One Piece Luffy Crying in Episode 505
By
Casandra Ronning
Published 23 minutes ago
Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
Anime has grown considerably in recent years, with its rise in popularity breaking records and capturing the attention of top entertainment industry executives. Most recently, hit films Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc shattered every projection and expectation, proving that anime has grown far beyond a niche interest, now standing as a dominating force in pop culture.
However, before the medium’s meteoric growth, anime had a far more humble space within entertainment. While classic anime helped secure the industry’s foundation, only viewers who grew up with these titles understand that modern anime fans' experience is far smoother than it was for past generations and, in some ways, still is.
Animation Quality Is Outdated
The charm of old-school anime often lies in its hand-drawn animation; however, the limitations of the time are clear when compared to today’s polished standards. At times, backgrounds could feel static, movements less fluid or choppy, and many action sequences heavily relied on repeated frames.
Despite these minor imperfections, older visuals carry a distinctive charm, with artistry shining behind every hand-drawn frame. While many classic anime don’t compare to modern titles in visual quality, older anime demands appreciation for its craftsmanship. For longtime fans, the dated quality becomes part of the appeal, yet many modern fans turn away from iconic series due to the quality.
English Dub Quality Was Inconsistent
During the 80s and 90s, English dubbing often varied greatly in quality. Some studios prioritized speed over accuracy, resulting in mismatched lip flaps, awkward phrasing, or dialogue that strayed far from the original Japanese script, causing the meaning or depth to be lost in translation. At other times, this was also done to suit Western audiences better.
Some series changed main characters’ names from the original, including Sailor Moon’s cast, changing Usagi Tsukino to Serena Tsukino, Mamoru Chiba to Darien Shields, along with altered names for the rest of the Sailor Guardians. Other series, such as Dragon Ball Z’s Ocean Group dub, had notable inconsistencies that may make certain scenes come across as unintentionally awkward.
If You Missed An Episode, You Missed It
Before on-demand, recording, and streaming services existed, anime aired on strict schedules that offered little flexibility. Missing an episode meant losing access to crucial plot points, character developments, or major revelations. Broadcasts, while eventually repeated, took time to replay older episodes, leaving behind gaps that audiences wouldn’t be able to fill in right away.
Without reliable replays, fans had to organize their schedule around these airtimes, hoping that they wouldn’t miss the chance to catch the newest installment. A single scheduling conflict or unexpected interruption, or even simply losing track of time, could derail the viewing experience entirely.
To watch every anime episode of a series, it often took dedication from viewers who learned to piece together missing details or loyally watched every episode when they were released. Many older series leaned into episodic conflict; however, no one knew when a new bit of lore or plot twist would be revealed, making each broadcast a must-see event.
Old School Humor Doesn’t Fly Today
Humor in older anime was shaped by the cultural norms and entertainment trends of their time. From slapstick comedy to exaggerated reactions or character designs to inappropriate running jokes were at the center of many series. However, this style doesn’t always resonate with modern audiences, and some anime can have problematic themes.
What once felt playful or harmless is now seen as dated and disconnected from modern expectations and experiences. Due to major shifts in social attitudes and a greater understanding of what should be considered acceptable, many old jokes that rely on stereotypes, gender dynamics, or comedic violence no longer come across as they once did.
Filler and Slow Pacing Was The Norm
Ranma-1/2-Anime-Cast
Long-running anime often relied on slow pacing to maintain weekly production schedules. Story arcs often stretch far beyond their source material, with many scenes lingering on reactions, standoffs, or internal monologues. This approach to storytelling gave animators time to keep up with demanding broadcast schedules, but also created episodes that made progress feel minimal and caused momentum to stall.
Along with filler episodes and arcs, many anime series created original content to allow the source material to develop, leading to entire storylines that were crafted solely to buy time. These ranged from side quests to temporary conflicts and often introduced new characters that never appeared again outside their arc.
While some anime fillers were entertaining, others disrupted the narrative flow and tested audiences’ patience, especially when they were placed in the middle of major arcs. However, filler content also fleshed out the world and contributed to characters’ development, ultimately adding layers to the story.
