You Should Not Let Your Kids Watch These Anime

Not every popular anime is made with young viewers in mind, and many hit series include graphic violence, sexual content, or deeply unsettling themes. The titles below are widely known for mature storylines, intense imagery, or disturbing subject matter that can be upsetting for children. Each entry highlights the kind of content parents can expect so you can make an informed decision before a show lands in your watchlist.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

This series centers on humanity’s war against man-eating Titans and depicts frequent dismemberment and bloodshed. Story arcs include torture, genocide, and wartime atrocities that are shown in graphic detail. Characters face traumatic losses and the tone remains grim throughout long stretches. Many releases carry TV-MA style advisories for violence and intense themes.

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014–2015)

The plot follows a student who becomes part human and part ghoul and must consume human flesh to survive. Episodes include graphic cannibalism, torture sequences, and extended scenes of physical and psychological torment. The setting features criminal underworlds and organized violence. Advisory notes often flag strong gore and disturbing imagery.

‘Elfen Lied’ (2004)

The opening minutes feature explicit dismemberment and heavy bloodshed that set the tone for the series. Themes include abuse, trauma, and cruelty alongside brief nudity. The show frequently places young characters in peril with graphic outcomes. It is commonly labeled for adults due to extreme violence and mature content.

‘Higurashi: When They Cry’ (2006)

This mystery horror series loops through timelines that end in gruesome murders. Episodes portray paranoia, torture, and mental breakdowns with unsettling sound design and close-up violence. The cute village setting contrasts with explicit content that escalates quickly. Viewers encounter frequent warnings for strong horror and disturbing scenes.

‘Another’ (2012)

A curse leads to a string of bizarre and violent accidents at a middle school. Death scenes are explicit and often sudden, including impalements and falls. The atmosphere focuses on dread, body horror, and bleak outcomes. Content advisories typically note graphic injury detail and sustained menace.

‘Parasyte -the maxim-‘ (2014–2015)

Alien parasites invade human bodies and transform hosts in ways that involve body horror and mutilation. Battles include severed limbs, decapitations, and gore presented in detail. The narrative also explores moral ambiguity around killing and survival. Age guidance usually points to strong violence and frightening imagery.

‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)

Demons possess humans and unleash extreme violence that includes mass carnage and explicit scenes. The show contains sexual content, nudity, and drug references alongside apocalyptic themes. Episodes escalate into depictions of societal collapse and hate-fueled mobs. It is targeted at mature audiences with clear 18 plus style warnings.

‘Psycho-Pass’ (2012–2019)

In this dystopian thriller, crimes and investigations involve graphic murders and psychological manipulation. Several cases show brutal aftermaths, including dismemberment and torture devices. The series examines dark topics such as exploitation and coercion. Rating notes often cite strong violence and mature themes throughout.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

A supernatural notebook allows its user to kill by writing a name, creating a narrative built around planned deaths. The show leans on suicide and heart attack imagery along with morally complex cat-and-mouse games. Intense interrogation scenes and threats appear repeatedly. While less gory than some titles, the subject matter is adult oriented.

‘Goblin Slayer’ (2018– )

The premiere features a sexual assault scene that many services flag with prominent warnings. Subsequent episodes include graphic creature fights and disembowelment. The setting revolves around constant risk, trauma, and revenge. Viewer guidance consistently marks this series for strong violence and sexual content.

‘Made in Abyss’ (2017– )

Despite its youthful art style, this adventure presents severe child peril and medical body horror. Injuries are depicted in realistic, distressing detail, including broken limbs and invasive procedures. The story explores exploitation, trauma, and loss. Advisory labels stress intense themes and frightening scenes that are not suitable for children.

‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022– )

Battles involve chainsaw limbs and extensive gore with frequent decapitations and maiming. The series includes profanity, sexual references, and depictions of substance use. Characters face heavy psychological stress and traumatic deaths. Content notes typically mark strong violence and mature language.

