Anime is known for its wide range of genres and stories, but there are some shows that push boundaries and explore rather controversial or taboo themes. Whether it’s due to their mature content, provocative storylines, or bizarre concepts, these anime can leave viewers feeling a bit uneasy—or downright embarrassed to admit they watched them.
1. Kiss x Sis
For anyone interested in forbidden romance and taboo anime, Kiss x Sis might be the most famous choice on the list. It’s borderline hentai, which means there is no sex but it’s pretty naughty overall with its raunchy scenes. Moreover, there are even some incestuous scenes between the sisters. Well, at least the male and female protagonists aren’t related by blood…
In this anime, two beautiful twins lust for their stepbrother after their parents remarry. While he tries his best to keep it strictly platonic, their naughty advances make it extremely difficult.
2. Yamada’s First Time
Yamada’s First Time is pretty self-explanatory: the anime revolves around a beautiful high school girl who is trying to lose her virginity. However, since she is insecure about how she looks down there, she wants to do it with someone inexperienced and mediocre-looking. After she finds a perfect match at school, hilarity ensues.
The series is mostly brainless fun with no drama, so it makes a good lighthearted watch.
3. Redo of a Healer
Those who haven’t heard of Redo of a Healer must be living under a rock. The anime sparked huge controversy in 2021 right after airing the first episode due to its violent and problematic plot. Themes such as physical and mental abuse, rape, and drug overdose are not foreign to this anime. In fact, it subverts typical fantasy anime by completely abandoning the redemption arc.
The anime focuses on a healer who is horribly tortured by his “allies” despite being one of the heroes. After he learns a powerful spell that lets him redo his life, he decides to take brutal revenge against those who wronged him.
4. Highschool of the Dead
Among many harem anime, one stands out for its unique art style, abundant fan service, and lewd scenes: Highschool of the Dead. The show blends harem and zombie horror, which is surprisingly enjoyable with its over-the-top action.
The anime follows a group of high school students trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. As they tackle the chaos, they deal with not only the undead but also their own relationships, tensions, and crushes.
5. Prison School
Prison School follows the lives of a group of male students who are sent to a disciplinary prison within their school for accidentally peeking at female students bathing.
Known for its comedic and often absurd situations, students of this school won’t have it easy to keep their dignity intact.
6. Yosuga no Sora
Incestuous themes are quite common in anime, but most do not explore them to the extent that Yosuga no Sora does. In this series, the siblings not only have romantic feelings for each other but are also intimate with one another.
Yosuga no Sora focuses on the lives of two orphaned siblings, Sora and Sora, who are forced to live together after their parents’ death.
7. Kuzu no Honkai
If there is a taboo anime that daringly explores themes of cheating, betrayal, and unhappy endings, it’s Kuzu no Honkai.
Kuzu no Honkai deals with the complexities of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil that comes with it. The story follows Hanabi Yasuraoka and Mugi Awaya, two high school students who are in love with other people but find solace in each other’s company. Despite their physical relationship, they struggle with their feelings of longing and desire for the ones they truly yearn for.
8. Koi Kaze
Koi Kaze tells the romantic story of a relationship between an older brother and his significantly younger sister, who are reunited after 12 years apart.
While the theme itself is taboo, the anime approaches it with maturity and realism, unlike the immature portrayals often found in similar works within the genre.
9. Kodomo no Jikan
Kodomo no Jikan is not only taboo but perhaps one of the most controversial anime series of all time. Explicit and disturbing, the series depicts scenes of child molestation, sexual assault, and abuse.
The anime follows the lives of a group of elementary school children. While the series initially appears to be a light-hearted comedy about childhood friendship and innocence, it soon becomes obvious that it’s blatantly pedophilic with its sexualization of the little girls.
10. Please Teacher!
Kei Kusanagi is a high school student who is actually an alien. After a traumatic experience, he falls into a coma and is saved by a mysterious woman named Mizuho Kazami, who is later revealed to be his new teacher.
The story unfolds as Kei discovers that Mizuho is not only his teacher but also his alien caretaker, leading to a complicated relationship.
11. My Wife is a High School Girl
Just by looking at the title, you can see that it’s rather controversial. In fact, it involves a marriage between a teacher and a high school girl, which raises issues of power dynamics and the underage aspect despite the seemingly lighthearted nature.
My Wife is a High School Girl is a romantic comedy about a young man named Akihiko who unexpectedly marries a high school girl named Sayaka. The show follows their funny and challenging life together as they deal with their age difference and the ups and downs of their unusual relationship.
12. Candy Boy
Candy Boy is a yuri anime that follows the close relationship between two sisters, Kanade and Yukari, as they deal with their feelings for each other.
Just by reading the synopsis, it’s obvious that it’s a taboo anime that explores romantic and affectionate themes between siblings. Additionally, there are moments of physical intimacy between the sisters, which can be enjoyable for some viewers but uncomfortable for others.
13. Aki Sora
Among many on this list, Aki Sora also dips its toes into the incest waters. To make matters worse, it’s a triangle, with three siblings lusting after each other. Of course, it’s a harem, so there are many other girls vying for the MC’s attention too!
Being close with siblings is one thing, but starting a secret relationship with them is another. Sora doesn’t just have relations with one sister but with both!
14. Those Science Freaks
While all anime on this list are considered taboo, Those Science Freaks takes it to the next level. In fact, this show is so perverse that I can’t believe it’s not H-rated. Expect plenty of spicy scenes that are barely censored, just don’t get caught!
The MC, Haruki, spends most of his time with his friends, Airi and Ayana. Everything is fine until Airi starts the Mechanical Science Club, and Ayana forms the Chemical Science Club. Both girls try to get Haruki to join their club, leading to plenty of funny chaos in their attempts to win him over.
15. Boku no Pico
Boku no Pico is a taboo show that most anime watchers have heard about. On social sites, it’s common to troll newcomers by recommending this anime in response to their requests for recommendations, inquiries about image sources, or questions that could easily be answered with a quick Google search.
The plot is absolutely abhorrent and disgusting, with a little boy being convinced to have sex with a man who is supposed to be his caretaker.
