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Due to intense competition brought on by the debut of new anime series, the anime industry has become extremely competitive in recent years. This competition is to get the most viewers and earn high ratings that would help in the overall success of the series. And in order to do that, the series needs to be proficient in almost every aspect, from animation to storyline.
However, getting proficient in these aspects requires a lot of money and skill, which becomes an important factor. This is why many new anime series and movies have gigantic budgets. But money does not always translate into success. This is why there have been quite a few series that, despite being low-budget, have managed to earn fame and appreciation.
These low-budget anime series have turned out to be a huge success because of multiple aspects like an intriguing storyline, enticing characters, thrilling suspense, etc.
1Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelionwas one of the greatest anime series of the 90s. It was a mecha anime series based in the futuristic setting of Tokyo, where battles between robots are quite common.Neon Genesis Evangelionhas been an inspiration for many prominent anime series.
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However, what manyNeon Genesisfans won’t know is that the series had a very low budget, which was mostly focused on the animation of the giant robot battles. In fact, there have been rumors about how the creators blew the entire budget before the series could reach its conclusion.
Despite going through such budget issues,Neon Genesis Evangelionmanaged to become one of themost successful anime franchisesin the world with a net worth of around $15 billion. According tothe Numbers, the spin-off movies of from the franchise alone made over $161 million in terms of worldwide box office collections.
2Magical Princess Minky Momo
Magical Princess Minky Momois yet another anime series that became quite popular despite having budget issues. The series followed the story of Momo, the princess of Fenarinarsa, a land of dreams that is moving away from Earth. She is sent to help the Earth regain faith in its dreams.
The series became so popular that it got two different anime adaptations and was scheduled for a third in 2010. Not only that,Magical Princess Minky Momoalso got a manga adaptation by the name ofMiracle Dream Minky Momothat was released in 2004.
3Musashi Gundoh
Musashi Gundohis a special anime series because it developed a cult fan following solely because of its poor animation quality and an even worse animation style. The series started its TV broadcast in 2006, and it only gained popularity in Japan until it came out on the internet.
Musashi Gundohfollows the story of Musashi, who follows the way of “Gun-do”, which mixes together swordfighting with gunplay. He battles against Ayakashi, a group of monsters who want to disrupt the peace in Japan.
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The budget forMusashi Gundohwas extremely low, and despite that, it earned a lot of fame and recognition from the anime community.TV Tropesstates thatMusashi Gundohis the worst in terms of animation style, sound quality, and character layer but that’s what makes it hilarious and appreciative.
4Kill la Kill
Kill la Killwas one of those anime series that managed to ace the animation quality and style despite having a limited budget. Kill la Killfollows the story of Ryuko Matoi, who is searching for her father’s killer.
Following her only lead, she reaches Honnouji Academy, which is ruled by Satsuki Kiryuin, the student council president, and her subordinates, Ryuko and Satsuki, are at odds, and that’s what sets the base of the story.
Pinned Up Inkpointed out thatKill la Killhad huge budget issues because it was Studio Trigger’s first original anime television project. But even after that, the series managed to become a huge success, earning a lot of praise and appreciation from fans.
5Sailor Moon
Based on Naoko Takeuchi’s manga,Sailor Moonis a recognized name in the anime industry. The series has served as an inspiration for many other creators, and although it had a tight budget, it went on to become one of thegreatest anime series of all time.
Sailor Moonfollows the story of a schoolgirl named Usagi Tsukino, who is searching for an artifact called Legendary Silver Crystal. However, her job is not only limited to finding the artifact but also saving it from the villains of the series.
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Sailor Moon’slow budget was reflected in its inconsistent animation style and continuous use of stock footage. Despite all these struggles,Sailor Moonis deemed legendary to this day, andTuxedo Unmaskedclaims that Toei Animation made a lot of money from it.
Tarun Kohli
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2959
Tarun Kohli is the Senior Anime Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,900 published articles. He currently specializes in critiquing One Piece and other Shonen anime. A passionate fan of the genre, his love for thoughtful analysis reflects his genuine appreciation for the art of anime. His deep understanding of anime culture has earned recognition from industry figures such as Adi Shankar and the creators of Blood of Zeus.
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