friendships with meisters Meme and Anya.
Despite its connection to a beloved series,Soul Eater Not!fails to capture what madeSoul Eaterstand out in the first place. The shift to a lighthearted school setting removes all the dark themes and stylistic flair that fans have come to expect. The pace is far slower, and new characters feel underdeveloped, making the series feel aimless.Soul Eater Not!feels less like a meaningful expansion of the series and more like unnecessary filler without the same excitementSoul Eaterprovided.
Fairy Tail Zero
Fairy Tail Zerois a prequel toFairy Tail, exploringthe origins of the guild and its first master, Mavis Vermillion. Set far before Natsu and Lucy’s adventures, the story follows Mavis’ journey alongside Zera, Yuri, Precht, and Warrod. As the storyline unfolds, fans are also given insight to Mavis’ bond with Zeref, adding emotional depth to both characters.
What makesFairy Tail Zerostand out is itsheartfelt storyline and heartbreaking twists while maintaining the essence of the original series. Arguably, the prequel even outshines the main series in that it dives deeper into character development and their emotional journey. Instead of being action-oriented, the spin-off focuses on the growth andrelationships between the characters, ultimately leading to a devastating yet well-written arc that enriches the lore of the overall series.
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demonacts asa sequel toInuyashaand follows the daughters of Sesshomaru, Towa and Setsuna, and Inuyasha, Moroha. After being separated as children, Towa grows up in the modern world before returning to the past and reuniting with her twin sister, Setsuna, who has no memory of their bond. Along with their cousin, Moroha, the three go on a journey to discover the pieces of their missing past.
10 Disappointing Anime Sequels That Desperately Need A Remake
Whether they unfaithfully adapted the source material or for a lack of quality, these sequels failed to live up to the hype and need a remake soon.
Despite its connections toInuyasha,Yashahimestruggles to recapture the original’s charm. The series suffers from weak character development, inconsistent pacing, and a lack of emotional depth that distinguishesInuyasha. The main trio lacks the chemistry that makes Inuyasha and his companions so appealing, and the story often feels directionless.
A Certain Scientific Railgunis a spin-off ofA Certain Magical Indexand shifts the focus to Academy City’s Mikoto Misaka, the third-ranked Level 5 esper. The series follows her journey as she navigates the city’s underground conspiracies and scientific advancements. Alongside her friends, Misaka finds herself tangled in dark experiments and secret organizations, leading to high-stakes conflicts.
WhileRailgun’sstory runs parallel toIndex, it manages tocarve out its own identity and expands on the worldfrom a different perspective. Misaka is an intriguing protagonist and effectively balances strength with vulnerability. With a more focused narrative and an excellent blend of action and sci-fi,Railgunsurpasses its predecessor in its execution.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Boruto: Naruto Next Generationsisa direct sequel toNaruto Shippuden, following Naruto Uzumaki’s son, Boruto. Unlike his father, Boruto resents the burdens of being Hokage’s son and initially rejects the ninja way. With both new and familiar faces, the storyline follows Boruto as he navigates missions and emerging threats in a seemingly peaceful era.
While the series introduces new characters and explores the next generation of shinobi,it struggles with stepping out ofNaruto’sshadow. Many legacy characters feel underused, and the new cast lacks the same depth and growth seen in the original. The action remains strong, but theweaker narrative and forced nostalgia weighBorutodown.
Fate/Zero
Fate/Zerois a prequel toFate/Stay Night, set during the Fourth Holy Grail War. Set ten years prior to the main series, the story follows Kiritsugu Emiya, a man with a tragic past who is known as the Mage Killer, and Saber, the powerful heroic spirit he summoned.Fate/Zerooffers a deeper dive into the grim realities of the Holy Grail War and is a must-watch for anime fans.
With its intense storytelling, complex characters, and stunning animation,Fate/Zeroeasilysecures its place among the best anime available. This series combines action, heartbreak, and moral ambiguities, elevating theFatefranchise to new heights.Fate/Zerois one of the franchise’s finest entries, offering viewers a dark, mature experience that significantly enriches the lore for fans.
