10 Controversial Romance Anime That Are Hard to Watch Today (& Why)

Some old anime shows have outdated romantic themes and storylines that might feel awkward today. Still, they could be interesting to watch, especially for those who appreciate seeing how earlier series like “Neon Genesis Evangelion” and “Diabolik Lovers” have impacted newer romance productions such as “Vampire Dormitory”. However, it’s important to remember that as our tastes evolve, revisiting these older shows might come as a bit of a shock.

Romance anime from the past decades often delved into the more harmful aspects of relationships, which was a common trend. These series intentionally portrayed toxic romances. While these topics can be challenging, some shows were created with the aim of investigating darker facets of love. However, whether these themes were handled effectively is something for viewers to decide and judge based on their own interpretations.

Taiga’s Tsundere Nature Breaks the Audience’s Suspension of Disbelief

From my perspective as an onlooker, the dynamic of Tsundere romances in anime isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but “Toradora!” stands out as a timeless piece within the romance genre. In this narrative, Ryuuji and Taiga embody an opposites-attract relationship, where the soft-spoken and considerate Ryuuji serves as the romantic lead, while Taiga, with her typical Tsundere behavior, takes on the role of the prickly love interest. However, to a contemporary audience, her Tsundere actions might come off as somewhat grating.

Toradora! was quite popular during its time, and it seems to be one of those anime that were best enjoyed in their original run. It appears that its moment has passed, but characters with a tsundere personality, like Taiga, will always have their appeal. However, compared to other classic tsunderes such as Shizuku from Whisper of the Heart or more modern ones like Lu Shouxue from Raven of the Inner Palace, Taiga may not be as endearing or as intricately developed.

Shojo Fans Looking for a Feel-Good Romantic Comedy May Be Disappointed

Itakiss distinguishes itself among other shojo anime due to its exceptional length. The majority of shojo romances, particularly modern ones, tend not to last more than a few seasons before they get canceled or discontinued. However, Itakiss offers an extensive portrayal of a contemporary anime adaptation, depicting a relationship that evolves from high school dating all the way to married life with children.

For many viewers, the challenge lies in understanding Kotoko’s one-sided affection towards Naoki. It’s not just that Kotoko has feelings for Naoki first; rather, Naoki appears indifferent to her, and this emotional investment seldom seems reciprocated. Those seeking a manipulative, cliched romance will find ItaKiss appealing, but those expecting a heartwarming romantic comedy might be left wanting more. In essence, while ItaKiss is categorized as a romantic comedy, it doesn’t align with the typical expectations of most viewers.

Sae’s Character Treatment Can Feel Infuriating

In the realm of shojo manga, I came across a timeless tale known as “Peach Girl.” This series seems to echo the sentiment, “The more you have friends, the more you need enemies.” Indeed, it’s deliberately overdramatic, serving as a profound exploration of how friendships can evolve into rivalries. As characters grapple with insecurities in their personal growth, they find themselves entangled in a web of complex emotions and relationships.

The story, titled “Peach Girl,” centers around a protagonist named Momo. She’s often subjected to ridicule and rumors at school due to her appearance. Her friend Sae contributes to this by spreading false tales about her. Watching “Peach Girl” can be frustrating if one approaches it with a serious mindset instead of just enjoying the turbulent, unpredictable ride of events it’s designed for.

The First Anime Version of Fruits Basket Doesn’t Hold Up to the 2019 Remake

Most contemporary viewers are familiar with the superb and comprehensive anime adaptation of Fruits Basket, produced by Studio TMS/8PPAN, which aired from 2019 to 2021. Earlier, there was another anime adaptation of the timeless shojo manga series titled Fruits Basket, released in 2001. However, compared to the storyline as depicted in the manga or the current anime reboot, this earlier series may seem less satisfying for those who have encountered the tale through these latter versions first.

2001’s “Fruits Basket” anime was simply delightful for its era, yet it touched upon some of the sensitive topics within the Sohma family as they were in the original manga. The characters remained the charming cast from the comic books, but numerous scenes were either trimmed or reworked. In 2001’s Fruits Basket, there was a peculiar change in tone, which may feel jarring to those who are accustomed to the emotional depth and narrative weight of the original series. The 2019 “Fruits Basket” anime remake, on the other hand, more accurately portrays the turmoil and transformation depicted in the manga series, whereas the 2001 version aimed to minimize those complexities, transforming Tohru Honda’s tale into a light-hearted romantic comedy with little else.

