by Even a slight shift in a character’s eyes, mouth, or hairstyle can dramatically change how they look. In anime, where character design plays a crucial role in storytelling and fan appeal, consistency is everything. When a beloved “handsome” character appears off-model—even briefly—fans notice immediately.
Here are three well-known examples where drawing inconsistencies shocked viewers and sparked heated online discussion.
1. DRAMAtical Murder When Expectations Collided with Production Reality
The 2014 sci-fi action anime DRAMAtical Murder is based on a popular boys’ love game developed by Nitroplus Chiral (now Nitro Chiral). The series features a stylish cast of handsome male characters, which raised high expectations among fans.
However, Episode 3 became infamous for its noticeable animation inconsistencies.
What Went Wrong?
- Protagonist Aoba Seragaki appeared with misaligned facial features in one scene, making his expression unintentionally comedic.
- The character Noiz was shown without his trademark earrings in certain shots.
- A dinner table scene simplified all characters’ faces, giving them a mascot-like appearance.
- Even the food animation drew criticism—the fried snacks looked pale and undercooked, jokingly compared to raw potatoes.
Official Response
After broadcast, the official account acknowledged that parts of the episode did not reflect the intended quality. Corrections were made for streaming and Blu-ray releases. Facial features were refined, and background details were improved.
This case highlights how tight production schedules can impact animation quality—and how studios often fix issues later for home releases.
2. Saint Seiya — The “Beautiful Warrior” Debate
The classic 1980s anime Saint Seiya, based on the manga by Masami Kurumada, is beloved for its dramatic battles and iconic character designs.
Among the 88 Saints, Pisces Aphrodite stands out as the most beautiful. However, in Episodes 68 and 69, viewers noticed visual inconsistencies.
Fans’ Concerns
- Eyes drawn unusually close together in certain frames.
- Face proportions appearing elongated.
- The teardrop mole emphasized differently from scene to scene.
- Lips drawn thicker than usual in some shots.
Because Aphrodite’s defining trait is her androgynous beauty, even minor changes significantly affected audience perception. Fans online questioned whether the anime version captured the elegance of the original manga.
In older anime especially, different animation directors handled different episodes, which sometimes led to visible style shifts.
3. Gensoumaden Saiyuki — Visual Style vs. Manga Fidelity
The 2000 anime adaptation of Saiyuki, based on the manga by Kazuya Minekura, also faced criticism for inconsistent artwork.
Often described as a “visual-kei Journey to the West,” the series relies heavily on strong character aesthetics. However:
- Cheekbones were sometimes overly emphasized.
- Eye placement varied noticeably.
- Proportions fluctuated between scenes.
Interestingly, the ending sequence used original illustrations from Minekura’s manga, which made the stylistic differences between the anime and source material even more apparent.
One character, Kougaiji, appeared relatively consistent. Some fans humorously speculated that someone on the animation team must have been particularly fond of him.
Why Do Drawing Mistakes Happen?
Animation is a collaborative process involving:
- Character designers
- Key animators
- Animation directors
- In-between artists
Under tight deadlines, maintaining perfect model consistency is challenging. Long-running or heavily stylized series are especially vulnerable.
Common causes include:
- Schedule pressure
- Outsourcing episodes
- Multiple animation directors
- Budget limitations
The Impact on Fans
For casual viewers, minor inconsistencies may go unnoticed. But dedicated fans—especially of visually appealing characters—tend to scrutinize every detail.
When a “beautiful” character appears off-model:
- Social media discussions spread quickly.
- Screenshots go viral.
- Memes are created.
- Blu-ray corrections are eagerly anticipated.
At the same time, many fans understand the realities of anime production and appreciate when studios acknowledge and correct issues.
Final Thoughts
A single drawing can dramatically alter a character’s impression. In series where aesthetics are central to the appeal, consistency becomes even more important.
From DRAMAtical Murder to Saint Seiya and Saiyuki, these examples show how even beloved series are not immune to off-model moments. Yet they also demonstrate something encouraging: passionate fan engagement and studios’ willingness to improve releases.
In the end, while animation “tragedies” may surprise us, they often become memorable parts of anime history.
