10 Anime Series You Won't Believe Used to Be Controversial
The thing about controversial anime is that, with enough time, what was problematic will be accepted or even liked. Whether it's a questionable premise or a divisive reception, all these anime had to do to escape controversy was wait for a few years. Now, these anime are seen as perfectly harmless and even loved by anime viewers around the world.
Even if these anime were vindicated by time, it's worth revisting why they were so controversial in the first place. For one, it's a fun and informative way to learn more about some of the most popular anime right now. But more importantly, there's no better way to see and understand just how much artistic trends and people's perception of it have and will always be flexible.
Bleach Was Seen as the Worst Member of Shonen Jump’s Big 3
Streaming on Hulu
Given the success and acclaim that Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is currently enjoying, it can be easy to forget that Bleach didn't always have it this good. During its prime in the early 2000s, Bleach was actually seen as the most disappointing part of Shonen Jump's Big 3. Bleach started strong and was hailed as the trio's most mature entry, only for it to gradually lose its goodwill.
At its best, Bleach is a highly polarizing and questionable adaptation of its manga. The anime watered down the manga's edge, rewrote core characters' arcs for the worse, and relied too much on filler material. Bleach only reclaimed its former glory when the more faithful Thousand-Year Blood War came along. The finale season is so good that it overshadowed Bleach 's old controversies.
Digimon Tamers Was Stuck in the Original Anime’s Shadow for Years
Streaming on Hulu
Because of how innocent and family-friendly Digimon as a whole is, it may be hard to believe that Digimon Tamers caused controversy in 2001. Tamers is the third Digimon anime, but it's the first not to be connected to the fan-favorite Digimon Adventure canon. Digimon Tamers explores darker stories and themes , which alienated those who were used to Digimon Adventure 's carefree vibes.
As time passed, Digimon fans warmed up to Tamers. They appreciated the anime as its own story, and respected how much it differed from Digimon 's usual formula. These days, Digimon Tamers is one of the most popular Digimon series that came after Adventure . The only controversy that Tamers has now is tied to series writer Chiaki J. Konaka's conspiratorial politics, not anything the anime did.
Dragon Ball GT Was Once the Dragon Ball Fanbase’s Most Hated Entry
Streaming on Crunchyroll
For the longest time, Dragon Ball GT was branded as the worst Dragon Ball anime. This was mostly due to how the anime hearkened back to the original Dragon Ball , where Goku was a kid. It was geared more toward younger audiences rather than those who grew up with the action-packed Dragon Ball Z. Additionally, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama was only tangentially involved in Dragon Ball GT 's production.
But over time, Dragon Ball GT 's controversial reputation softened. The anime hasn't been wholly redeemed, but Dragon Ball fans now appreciate it for what it got right. This includes some fights, the comedic return to form, and everything about Pan. It also helps that some more recent Dragon Ball anime have been so rough around the edges that Dragon Ball GT looked refined by comparison.
Mobile Fighter G Gundam Initially Angered the Gundam Fanbase
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Today, Mobile Fighter G Gundam is one of the Gundam fandom's favorite entries. This is especially true for those who grew up watching it, and cherish it as a nostalgic childhood series. Moreover, G Gundam is seen as the series that revitalized Gundam and kick-started the Alternate Century. But when it first aired in 1995, G Gundam met strong resistance and rejection from the Gundam community.
Previously, G Gundam caused controversy by being the first Gundam anime to go against franchise traditions and conventions. G Gundam is a throwback to super robot anime that had more in common with wrestling matches and storylines, not a real robot series that grounded mecha combat. Despite this and its initial mediocre ratings, G Gundam gradually won over newcomers and Gundam fans' love.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Broke Its Fanbase & Never Recovered
Streaming on Crunchyroll
For better or worse, so much time has passed since The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya 's ending that today's anime fans simply don't remember a time when it was controversial. Younger anime viewers will see the SOS Brigade's shenanigans as a fun, heartfelt and surrealist take on the slice-of-life genre. But to older fans, Haruhi Suzumiya was once the biggest letdown in anime history.
