Crunchyroll’s New Top Shonen Anime Censored (& Fans Aren’t Happy)

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A popular action anime currently streaming on Crunchyroll, called Gachiakuta, has unfortunately been censored. While some censorship is expected for anime aimed at younger viewers, it feels out of place for a series like Gachiakuta, which is known for challenging typical genre conventions. Specifically, episode 20, “Ensign,” includes edits that diminish the impact of a key scene from the original manga.

In the manga, Rudo makes a defiant gesture – giving the middle finger – when he chooses his friends over achieving his goals and rejects the villains. The anime version changed this to a thumbs down when he turns down the Raiders’ offer. Manga fans who know Rudo were looking forward to seeing his original defiant act, as it’s an important moment for his character. While the studio likely needed to censor the gesture for broadcast, many feel it lessened the impact of the scene and weakened Rudo’s characterization.

Crunchyroll’s Gachiakuta Censorship Ruins a Crucial Moment

sighhhh we lost

— nat⛤ (@scissoreaper) November 23, 2025

Online fans are upset about the changes made to the anime, but they understand the reasons behind them. Because Gachiakuta is aimed at a younger audience as a shonen series, and airs on Sunday evenings when families often watch together, some censorship was expected given the source material. However, fans are understandably disappointed. What makes Gachiakuta unique is its willingness to portray the harsh realities of its world, and these changes detract from that.

Rudo, the central character of the series, really stands out because he breaks the typical mold of shonen heroes, making him a truly original figure. For example, the manga shows him giving the middle finger – a gesture that powerfully conveys his rebellious feelings in a way a simple thumbs-down just couldn’t.

Despite the changes, fans understand the studio’s decision. The anime’s beautiful animation and popularity – it’s become one of Crunchyroll’s top series this year, even ranking number one in Summer 2025 – have made them willing to accept the censorship. To avoid censorship while staying true to the source material, anime like Gachiakuta would need proper age ratings and suitable broadcast times. However, given that anime has been censored for years due to television regulations, this is unlikely. The only real solution is to release a series with a mature rating on platforms outside of traditional television.

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2025-11-27 16:11