Introduction
Gibiate is one of the most talked-about anime series for all the wrong reasons. Released in 2020, it gained attention not for its quality or compelling story—but because of how badly it was received. Across Reddit and other forums, fans asked one burning question:
“Why did Gibiate exist?”
Was it a serious attempt to create something unique? Was it a marketing experiment? Or was it just a product of poor planning and rushed execution?
In this article, we’ll explore:
- What Gibiate is and who created it
- The anime’s story and concept
- Why it became so infamous on Reddit
- What Redditors are saying
- The creative and production background
- The deeper reasons behind its existence
- Whether it deserved the hate
- And ultimately, why it exists at all
Let’s begin.
What is Gibiate? A Quick Overview
Gibiate is a Japanese anime that aired from July to September 2020. It was produced by Studio Elle and co-produced by WOWOW, Tokyo MX, and Crunchyroll. The anime was a part of the Crunchyroll Originals lineup, aiming to bring new titles directly to an international audience.
Basic Info:
- Genre: Action, Sci-fi, Horror
- Episodes: 12
- Original Creator: Ryo Aoki
- Character Design: Yoshitaka Amano (famous for Final Fantasy)
- Music: Yuzo Koshiro (renowned game composer)
Plot Summary:
In the year 2030, a mysterious virus turns people into monstrous creatures based on their age, sex, and race. The world descends into chaos. Suddenly, two samurai from the Edo period time travel to this dystopian future and try to help survivors.
Sounds exciting, right? On paper, yes. But in execution? Not so much.
Reddit’s Reaction: “Why Did Gibiate Exist?”
Reddit users, especially in anime-focused communities like r/anime, were shocked, confused, and amused by Gibiate’s quality.
Key Complaints on Reddit:
- Terrible animation and fight scenes
- Weak plot with no internal logic
- Cringeworthy dialogue
- Random character deaths
- Disappointing use of high-profile talent
- Unfinished or rushed production
The most common Reddit threads included questions like:
- “Was this made as a joke?”
- “Why did Crunchyroll support this?”
- “Did the creators even watch anime before making this?”
- “This is the worst anime I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen Hand Shakers.”
The phrase “Why did Gibiate exist?” became shorthand for asking how something so messy could even get funded, produced, and aired.
Why Did Gibiate Actually Exist? (Production Background)
To answer Reddit’s question seriously, we need to look at the anime industry.
1. The “All-Star Team” Experiment
Gibiate was meant to be a high-profile, cross-industry project.
- Yoshitaka Amano, an iconic artist known for Final Fantasy, did the original designs.
- Yuzo Koshiro, one of Japan’s best-known music composers, was involved.
- Naoki Serizawa, known for Resident Evil manga, helped with visuals.
- Junichi Suzuki, a filmmaker, worked on the story concept.
This sounds amazing, but most of these creators had no real anime production experience. This caused clashes in style, inconsistent direction, and poor coordination.
2. Pandemic Timing
Gibiate aired during the early days of COVID-19, which affected the industry heavily. Some Redditors believe the pandemic rushed the release or weakened the quality control.
3. Crunchyroll Original Pressure
As part of the Crunchyroll Originals lineup, Gibiate was supposed to impress global audiences. But the ambition may have exceeded their technical and creative ability.
Why Reddit Took Notice of Gibiate
A. So Bad, It’s Meme-Worthy
Reddit thrives on bad content done seriously. Gibiate became the next big “so bad it’s good” anime. People began watching it ironically. Threads popped up weekly with GIFs of horrible animation or still frames with odd expressions.
B. Wasted Potential
Redditors often compare Gibiate to other anime that started with a cool idea but failed in execution, like:
- Ex-Arm
- Hand Shakers
- Mars of Destruction
C. False Expectations
The involvement of respected creators made people think it would be something groundbreaking. The disappointment felt even stronger because of that.
Common Reddit Theories on Why It Was Made
Here are the top theories Reddit users have suggested:
1. Tax Write-Off Theory
Some users humorously suggest it was a tax write-off or money laundering scheme because of how little sense the final product made.
2. Marketing Gone Wrong
Others believe it was designed more for merchandise or global licensing, and the anime was just a “required” part of the brand.
3. Pandemic Panic Project
Some argue that with other shows delayed in 2020, Gibiate filled a gap in the schedule even though it wasn’t ready.
4. Ego Project
There’s also a theory that the anime was created as an ego project by its creator, Ryo Aoki, who tried to gather famous people without fully understanding anime production.
Is Gibiate the Worst Anime Ever?
Many Reddit users say yes. But is it really the worst?
Let’s look at what actually went wrong:
| Problem | Description |
|---|---|
| Animation Quality | Stiff movements, poor effects, off-model characters |
| Direction | Scenes feel disconnected, pacing is inconsistent |
| Story Logic | Confusing world-building, random time travel rules |
| Character Development | Characters appear and die with no emotional impact |
| Dialogue | Over-explains obvious things; awkward line delivery |
| Use of Talent | Big names used for marketing, not for core anime roles |
While it may not be the worst anime technically, it is one of the most disappointing given how much promise it had.
What Can Creators Learn from Gibiate?
- Good talent ≠ good teamwork
Just because you gather famous names doesn’t mean you’ll get a good anime. - Respect the medium
Anime has its own storytelling and technical language. You can’t fake it. - Quality over hype
Marketing can get people to watch, but if the quality fails, fans will notice immediately. - Listen to feedback
Reddit and other platforms offer real-time reactions. Ignoring this can hurt future projects.
Reddit Comments That Sum It Up
Here are a few real-style Reddit-style reactions:
- “Gibiate feels like an anime made by people who saw one episode of Naruto in 2005 and called it a day.”
- “This is what happens when you give the wrong people too much money.”
- “The opening made me hopeful. The rest crushed my soul.”
- “I watched it so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.”
People Also Ask
What is Gibiate anime about?
It’s a 2020 anime about time-traveling samurai in a virus-infected future, trying to fight human-monster hybrids.
Why is Gibiate so hated on Reddit?
Because it had poor animation, a messy story, and wasted the talents of famous creators.
Who made Gibiate?
It was created by Ryo Aoki with character design by Yoshitaka Amano and music by Yuzo Koshiro.
Was Gibiate successful?
No. It was widely criticized and is often listed among the worst anime of 2020.
FAQs
Q1: Did Gibiate win any awards?
No. It mostly received negative reviews and was mocked more than praised.
Q2: Is there a sequel to Gibiate?
There are no sequels or announcements for continuation as of now.
Q3: Is it worth watching for the meme value?
Some fans watch it for laughs, but most recommend skipping it unless you’re deeply curious.
Q4: Was the music at least good?
The soundtrack, made by Yuzo Koshiro, is considered one of the few bright spots.
Q5: Where can I watch Gibiate?
It was available on Crunchyroll and other anime platforms, but availability may vary now.
Conclusion
So, why did Gibiate exist? It was a mix of:
- Ambition without direction
- Star power without structure
- Timing during a difficult production year (2020)
- A project that misunderstood its audience
In the end, Gibiate teaches us that anime is not just about flashy names or cool ideas—it’s about execution, passion, and respect for the craft. Reddit may have torn it apart, but it also gave us valuable lessons on what not to do in anime production.
