Published May 30, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
Branson is a Senior Writer for ScreenRant. Anime has been a major part of his life since he was able to raise his hands in the air for a Spirit Bomb. As a journalist, Branson focuses heavily on listicles and op-eds detailing the industry's greatest shonen series.
Over the past few years, a few new trends have emerged in anime. Isekai has become one of the most popular genres on the planet, shōnen series are darker than ever, and a decent portion of the anime/manga world has dedicated itself to some of the longest titles in the art form.
It makes sense: there are thousands of series out there, so why shouldn't a series try and market itself by telling its plot to its potential audience before they even see a trailer? While the concept itself isn't bad, its execution rarely meets expectations.
Most of the time, anime series with ridiculously long titles aren't worth watching. There is one new comedy romance series on Crunchyroll that employs this tactic, but unlike most of the other series in the genre, it is absolutely worth the watch.
There Are a Ton of Anime Series with Wild Names
There are more than a few anime series with hilariously outrageous names. These series look to give potential audience members an insight into the ongoings of a series before they watch the first episode, and sometimes, it works. These series aren't always duds either, as I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince So I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability might be 17 words long, but it's one of the best isekai series of the past few years.
The series stars a former peasant reincarnated as the Prince of the kingdom he was formerly worthless in. As the 7th Prince, he has access to resources and powers he never could have gotten close to in his former life. The animation is amazing, the characters are lovable, and the plot itself isn't bad.
Related
2023's Best Anime Is Finally On Crunchyroll, And It's A Must-Watch
When this series first dropped four years ago, people were shocked they couldn't watch it on Crunchyroll. Now, that has all changed (for the better).
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince is a great example of a solid series using a funny trick to try and gain more viewers. My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's, An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess, The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan, and I'm Getting Married to the Girl I Hate Most in Class are all great series as well, but they're in a league of their own.
Most of the time a series uses this trick, it's trying to overcompensate for a lackluster story, boring characters, or a plot that doesn't really go anywhere. Luckily, Crunchyroll's latest romance anime uses this trick masterfully, creating a hilarious title and a premise that actually blossoms into a bona fide hit storyline.
I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in Class Is Worth a Watch
I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in Class is a hilarious title, full stop. It's so ridiculous that it grabs attention immediately, and thankfully, the series is good enough to entice viewers to stay. The story centers on Maki Maehara as a quiet introvert who is more than happy spending his Friday nights alone eating snacks and playing video games.
When he opens up about his hobby during school, Umi Asanagi, the titular second prettiest girl in class, takes notice. She, too, enjoys a good video game-filled night, but she's always been nervous to admit it. Without crossing into spoiler territory, the two begin to bond over their shared interest and develop a cute relationship.
I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in Class is a decent romance series, but it really takes off when the characters begin revealing their inner fears and frustrations. More than one character deals with self-esteem issues, and a sense of self-worth is a prominent theme in the show as well.
English (US) ·