2025 has been an exciting year for the anime industry. Hundreds of new series debuted alongside the return of major franchises like Demon Slayer and The Apothecary Diaries. Newcomers such as Sakamoto Days and Gachiakuta quickly won over fans. The fall 2025 season also saw huge buzz with the comeback of Spy x Family, My Hero Academia, and One Punch Man.
Despite all these successes, three titles became the center of intense controversy: Lord of Mysteries, The Beginning After the End (TBATE), and Solo Leveling.
What’s interesting is that none of these series are based on Japanese manga. Instead, they come from Korean and Chinese novels. With massive global fanbases, the hype around these adaptations was understandable. But why did they spark so much debate?
1. Lord of Mysteries: Struggling with an Overlong Story
Lord of Mysteries is considered one of the greatest novels ever, but its anime adaptation faced challenges. The original story spans about 1,400 chapters, forcing the anime to cut many scenes and speed up the pacing. The first three episodes alone covered 75 chapters, leaving out important details.
Another issue arose when Crunchyroll removed the anime’s chibi side content, upsetting fans. Although the studio plans to release seven seasons over the next decade, these controversies have hurt the show’s reputation.
2. The Beginning After the End (TBATE): Disappointing Due to Low Budget
Fans of manhwa and webtoons were thrilled when TBATE’s anime was announced. However, Studio A-Cat’s adaptation disappointed many due to its low budget, reflected in dull visuals.
Unfortunately, the novel’s author, TurtleMe, chose this small studio to focus on a single project, but it backfired. The backlash was so strong that over 50,000 fans signed a petition demanding a remake. The author apologized, yet the studio confirmed Season 2 will premiere in April 2026.
The studio might turn things around with more time, but nothing is certain until the next trailer drops.
3. Solo Leveling: Success Shadowed by Controversy
Solo Leveling is the only anime on this list without adaptation issues. A-1 Pictures delivered a strong series, and Season 3 looks promising. Yet its popularity sparked unnecessary debates.
At the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, Solo Leveling dominated, even winning Anime of the Year over critically acclaimed titles like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and The Apothecary Diaries.
Despite its vibrant animation and intense battles, many viewers felt its story was too simple to deserve so many awards. The ceremony only considered Season 1, which was less praised than its competitors. If Season 2 had been included, the outcome might have been different.
Still, it’s undeniable that Solo Leveling’s light novel and manhwa have been hugely popular for a long time. Fans voting for their favorite series is natural, though it didn’t stop critics from expressing their dissatisfaction.
Source: Comicbook