Top 10 Times Anime Broke the 4th Wall

"Ouran High School Host Club" (2006)

Tamaki is well known for making melodramatic, grandiose and otherwise overblown displays when it comes to his obvious infatuation for Haruhi. At one point, he decides to let the rest of the Host Club known exactly what the status quo is; he's the protagonist, she's a love interest, they're all starring in a romantic comedy, and the rest of them are nothing more than the homosexual supporting cast. Too bad the others don't take too kindly this and get back at him later down the line. That's bad hosting etiquette Tamaki.

"Space Dandy" (2014)

Anime has had no shortage of narrators over the decades; that singular voice that assists with both recaps and exposition, even when it doesn't seem warranted. Turns out the Captain of the Aloha Oe wants in on the gig. After the show's narrator dishes out a rather dismissive explanation as to the crew's current situation, Dandy and QT discuss how easy the job must be and how envious they are that they don't get a chance to kick back like the looming voice does. Ah well, Boobies and cosmic explosions it is!

"The Disastrous Life of Saiki K." (2016-)

A new manga reaching 100 chapters is a pretty big deal, certainly something worthy of celebration. Though it's fair to say not many would dedicate a whole episode of its anime adaptation to celebrating that milestone. Then again, Saiki isn't your average guy. Playing into the show's signature fast-paced wit, Saiki starts to see that everyone and everything is constantly repeating the number 100. And yes, by the episode's end they manage to say 100...100 times. You don't have to be a psychic to know that the fourth wall got a telepathic ass-kicking.

"Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo" (2003-05)

Coming from a show whose main character uses his nose-hairs to win battles, we were expecting something pretty spectacular from the finale. Outrageous, crude and nonsensical for sure, but spectacular nonetheless. Surprise, surprise, Bobobo managed to trip us up all the way to the finish line. Right before the final clash, it's brazenly announced that the series has come to the close, much to the shock and horror of the rest of the cast. It may have ended with a whimper instead of a bang, but at least the anime took the fourth wall down with it.

"Bleach" (2004-12)

Well that's certainly one way to gloss over a plot hole. After managing to defeat the psychotic Szayel Aporro, Captain Kurotsuchi tends to the important matter of bringing his lieutenant Nemu back from near death after she fell victim to the Espada. How so? By doing something that looks incredibly similar to the downward dog. Naturally, both Renji and Uryu are horrified by this, the latter even calling him out for doing something the audience wasn't even allowed to see. Kurotsuchi's response is both hilarious and ironic. Not very often you see a mad scientist with family values.

"Pokemon" (1997-)

Blasting off at the speed of light, this motely trio of criminals have been dishing out the sass and breaking the fourth wall for decades now. Honestly, we're a bit spoiled for choice given the numerous times they have torn through the barriers of the show. They've declared their plans to the audience, refused to allow anyone to interrupt their motto, spoken out against the narrator, proved to be very knowledgeable about the show's tropes, they've even directly addressed the video games at one time! Forget capturing Pikachu, these guys need to go into satire!

"Bakemonogatari" (2009-10)

As fans are no doubt aware, this franchise more often than not steps all over the fourth wall and uses its remains to craft beautiful, weird and in some cases psychedelic scenes that not many can hope to match. However, none have ever truly surpassed the moment where Hitagi went all in and openly addressed just how awesome her Japanese voice actress really is, even giving an example. Koyomi is rightly confused, while the rest of us are left impressed at how talented Chiwa Saitou is!

"Bastard!!" (1992-93)

Pretty much the last place you'd expect to see fourth wall breaks of any kind would be in an anime that's essentially a half-decent D&D campaign. Albeit, one that stars Steve Blum as a cocky ninja master. During the final battle, it looks like Gara is struggling against his foe, leading to one of his companions to ask why he's taking so long with the fight, to which the ninja eloquently responds that there's no point in killing an enemy off screen. Nobody puts Blum in a corner.

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders" (2014-15)

You've got to love a villain who has such confidence in his victory that he declares an end to the entire series. After knocking Jotaro and company off the road, the Wheel of Fortune stand user appears to kill the young Joestar by setting his entire body ablaze. In his gloating, he announces that Part Three of the franchise has concluded...only for Jotaro to reappear, very much alive, stating that no one else could play his character, all before Ora Ora Ora'ing him into oblivion.

"Gintama" (2006-)

This show has taken the likes of satire, parody and fourth wall breaking and turned them into a collective masterpiece. Calling out real-world events and other anime are just par for the course for the likes of Gintoki, however, nothing has ever come close to the time when Otae (who had become enraged over her poor character poll ranking) decided to vent her anger out on the physical manifestation of Gintama's author. As you might have guessed, the after effects essentially sent the anime hurtling into the void.