‘Dorohedoro’ (2020)

This dark fantasy features casual dismemberment, decapitation, and graphic transformations. The setting mixes black-market magic, crime, and torture with a grim sense of humor. Scenes of cannibal cuisine and corpse handling appear throughout. Viewer advisories emphasize gore, disturbing imagery, and adult themes.

‘Akira’ (1988)

This landmark film includes body horror, psychic meltdowns, and city-level destruction. Violence is graphic, with gunfire, explosions, and mutations shown in detail. Themes touch on government abuse, medical experimentation, and societal collapse. The movie is widely released with R-rated style guidance for adults.

‘Perfect Blue’ (1997)

A former idol is stalked and manipulated in a psychological thriller that blurs reality and delusion. The film includes sexual violence, strong language, and disturbing hallucinations. Scenes of assault and exploitation are presented with intensity. Age ratings consistently place it in the adult category.

‘Ninja Scroll’ (1993)

This action classic contains explicit violence, including beheadings and graphic swordplay. Sexual assault and nudity appear in key scenes. Demonic villains inflict gruesome injuries on allies and civilians. The film is commonly listed with R-rated style warnings for strong violence and sexual content.

‘Hellsing Ultimate’ (2006–2012)

Vampire warfare leads to extended sequences of gunfire, bloodletting, and dismemberment. Episodes depict mass casualties and brutal confrontations in urban settings. The story features sadistic antagonists and wartime atrocities. Advisory notes call out extreme violence and dark themes throughout the OVA run.

‘High School D×D’ (2012–2018)

This series focuses on heavy fanservice with repeated nudity and sexual humor. Many episodes center on risqué situations and suggestive camera work. Supernatural battles occur alongside explicit jokes and adult innuendo. Ratings and platform tags routinely mark it for mature viewers only.

‘Prison School’ (2015)

The premise involves male students punished in a private academy with erotic comedy front and center. Scenes include fetish humor, partial nudity, and humiliating situations. While slapstick in tone, the sexual content is frequent and explicit. Viewer guidance flags strong sexual themes despite the school setting.

‘Black Lagoon’ (2006)

Mercenary crews operate in a lawless port city with frequent shootouts and explosions. Episodes showcase criminal enterprises, human trafficking references, and coarse language. Violence is realistic with high body counts and brutal consequences. Content advisories emphasize sustained gun violence and adult themes.

‘Berserk’ (1997)

This dark fantasy follows mercenaries in a feudal world filled with demons and graphic battlefield carnage. Episodes include dismemberment, sexual violence, and psychological trauma that carries lasting consequences. The tone stays relentlessly bleak as characters endure torture and betrayal. Releases typically carry mature content warnings for extreme violence and adult themes.

‘Gantz’ (2004)

Recently deceased characters are forced into deadly hunts that feature graphic shootings and dismemberment. The story includes nudity, exploitation, and scenes that combine gore with cruelty. Episodes often present moral dilemmas with no regard for safety or well being. Content advisories consistently flag strong violence and sexual material.

‘Blood-C’ (2011)

A schoolgirl battles eldritch creatures and the encounters regularly end in extreme gore. The show is known for disembowelment, decapitations, and victims in civilian settings. Plot twists reveal large scale cruelty and manipulation. Viewer guidance warns of intense violence and disturbing imagery.

‘Corpse Party: Tortured Souls’ (2013)

Students trapped in a haunted school face prolonged torture and gruesome deaths. Scenes focus on dismemberment, mutilation, and psychological torment. The presentation dwells on suffering with little relief or humor. Age labels mark it for adults due to graphic horror and pervasive dread.

‘The Future Diary’ (2011–2012)

Contestants use prophetic devices in a survival game that results in frequent murders and suicide attempts. One central character exhibits obsessive and violent behavior that escalates into kidnapping and threats. The series includes child endangerment and scenes of domestic abuse. Expect strong language, gore, and persistent menace.

‘School Days’ (2007)

A love triangle spirals into manipulation, stalking, and domestic violence. Later episodes depict explicit violence with shocking outcomes that involve teens. Themes include infidelity, coercion, and emotional abuse. Advisory notes point to mature sexual content and disturbing scenes.

