History AudienceAlienatingEra / AnimeAndManga

* While still held in extremely high regard by the western anime/manga community for its incredibly masterful art and nuanced characterization, some fans feel that [[Berserk]] has entered a bit of a Dork Age in comparison to the Golden Age arc since Guts' new companions have joined (especially Schierke), introducing things like elemental powers and more slapstick between Evarella and Puck.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise itself descended into one in the TurnOfTheMillennium, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]'' (and if not that, ''definitely'' ''[[GundamSeedDestiny SEED Destiny]]''). Each modern [[AlternateUniverse AU]] series starts out promising in their first half, only for a combination of bad writing, overpowered gundams and hopelessly unrealistic [[TechnicalPacifist technical pacifism]] to push them into mediocrity by the end. The fact that ''GundamUnicorn'' is the only animated entry not to be largely afflicted speaks volumes about this.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise itself descended into one in the TurnOfTheMillennium, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]'' (and if not that, ''definitely'' ''[[GundamSeedDestiny SEED Destiny]]''). Each modern [[AlternateUniverse AU]] series starts out promising in their first half, only for a combination of bad writing, Mobile Suits with GameBreaker powers and particularly unrealistic [[TechnicalPacifist technical pacifism]] to push them into mediocrity by the end. The fact that ''GundamUnicorn'' is the only animated entry not to be largely afflicted speaks volumes about this.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise itself descended into one in the TurnOfTheMillennium, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]'' (and if not that, ''definitely'' ''[[GundamSeedDestiny SEED Destiny]]''). Each modern [[AlternateUniverse AU]] series starts out promising in their first half, only for a combination of bad writing, Mobile Suits with GameBreaker powers and particularly unrealistic [[TechnicalPacifist technical pacifism]] to push them into mediocrity by the end. The fact that ''GundamUnicorn'' is the only animated series not to be largely afflicted speaks volumes about this.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise itself descended into one in the TurnOfTheMillennium, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]'' (and if not that, ''definitely'' ''[[GundamSeedDestiny SEED Destiny]]''). The fact that ''GundamUnicorn'' is the only animated series not to be largely afflicted speaks volumes.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise itself descended into one in the TurnOfTheMillenium, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]'' (and if not that, ''definitely'' ''[[GundamSeedDestiny SEED Destiny]]''). The fact that ''GundamUnicorn'' being the only animated series not to be afflicted speaks volumes.

*** On a related note, most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise itself descended into one, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]''.

* There's a probability of ''{{Bleach}}'' entering this with The Lost Agent arc, with a new set of characters we've never seen before, whole new kinds of powers, a plot that is almost completely unrelated to everything we've seen before, and the overall feeling of the filler arcs from the anime.

** It really says something when 2011 had only ''two'' series that went on to acclaim on both sides of the Pacific: the MagicalGirl {{Deconstruction}} ''PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' and the {{Superhero}} series ''TigerAndBunny''.

*** On a related note, most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise itself descended into one, starting from ''[[GundamSeed Seed]]''. In ''[[GundamAGE AGE]]'''s case, it's a bit more (unintentionally) literal.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise descended into one, starting from ''[[GundamSeed Seed]]''. In ''[[GundamAGE AGE]]'''s case, it's a bit more (unintentionally) literal.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise descended into one, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]''. In ''[[GundamAGE AGE]]'''s case, it's a bit more (unintentionally) literal.

** Also, traditional {{Mecha}} series that aren't ''{{Gundam}}'' seem to have ([[RinneNoLagrange most]][[EurekaSevenAO ly]]) faded by the wayside as {{Fanservice}}-y PoweredArmor has grown in popularity after ''StrikeWitches'' became a hit. Even the [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff Western fan-loved]] ''GurrenLagann'' didn't make much of a splash in its native Japan aside from [[BestKnownForTheFanservice figures of the resident]] MsFanservice, Yoko.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise descended into one, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]''.

* Anime and Manga in general seems to have hit this for a lot of Western fans. While {{Moe}} series are fairly popular in the West, they have a loud and vocal {{Hatedom}} who sees them as nothing more than {{Otaku}} pandering. Of course, Moe is EXTREMELY popular among Japanese otaku, who buy most of the figures, [=DVDs=] and such. As a result, series that focus on [[FourGirlEnsemble four highschool girls]] ([[FollowTheLeader popularized]] by the works of KyoAni, especially ''KOn'') have overtaken the airwaves, while more unique series are becoming rarer and rarer.
** In addition, [[{{Bleach}} once]]-[[{{Naruto}} popular]] {{Shonen}} series all have [[JumpedTheShark dropped in quality]], save for ''OnePiece'', ''FullMetalAlchemistBrotherhood'' and ''FairyTail''.

