Anime has always been a bold, boundary-pushing medium, often diving into themes and narratives that challenge societal norms. Some of the most popular titles have faced controversies that brought them into the limelight for reasons beyond their storytelling. Titles like SSSS.Gridman and Hetalia: Axis Powers tackled nostalgic or historical themes but drew backlash for perceived insensitivity and cultural missteps. Whether it was Gridman‘s stance on doujinshi or Hetalia‘s caricature of historical powers, the debates they stirred shaped discussions on anime’s portrayal of sensitive topics. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and The Rising of the Shield Hero also joined this list for offending religious groups or clashing with social movements like #MeToo, proving that even beloved series aren’t immune to public scrutiny.
Other titles, such as Saint Seiya, Death Note, and Neon Genesis Evangelion, ignited controversy due to character changes, moral concerns, or unconventional endings. Sword Art Online: Alicization and Goblin Slayer pushed boundaries with their graphic depictions of violence and sexual assault, stirring outrage among audiences. Even Pokémon wasn’t safe from scandal, with its infamous “Pokémon Shock” incident leading to a global outcry. Despite this, many of these titles remain beloved, showcasing how anime’s ability to tackle controversial themes often fuels its cultural relevance, both in Japan and globally.
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15. “Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon” (2020-22)
This sequel to Inuyasha was always going to be held to high expectations. But, it became a lightning rod for controversy when some fans accused the show of “grooming” due to Rin’s age when she gave birth to Sesshomaru’s children.
Online critics were quick to call foul, alleging that Rin was underage, which sparked an uproar. In response, passionate fans pieced together a timeline that clarified Rin was indeed 18 at the time. Crisis averted, but for a moment, it felt like anime’s very own Chris Hansen might step in!
14. “My Hero Academia” (2016-)
Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia is no stranger to controversy, but this time it was a seemingly minor character that caused a major stir. When the villainous “Doctor” was revealed to be named Murata—after a historical figure linked to World War II
atrocities—backlash ensued. The outrage was so intense that Horikoshi had to change the character’s name. It’s a reminder that even small creative decisions can resonate deeply with historical sensitivities, especially in a global fanbase.
13. “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury” (2022-)
With its stunning mech battles and a groundbreaking LGBTQ couple in Suletta and Miorine, this Gundam series seemed poised to be a fan favorite. But the waters were muddied when a producer’s interview confirming the couple’s romantic relationship was quickly redacted
leaving fans in an uproar. Sunrise, the studio behind Gundam, issued a statement saying the relationship was “up to interpretation,” which only fueled the frustration. The backlash reached “galactic” proportions as fans demanded clarity.
12. “Kuro-Gyaru ni Natta Kara Shinyu to Yatte Mita” (2021)
Who knew a hentai adaptation could spark such fury? Crunchyroll’s announcement that this NSFW manga was getting an anime adaptation had some fans up in arms over a perceived mistranslation.
Many argued that the show confused dark-skinned characters with Gyaru culture, sparking debates over racial sensitivity. It’s a strange example of how even erotic content can ignite fierce conversations about cultural representation.
11. “Redo of Healer” (2021)
Few anime have drawn as much ire as Redo of Healer, a series infamous for its disturbing themes of revenge, sexual violence, and manipulation. The protagonist’s twisted journey of inflicting the same abuse he endured on his enemies shocked viewers.
Its graphic content was so intense that many questioned how it ever got greenlit. Unsurprisingly, Redo of Healer has carved out a space for itself as one of the most controversial anime to date—and yes, you can find it on Cornhub for a reason.
10. “SSSS.Gridman” (2018)
At first glance, SSSS.Gridman appeared to be a nostalgic love letter to 90s tokusatsu, but it quickly found itself embroiled in controversy. Animator Masami Obari accused the series of copying a scene from Gravion, claiming it was too close to be called a mere homage. Fans, however, were quick to defend Gridman, arguing it was a tribute rather than plagiarism.
If that wasn’t enough, the show’s creators banned fan-made doujinshi, cutting off a huge part of anime culture and igniting a fan outcry. The audacity of denying Rikka Takarada fanworks? That didn’t sit well with the community.
9. “Hetalia: Axis Powers” (2009-15)
Turning world history into humanized caricatures? That’s what Hetalia aimed to do, with its lighthearted take on the Axis and Allied powers during World War II. But not everyone was amused. The show sparked outrage in South Korea, where protests erupted demanding its cancellation.