‘Akame ga Kill!’ (2014)

Assassins clash with monstrous weapons and corrupt officials in fights that often end with on screen deaths. Episodes show beheadings, dismemberment, and torture chambers. The narrative places civilians in peril and does not shy away from cruelty. Ratings commonly highlight strong violence and dark themes.

‘Happy Sugar Life’ (2018)

This psychological thriller centers on kidnapping, obsession, and murder wrapped in a deceptively cute aesthetic. The lead character engages in stalking and coercion and hides crimes from authorities. Episodes include self harm references and scenes of abuse. Platforms mark it with prominent warnings for disturbing content.

‘Danganronpa: The Animation’ (2013)

Students are trapped in a deadly game where each chapter ends with a stylized execution. The show mixes bright visuals with murder investigations and psychological breakdowns. Themes include blackmail, despair, and violent punishment. Content advisories note frequent death imagery and intense peril.

‘Blue Gender’ (1999–2000)

Earth is overrun by insect like creatures and battles feature graphic fatalities and dismemberment. Civilian casualties, wartime trauma, and sexual situations appear throughout the story. The tone emphasizes survival at any cost. Viewer guidance cites gore, nudity, and strong language.

‘Texhnolyze’ (2003)

A crumbling underground city hosts gang warfare, amputations, and body modification. Violence is sudden and brutal and many scenes dwell on suffering and decay. The plot explores nihilism, exploitation, and social collapse. Age ratings mark it for adults due to pervasive bleakness and graphic content.

‘Serial Experiments Lain’ (1998)

This cyberpunk drama examines suicide, identity loss, and psychological disintegration. Episodes include unsettling imagery and references to self harm and predation online. The slow pacing and eerie sound design intensify dread rather than action. Advisory notes emphasize mature themes and disturbing concepts.

‘Monster’ (2004–2005)

A surgeon hunts a serial killer across Europe in a story built on murder, child abuse, and psychological manipulation. Violence is less graphic but the subject matter involves trafficking, brainwashing, and prolonged menace. The show presents ethically complex situations with constant fear. Ratings flag adult themes and sustained tension.

‘Basilisk’ (2005)

Two ninja clans wage war using lethal techniques that lead to frequent beheadings and mutilations. Romance and betrayal are intertwined with poisonings and torture. Civilians are caught in the crossfire as the feud escalates. Content warnings point to strong violence and tragic outcomes.

‘Fist of the North Star’ (1984–1987)

Martial arts battles in a post apocalyptic wasteland often end with exploding bodies and extreme gore. Villainy includes enslavement, cruelty to civilians, and organized brutality. Episodes showcase torture devices and mass casualties. Releases typically carry adult ratings for graphic violence.

‘Overlord’ (2015–2022)

An undead ruler commands armies and uses ruthless methods against enemies and civilians. Scenes include torture, dismemberment, and executions with little restraint. The series also features slavery themes and psychological cruelty. Viewer guidance highlights strong violence and dark fantasy elements.

‘Wicked City’ (1987)

This film blends horror and noir with explicit sexual content and demonic violence. Assault scenes and body horror appear alongside gunfights and grotesque transformations. The plot includes kidnapping and exploitation. Age labels consistently mark it for adults only.

‘Kite’ (1998)

An assassin story involves minors and contains explicit sexual violence and graphic murder. Scenes include exploitation by authority figures and repeated trauma. The OVA’s uncut versions are particularly extreme. It is widely listed with strict 18 plus content warnings.

‘Yosuga no Sora’ (2010)

A rural romance narrative includes explicit sexual content and incest themes. Episodes depict teenagers in situations that raise serious concerns for younger viewers. The show focuses on taboo relationships and emotional manipulation. Ratings warn about strong sexual material and controversial subject matter.

‘Redo of Healer’ (2021)

A revenge plot features repeated sexual assault, coercion, and sadistic violence. Many scenes are designed to shock with graphic injuries and humiliation. The story includes slavery, drugging, and psychological abuse. Platforms often label it with the highest maturity warnings for sexual content and violence.

Share the titles you think parents should look out for in the comments so we can help each other keep watchlists kid safe.