This is all thanks to the infamous Endless Eight arc. In brief, Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2 wrecked its reputation when it basically recycled one episode eight times. It was only years after the anime fell out of the limelight that audiences appreciated this creative decision's risks and ambition. The Endless Eight will still split viewers' opinions, but it won't spark the same level of controversy it did in 2009.
Pokémon the Series: XY Didn't Let Ash Ketchum Win
Streaming on Netflix
The strangest thing about the Pokémon franchise is that, while it is an innocent kid's anime, it attracted tons of controversy. One of the weirdest ones came in Pokémon the Series: XY ,specifically the episode where Ash Ketchum lost the Kalos League. Ash failing yet again to become Pokémon Master is practically franchise tradition, but Pokémon XY was written in such a way that it seemed as if he'd finally win.
To date, Pokémon XY is considered to be one of the best-written Pokémon anime series. This is why, when Ash lost in the Kalos League, fans felt that XY as a whole was a misleading waste of time. The backlash toward Ash's loss was so bad that, in the succeeding series, Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon , Ash finally won. Fans haven't forgiven Pokémon XY for making Ash lose again, but they've since come around to it.
Tokyo Ghoul Was Banned & Censored Due to Its Intense Violence
Streaming on Crunchyroll
In the 2010s, Tokyo Ghoul gained notoriety for its extreme depictions of violence and disturbing imagery. This included everything from Jason's cruel torture of Ken Kaneki to the Ghouls literally ripping people in half with their Kagune. As such, Tokyo Ghoul was either heavily censored in some countries, or it was outright banned. As of this writing, the anime can't be watched in China and Russia.
By today's standards, Tokyo Ghoul 's violence is fairly tame. None of this is to say that Tokyo Ghoul is child-friendly or weak, but to modern viewers who watched the likes of Goblin Slayer or Solo Leveling, Tokyo Ghoul 's violence is standard fare not worthy of its controversy. Tokyo Ghoul set the bar for anime violence in the 2010s, but that bar has been surpassed a long time ago.
Death Note’s Dark Themes Were Blamed for Inspiring School Violence & Juvenile Delinquency
Streaming on Netflix
These days, Death Note is recognized as one of the best thrillers ever made. It's also since become a modern classic anime. Because of this, newcomers may be surprised to discover just how controversial Death Note was during its prime. Across the world, troubled students caused concern in their schools by imitating Light Yagami and his murderous notebook.
More than once, and even years after the anime ended in 2007, students were found in possession of their own Death Notes. Said notebooks were often filled with the names of people who annoyed or angered the owner. Such incidents have lessened in number in recent years, which is why new Death Note fans may find its ties to disciplinary issues in schools so strange.
Cutie Honey’s Fanservice Was Previously Deemed Too Scandalous for TV
Not Currently Streaming
These days, any Cutie Honey anime — especially the original 1973 anime — doesn't really stand out. It's an action-packed cross between an ecchi comedy and a magical girl anime. There are countless other anime which not only follow this same formula, but push the envelope further than Cutie Honey did. That said, all these anime and even the idea of fanservice owe their existence to Cutie Honey.
In 1973, Cutie Honey was a subversive and controversial trendsetter. It was one of the first anime to star a sexually confident heroine instead of a vulnerable and innocent one. The anime's network (TV Asahi) even canceled the original series because they couldn't stand its brazen fanservice and sexuality. Cutie Honey only feels quaint now because what it accomplished has been surpassed and improved upon by its successors.
Sailor Moon Sparked Fierce Debates Around the World
Streaming on Hulu
To most people, it's impossible to associate Sailor Moon with controversy. After all, it's a classic of shojo manga and anime that's also widely considered to be the perfect anime for young girls. But in truth, Sailor Moon has been the subject of intense academic debates about women's representation in media, gender dynamics, social norms, and so much more.
Sailor Moon 's fans held it up as a great example of female empowerment. Others criticized it for conforming to the standards set by the male-dominated anime space. That some of Sailor Moon 's politics are also clear products of their time didn't help its case. Fortunately, the animeendured for so long that it outlasted its biggest controversies while still attracting new fans with each passing day.
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