** Also, traditional {{Mecha}} series that aren't ''{{Gundam}}'' seem to have ([[RinneNoLagrange mostly]]) faded by the wayside as {{Fanservice}}-y PoweredArmor has grown in popularity after ''StrikeWitches'' became a hit. Even the [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff Western fan-loved]] ''GurrenLagann'' didn't make much of a splash in its native Japan aside from [[BestKnownForTheFanservice figures of the resident]] MsFanservice, Yoko.

** Also, traditional {{Mecha}} series that aren't ''{{Gundam}}'' seem to have ([[RinneNoLagrange mostly]]) faded by the wayside as {{Fanservice}}-y PoweredArmor has grown in popularity after ''StrikeWitches'' became a hit. Even the [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff Western fan-loved]] ''GurrenLagann'' didn't make much of a splash in its native Japan aside from [[EverybodyRemembersTheStripper figures of the resident]] MsFanservice, Yoko.

* ''LupinIII'' has the pink-jacket era, which consists of the third anime series and the ''Legend of the Gold of Babylon''. Both the series and the movie had [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Lupin wearing a]] [[RealMenWearPink pink jacket]], most of the adult themes downplayed and the slapstick brought UpToEleven. Today, it is [[DisContinuity widely ignored]] by both the anime producers at TMSEntertainment and most fans in general.

** Actually, 2011 was seen as something of a Renaissance in terms of anime. In addition to the aforementioned series, ''SteinsGate'', ''UsagiDrop'', ''AnoHana'', ''MawaruPenguindrum'', ''TheIdolmaster'', and ''FateZero'' were all widely acclaimed by many anime fans in both Japan and the West. The DorkAge might be ''finally'' ending, but only time will tell.

** Actually, 2011 was seen as something of a Renaissance in terms of anime. In addition to the aforementioned series, ''SteinsGate'', ''UsagiDrop'', ''AnoHana'', ''MawaruPenguindrum'', ''TheIdolm@ster'', and ''FateZero'' were all widely acclaimed by many anime fans in both Japan and the West. The DorkAge might be ''finally'' ending, but only time will tell.

* Most fans could say that the ''{{Gundam}}'' franchise in general descended into one, starting from ''[[GundamSeed SEED]]''.

* Anime and Manga in general seems to have hit this for a lot of Western fans. While {{Moe}} series are fairly popular in the West, they have a loud and vocal {{Hatedom}} who sees them as nothing more than {{Otaku}} pandering. Of course, Moe is EXTREMELY popular among Japanese otaku, who buy most of the figures, [=DVDs=] and such. As a result, series that focus on [[FourGirlEnsemble four highschool girls]] ([[FollowTheLeader popularized]] by the works of KyoAni, especially ''KOn'') have overtaken the airwaves, while [[{{Bleach}} once]]-[[{{Naruto}} popular]] {{Shonen}} series all have [[JumpedTheShark dropped in quality]] (save for ''OnePiece'' and ''FairyTail'').

** And don't get some anime fans started on the wake of {{Ecchi}} series popularized by ''QueensBlade''. While these series tend to do poorly in the ratings, they make up for it in [[SexSells figure sales]].

* Anime and Manga in general seems to have hit this for a lot of Western fans. While {{Moe}} series are fairly popular in the West, they have a loud and vocal {{Hatedom}} who sees them as nothing more than {{Otaku}} pandering. Of course, Moe is EXTREMELY popular among Japanese otaku, who buy most of the figures, [=DVDs=] and such. As a result, series that focus on [[FourGirlEnsemble four highschool girls]] ([[FollowTheLeader popularized]] by the works of KyoAni, especially ''KOn'') have overtaken the airwaves, while [[{{Bleach}} once]][[{{Naruto}} popular]] {{Shonen}} series all have [[JumpedTheShark dropped in quality]] (save for ''OnePiece'' and ''FairyTale'').

** Also, {{Mecha}} series that aren't ''{{Gundam}}'' seem to have ([[RinneNoLagrange mostly]]) faded by the wayside as Mecha Musumu has grown in popularity after ''StrikeWitches'' became a hit.

** Some renowned studios have also taken big hits. Even {{Gainax}} has lost some key creators like [[GurrenLagann Hiroyuki]] [[PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt Imaishi]] and HideakiAnno, who have formed their own studios. As a result, Gainax seems to have decayed from producing acclaimed original series to mediocre adaptations of {{Shonen}} manga such as ''MedakaBox''. Worse still is that the venerable StudioGhibli may be edging close to a shutting its doors, although a shut down was at least delayed by the modest success of ''TheBorrowerArietty''.
** And don't get some anime fans started on the wake of {{Ecchi}} series popularized by ''QueensBlade''. While these series tend to do poorly in the ratings, they make up for it in [{SexSells figure sales]].