by A legendary magical girl series, the “theatrical edition,” is currently airing this fall.
Among the anime series that have aired so far, some have left a lasting impression on fans, dramatically changing their appearance from the beginning to the middle. In particular, some have had shocking developments from the middle to the end, completely changing the viewer’s opinion of the series itself.
Many anime fans point to the popular “Puella Magi Madoka Magica,” which aired in 2011. The series centers around the protagonist, Madoka Kaname, and features a group of magical girls fighting the enemies of humanity. In the fall of 2025, a TV adaptation of the film “Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Beginnings/Eternal Story” began airing on October 12.
While the series begins with a fun, character-driven portrayal of Madoka and her friends’ school life, the girls are faced with a cruel fate, and the story gradually becomes more complex as the battle escalates. Many viewers who initially thought it was a “moe anime” said that their expectations were “betrayed in a good way” by the grandiose yet serious plot developments.
Many viewers were likely left emotionally torn by the dark developments and tragic depictions of the story. In particular, the shocking scene that befalls one of the magical girls, Tomoe Mami, in episode 3 completely changed the show’s reputation and had such an impact that it gave rise to the internet slang term “mamiru.”
The anime’s second season has been met with mixed reviews due to its depictions of violence.
“Kemono Friends,” which aired for two seasons from 2017 to 2019, is known for transforming viewers’ opinions in another way. The series follows the protagonist, Kaban-chan, as she travels through the fictional zoo, “Japari Park,” with her anthropomorphized animal friends, known as “Animal Girls” (commonly referred to as “Friends”).
The first season gained popularity for its adorable character designs and the relaxed, warm-hearted interactions between Kaban-chan and her friends. However, in the second season, “Kemono Friends 2,” which aired in 2019, the protagonist was replaced by a character named Kyururu. Kyururu’s behavior could be perceived as selfish, drawing mixed reviews from viewers.
Controversy also arose over the decision by Yaoyorozu, the animation production studio for the first season, and director Tatsuki to step away from production for the second season. While the first season was well-received, the second season saw a significant fluctuation in viewers’ opinions due to the way the story and characters were portrayed, making it a work that remains in the memories of many anime fans.
