5 Dark Isekai Anime That Should Be R-rated But Aren’t

When it comes to the dark corner of the anime-verse, some Isekai anime series have often turned dark very quickly that were unanticipated.

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SUMMARY

ELI5 Read Next ! Trigger Warning

This article contains mention of sensitive topics.

When it comes to the world of Isekai anime, there are many series that have often turned dark out of nowhere, changing the narrative tone completely. From addressing some dark, sensitive issues to straight-up showing graphic violence, some series made it past the R-rating barrier and survived the television screening.

Wondering what these series are? Don’t worry, we’ve got you with our pick of the 5 most dark and twisted Isekai anime series that should have been R-rated to begin with, but somehow slipped through the cracks of the censor board.

1 Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash

Adapted from the light novel series by Ao Jyumonji, Grimgar is an Isekai anime series like no other. While other series quickly power up their main characters in a fantasy and magical world, this anime does the same, except for the powering-up part. Grimgar is about ordinary people struggling to survive in a fantasy world with no memories of their past lives.

To make the struggle more real, there are no cheat abilities, no sudden power boosts, no invincible protagonist, and no safety net. Even minor monsters like Goblins take teamwork to defeat. Furthermore, there is no reset button in the series; if you die, you die.

2 The Rising of the Shield Hero

From the onset, The Rising of the Shield Hero sets a grime tone, with the MC, Naofumi, being accused of a heinous crime he didn’t commit. As the story slowly progresses, other mature themes like slavery and abuse start to surface from the narrative.

Although Kinema Citrus tried really hard to mask the mature and disturbing undertones with impeccable animation, the discrepancies are too vividly recurring to be ignored. Nevertheless, The Rising of the Shield Hero is an amazing story with a plethora of unique and intriguing characters, but an R-rating would have been justified.

3 The Saga of Tanya the Evil

There is nothing to marvel at or glorify about in the 2017 war Isekai anime, The Saga of Tanya the Evil. A ruthless Japanese salaryman is reincarnated by a god-like being into an alternate World War-era Europe, as a young orphan girl named Tanya Degurechaff. While you expect heroism from the story, it is quite the opposite.

Disturbing factors? Let’s see: a child leading mass destruction, trench warfare, urban bombardment, civilian casualties, and brutality justified with ruthless logic – there is no war glorification in the series; it rather shows the cold and dark narrative of war.

4 Overlord

Let’s keep it a buck 50; Ainz Ooal Gown, the main character of Overlord, isn’t some misunderstood anti-hero; he is the villain of the series. Ainz massacres armies, manipulates kingdoms, allows horrible punishments, and treats human beings as disposable assets. The disturbing part is that all these graphic contexts are shown on the screen.

To make matters worse, Suzuki Satoru, the human being who became Ainz, gradually loses his humanity and starts justifying his atrocities as being practical. Although being a very action-packed and intriguing series, Overlord definitely deserved an R-rating, but never got one.

5 Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest

Once a kind-hearted boy, Hajime Nagumo from Arifureta, and his classmates are summoned to another world as heroes. However, while fighting in the dungeon, Hajime is betrayed and left to die. Unlike other Isekai anime heroes, Hajime trashed away his innocence and benevolence and became a ruthless protagonist.

From losing his arm to surviving by eating monster flesh, the series shows Haijime’s rough struggles in the most blatantly graphic way possible. Additionally, the occasional fan-service with nudity and s*xually suggestive visuals are more reasons why this anime should have been R-rated, but for some reason, it isn’t.

What are your thoughts on our list of dark Isekai anime series that definitely deserved an R-rating upon release? Let us know your thoughts and opinions down in the comments below.

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