DroptheNuke, not trying to be arrogant, but avro and blame are right. People see it when new to anime, do not mind the bad fanservice/relationships, and find the angsty plot/backstory actually meaningful + love the gore.
mzkenken, K-on is a good example, but is not as popular or taken as seriously. No one but moeblob fans take it seriously, whereas anyone can taken Elfenlied seriously. K-on is like a worse Naruto in terms of popularity boosting critical perception, less popular but (sadly) not as poorly animated, so a little more critically popular. K-on has a very specific more "otaku" audience, whereas Elfenlied appeals to both those and fans of gore + blood in general.
Of course, if you mean Major, that is one that every season of is taken seriously and has won real prizes and real respect with its popularity despite being the same as every other terrible sports manga (I find Slam Dunk and Hajime no Ippo overrated as hell, but both of those crush Major in quality...I think Prince of Tennis is the only popular sports manga I can think of that is worse than Major).
mzkenken, K-on is a good example, but is not as popular or taken as seriously. No one but moeblob fans take it seriously, whereas anyone can taken Elfenlied seriously. K-on is like a worse Naruto in terms of popularity boosting critical perception, less popular but (sadly) not as poorly animated, so a little more critically popular. K-on has a very specific more "otaku" audience, whereas Elfenlied appeals to both those and fans of gore + blood in general.
Of course, if you mean Major, that is one that every season of is taken seriously and has won real prizes and real respect with its popularity despite being the same as every other terrible sports manga (I find Slam Dunk and Hajime no Ippo overrated as hell, but both of those crush Major in quality...I think Prince of Tennis is the only popular sports manga I can think of that is worse than Major).