Life Is Short: 10 Anime You Should Definitely Skip To Save Your Precious Time

But remember, time is a scarce resource and every series is not worth the commitment.

Let me save you the trouble and guide you through a list of 10 anime you can comfortably skip without any FOMO.

1. "Mars of Destruction" (2005)

Starting off our list with "Mars of Destruction," a single episode OVA (Original Video Animation), which managed to encapsulate everything a series shouldn't do. This series focuses on an alien invasion in the wake of a disastrous space mission to Mars. Despite the intriguing premise, the series falls flat on its face. The plot takes random turns without any setup, the characters are one-dimensional, and the animation quality is appalling. Given all this, there are plenty of better-executed alien invasion anime to invest your time in.

2. "Gibiate" (2020)

"Gibiate" is a post-apocalyptic series that promised an intriguing storyline and a fight against monstrous creatures. However, it's a classic example of how not to handle a promising plot. The story revolves around a virus outbreak that turns humans into creatures called Gibia. There's a time-traveling samurai, too – talk about a cluster of chaos. The animation is mediocre at best, and the storyline is underdeveloped, with an extremely rushed conclusion. The characters lack depth and evolution, making it hard to invest in their survival. If you're looking for post-apocalyptic thrillers, there are many other enticing options to explore.

3. "Super HxEros" (2020)

"Super HxEros" is another anime that took an interesting premise and turned it into a disappointing series. The story revolves around a group of teenagers who use erotic energy to combat alien invaders. Yes, you read that right. While this could have been a funny and interesting take on the superhero genre, it instead leans too much into its fanservice elements at the expense of an engaging story. The plot is weak and disjointed, and the characters are one-dimensional. If you're looking for an anime that blends comedy and action in an interesting way, there are certainly better options.

4. "School Days" (2007)

"School Days" starts as a seemingly typical high school romance anime, with a love triangle forming between three friends. However, the plot takes dark and disturbing turns as it progresses. It's filled with character choices that will make you question the sanity of the writers. The main character, Makoto, is hard to sympathize with due to his questionable decisions, and the ending is nothing short of shocking (and not in a good way). There are far better romance (and horror) anime to spend your time on.

5. "Eiken: Eikenbu yori Ai wo Komete" (2003)

"Eiken: Eikenbu yori Ai wo Komete" is an OVA series known more for its fanservice than its plot. The story centers around a shy boy who gets roped into joining a club full of overly-endowed girls. The series lacks a concrete storyline and instead relies heavily on cheap humor and fanservice. The characters are one-dimensional, and the animation is of mediocre quality. If you're looking for an enjoyable comedy or harem anime, there are many other better-crafted series to choose from.

6. "Ex-Arm" (2021)

Let's kick this off with "Ex-Arm," a crime-fighting series set in a dystopian future that had potential, but fell far short of its promise. The story revolves around high school student Akira Natsume who wakes up as a powerful brain-computer hybrid after a mysterious accident. Sounds exciting? Sadly, the atrocious animation quality quickly steals the show – and not in a good way. The plot is convoluted, with elements being introduced and discarded without rhyme or reason, while the characters fail to elicit any emotional connection. Save your time; you won't miss a masterpiece here.

7. "Pupa" (2014)

"Pupa" is an anime that revolves around two siblings and their struggle with a deadly virus that makes them crave human flesh. While the plot sounds interesting (if you're into that sort of thing), the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Despite the disturbing theme, the show fails to create a gripping or suspenseful atmosphere. The series is also infamous for its extensive censorship, which often makes the plot hard to follow. The characters are poorly developed, and the story feels rushed. In short, this series is not worth biting into.

8. "The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?" (2020)

As the name suggests, "The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?" tells the story of a man who finds himself in another world, reincarnated as the eighth son of a poor noble family. While the 'reborn in a different world' theme has been successful in other anime, this series doesn't quite hit the mark. The plot is confusing, with inexplicable time skips and shallow character development. The protagonist seems to gain power without any significant struggle or effort, removing any potential excitement or tension from the plot.

9. "Glasslip" (2014)

"Glasslip" follows the story of a group of friends whose dynamic changes when a new boy with a unique ability to see into the future joins them. The premise suggests a dramatic slice-of-life anime with supernatural elements, but sadly, it delivers neither drama nor supernatural excitement. The plot is slow-paced, and the supernatural aspect isn't well integrated, often feeling forced and out of place. The characters are underdeveloped, and their interactions seem artificial. This anime is as disappointing as a glass slipper that doesn't fit.

10. "Ulysses: Jeanne d'Arc and the Alchemist Knight" (2018)

Lastly, we have "Ulysses: Jeanne d'Arc and the Alchemist Knight." The anime aims to retell the story of Joan of Arc with a fantastical twist, but it unfortunately misses the mark. The storyline is weak and confusing, with the series attempting to juggle too many genres – romance, fantasy, and historical – without properly managing any of them. The characters, including Joan of Arc, lack depth and development. The series also struggles with pacing, rushing some scenes while others drag on. As a result, this is one retelling of history that you can safely skip.