Seinen anime is a genre geared primarily toward older male audiences, and as such, these anime and manga often contain stories that can be either incredibly subtle or opulently violent. Some follow political intrigue or war. Others cover the intricacies of everyday life and emergence into young adulthood.
Across all the subgenres and topics of seinen, there are plenty of anime that have kept fans divided. Sometimes this is because of questionable content, and other times it's due to the production of the anime itself. Whether it be because of aesthetic tastes, controversial content, or poor execution, these anime have polarized fans and their opinions.
10 Code Geass Has A Unique Animation Style
Code Geass was originally a very well-received anime, making it to U.S. audiences before the mainstream popularity of anime. However, the show has often been the subject of debate surrounding its art style, which portrays people in an unrealistically elongated and thin manner.
Furthermore, the show had a relatively complete conclusion, at least regarding the main character and his story. So, despite the initial series' success, attempts to revamp it fell flat. Resurrecting Lelouch was kind of a "jump the shark" moment.
9 Blue Period Is Too Tame For Some
Blue Period generated a lot of hype when it was first announced, as it was a beloved manga that got to the heart of issues that many people face when heading into their lives as young adults, but it did so in a way that felt quaint and meaningful. However, since the anime's release, the hype has somewhat died down. A lot of this has to do with the show's pacing.
Many things that made the manga so well-rounded and profound did not make it into the anime. Instead, events that were supposed to take place over a long time happened in quick succession.
8 Puella Magi Madoka Magica Is Too Dark For Some Magical Girl Fans
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is infamous for its darkness. So, it makes sense that it would not be for everyone, especially for audiences who enjoy the levity of magical girl anime. Even adults find the events of the story difficult to stomach, so even those who appreciate what the series did for the magical girl genre find it less than enjoyable.
However, there are plenty of fans who see Madoka Magica as revolutionary to the magical girl genre. For the first time, fans had a series that explored the dark consequences of children fighting monsters for the fate of the universe. Thus, this anime is extremely well-liked among fans and critics.
7 Elfen Lied Relies On Shock Factor To A Fault
Elfen Lied was lauded when it was first released, but it has not stood the test of time. This anime relies on violence and inappropriate content for shock value, and it's for that shock value that fans are supposed to like the show. However, beyond the advent of extreme violence, there's little to redeem this show.
Some fans are still in the camp of Elfen Lied being somewhat revolutionary and transgressive, but as time has progressed, many anime viewers find it distasteful and uncomfortable for no real reason.
6 Asobi Asobase Is For A Specific Type Of Humor
Asobi Asobase is a breath of fresh air amongst the heavy and dark themes that seinen anime often addresses. This show follows three girls and their school club, which is just them hanging out. The trio is melodramatic, hilarious, and irresponsible to a fault, but their shenanigans are entertaining.
The humor of this show is exactly what makes it so polarizing. Often, the characters rely on strange humor (such as butt lasers), as well as screaming, making strange faces, and general hyperactivity. Asobi Asobase isn't for everyone and it's especially disarming coming from three delicately drawn school girls, but it's still hilarious.
5 Chobits Did Not Age Well
CLAMP and its anime Chobits is generally considered a beloved anime, although there are some scenes and moments that don't transfer well to modern audiences. It was even well-liked enough to spark hopes for a reboot. In typical CLAMP fashion, Chii was often found wearing pretty outfits and learning about the world, which was mostly endearing.
Aside from the few scenes that could be considered uncomfortable (generally surrounding the nature of robots and what humans should and can do to or with them), it was often seen as too tame for some seinen fans.
4 Berserk Relies On Violence Against Women For Shock Value
Berserk always finds itself on lists of great manga and anime. This is usually for its dark plot, complicated characters, and intense storyline. It's a well-received series, but it often goes too far and relies on unnecessary violence to make the villains seem more villainous. On top of that, that villain wins in the end.
In one part of the story, the villain Griffith resorts to sexual assault against Casca as a way to both prove their villainy and to get back at Guts for what Griffith perceived as a betrayal. However, many would argue that this is an unnecessary way to achieve those goals.
3 Shigurui Relies On Gore & Violence Against Women
Shigurui or Death Frenzy is another anime that resorts to extreme and graphic violence for shock value, including traumatizing scenes of violence against women. A lot of what made Shigurui so distinct was its reliance on violence, and it got to the point that this series was banned in many countries.
While the show tries to address the horrors of the historical moment in which it takes place (some of the events and characters were based on actual historical figures), the series often goes too far, dividing fans.
2 Mononoke Can Be An Acquired Taste
Mononoke is a surrealist experience of colors, textures, and sounds, and its distinguished art style sets it apart from many other anime. It follows a mysterious medicine seller who finds themself in odd situations where they must exorcise spirits called Mononoke.
Each story arc is divided into a few episodes and all are self-contained storylines. They also each tell a story about the human condition. While this anime is often considered an excellent watch, it can be an acquired taste for those who find the art disorienting or the storylines odd.
1 Dance In The Vampire Bund Had Controversial & Inappropriate Moments
Dance in the Vampire Bund was another anime that had controversial moments and wound up on some ban lists. It featured a vampire who, despite looking like a child, was supposed to be centuries old. However, scenes that included nudity were still inappropriate and were criticized by audiences.
Since then, FUNimation has censored some of the scenes in the anime to address audiences' concerns. This was an effort to preserve the anime while addressing its unacceptable moments, but this still is not enough for many viewers.