10 Longest Running Anime That Should've Ended Ages Ago

1. "One Piece " (1999 – Present)

This swashbuckling pirate saga has been sailing the seas since the '90s, and the waves show no sign of calming. Originally intended as a five-year series, "One Piece" creator Eiichiro Oda has been pushing this pirate ship for more than two decades. Although the series remains popular, many fans and critics alike have started to feel a little seasick, with arcs becoming more convoluted, and the main story seemingly lost in a sea of endless subplots. Despite this, Oda continues to pull the strings, revealing in a 2020 interview that he has plans for at least another five years. Can someone please tell him that all good things must come to an end?

2. "Fairy Tail" (2009 – 2019)

"Fairy Tail," a series that was once a breath of fresh anime air, quickly overstayed its welcome. The first few seasons were praised for their unique blend of fantasy, action, and camaraderie. However, as time went on, the endless arcs and overused tropes (power of friendship, anyone?) caused audience interest to wane. Despite an outcry from fans, and a significant drop in Blu-ray and DVD sales in its later years, the creators insisted on pushing forward, stretching the story far beyond its natural endpoint. As a result, the series ended on a whimper rather than the bang it once promised.

3. "Naruto: Shippuden" (2007 – 2017)

It pains me to put "Naruto: Shippuden" on this list, it really does, but facts are facts. The original "Naruto" series was a wonderful coming-of-age story. However, "Shippuden" lost its way amidst a sea of filler episodes. Sure, we got some great arcs like the Pain Arc, but it was surrounded by an ocean of irrelevant plotlines. Critics have been vocal about the drop in quality, and even the most loyal of fans expressed their frustration with the show's direction. It's evident that "Shippuden" should've ended its run long before it did.

4. "Bleach" (2004 – 2012)

"Bleach" started with a bang – a unique premise, interesting characters, and high-stakes battles. However, it soon fell victim to its own success, introducing an overabundance of characters, complicated plotlines, and constant detours from the main story. The Aizen Arc should have been the series' high point, but instead, it marked the beginning of the end. Fans grew increasingly frustrated with the pacing and direction, leading to a significant drop in TV ratings and manga sales. Eventually, it limped towards its end, a mere shadow of its former glory.

5. "Detective Conan" (1996 – Present)

"Detective Conan," or "Case Closed," has been solving mysteries since 1996. But unlike fine wine, this series hasn't aged well. With over a thousand episodes, the story has grown repetitive, and the titular character seems forever trapped in his prepubescent body. Although it still maintains a core fanbase, even diehard fans have expressed their desire for the series to conclude, reinforcing the notion that even the best detectives should eventually retire.

6. "Pokémon" (1997 – Present)

It's hard to argue against the cultural phenomenon that is "Pokémon," but it's equally hard to ignore its repetitive formula. Ash Ketchum's eternal quest to become a Pokémon Master seems to have no end. While the series has introduced new regions and Pokémon to keep things fresh, the basic storyline remains the same – Ash arrives in a new region, battles gym leaders, participates in the Pokémon league, then moves on to the next region to repeat the process. This redundancy has not gone unnoticed by fans, with many pointing out that the continuous resetting of Ash's skills and experience is a major drawback. But then again, Ash was still infinitely better than the newcomers Liko and Roy.

7. "Dragon Ball Super" (2015 – 2018)

"Dragon Ball Super" came into being with a lot of hype and expectation. After all, it was the much-anticipated sequel to "Dragon Ball Z." However, it didn't take long for the series to fall flat on its face. Many have criticized the show for its inconsistent animation quality, recycled storylines, and power-scaling issues. While it did offer a few gems like the Goku Black Arc and the Tournament of Power, those moments were marred by a larger number of uninspiring arcs resulting in 131 episodes total. Clearly, this is a series that should've respected its legacy and refrained from stretching itself too thin.

8. "InuYasha: The Final Act" (2009 – 2010)

While not as long-running as the other series on this list, "InuYasha: The Final Act" is a perfect example of a sequel series that didn't need to exist. The original "InuYasha" series, bowing out in 2010 after 193 episodes, was a unique blend of fantasy, romance, and action. It had its issues with filler episodes and pacing, but it managed to wrap up most of its storylines decently by the end of its run. The sequel, however, was unnecessary and only served to prolong a tale that had already been told. It added little to the overall plot, and many fans felt that it ruined the legacy of the original series.

9. "Sazae-san" (1969 – Present)

"Sazae-san" holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated television series. That's impressive, but the question remains – should it have run for so long? The show's simple, episodic structure has remained largely unchanged since its inception, leading to a repetitive and predictable viewing experience. While the series has its charms and a dedicated following in Japan, even the most loyal fans have questioned the need for its extended run time.

10. "Sword Art Online" (2012 – 2020)

"Sword Art Online" had a promising start with an intriguing premise, but it quickly took a downward turn. After the first few arcs, the series has spiraled into a cycle of repetitive plotlines, underdeveloped characters, and an over-reliance on certain tropes. Despite this, the creators continue to churn out new seasons, with each one further diminishing the series' original appeal. Audience backlash has been significant, with many viewers arguing that the series should've ended after the initial Aincrad Arc. Instead, the creators opted to keep the series going, to its own detriment.