Streaming Old Anime Titles Can Be Difficult
Berserk-1997-Anime-Guts
Many older anime series are surprisingly hard to find on modern streaming platforms. Even titles that were once widely popular have disappeared, leaving fans frustrated as they try to revisit their favorite classics. Classic titles available on streaming services are often exclusive to one platform, making them difficult for some fans to access.
Titles like 1997’s Berserk or the original 1979 The Rose of Versailles can’t be found on any legal streaming platforms, creating hurdles for both longtime fans hoping to experience the series again as well as those who may be interested in exploring the older titles. While some of these series can be bought as physical media, many others cannot.
Physical Copies Of Anime Were Expensive
With some classic anime unable to be legally streamed, it leaves buying physical media as the only option. However, even today, physical copies can be costly, especially if they’re for highly sought-after series. However, when these classic titles were released, owning the series was often expensive, no matter the title.
Buying a series on VHS or DVD came with a hefty price tag, especially with early releases that were limited in quantity. Collecting even a single season could cost a significant portion of a fan’s budget. What made it even harder to collect titles was the fact that some series sold out quickly, and reprints weren’t guaranteed.
This made owning a complete collection a point of pride, with some fans treasuring their growing anime library. Many of these physical copies came with gorgeous artwork on the packaging and extras that added to the viewing experience. While buying physical media today can be expensive, at one point, it was even more challenging to own anime.
Some Series Were Heavily Censored
Cardcaptor Sakura
For anime outside of Japan, censorship was a common reality. Scenes that involved violence, nudity, or culturally insensitive content were often altered or removed entirely to meet local broadcasting standards. These changes often altered the tone, impact, and even character development, creating an experience that diverged from the creator’s original vision.
Through rewrites, awkward cuts, visual overlays, or color changes, to even alter characters’ relationships, censorship caused moments to lose emotional weight or fall flat when it came to tension or drama. Sometimes these edits were jarring, as in the case of Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus’s relationship, which was changed from romantic to familial.
Anime Had A Major Social Stigma
During the golden age of anime, fans often faced societal judgment for their hobby and interests. Anime was widely seen as “childish” or “weird,” and interest in the medium attracted ridicule or misunderstanding. This perception created barriers for casual discussion and made public enthusiasm for anime series somewhat isolating.
At times, the stigma led to negative reactions from parents, peers, and even professionals who frequently dismissed the medium entirely, overlooking its artistic value and narrative depth. This perpetuated the idea that anime was a niche, marginal interest rather than a legitimate form of entertainment.
Now, anime has become mainstream, having won awards and gained global attention. Its popularity today has nearly erased the past stigma, making it more enjoyable to watch and engage with others who share the same interests. While some stigma remains, it's far fainter than it was years ago.
Many Series Will Never See A Remake
One of the hardest pills to swallow is that countless older anime will likely never receive a modern remake. While many of these series were beloved titles and helped grow anime’s popularity into what it is today, many of those stories will remain frozen in time.
While some series, such as Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, and Ranma 1/2, have received remakes, those are only a fraction of the vast catalog of classic titles. Many beloved series will never see a remake, leaving those stories as nostalgic memories fans revisit on streaming services or fondly recall if they can’t be found in streaming libraries.
Anime Expand Collapse-
Anime
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
6 hours ago
Netflix Is Revisiting One Of The Craziest Best Picture Races Ever With December Releases
2 hours ago
Keira Knightley's Return to Star Wars Would Deliver Its Greatest Darth Vader Story Yet
2 hours ago
Oscars 2026 Best Supporting Actress Predictions: Nominees & Winner
7 hours ago
We're Officially 3 Weeks Away From The MCU's Next Avengers: Doomsday Reveal
More from our brands
It's The End of an Era For Shonen Anime As We Know It
The 50 Saddest Anime That Will Make You Cry
The Best Shonen Anime Of All Time (April 2025)
The Greatest Sports Anime Of All Time, Ranked
42 Greatest R-Rated Adult Anime Series of All Time
The 25 Best Anime From The 90s, Ranked
The 20 Best Anime Series of All Time, Ranked
Trending Now
Stranger Things Season 5 Achieves New Milestone After Hitting All-Time Low Record
Stranger Things Season 5 Called Out For Striking Similarities To The Plot Of 2025 Horror Movie Hit
My Hero Academia Series Finale Gets Official Release Date Along With New Deku Design
