Western viewers often don’t consider the possibility of anime being banned, as standards for what’s considered inappropriate are generally relaxed. Even shows that spark controversy are usually available on streaming services and websites, often with warnings about potentially sensitive content. However, there’s been more discussion lately about restricting access to certain media, like manga in schools deemed too violent or mature for students. There have also been some (mostly unfounded) rumors about potential laws banning anime and manga in the past year.
With more talk about anime and manga being banned, I decided to explore some series that have faced restrictions around the world. These anime were banned for various reasons – from conflicting with religious beliefs to containing mature themes like sex and violence. Some of the reasons for the bans might seem surprising, while others make sense, especially when considering the impact on younger or impressionable viewers. Whatever the reason, these bans raise an important question: how far should we go when limiting access to media?
7) Sailor Moon
As a huge anime fan, I can honestly say *Sailor Moon* is the queen of magical girl shows! What I love about it is how it celebrates femininity *and* focuses on the girls’ strength, friendships, and how they grow as people – it’s so much more than just a romance! It’s no surprise it’s considered a classic, right up there with giants like *Dragon Ball Z*, *Pokémon*, and *Naruto*. Seriously, *Sailor Moon* has inspired so many creators and fans, and its impact on how we see female characters in anime is huge.
Despite its popularity and positive reception, *Sailor Moon* has been banned in Saudi Arabia, including all its sequels and movies. The ban comes down to a conflict between the show’s strong female characters and traditional religious beliefs in the country. Saudi media generally focuses on male heroes, so a female lead goes against the established norm. This ban also applies to most shows in the ‘magical girl’ genre, effectively removing them from streaming platforms due to these religious concerns.
6) Elfen Lied
Released in 2004, Elfen Lied was a groundbreaking anime that didn’t shy away from its dark and disturbing themes. It quickly became known for its raw depictions of mental illness, abuse, prejudice, and violence. The anime’s central message explores how hatred can escalate uncontrollably, creating a never-ending cycle of destruction. The protagonist, Lucy, endures significant trauma – including bullying, torture, and captivity – which leads to a mental breakdown and the creation of a separate personality as a coping mechanism. It’s a very intense series and isn’t recommended for viewers who prefer lighthearted or action-focused anime.
The graphic violence and gore in *Elfen Lied* likely led to its ban in China and Russia. China has strict rules against extreme nudity and violence in media, and this anime contains a lot of both, even within its short length. Russia banned the series in 2021, citing concerns that its mature themes could be harmful to younger audiences. While these governments may have valid points, *Elfen Lied* remains available for streaming in many other countries, where it’s often celebrated for tackling difficult subjects rarely explored in anime from the 2000s.
5) Death Note
Death Note is a landmark anime in the crime drama genre, paving the way for many series that followed its 2006 debut. The show’s blend of supernatural themes and mystery, combined with its distinctive dark art style, created a truly memorable story. It was also groundbreaking for portraying the main character, Light Yagami, as the villain, and his complex development continues to be debated by fans. What began as a fresh take on the classic cat-and-mouse game between a killer and detective evolved into a thought-provoking exploration of dangerous self-righteousness and the corrupting influence of power.
I’ve always been surprised to learn that even with how incredibly popular *Death Note* became almost twenty years ago, it was still prohibited in both China and Russia. In Russia, a court decided the show’s focus on violence and death was too intense for younger viewers, so they banned unauthorized copies and recordings. China had similar concerns, citing excessive violence. Interestingly, the manga version was also banned there earlier, reportedly because students were attempting to make their own versions of the infamous Death Note notebook.
4) Hetalia: Axis Powers
Hetalia: Axis Powers is known for portraying countries as anime characters with exaggerated, stereotypical personalities. The series takes place during World War Two and explores the political relationships and consequences of that era. While it was often criticized for its potentially offensive depictions of certain nations and for downplaying the seriousness of the Axis Powers’ actions, Hetalia has gained a dedicated following and is considered a cult classic, with fans hoping for a revival of the original series.
Because of its sensitive and controversial content, the anime *Hetalia: Axis Powers* faced calls for a ban, and one quickly materialized. In 2009, a petition in South Korea demanded the show be removed from television and streaming platforms due to its offensive portrayal of the country and its people. The government responded by banning the series. Interestingly, the creators also removed the South Korean character, but the ban remains in effect to this day.
3) Record of Ragnarok
Released in 2021, *Record of Ragnarok* is a unique anime that combines mythology with the excitement of a battle royale. The series features famous figures from various religions and mythologies – including biblical Adam, Greek god Ares, and Norse god Odin. While praised for its dynamic fight scenes and compelling characters, the show received criticism for its animation and uneven pacing. Despite these issues, *Record of Ragnarok* offered a fresh and memorable storyline that distinguished it from other anime of the past decade.
Despite its controversies, *Record of Ragnarok* hasn’t been officially banned in any country. However, the series faced significant criticism in India due to its depiction of the deity Shiva, which many Hindus found disrespectful. This led to the Indian government removing the show from Netflix India shortly after its release to avoid further public outrage. While not a formal ban, removing it from the main streaming platform effectively had the same impact.
2) Kite
Originally released in 1998, *Kite* is a short anime series with just two 25-minute episodes, written, directed, and animated by Yasuomi Umetsu. Despite its brief run, it’s become a cult favorite, known for its intense action, violent scenes, and dark, realistic themes. While praised by many, *Kite* also sparked controversy, particularly due to a graphic depiction of sexual assault involving a minor. Even with this polarizing content, the anime has influenced other works, most notably Quentin Tarantino’s *Kill Bill*.
While many viewers appreciate the anime *Kite* for tackling difficult and controversial subjects, its graphic content prevented it from becoming widely accepted. The story centers on an orphaned girl forced into becoming an assassin by a corrupt police officer, plunging her into a violent and brutal world. The uncut version of *Kite* is banned in numerous countries due to its explicit depiction of assault, particularly concerning laws around child pornography, as seen with the ban in Norway.
1) Midori: Shoujo Tsubaki
Many shows are called disturbing for having sad endings, but *Midori: Shoujo Tsubaki* is on another level. The story was so controversial that it was difficult to find anyone willing to work on it, leading Hiroshi Harada to direct, produce, and write the script himself, adapting it from the original manga. Released in 1992, the anime film is less than an hour long, but feels much longer because of its relentless and brutal content. It tells the story of Midori, a young orphan who is forced to work for a traveling freak show and suffers severe physical and sexual abuse, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion.
The film *Midori: Shoujo Tsuabki* is deeply disturbing and widely considered exploitative, often compared to torture porn. Its graphic depiction of a minor’s abuse led to bans in numerous countries. In fact, the original, uncut version was banned in Japan in 1999, and the government ordered all copies destroyed, though a censored version remains available. While the ban wasn’t officially codified into law, master tapes of the uncut version were surprisingly released to the public in Japan in 2020.
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2025-10-13 23:11