No two people share a completely identical sense of humor, making comedy the most subjective genre. And while some comedies are far more accessible and universally acclaimed, managing to appeal to the masses, others divide the viewers with their controversial, niche humor. A comedy that makes someone split their sides might fail to draw a single chuckle from someone else.
Fans of comedy anime struggle to come to a consensus even more, unable to agree on some of the most popular shows in the genre. Unique cultural humor, bizarre pace, and linguistically inaccessible jokes make anime comedies difficult to understand, especially for Western viewers. As a result, some of the best comedy series end up disregarded and hated by the community.
10/10 People Were Quick To Judge Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro
Upon its release, Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro caused a wave of controversy in the anime community. The series got accused of being problematic, and its protagonist’s behavior was seen as justifying bullying. At first, these allegations seem just, as Nagatoro’s relentless teasing of her awkward upperclassman, Naoto, can come off as needlessly forceful and mean-spirited.
However, the subtle character progression thoughout Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro fleshes out both Nagatoro and the victim of her antics. They are complex, multifaceted people with an intriguing character dynamic, which changes as Naoto becomes more confident and comfortable around the girl.
9/10 Oreimo Is Accused Of Starting The Little Sister Craze
Certain prominent anime tropes are doomed to cause constant controversies within the community. Imouto, or little sister, craze is one of anime’s most divisive hot topics.
The queen of imouto comedies, Oreimo, has an awful reputation due to the morally questionable relationship it depicts between the protagonist, Kyousuke, and his little sister, Kirino. While this aspect of the series can justly upset some viewers, other components of Oreimo’s story, such as amusing character writing and an inventive take on otaku culture, redeem the show in the eyes of diehard fans.
8/10 Most Viewers Can’t Keep Up With Pop Team Epic’s Hectic Humor
One of the most misunderstood comedy anime, Pop Team Epic, is challenging to put into words. This bizarre absurd comedy doesn’t follow any plot or structure, consisting of a collision of pop culture references, surreal gags, and crude skits that uncontrollably mix genres, art styles, and tones.
Pop Team Epic is a celebration of obscure humor, making it a difficult sell for audiences used to more conventional comedies. While some find the series endlessly entertaining, most viewers fail to understand the show’s appeal, dismissing it as pointless.
7/10 Gintama’s Popularity Remains An Enigma For Most Comedy Fans
One of the record holders for longest-running comedy anime of all time, Gintama has no shortage of diehard fans and avid admirers. However, even this legendary series has its fair share of critics, most of whom can’t wrap their heads around the show’s exceptionally high ratings.
For haters, Gintama is nothing more than a silly, over-the-top gag comedy, as far from a sophisticated masterpiece as a show can be. Despite its complicated reputation, Gintama remains one of the most beloved series in the genre, mixing thrilling action, unorthodox humor, and genuine emotional writing in one multifaceted story.
6/10 Monogatari’s Humor Is Deeply Ingrained In Its Language & Culture
Humor can easily get lost in translation, and, in the case of the Monogatari series, the punchline escapes non-Japanese speakers more often than not. Famous for its convoluted, linguistically dense dialogue, the Monogatari franchise struggles to overcome the language barrier, earning an unfortunate reputation in the West.
Many viewers misunderstand Monogatari, perceiving it as an overly pretentious harem flick. The nuanced dialogue writing of Monogatari can be hard to appreciate without knowing Japanese. However, much of the show’s comedic charm shines through even in the imperfect translation.
5/10 Inferno Cop Was Studio Trigger’s First Comedic Experiment
One of Studio Trigger’s first anime, Inferno Cop, has all of the iconic elements of its creators. However, unlike the studio’s more recent works, this peculiar series was made with a minimal budget and lacks the polish of Gurren Lagann or Kill la Kill.
While this collection of barely moving images can’t compare with the high-budget professional animation spectacles its studio is famous for today, Inferno Cop is a valuable demonstration of Studio Trigger’s potential. In its own right, this bizarre show holds up as an endlessly entertaining masterclass of satirical humor.
4/10 High School DxD Is More Than A Mindless Fan Service Flick
No anime genre gets as much unreasonable, vicious hate as ecchi harems, a notoriously detested category of shows. As one of the most well-known ecchi comedies in the genre, High School DxD is constantly subjected to backlash and criticism, which targets its mindless over-the-top fan service.
However, the series also has myriads of diehard fans who believe the show’s fan service is integral to its identity. On top of being an ecchi flick, High School DxD is also famous for its thrilling action, iconic characters, and incredible humor.
3/10 WataMote Drowns The Viewers In Secondhand Embarrassment
Situational comedies often put their characters into awkward and uncomfortable situations to draw a laugh from the audience. However, many believe that, in the case of WataMote, the series takes Tomoko Kuroki’s humiliation too far, crossing the line between lighthearted humor and degradation.
WataMote is a dark comedy that follows its socially awkward heroine as she suffers absurd degrees of public embarrassment, making many viewers genuinely uncomfortable. However, audiences with thicker skin find Tomoko’s fruitless attempts at socialization incredibly amusing, praising the series for its inventive use of environmental gags and character-driven comedy.
2/10 Prison School Loves Toying With Controversial Humor
The infamous ecchi gag comedy Prison School takes place in a prestigious all-girls academy with only five male attendants. Caught spying in the girls’ baths, the male students face a ridiculous punishment organized by The Underground Student Council, subjecting them to a month of torture within the school’s prison.
The show’s absurd concept, bizarre character designs, and the abundance of extreme fan service earned Prison School a bad reputation. This eccentric comedy doesn’t shy away from controversial jokes. However, its brave and original humor makes it stand out among the sea of generic fan service comedies.
1/10 Lucky Star Couldn’t Keep Up With The Times
The early 2000s otaku community held Lucky Star in high regard, recognizing the series as the ultimate celebration of anime culture. This moe slice-of-life comedy was filled with relatable jokes and lovable characters. Back when anime was a niche and frowned-upon hobby, Lucky Star embraced the merits of otaku culture, becoming a community-wide phenomenon.
However, the show’s reputation worsened over time, as Lucky Star stopped being an up-to-date representation of its target audience. Today’s fans fail to relate to this obscure series, making Lucky Star a relic of the past.