Characters Who Have Fallen Short

[PictureGuy]

The point of this thread is to list those anime characters who show great promise when introduced, but fall short of expectations. Here are four examples.

Ayano from Stigma of the Wind. Ayano is from a family of fire users who are dedicated to fighting evil. Early on, she easily defeats her older male cousin Kazuma for the right to be designated heir to being head of the family. Kazuma is exiled in humiliation, but returns years later as a practitioner of supposedly inferior wind power. Never mind when a few of his cousins gang up on him, Kazuma has an easy time routing them. Yes, Kazuma is now a mighty warrior. And Ayano? During those same years, she has grown into a beautiful, brave, dedicated – klutz. That’s right. Ayano is a klutz. One of the unanswered questions in this series is how she can get out of bed in the morning without killing herself. No wonder Ayano’s father, the current family head, wants to hire Kazuma to be her bodyguard. It turns out Kazuma was simply a late bloomer, while Ayano inherited the dregs of the family genetic pool. No wonder Dad is secretly hoping the two mate so that he can have his genetic line restored to something other than a joke.

Tatsuki from Bleach. When we first meet Tatsuki, we learn she is a strong, tomboyish practitioner of the martial arts. She is well suited to fight beside Ichigo and Rukia. Tatsuki is also Orihime’s protector. But it is Orihime who joins the fight. And Tatsuki? She disappears, then reappears ready to take a fighting stand, and then disappears again. It’s not really her fault. I blame her agent. Tatsuki is to Bleach what Meg is to Family Guy.

Krillin from Dragonball Z. When we first meet Krillin in the original Dragonball, he and Goku are both taken in by Master Roshi and taught the secrets of martial arts. Krillin is well on his way to becoming the strongest human in the world. In Dragonball Z, being the strongest human does not count for much since the world is also inhabited by various Sayans, Namekians, androids, etc. So Krillin becomes a side character to be used as needed.

Akira from Devilman Crybaby. Conned by his best friend into becoming part devil, Akira uses his powers to try and save humanity.

 

Really? In the end, he can’t save his girlfriend, humanity, or himself. Getting cut in half is a bit of a letdown. Fail big time!

Your turn. What anime characters do you have who have failed to live up to expectations? Don’t just give names. Tell us why.

[PictureGuy]

From Stigma of the Wind, Ayano bravely goes into battle. Can she survive -- herself?

[Clayton_n]

Krillin was originally Goku's rival in Dragonball and he did a good job.

[PictureGuy]

Krillin was originally Goku's rival in Dragonball and he did a good job.

But the rivalry turned quickly into friendship. They bonded quite well. More later.

[PictureGuy]

From Bleach, does Tatsuki deserve treatment like this?



As I said, Tatsuki is to Bleach what Meg is to Family Guy.

[PictureGuy]

From Dragonball Z, being the strongest human does not count for much in the DBZ universe. Of course, practically everyone dies at least once, and is wished back to life, but Krillin is dispatched quite easily.

[PictureGuy]

From Devilman Crybaby, this scene shows Akira as Devilman in action:



It's the final fight. But don't be deceived. Anyone who put their faith in Devilman will soon be disappointed.

[Tsundere Magus]

Ran Mouri, from Detective Conan or Case Closed, based on how you wish to call the show. I get Detective Conan is above other levels. They do not try to close the story. Even after ~700 episodes only a year has passed in the canon. But you know? I wish she knew the truth before reaching the very end of the series. It is not about the fillers, Detective Conan lives out of those fillers. It is about proper character evolution. A lot of characters here do evolve, they get stuff. I am sure they are saving Ran for the very end, but... why can't she have proper evolution as well? Over twenty years with this and I wish she had more to offer. Maybe a bit subjective in that aspect.

[Clayton_n]

But the rivalry turned quickly into friendship. They bonded quite well. More later.

To be fair, I don't think Goku has ANY friends who have not tried to murder him at some point.

[PictureGuy]

To be fair, I don't think Goku has ANY friends who have not tried to murder him at some point.

Bulma, Master Roshi, and Chi-Chi. Chi-Chi did fight him in that tournament at the end of the original Dragonball, but ended up marrying him instead.

[CapnJack]

Tatewaki Kuno from Ranma 1/2. At first he was introduced as a somewhat... er... ok, slighty formidable rival to Akane and Ranma, but as more characters were introduced and more storylines revolving around them, Kuno was put on the back burner and made out as nothing more to me than comic relief (considering the show is already a comedy). Also, by about episode 30-ish, he's a rather brain dead character. I mean, so many extras in the background, especially classmates, have witnessed Ranma's change with water, and yet Kuno still doesn't know the "pig-tailed girl" is his male rival. His sister Kodachi is just as batty and clueless and doesn't know about Ranma's curse as well.

[sirius707]

Eren from attack on titan. I didn't like him in the beginning and I dislike him even more now.

[Digimon_Sommelier]

I read the title wrong. It's not a thread about short people.

[Clayton_n]

Bulma, Master Roshi, and Chi-Chi. Chi-Chi did fight him in that tournament at the end of the original Dragonball, but ended up marrying him instead.

Bulma shot him in the face. On several occasions including 5 seconds after they met.




Chichi shot him with a laser and I think threw that head blade thing at him.

Roshi literally tried to electrocute the kid to win a tournament (actually said he'd die if he didn't give up)

[PictureGuy]

Bulma and Goku weren't friends then, were they? Besides, that's not his face.

I don't remember any laser.

[Clayton_n]

Bulma and Goku weren't friends then, were they? Besides, that's not his face.

I don't remember any laser.

Did you see Dragonball? Not dragonball Z. The original series. The good one based on Journey to the West. Before they ripped off Superman.

[PictureGuy]

Yes, I've seen the original Dragon Ball, but it was so long ago I don't remember all the details. But I do remember now the underwear wish.

[Clayton_n]

One of the evil dragons will never forget it. Now there's a character who fell short. Or shorts in this case...

[PictureGuy]

^ From Dragon Ball? Don't recognize him. Who is he and what are his failings?

[Clayton_n]

^ From Dragon Ball? Don't recognize him. Who is he and what are his failings?

Dragonball GT technically.

Also it's a she.

[PictureGuy]

^ I sort of tired of Dragon Ball by the time GT came out.

[Rave_Grip]

What about every non Saiyan character on earth in DB Super?

[PictureGuy]

What about every non Saiyan character on earth in DB Super?

What about every non-Saiyan character on earth in DB Super?

(I never watched DB Super. I'm a bit tired of the DB universe.)

[Rave_Grip]

Those characters are essentially useless now. Even Vegeta is struggling to keep up with Goku the last time I heard.

[PictureGuy]

Has he turned into the Super-Super-Dapper-Dooper Sayain yet?