5 Anime Series Banned Around The World

Anime has been on the rise recently in America, thanks to live action reboots of popular franchises, and new series being simulcast same day thanks to popular streaming sites such as Crunchyroll and Funimation. But anime is not as popular in some places around the world. In fact some countries dislike some of the themes in popular anime series so much, that the have been banned entirely. While many of the reasons for banning these make some sense, some are more ridiculous and revolve around conspiracy theories.

While it is common for anime to be censored in some ways before it goes around the world, such as parts of episodes getting cut, these anime were completely banned. Check out the top 5 anime series banned around the world and why below:

#1 Transformers: Robots in Disguise

While this one wasn’t entirely banned like the others on this list, it deserves a spot because it was pulled from American circulation. Everyone knows Transformers, but did you know that the first episode of Transformers Robots in Disuse anime was pulled from circulation in North America? The first episode featured a scene that had Optimus Prime crashing through a skyscaper, and because of 9/11 the network pulled the episode. The network thought that it was too similar to the tragic event of the destruction of the World Trade Center so decided it shouldn’t be shown. 

#2 Axis Powers Hetalia – Banned From South Korea

While this series its not as popular as others others on the list Axis Powers Hetalia road to being banned was crazy. The anime essentially personifies different countries as cute guys, and looks at the alliances between the Axis during World War II. The anime got a lot of flack because it made light of a time that was full of chaos and war. One country that really got offended as South Korea. The anime was titled offensive by the South Korean government, and there was a petition to get the series banned that recieved more than 16,000 signatures. The station that aired the anime pulled the show and never aired it because of death threats and the overwhelming petition. 

#3 Pokemon Banned in Saudi Arabia

The Pokemon anime has had some censorship in the United States, but Saudi Arabia took it to a whole other level. Apparently the High Priest of Saudi Arabia thought that the card game had Zionist themes and promoting gambling, and that Pokemon meant “I am a jew”. So the card game and the anime were banned from Saudi Arabia for some absurd reasons. 

#2 Attack On Titan – Banned in China

China won’t be seeing the second season of this extremely popular anime, because it was hit hard with the ban hammer. Chinese authorities banned this movie because “children would internalize Attack on Titan violent imagery and become delinquents.” I guess the violence and opposition to authority may have been too much for China, and so they banned the entire series.  

#1. Death Note – Banned in China

Death Note is one of the most popular anime series in the world, but not everyone appreciates the show. The Ministry of Culture in China banned the series because of fear it was corrupting children. Apparently, there have been real-life murders based off of Death Note and many children have gotten in trouble in schools around the world for making thier own Death Notes. Because of these reason, China did away with the series. Interestingly schools in New Mexico also tried to ban the series, but unlike China, it didn’t go through.