While anime possesses a wide breadth of genres, perspectives, and art styles, there is no doubt that visceral, gore-intensive series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and Demon Slayer have started to take control of the market — especially in regard to the shonen landscape. However, these series are all listed as TV-MA or R by content rating systems, leaving a shortage of intense titles aimed toward younger demographics.
Despite several popular anime being deemed inappropriate for younger audiences, there are still many combat-oriented, violent shows with grisly scenes out in the proverbial sea. Among these shows, there are a few that are deemed acceptable for teenage watchers, with some being exceptionally worthy of mention.
10 Dragon Ball Z's Power-Scaling Lends Itself To Violence
Since the 1990s, Dragon Ball Z has remained one of the most popular anime titles — if not fictional works in general — in the entire world. Goku and the Z Fighters repeatedly face some of the most dastardly villains in anime history, and along the way, their battles have spawned some incredibly violent scenes.
Dismemberment, mortal injury, and death are all constant themes in Akira Toriyama's acclaimed series, making it a bit surprising that DBZ is consistently listed as TV-14 or PG-13 in its various mediums.
9 The Seven Deadly Sins Have An Entire Character Dedicated To Gory Gags
The Seven Deadly Sins is best remembered for its sharp decline in production quality. However, that doesn't mean the combat-filled series isn't worth watching. On top of its fun atmosphere and endearing characters, a wide variety of thrilling conflicts occur during the course of its narratives.
Several of these conflicts involve the immortal Sin of Greed, Ban, whose inability to die results in some brutally over-the-top scenes involving his bodily harm. These moments might not be the only instances of graphic content that appear in The Seven Deadly Sins, but they are almost certainly the goriest.
8 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Toes The Line Between Being TV-MA And TV-14
As quite possibly the most well-received title in shonen history, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood succeeds in virtually every task that it sets out to achieve, including its depictions of graphic violence. While some shows ease viewers into their more brutal scenes, FMA: Brotherhood comes out swinging, immediately throwing its saddest and most disturbing scene at the audience to great effect.
Interestingly, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of very few anime that received different ratings depending on the system labeling it. Although most err in favor of the TV-14 label, it is worth noting that some deem it inappropriate for even the teen demographic, highlighting the series' willingness to engage in adult themes throughout its run.
7 Hunter X Hunter's Grave Tone Comes As A Shock To New Viewers
Some shows ease viewers into more violent content as they continue, and Hunter x Hunter is definitely one such instance. What starts out as a light-hearted adventure involving innocent protagonist Gon Freecss eventually transitions into a harsh, brooding battle against his world's most terrifying opponents.
Even several of Hunter x Hunter's protagonists, such as Killua Zoldyck, go so far as to rip villains' hearts right out of their chests. As a result, this cartoonishly animated title and its progressively darkening content make for a surprisingly violent spectacle, especially during later sagas like the Ant King arc.
6 Tokyo Ghoul Was So Hardcore That It Was Widely Censored
In all fairness, Tokyo Ghoul is traditionally listed as TV-MA content, but due to the widespread censorship of the series during its U.S. syndication, much of its audience has only been exposed to the show's less explicit cut. However, even this version of Tokyo Ghoul contains more than enough gore to turn away squeamish viewers.
The entirety of Ken Kaneki's adventure revolves around man-eating humanoids known as ghouls, so it's almost a given that this title and its sequel, Tokyo Ghoul: Re, would include some brutal moments. Safe to say, neither is disappointing, at least in that regard.
5 My Hero Academia Slowly Transitions To More Mature Material
My Hero Academia reaches as wide of an audience as any anime in recent history, and a big reason for that is its inoffensive presentation. Deku's journey to becoming the World's No. 1 Hero harks to retro-American comic books and normally amounts to enjoyable scenes that aren't gravely serious. Yet, as its narrative has continued, the show has delved into darker and darker material.
With villains like Stain, Shiguraki, and Chisaki all causing grotesque injuries to their victims, My Hero Academia has proved that it is far from tame when it comes to depictions of violence. Thankfully, if recent results are any indication, this has only been to the series' betterment.
4 One Punch Man's Over-The-Top Nature Lends Itself To Exaggerated Violence
More than anything else, One Punch Man is a parody of the hyper-violent, over-exaggerated style that dominates the modern shonen landscape. To achieve this effect, it often hyperbolizes the various aspects of the genre that it is providing commentary on — including its gore.
While human characters in the show are generally free from being injured in the terribly graphic fashion, One Punch Man makes no such exceptions for its villains. Saitama repeatedly blasts characters to smithereens, only to sport his unassuming gaze shortly thereafter.
3 Bleach's Swordplay Results In Serious Bodily Harm
Given Bleach's emphasis on swordsmanship, it only makes sense that the series regularly goes all in on its depictions of combats. In the very first episode, Ichigo impales himself upon a blade to prevent a Hollow from devouring his family, setting the tone for the long-term trajectory of Tite Kubo's flagship title.
Bleach's Hollows present more than enough shocking scenes to keep viewers on their toes, but the true horror of this series begins upon the introduction of its iconic villain: Sosuke Aizen. The former Captain of the Soul Reapers' Fifth Division and his best soldiers, the Espada, sow devastation throughout the Soul Society, producing many of the show's most brutal scenes.
2 Black Clover's Later Antagonists Up The Ante
Another example of a shonen with surprisingly graphic content is Pierrot studio's most recent mega-hit, Black Clover. Asta's rise through the ranks of the Magic Knights encompasses multiple battles against some truly evil individuals, including the Devils that eventually start to populate the series.
The various swords wielded by Asta have bisected a slew of enemies, but the harm caused by Black Clover's later antagonists make these acts pale in comparison. Some ominous forces loom over the Clover Kingdom, and they are not afraid to wield their malice.
1 Inuyasha Cuts Through Demons As Easily As Carving A Cake
Inuyasha's conclusion came almost two decades ago, yet its overall reputation remains as high as ever. The show's demon-filled depiction of feudal Japan stands as one of anime's most iconic settings, and it includes no shortage of vicious characters to attack its protagonists.
Throughout the countless battles Inuyasha has with demons, he cuts off multiple limbs, impales several villains, and brutally dispatches a long list of both minor and major antagonists. All in all, Inuyasha pushes the boundaries of what is allowed in TV-14 material.