>>10911547how did I get tricked by fan service? If it was in a good show I just put up with it, if it was in a bad show I just didn't continue watching beyond one episode.
>>10911549>I'd say there are also more abysmally bad anime being release nowthat's not really important to me as long as I have more options in high quality anime compared to before.
"It's just down to taste" is only valid to a certain extent. The quality of the animation itself is more of an objective thing. So is the sound design/soundtrack. Story telling is a bit more subjective, but the quality is generally reflected in how well it's received. However popular does not necessarily mean good. Naruto was/is popular, it's also been one of the most mocked anime ever. How many more anime are simply popular because a lot of kids and teens watch it, who then build nostalgia for it and watch it as adults, but it's far less popular with people who watch it for the first time as adults. You could say it's just demographics, that these shows weren't intended for adults. But you do get more discerning with age. Just look at the childhood shows you did not have nostalgia for. You'll think "I watched this and enjoyed it? This did not age well". Good kids/teen shows age well and are entertaining for all age groups even if they were intended for children and teens.