Top 20 Anime That Caused MAJOR OUTRAGE
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Anime That Caused Major Outrage. For this list, we’re looking over the moments across anime that, wrongly or rightly, made the internet lose their minds and go on the warpath. Do you think these online outbursts were warranted? Let us know in the comments!
#20: “Oshi no Ko” (2023)
While the dance sequences may be glamorous and the shipping wars oh so entertaining, what this anime excels at beyond all else is exploring the darkness of the entertainment industry, and the fallout that comes with it. Following a video going viral that paints her as a villain, Akane is harassed and threatened online to such an extent that she is driven to attempt to take her own life. This harrowing moment mirrors the real-life events of deceased wrestler Hana Kimura, who took her own life following a bombardment of online abuse following a stint on a reality TV show. While many appreciated the rawness of Akane’s situation, one person who was less than thrilled was Hana Kimura’s mother, who went on record to lambast the series for a strikingly similar depiction.
#19: “Horimiya” (2021-)
Now you’ve gone and done it, Hori. In what was supposed to be a comedic scene wherein Hori and Miyamura discuss hypothetical scenarios involving him having an affair, Hori goes out of her way to state that while she could handle him cheating on her with another woman, she couldn’t bear it if was with another guy. Many took her rhetoric as homophobic, and subsequently brought the wrath of the internet down upon her…at least until it was casually brushed aside as the show’s overnight success blanketed all criticism like a blizzard!
#18: “Record of Ragnarök” (2021-)
No, it’s not because of the initial poor animation quality. Nor was it for delaying the last quarter of the second season in secret Netflix jail. What this anime got in trouble for was its use of a certain Hindu god of destruction. That’s right, Indian broadcasting banned the anime outright because one of their religious figures was portrayed as a fighter in a tournament featuring gods of every mythology. Shame, since it means Indian anime fans can’t watch that sick fight between Shiva and Raiden!
#17: “Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out” (2022)
One of the clearest examples of certain circles of internet warriors jumping the gun and looking for any excuse to hate on anime. What could a mid-level rom-com like this do to earn such ire? Well, two reasons actually – Uzaki’s humongous hungolomghononoloughongous. Apparently, people took one look at Uzaki, assumed she was underage given her height, and began snapping at creators and fans alike that everything about the anime was perverted and they could all go to hell. Jokes on them – Uzaki’s a certified college student, the massive boobs just happen to be a bonus!
#16: “The Promised Neverland” (2019-21)
Top 10 Anime That Caused Major Outrage
This anime’s fall from grace has become so legendary that it’s now the new bottom of the barrel example. After an incredible first season, the sequel ruined all the accumulated good will by cramming the remaining source material into one poorly constructed package, one that skipped whole arcs, provided a slide show ending, and tarnished the legacy of what was at the time viewed as a masterwork in the making. Fans were not happy.
#15: “Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon” (2020-22)
While not receiving as much fanfare as its predecessor, this follow-up to Inuyasha did suffer from some severe backlash when it was accused of promoting grooming and other unpleasantness. Online circles stated that Rin, at the time she gave both to Sesshomaru’s children, was way under the legal age. Naturally this promoted a response from fans who put a timeline in order and proved that at the time she became a mother, Rin was indeed eighteen years of age. For a moment there we thought anime Chris Hanson was going to show up on the scene!
#14: “My Hero Academia” (2016-)
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Poor Horikoshi, by this point it seems like there’s a controversy about his manga every other week! In this instance, it’s due to a minor character’s name. Originally known as the Doctor, All for One’s partner in crime was eventually revealed to have the name Murata. Among other things, this was also used to address people who were experimented on during one of the horrors of World War 2. The backlash was so intense that the name was changed moving forward.
#13: “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury” (2022-)
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Aside from some incredible mecha action, one of the biggest draws of this latest Gundam-iteration was the budding and turbulent romance between Suletta and Mirione – who now stand tall as Gundam’s most iconic LGBTQ couple. However, there was a little bit of a rocky ending to the whole affair. One of the higher ups on the production all but confirmed their relationship was romantic during an interview with a Gundam-specific magazine…only for the quote to be redacted. Throw in Sunrise putting out a statement that the couple’s status was “up to interpretation”, and the backlash was galactic!
#12: “Kuro-Gyaru ni Natta Kara Shinyu to Yatte Mita” (2021)
Imagining getting this angry about a hentai. After Crunchyroll announced the news that the NSFW manga was getting an adaptation many in the Twitter sphere were quick to react about the translation, with many stating their outrage over how they had confused dark-skinned for gyaru culture. Apparently, the hentai involving a guy being transformed into a woman and finding the joy of getting railed by his best friend was the height of racial injustice for a time.
#11: “Redo of Healer” (2021)
I mean…how could this not cause a commotion online? The fact this thing was even made into an anime is something of a degenerate miracle. You’ve got an isekai featuring the hero going on a revenge spree against those who physically, mentally and sexually abused him…by doing the exact same thing, all before brainwashing them and turning them into his personal harem. There’s a reason why you can find this on Cornhub, and why so many had a meltdown over its existence!