To some, portraying historically brutal regimes as quirky, comedic characters was in incredibly poor taste. The show managed to avoid touching on the darkest chapters of history, but it still left a bad taste for those sensitive to the portrayal of real-world atrocities.
8. “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (1993-94)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is iconic, but even legends slip up. In the 90s OVA adaptation of Stardust Crusaders, a scene shows Dio Brando reading a book with Arabic text from the Qur’an. This was an unfortunate mistake, especially since it occurred in a context involving a villain.
Muslim viewers were understandably offended, leading to the scene being edited in future releases. It’s a classic case of how unintentional errors can lead to global backlash, especially when dealing with religious sensitivities.
7. “The Rising of the Shield Hero” (2019-)
Controversy hit Shield Hero in its very first episode. The plot kicks off with the protagonist, Naofumi, being falsely accused of sexual assault—a storyline that struck a nerve, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Some viewers saw it as tone-deaf or even harmful, while others defended it as a reflection of real-world injustices men can face. Despite the backlash, the series remains hugely popular, though it will forever be tied to this uncomfortable debate.
6. “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac” (2019)
Before it even aired, the Saint Seiya reboot sparked outrage by gender-swapping the character Andromeda Shun from an androgynous male to a female. The change was defended by the producers as an attempt to modernize the story and make it more inclusive to female fans.
But this move was seen by many as reductive, turning a feminine male character into a woman instead of embracing the original gender expression. Fans of the original cried foul, accusing the show of missing the point of Shun’s unique portrayal.
5. “Death Note” (2006-07)
A genius serial killer with a supernatural notebook? Death Note was bound to spark controversy. The anime’s premise, where anyone whose name is written in the titular notebook dies, inspired real-world copycat incidents. Most notably, students were caught with their own “Death Notes,” listing people they wanted to eliminate.
The show was heavily criticized by parents and teachers, feeding into the age-old debate about whether media influences violent behavior. Despite this, Death Note remains one of the most acclaimed anime series of all time.
4. “Neon Genesis Evangelion” (1995-96)
Evangelion is hailed as a masterpiece, but its original finale? Not so much. When the series ran out of budget, it ended with two surreal, deeply introspective episodes that left many fans scratching their heads. Some were so enraged that they sent death threats to creator Hideaki Anno and vandalized the studio.
The backlash was so intense that Gainax had to release End of Evangelion, a film meant to “fix” the controversial ending. Love it or hate it, Evangelion has become a cornerstone of anime history, largely because of this very controversy.
3. “Sword Art Online: Alicization” (2018-21)
Sword Art Online has never been shy about depicting violence, but the third season, Alicization, took it a step too far for many viewers. A particularly graphic attempted rape scene involving Eugeo’s friends sparked outrage
leading to widespread criticism of the show’s recurring use of sexual violence as a plot device. Author Reki Kawahara later apologized for these scenes, promising to be more mindful of such content in the future. Despite the outcry, Sword Art Online remains a massive hit.
2. “Pokémon” (1997-)
It may be a kids’ show, but Pokémon had one of the most infamous controversies in anime history. In 1997, an episode featuring flashing lights caused nearly 600 children in Japan to suffer from seizures, a phenomenon known as “Pokémon Shock.”
The incident was so serious that the show went on a four-month hiatus, and new guidelines were implemented across the entire anime industry to prevent similar occurrences. Pokémon may have survived this storm, but it left a lasting impact on how anime is produced.
1. “Goblin Slayer” (2018-)
The premiere of Goblin Slayer shocked audiences with its brutal depiction of violence, particularly a graphic scene of rape in the first episode. Many viewers felt blindsided, as the promotional materials had suggested a typical fantasy adventure.
The show’s explicit content stirred significant controversy, leading to heated debates about the depiction of sexual violence in media. The series eventually added content warnings to future episodes, but the damage was done. Goblin Slayer is now forever linked to one of anime’s most disturbing openings.
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Conclusion
These anime controversies show that pushing boundaries in art can ignite debate, leaving an indelible mark on the community. For fans on animeking website looking to explore anime that sparked heated conversations, these titles are perfect examples of how artistic expression often comes with a price. Whether loved or criticized, they have all made a significant impact on the anime industry and the wider world.