10 Most Notable Anime Controversies

Here are ten major scandals that have shaken the anime industry, ranging from Jujutsu Kaisen to Pokémon. Similar to Hollywood and other prominent media industries, anime is no stranger to controversy, peculiar instances, and eccentric characters.

In recent years, the anime industry has been plagued by numerous scandals that have captured attention for various reasons. These scandals have involved issues such as workers' rights, controversial themes, and the personal lives of actors. Now, let's delve into some of the most significant scandals that have shaken the anime industry, spanning from arms smuggling in the 1990s to the concerning over-sexualization of minors.

Top 10 biggest anime controversies

The anime industry is filled with drama on and off the screen. Here are our 10 biggest behind-the-scenes scandals to rock the industry.

1. Yoshinobu Nishizaki: rogue producer and arms smuggler?

Yoshinobu Nishizaki emerged as the anime industry's most vibrant and divisive producer in the 1990s. His life brimming with both fame and notoriety, many believe that Nishizaki's own autobiography would have been his most captivating tale.

Transitioning from being the office manager for the legendary "god of manga" Osamu Tezuka to accomplishing triumph with anime series such as Space Battleship Yamamoto, one would assume that his ascent to the pinnacle of the industry was already enthralling.

Anime was not as profitable as it is today. However, in 1997, his life took a grim turn when he declared bankruptcy. Soon after, he was arrested for smuggling illegal firearms into Japan while still on bail for possessing narcotics. Yoshinobu Nishizaki's life ended in a mysterious manner, as he died at the age of 75 falling from a boat near Japan's Bonin Islands in 2010. Some believe this tragic event may have been an extreme attempt to escape from the difficulties of his troubled past.

2. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure religious text backlash

In 2008, the OVA series of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure generated controversy for its inappropriate utilization of the holy book of Islam, the Qur'an. This controversy specifically revolved around the sixth episode, entitled "The Mist of Vengeance," originally aired in 2001. The episode depicted the primary antagonist, Dio Brando, reading from the Ar-Ra'd section of the Qur'an, as he made a solemn vow to end the life of Jotaro Kujo.

3. Neon Genesis Evangelion’s ending sparked death threats

In response to protests from Egyptian Islamic fundamentalists regarding the connection between an evil character and Islamic text, the shipment of the OVA manga and the series itself were suspended indefinitely by studio A.P.P.P. and Shueisha in 2008.

1995 action series Neon Genesis Evangelion is now a cult classic. But it wasn’t always so well received.

The last two episodes of the series departed from the main mecha storyline that fans adored, instead opting for a deeper exploration of psychological introspection through extensive inner monologues. This shift towards a more surreal and symbolic direction allowed for an exploration of the series' most significant themes. The conclusion of the series featured Shinji, the protagonist, sitting in solitude, deep in contemplation about his life. Subsequently, he finds himself transported to an enigmatic location, where he is joined by his departed friends and loved ones, who applaud him.

The ending of the anime was strongly influenced by Hideaki Anno's own battle with depression, yet it faced severe backlash from fans, leading to a barrage of death threats and angry messages directed towards Anno himself.

4. MAPPA working conditions controversy

MAPPA, the studio behind hits like Jujutsu Kaisen, Hell’s Paradise, and Dororo, has found itself entangled in controversy over the years.

In 2021, the studio was accused of underpaying and overworking its staff. Ippei Ichii, a veteran animator, claimed that Netflix offered MAPPA a below-average rate for its productions. Additionally, a freelance animator who worked on Attack On Titan’s final season described the working conditions as “factory-like” and detrimental to health.

In 2023, MAPPA once again made headlines when animator Hokuto Sadamoto revealed in a now-deleted tweet from October 2023 that he had to complete 250 animation cuts for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Episode 14 in just two weeks. This disclosure was followed by reports of animators being coerced into signing NDA agreements to keep information about working conditions confidential. Furthermore, in November 2023, MAPPA’s CEO Manabu Otsuka faced criticism for expressing ambitious plans to produce even more anime, leading fans to condemn the studio's treatment of its creators.

5. Pokémon’s Poké-shock incident

Next up is one of the biggest scandals in the history of anime, which had a lasting impact on the industry. In 1997, during the first season of Pokémon, the 38th episode featured repetitive visual effects that unexpectedly triggered photosensitive seizures in more than 600 children. This incident is now widely known as the Pokémon Shock.

In the episode, Ash and his friends encounter a malfunctioning Poke Ball machine and venture inside to investigate. While exploring the virtual world, Pikachu unleashes a thunderbolt attack on the program, resulting in powerful explosions.

As a consequence of this event, the episode was taken out of rotation and has not been broadcasted anywhere since. When Pokémon made its comeback after a four-month hiatus, all episodes underwent modifications to remove flashing effects. Additionally, numerous Japanese shows now include an epilepsy warning to prevent any potential future incidents.

6. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid and oversexualization

Anime has consistently stirred up controversy with its depiction of female characters, often resorting to hypersexualization and childlike attributes. One such instance arose during the second season of Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, with the introduction of Iruru (or Ilulu), a female dragon assuming the form of a teenager. This character's portrayal, featuring a childlike personality, a remarkably petite figure, and disproportionately large breasts, ignited social media criticism for potentially promoting the sexualization of minors. Despite the backlash, some fans continue to find enjoyment in the series, while animators persist in creating female characters with unrealistic proportions.

7. Kemono Friends’ production issues

Kemono Friends, a popular anime series in 2017, was written and directed by Tatsuki. Fans were expecting him to return for Season 2, but both he and his animation studio Yaoyorozu did not come back, leaving fans confused and disappointed.

The media company Kadokawa, responsible for the show, stated that Tatsuki's departure was due to miscommunication issues regarding intellectual property. However, in 2018, Tatsuki revealed on X/Twitter that he had not received royalty payments for his scripts. This disclosure caused a major uproar, with fans showing their support for Tatsuki. The scandal even affected the stock price of Kadokawa's parent company.

8. Rurouni Kenshin creator’s child pornography charges

In September 2017, mangaka Nobuhiro Watsuki made a comeback to the series Rurouni Kenshin, specifically for its Hokkaido Arc. Shockingly, just two months after his return, Watsuki was arrested by authorities on charges of possessing child pornography. Despite pleading guilty, his punishment only amounted to a fine of ¥200,000 (US$1,500). To the disappointment and disgust of many fans, the Hokkaido Arc resumed by June 2018.

The announcement of a 2023 remake of Rurouni Kenshin brought the controversy back to the forefront, once again highlighting the ongoing support and admiration for Watsuki within the manga's community.

9. Voice actor Takahiro Sakurai’s resignation

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Takahiro Sakurai, a highly accomplished voice actor renowned for his portrayal of Edward Cullen in the Japanese dub of Twilight, as well as his roles in Jujutsu Kaisen as Suguru Geto and in Ace of Diamond as Miyuki Kazuya, unexpectedly saw his career come to an end in 2023 due to personal controversies.

On October 26, 2022, Shukan Bunshun, a Japanese news magazine, disclosed that Sakurai had been engaged in a 10-year extramarital relationship with a writer from his radio show. This revelation led to the unraveling of his carefully constructed image, revealing allegations of another enduring affair.

10. Muv-Luv anime’s plagiarism

Takahiro Sakurai found himself immersed in relationship controversy, an all too common occurrence for popular Western actors. However, the aftermath of this announcement proved to be far from ordinary for him. Jujutsu Kaisen took the drastic step of removing him from the Jump Festa 2023 voice actors panel, a decision that sent shockwaves through the industry. Subsequently, Sakurai made the difficult choice to not only resign from his talent agency but also relinquish several of his acting roles. Yet, a lingering question remains: was this truly his own decision, or was he pressured by the demanding confines of the anime industry?

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In 2012, the Muv-Luv anime fired character designer Sou Miyata. Why? It was discovered that he was tracing the work of others and passing it off as his own.

Anime characters often share similar qualities, and the industry is no stranger to allegations of plagiarism. However, Muv-Luv fans couldn't help but observe the striking resemblance of the anime's characters to other bishoujo girls in the industry.

But it didn't end there. In addition to replicating the line work, he also imitated the overall picture layout and artistic technique. As anticipated, this revelation resulted in Sou Miyata being dismissed from his position.

Anime has not been immune to scandal. Popular titles like Pokémon and Attack on Titan have faced controversy, shedding light on the industry's need for improvement. These controversies bring attention to the intricate interplay between artistic freedom, cultural norms, and the ethical obligations of creators. Furthermore, they also underscore a broader issue concerning the level of fan engagement with their cherished shows.

In addition to this piece, feel free to explore our other coverage on anime available here.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about these anime controversies. On one hand, I am deeply troubled by the disturbing incidents, such as arms smuggling and death threats. These scandals have tarnished the reputation of the anime industry and raised concerns about the moral compass of some individuals involved.

On the other hand, I believe that controversies can also serve as catalysts for positive change. The uproar over the inappropriate use of religious texts in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, for instance, sparked important discussions about cultural sensitivity and respect. Similarly, the backlash against the Neon Genesis Evangelion ending prompted Hideaki Anno to reflect on his own mental health struggles and seek professional help. This, in turn, has helped raise awareness about the importance of mental well-being in the anime industry.

Overall, I hope that these controversies will lead to greater accountability and transparency within the anime industry. It is crucial for studios and creators to uphold ethical standards and ensure that their content does not promote harmful ideologies or perpetuate negative stereotypes. By addressing these issues head-on, the anime industry can move forward and continue to produce high-quality and thought-provoking content that captivates audiences worldwide.