#10: “SSSS.Gridman” (2018)
A mecha anime that heavily pays tribute to the original 90s tokusatsu series, “SSSS.GRIDMAN” found itself being accused of straight up plagiarism. Animator Masami Obari claimed that the show depicted a near shot for shot remake of a scene from “Gravion.” But fans were quit to defend it saying it was nothing more than a homage. “SSSS.GRIDMAN” also drew controversy offscreen, when the company that owns the rights to it banned fan works based on the show such as doujinshi from being created, despite it being a major part of the anime industry. Imagine the audacity of denying fans their Rikka Doujins! Scumbags.
#9: “Hetalia: Axis Powers” (2009-15)
This comedy series follows human versions of various countries. While that basic idea is harmless enough, the fact that the show focuses primarily on the Axis Powers and Allied Forces during the First and Second World Wars makes things rather dicey. The premise drew harsh criticism and outrage particularly from South Korea, where people protested for it’s cancelation. Although the show avoids touchier subjects, there are still those who find regimes of countries that committed those undiscussed atrocities being portrayed as cutesy characters to be in terrible taste.
#8: “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (1993-94)
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We all love a good “JoJo” reference but this reference in the 90s OVA might not have been the best of ideas. In the “Stardust Crusaders” storyline of the manga, everyone’s favorite yellow vampire Dio Brando is seen reading a book with random squiggly lines in it as he vows to kill Jotaro. However, in this version of the anime, the animators unknowingly used text from the Qur’an to fit the Arabic setting. Because of this gaff, some Muslims were offended that the anime associated Islam with the kind of terroristic practices employed by Dio Brando.
#7: “The Rising of the Shield Hero” (2019-)
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Another in a long line of Isekai anime, or shows where a hero is reborn or awakens in a fantasy world, “The Rising of the Shield Hero” drew controversy in its very first episode. The protagonist, Naofumi, begins his new life already disadvantaged, but then finds himself robbed and with a false accusation of rape leveled at him; further marring his reputation. Thus started a great debate between those who thought this was in poor taste following the meetoo movement, and those who argued that these kind of situations really do happen in real life. But lets be honest, we all know how we feel about Malty Melromarc.
#6: “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac” (2019)
Although this anime hasn’t even aired yet, it’s already proven to be contentious. The reveal trailer shows that one of the franchise’s iconic characters, Andromeda Shun, has been changed from an androgynous man to a woman. Series producer Eugene Son has defended the change as being more inclusive towards women who like the series, but he’s come under fire by those who like the character as they originally were; citing the idea that turning a feminine man into a woman is more reductive than inclusive.
#5: “Death Note” (2006-07)
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Given that it’s a series whose protagonist is a genius supernatural serial killer, “Death Note” was bound to attract some controversy. Whoever’s name is written in the eponymous notebook with their face in mind will die of a heart attack. The premise has inspired a number of copycats who have written down names in their very own Death Note, most of which have come from students. The idea that media can influence negative or violent behaviors in those that view it has been a hotly debated topic, and “Death Note” happens to be one of the most prominent anime examples for some.
#4: “Neon Genesis Evangelion” (1995-96)
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A highly influential mecha anime series, whether you think all of its symbolism was deep and meaningful or pretentious dreck, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” concluded its polarizing original run with an even more divisive finale. After their animation budget ran out, the production team delivered two surreal episodes that were so bizarre and difficult to understand for some that the creators received death threats and even had their animation studio vandalized. Studio Gainax would later “fix” the conclusion with “End of Evangelion.”
#3: “Sword Art Online: Alicization” (2018-21)
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Arguably one of the most influential isekai anime, Sword Art Online’s third season, “Alicization” featured an especially disturbing scene where Eugeo is forced to watch as his two female friends are nearly raped. The series is no stranger to outrage, as this wasn’t the first time sexual assault was used as a plot point. This established pattern and treatment of its female characters has drawn ire from some fans, and the original novels author Reki Kawahara would later apologize for his decade old writing, stating that he will be more mindful in the future.
#2: “Pokémon” (1997-)
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Given how long it’s been on the air, the “Pokémon” anime was bound to cause outrage at some point, but it actually only took 38 episodes in before it became infamous. The episode follows the gang as they digitize themselves to stop Team Rocket. An explosion onscreen caused a flashing strobe like effect, which gave at least 600 people in Japan, most of them children, seizures. The incident caused a severe backlash, and while it didn’t end the juggernaut of a franchise, it did lead to more stringent restrictions when showing flashing lights in all anime, to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.
#1: “Goblin Slayer” (2018-)
New viewers who watched “Goblin Slayer” expected a typical lighthearted fantasy adventure series, given the colorful designs and the previews leading up to its debut. However, they were shocked to find that the first episode sees the primary heroine’s party of adventurers either brutally killed, tortured, or raped. While not the first anime on our list to display sexual violence, or violence in general, “Goblin Slayer” is by far the most explicit in its depiction of it. Ultimately, the series earned a warning beforehand about its content to prevent similar distress from viewers. Heaven forbid if they watch Berserk.
