Anime has become an immensely popular medium, captivating audiences of all ages with a myriad of genres catering to diverse tastes. This growing fascination has introduced a younger demographic to the vibrant world of anime, often through beloved classics such as Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Pokémon, and Dragon Ball. Even romance-focused anime have managed to appeal to this younger audience, enhancing accessibility across various generations. However, it is essential to recognize that not all series are suitable for family viewing, as some can feature elements that lead to awkward, uncomfortable, or outright shocking moments.
Many anime delve into universal themes and offer rich storytelling, but others tread into more mature territories, presenting graphic content, excessive violence, or suggestive elements. Regardless of the artistic intent behind these narratives, they can create embarrassing situations when experienced in the company of parents. Some series can provoke parental concerns regarding your viewing choices. With this in mind, there are specific anime that are best avoided when watching with your family.
10 Kill la Kill: Thrilling Action but Provocative Imagery
Renowned for its dynamic action sequences and unique animation style, Kill la Kill follows Ryuko Matoi on her quest for vengeance after her father’s murder, aided by a sentient outfit that bestows great power at the cost of revealing clothing. While the plot captivates and engages viewers, the series contains notable ecchi elements that can be inappropriate for younger audiences. The attention-grabbing action and humor can quickly shift into discomfort when viewed alongside parents due to the bold use of fanservice.
For appropriate viewers, Kill la Kill offers a highly entertaining experience, blending humor with action and an engaging storyline. However, the provocative nature of character designs can alter the viewing experience, making it less suitable for family-friendly settings. To fully appreciate its charm, this anime is best viewed in private.
9 High School DxD: A Harem Adventure Too Risqué for Parents
High School DxD is known for being one of the most uncomfortable anime to watch with family or conservative audiences. This harem series stands out for its extreme levels of fanservice and provocative humor as it follows Issei Hyoudou, a high school student resurrected by a beautiful demon after his untimely death. The narrative progresses into a world filled with devils, fallen angels, and a multitude of attractive female characters.
Despite its heavy focus on ecchi themes, High School DxD features a rich lore and exciting supernatural battles, with Rias Gremory being a fan-favorite character due to her elegance and strength. Nevertheless, the series’ reliance on sexual humor and revealing character designs makes it difficult to comfortably enjoy around parents, positioning it as a title best experienced in private.
8 Kakegurui: A Gambling Adventure with Concerning Implications
Kakegurui stands out as an intriguing psychological gambling anime set within the high-stakes environment of Hyakkaou Private Academy, where status is determined by gambling prowess. The series features Yumeko Jabami, a transfer student who revels in risk and unpredictability as she navigates through the academy’s intense gambling competitions.
The show’s glamorization of gambling may strike a dissonant chord with parents due to its intense portrayal. Characters often exhibit unsettling euphoria during bets, which can amplify the discomfort of watching it in family settings. While Kakegurui’s gripping narrative appeals to viewers who appreciate its excessive style, it’s advisable to enjoy it with friends who can handle its unique themes.
7 Food Wars: Culinary Delights with Uncomfortable Moments
Focusing on the art of cooking, Food Wars offers a delightful experience for food lovers as it follows Soma Yukihira’s journey at the esteemed Totsuki Culinary Academy. Yet, the characters’ exaggerated reactions to tantalizing dishes, showcased through intense sounds and visuals, can quickly lead to uncomfortable viewing experiences, especially for younger audiences or those watching with parents.
While the intention is to illustrate the overwhelming joy of cooking, these moments can tread into suggestive territory, making it challenging for viewers to enjoy the culinary competition fully. Although Food Wars is entertaining with potential culinary inspirations, the provocative elements warrant caution in more conservative viewing environments.
6 Dan Da Dan: A Refreshing Mix of Humor and Supernatural Themes
Recognized for its blend of supernatural intrigue and humor, Dan Da Dan tells the story of Momo Ayase and Okarun as they navigate battles with spirits and aliens. While the narrative is fresh and engaging, it does contain several moments that skirt into mature territory, potentially causing discomfort for conservative viewers.
With its unique character dynamics and absurd twists, Dan Da Dan appeals to fans of unpredictable storytelling. However, the presence of suggestive content may lead to awkward moments when watching with parents or family members. When viewed with an appropriate audience, it remains an enjoyable and entertaining ride through its unexpected adventures.
5 Sora no Otoshimono: Humorous but Fanservice Heavy
Sora no Otoshimono, or Heaven’s Lost Property, is a comedic take on supernatural themes, following Tomoki Sakurai and his angeloid companion Ikaros through humorous exploits. While the show offers entertaining moments and solid character encounters, its reliance on fanservice and inappropriate humor can be distracting and uncomfortable for younger or more conservative viewers.
Though there are enjoyable aspects to the narrative, the frequent sexualization of characters overshadows the humor, making it more suitable for an older audience. With its mature themes, Sora no Otoshimono is best enjoyed in settings where viewers can appreciate the humor while being mindful of its underlying issues.
4 Devilman Crybaby: A Visually Striking and Controversial Masterpiece
Devilman Crybaby offers a stunning exploration of good versus evil through the lives of Ryo Asuka and Akira Fudo. Its emotionally charged narrative and mature themes make it particularly impactful, but the graphic content can be startling for viewers unprepared for its intensity. Portraying visceral violence and psychological complexity, this series challenges viewers to confront the darker aspects of human nature.
While many laud its artistic achievements and deep storytelling, the extreme content may deter non-anime audiences or even some fans. As a thought-provoking engagement for a mature viewership, experiencing Devilman Crybaby in the company of family or more sensitive viewers is ill-advised.
3 Goblin Slayer: A Dark and Grim Fantasy
Right from the start, Goblin Slayer introduces viewers to unsettling scenes filled with graphic violence and horror elements. The series pushes the envelope and its brutal themes can alienate audiences that are not prepared for such intensity. While it boasts a compelling narrative, it is tailor-made for viewers with a strong stomach, best enjoyed alone.
2 To Love-Ru: A Rom-Com Innovative Yet Overloaded with Fanservice
The series’ fanservice-driven content goes beyond normal romantic comedy fare, making it hard to enjoy without feeling uncomfortable in the presence of parents or stricter viewers. As a staple of the ecchi genre, it is best preserved for private viewing.
1 Redo of Healer: A Disturbingly Controversial Anime
Strongly known for pushing boundaries, Redo of Healer follows Keyaru, a healing mage who endures extensive suffering before flipping the narrative through time manipulation. While the notion of revenge may appear compelling, the graphic and unsettling moments sprinkled throughout render it challenging to recommend, as it often crosses ethical lines that many would find troubling.
Even those accustomed to dark themes will find Redo of Healer a disconcerting watch that emphasizes brutality over engagement. This extreme depiction makes it impossible to view with family or casual audiences without inducing discomfort. If any anime deserves multiple content warnings, it is certainly this one.