Last updated on October 30th, 2025 at 02:35 pm
It’s always fascinating to see how multi-faceted anime is as a medium. Anime has limitless boundaries when it comes to the art style, theme, stories, characters, music score… simply everything.
So it’s a bit jarring to see when people don’t understand that not every anime is for kids. In fact, a major chunk of it isn’t. Heavy storylines, on top of incredibly detailed disturbing visual elements, are not something children can and should digest.
Anime is no stranger to bullying as a theme. Of course, it’s a sensitive topic, and there are plenty of things that can go wrong with its portrayal. So, if an anime manages to highlight these problems in a sensible manner, they should get the recognition and commandment they deserve.
Today, we will be looking at 10 Anime About Bullying. Since subtle demonstration of bullying and hurtful teasing is not uncommon to see in anime, we will try to include series in which it has a heavier impact on the storyline.
10 Anime About Bullying
10. Lookism
School Bullying and pretty privilege are major themes of Lookism. Daniel’s life is a living hell at school. He is fat, unattractive, and a loner, which puts him in a prime spot for school bullies.
Luckily for Daniel, one day, he wakes up in a different body. A body much more attractive and ‘cooler’ than his old one. And like a switch being flipped, everyone’s attitude towards him changes. The stark difference between how he is treated in both of his bodies perfectly represents the dichotomy of people treating others simply based on how they look.
9. My Clueless First Friend
Quite a recent addition to the anime roster, this series is about a young girl named Akane who has been nicknamed “The Grim Reaper” by her schoolmates. Although there isn’t any physical bullying involved, the students constantly mock and tease her, berating her appearance. Akane is totally isolated from her peers, leading her to often feel helpless and lonely.
The overall tone of the series is upbeat despite its grim foundation. This is due to another main character of the series, Taiyou, a transfer student, who lights up Akane’s world. It’s incredibly wholesome to see a girl with such an injured heart being able to feel connected and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
8. Dance Dance Danseur
How people can berate others for liking art is beyond me. Junpei loves ballet but is forced to give up on her. Why? Because society doesn’t perceive it as masculine enough. Why? Because after his father’s death, he had to be a MAN. It’s not like his fears of being ostracized are unfounded. Once Mori Luou joins his class, he starts getting relentlessly bullied.
People often give up on what they love because of how they may be perceived. However, life is too short for you to be stifling yourself for others.
7. Wonder Egg Priority
No one can imagine how dark this series is when they first look at it. The whole focus of the show is how far bullying can push people. How far people, TEENAGERS, can go to escape their reality because of how horrific it is.
Each of the girls who are part of the main cast has been pushed so far that they want to end their lives. At such a time, even relying on a mysterious voice promising a chance at what the heart desires most by conquering gachapon “Wonder Eggs” doesn’t seem too far. This anime doesn’t hold back on its visual details as well, so we hope you aren’t queasy with blood.
6. Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You)
Sawako has been nicknamed “Sadako” due to the similarity in her appearance to the ghost in the popular horror movie The Ring. Her introverted personality isn’t doing her any favors, even though she is just a sweet girl who sees the best in everyone. When the school idol Kazehaya starts getting close to her (because he sees her for who she is), the bullying only amps up.
The depiction of bullying in this series is quite successful. Not to mention, this is a series where even the bullies are given depth. They have reasons to explain their behavior. Explain, not excuse, of course, and the series makes it pretty apparent.
5. Fruits Basket
While Fruits Basket may not focus on bullying, it often appears throughout the series. It’s sad how much hate is thrown at women who are perceived as ‘different’ or ‘not good enough.’ Tohru and Sawako may have different personalities, but they share this part of their life. Tohru receives abuse from her peers for both her ditzy behavior and her association with Yuki, whom many of her female peers believe to be too good for her.
Apart from Tohru, we see Saki being bullied for her powers. Kisa is bullied for her unusual hair color. Not to mention the generational trauma the Sohma family is part of. The series tackles the journey to healing from such traumas.
4. Hell Girl
Forgiveness is amazing and all, but when it doesn’t work, revenge starts to look appealing. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, the Hell Girl is here to exact your vengeance. The anime not only depicts the severe consequences of bullying but also provides a horrifying illustration of just how far resentment can drive victims to commit crimes against their attackers.
The sad part is that some wounds just can’t be healed. We may cheer at the bullies getting what they deserve, but even that may not be enough to heal the hearts of the victims.
3. Great Teacher Onizuka
This anime is a classic and deals with bullying in a way more different manner than usual. For starters, the anime is from the teacher’s point of view. Pretty uncommon, given that teachers tend to magically disappear in these series.
Onizuka is the definition of unconventional. As a former delinquent, his reasons for becoming a teacher aren’t the most pure. But Onizuka is smacked with a lot more than he bargained for. Ironically, he ends up becoming one of the best. Yes, his methods are weird, but he helps his students without a second thought. The series is one of the best from the 90s era and is a must-watch.
2. March Comes in Like A Lion
March Comes in Like a Lion tackles many serious issues. There is a reason why everyone believes this series to have some of the most nuanced and realistic depictions in anime. Bullying is a major part of the series. Rei Kiriyama is a shogi prodigy, but it’s difficult to say that brings him any happiness. He is ostracized not only at school from his peers but also at home from his sister.
When things get too stifling, he runs away and finds solace with the Kawamoto sisters. However, he is later baffled to realize that Hina Kawamoto, the middle child, is also the target of bullying at school. While dealing with his own loneliness, he learns to take help and help others.
1. A Silent Voice
Masterpiece. That’s all I can say about this movie. It is not easy to show a bully becoming the bullied. It is not easy to invoke sympathy for a bully. It is not easy to show the journey of a person who is trying his darndest to correct his past. But oh boy, does Silent Voice do it RIGHT.
When a deaf girl named Shoko transfers to his primary class, Shoya Ishida doesn’t take long to start bullying her. As a kid, he isn’t aware of the gravity of his actions, but when consequences come to bite back, his world shatters. He is now known as the bully who made a deaf girl transfer.
Fast forward to the future, and Shoya has trouble even meeting people’s gazes. Years of being an outcast have taken a toll on him, and his depression grows exponentially. He now hates himself. But when fate brings him face to face with Shoy again, he sets out to make amends. Honestly, a summary can’t do this beautiful piece of ART justice, so I urge you to give it a try if you haven’t!
And with that, we are at the end. We hope you enjoyed this list. Remember to take care of your mental health first and avoid any series that seems to have themes that are triggering in any way!
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