Competition in the anime industry is always fierce. As a result, each new anime tries to perfect almost every aspect, from animation to storyline.
However, perfecting these aspects requires a significant amount of money and skill. This is why many new films and animated series have enormous budgets. Yet, there are still anime series that, despite their low budgets, have achieved fame and acclaim.
These low-budget anime have become incredibly successful due to various aspects such as captivating storylines, engaging characters, and thrilling excitement,…
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the best anime of the 90s. It is a mecha anime set in a future Tokyo, where battles between giant robots are quite common. Neon Genesis Evangelion has inspired many famous anime series that followed.
However, what many fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion may not know is that this anime was produced on a very low budget, primarily focusing on animating the battles of giant robots. In fact, there were rumors that the creators spent the entire budget before the anime could reach its conclusion.
Despite facing such budget issues, Neon Genesis Evangelion became one of the most successful animated series in the world, with a net worth of around $15 billion. According to Numbers, the films associated with the series alone have grossed over $161 million at the global box office.
2. Magical Princess Minky Momo
Magical Princess Minky Momo is another anime that became quite popular, despite facing budget issues. The film tells the story of Momo, the princess of Fenarinarsa, a dreamland that is gradually drifting away from Earth. She is sent to help Earth regain its belief in dreams.
According to Anime News Network, Magical Princess Minky Momo struggled with financial difficulties when one of its main sponsors withdrew funding. This led to a major crisis, but even after that, the anime thrived.
3. Musashi Gundoh
Musashi Gundoh is a unique anime as it developed a fervent fanbase purely due to its poor animation quality and even worse animation style. The show began airing on TV in 2006 and only became popular in Japan after it was released on the internet.
Musashi Gundoh tells the story of Musashi, who follows the path of “Gun-do,” a combination of fencing and firearm combat. He battles Ayakashi, a group of monsters that want to disrupt peace in Japan.
The budget for Musashi Gundoh was extremely low, yet it still gained a great deal of popularity and recognition from the anime community. TV Tropes states that Musashi Gundoh is the worst film in terms of animation style, sound quality, and characters, but that is precisely what makes it humorous and endearing.
4. Kill la Kill
Kill la Kill is one of the successful anime in terms of quality and animation style, despite its limited budget. The story follows Ryuko Matoi, who is searching for her father’s killer. Following the only lead she has, she arrives at Honnouji Academy, which sparks the beginning of the story.
Kill la Kill faced significant budget challenges as it was the first original anime television project by Studio Trigger. Nevertheless, the series achieved remarkable success, garnering much praise and appreciation from fans.
5. Sailor Moon
Based on Naoko Takeuchi’s manga, Sailor Moon is a recognized name in the anime industry.
The series has inspired many other creators, and despite its tight budget, it has become one of the greatest anime of all time.
The low budget of Sailor Moon is reflected in its inconsistent animation style and the continuous use of stock footage. Despite all these challenges, Sailor Moon is still regarded as a legend to this day. Tuxedo Unmasked claims that Toei Animation made a significant profit from it.
