With anime’s global popularity at an all-time high, 2025 has been a year filled with massive returns and exciting debuts. Demon Slayer, The Apothecary Diaries, and One Punch Man came back strong, while fresh adaptations like Sakamoto Days and Gachiakuta quickly won fans over.
But not every headline was celebratory. Three series—Lord of Mysteries, The Beginning After the End (TBATE), and Solo Leveling—dominated discussions for their controversies rather than their triumphs. Interestingly, all three share one factor: they are based on non-Japanese novels, signaling anime’s continued globalization and the challenges that come with it.
3. Lord of Mysteries
On the surface, Lord of Mysteries was a visual triumph, praised as one of the best-looking series of the year. However, fans were quick to criticize its breakneck pacing. With over 1,400 chapters in the original novel, the anime adapted nearly 75 chapters in just three episodes, leaving viewers overwhelmed and frustrated.
International fans faced another disappointment when Crunchyroll cut the chibi-style extras, sparking backlash. While the studio has ambitious plans for seven seasons across a decade, news about Season 2 has remained scarce—fueling speculation and concern.
2. The Beginning After the End (TBATE)
Adapted from an American web novel, TBATE entered 2025 as one of the most hyped debuts. Unfortunately, Studio A-Cat’s production fell flat, criticized for weak animation due to budget constraints.
The twist? Author TurtleMe personally chose the studio, hoping for dedicated work. Instead, the outcome was so poor that over 50,000 fans signed a petition demanding a remake or cancellation. The backlash was so intense that TurtleMe issued a public apology.
Still, the studio announced a second season set for April 2026, leaving fans both skeptical and cautiously optimistic about redemption.
1. Solo Leveling
Unlike the others, Solo Leveling was a global juggernaut, powered by A-1 Pictures’ stunning animation and high-octane action sequences. The controversy? Its overwhelming sweep at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
The series took home nearly every major prize, including Anime of the Year, beating critically acclaimed titles like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and The Apothecary Diaries. Many critics argued that its straightforward storyline did not deserve such dominance.
But with its massive light novel and manhwa fanbase, the results were no surprise. *Fans pointed out that the awards were fan-voted, proving Solo Leveling’s unmatched global hype.*
The heated debates around Lord of Mysteries, The Beginning After the End, and Solo Leveling highlight a new era for anime—one no longer bound by Japan alone. With adaptations of Korean, Chinese, and even American stories gaining prominence, the industry is facing fresh questions about authenticity, adaptation quality, and fan bias.
Sources: Comicbook
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