Nearly All the Characters Are Equally Toxic

Boys Over Flowers is a popular shojo series that lasts an impressive 51 episodes, but these episodes often contain questionable twists and turns. Despite being marketed as a romantic comedy, many viewers might argue it’s more like a dramatic soap opera with comedic elements. There isn’t a character in the show who hasn’t committed at least one act that could be considered a transgression; the anime aims to escalate conflicts within its contemporary high school setting.

The relationship between the main characters in “Boys Over Flowers” can be quite troubling if one considers it realistically. In this drama, the hero resorts to actions such as kissing the heroine without consent, kidnapping her, and even physically hurting her. Moreover, she appears stubborn when it comes to accepting his feelings. However, if a viewer is prepared to overlook these questionable behaviors and enjoy the series with a pinch of imagination, they might find it entertaining.

The Vampire Anime Is Based on a Tropey Otome Game

Diabolik Lovers can be described as a captivating anime that falls under the genre of dark fantasy romance, stemming from a visual novel series. In this video game franchise, there are multiple male characters that Yui can pursue romantically. Although it isn’t the pioneer in dark supernatural romance, it has gained quite an infamous reputation, particularly among those who approach it without prior knowledge.

In the anime “Diabolik Lovers”, the portrayal of romance is quite startling, as the vampire suitors display extreme cruelty and self-centeredness towards the human protagonist, Yui, who resides with them in their mansion. The show follows a classic gothic theme: it’s a tale of forbidden relationships, hidden family mysteries, a heroine trapped within the household, and an oppressive supernatural ambiance. Essentially, it mirrors the narrative of “Flowers in the Attic” and viewers unaware of its content may find it unsettling.

The Amount of Fan Service in Love Hina Is Staggering

The animated series, titled “Love Hina“, features an unexpected blend of fan service elements that can feel jarring and seem unrelated to the narrative progression. The storytelling in this show is not particularly noteworthy, as its humor leans towards the juvenile and relies heavily on physical comedy. It’s essentially a light-hearted, humorous anime.

Modern anime has significantly evolved and offers a wide range of content, from deep romance narratives to various subgenres. While it’s not accurate to label all modern anime as progressive and classic anime as regressive, the series Love Hina might make a compelling case for this viewpoint. Many who initially watched the series during their childhood often forget about it, only to be taken aback by its poor writing quality upon revisiting it years after its debut.

Romance Anime Sometimes Explores the Dark Side of Relationships

In contrast to a potential fairy-tale ending for “Wolf Girl and Black Prince,” it’s essential to note that the series is not striving to depict a typical, healthy romance. Instead, Erika and Kyouya’s relationship delves into the complexities of manipulation and insecurity within relationships. From the start, Erika idealizes Kyouya, and this initial admiration escalates as she yearns for the thrill of his approval, finding encouragement in anything she perceives as positive or exciting from him.

In a simpler and more engaging manner: Kyouya acts cruelly without mercy, much like a bully. His relationship with Erika is intriguing, similar to watching termites at work, as they systematically destroy, yet captivating. Despite being a romance with a happy ending, Wolf Girl and Black Prince leans more towards melodrama than a traditional fairy tale. The most intriguing aspect isn’t how Erika and Kyouya fall in love, but rather the challenges their love presents.

Yui & Kaname’s Relationship Has 1 of the Worst Anime Romance Tropes

In the early 2000s, Vampire Knight served as one of the first anime introductions to the genre of vampire romance. Initially, it appears quite conventional and its premise is reminiscent of what many Twilight fans might be accustomed to. The story revolves around Yuki, a student at an exclusive academy populated by alluring vampires.

In a manner reminiscent of “Twilight,” as the story progresses, it becomes increasingly complex and somewhat confusing. Introduced is a tormented character who harbors a deep-seated hatred for vampires, yet she shares a family connection with Kaname, an aristocratic vampire. This is just the start of the bizarre and aggravating romantic entanglements in a series brimming with deeply flawed characters and enigmatic secrets.

The ’90s Anime Is the Picture of Angst

Marmalade Boy” is a 90’s anime series comprising an extensive 76 episodes, serving as the epitome of soap operas. The narrative revolves around two step-siblings, Miki and Yuu, who fall in love under unusual circumstances. Their families go through divorces, remarry each other’s ex-spouses, making them step-siblings. They subsequently reside together under one roof to form a blended family.

In the narrative, Miki and Yuu develop feelings for each other, forming the central theme. As time passes, their relationships get complicated with breakups, love triangles, family scandals, and more. Viewers who aren’t fond of misunderstandings as a plot device or prefer it only in high-quality works like Jane Austen’s might find the series challenging to follow.

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2025-04-23 20:24