Best Anime About Bullying

Bullying is one of the most oft-depicted topics in anime, but despite its prominence, it’s still an elephant in the room. It’s still rather sensitive, and there are plenty of things that can go wrong with its portrayal. Hence, anime that manages to illustrate a progressive and sensible angle on bullying should get the commendations they deserve.

After all, they address some glaring issues among youth that even some adults find difficult to tackle. There aren’t many anime that properly portray or address bullying, which makes the handful of series that do precious to the medium as a whole. Beyond that, they also tell some heartfelt and endearing stories. Here are the best anime about bullying.

Updated November 9, 2024, by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 anime season is well underway, and bullying is not really a major theme of any show. However, the lineup has one anime that covers the topic to an extent. While hardly a deep-dive into the psychological distress caused by bullying, this anime’s handling of the topic is very entertaining and gratifying.

18 Dandadan (Fall 2024)

Sweet, Satisfying Retaliation

Dandadan is great. The manga and its anime adaptation blend romance, comedy, action, and supernatural elements incredibly well, creating a holistic series that not only fits all these genres but even excels at them. For the uninitiated, the story follows Momo and Ken, two students who become unlikely friends after they agree to a bet to see who can prove the existence of either aliens or ghosts. As it happens, they discover both and find themselves dragged into a world filled with turbo grannies, missing balls, and terrifying wannabe mothers. All those things are far more dangerous than they sound.

Despite all the supernatural shenanigans, Dandadan works due to the endearing relationship between Momo and Ken, who not only become quick friends but are also quick to support each other. They are also leaning towards becoming something more, although that is still a work in progress. One of the best episodes has almost no action and mostly follows the protagonists at school, as they awkwardly avoid and look for each other. Really great stuff.

Dandadan has not focused on or provided a particularly in-depth look at bullying. So far, a few other students have made remarks about both Momo and Ken, along with one supporting character (Aria Shiratori) going the extra terrible mile and spreading nasty rumors about the former. Now, as a very weak defense, Aria believed Momo was a demon at the time; conversely, Aria is a self-absorbed idiot. Dandadan handles these moments in a way that is just very satisfying to watch unfold, with there usually being instant justice against the bullies. Sometimes, that is enough.

17 Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki

Confronting The Bully

Debuting in 2021, Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki follows an introverted gamer, the eponymous Tomozaki, who is being “taught” how to break out of his shell by the most popular girl in his class, Aoi. The latter treats real life as a game that can be bested, and while her initial direction helps Tomozaki find confidence and his voice, he eventually starts to go against her philosophy as he searches for his own answers. Season 1 is a fun slice of life/drama centering around two somewhat unlikable but interesting characters, and Tomozaki improves quite a lot as the episodes progress.

Season 2 dedicates most of its opening four episodes to a bullying case happening in Tomozaki and Aoi’s class. After noticing that her crush has started dating a girl, the vindictive Erika starts to take out her frustrations on Hanabi, an outspoken girl who struggles to connect with most of her classmates. Despite not taking it lying down, Hanabi’s aggressive reactions cause the class to slowly turn against her; consequently, Tomozaki starts to mentor the victim so she can tweak her behavior and hopefully garner support.

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki handles this sensitive subject reasonably well, and this arc helped flesh out quite a few characters who were previously defined by just one trait. Hanabi transformed from a forgettable background player to one of the show’s most likable figures; meanwhile, Tomozaki continued his development, taking Aoi’s teachings and mending them to suit his more optimistic outlook on life. Although repetitive at times, this storyline builds towards a satisfying conclusion.

16 A Little Princess Sara

Social Victim

For those willing to set their standards back nearly four decades, A Little Princess Sara has lots of lessons to tell. It’s a kid’s anime, similar to a morning cartoon, but its themes are heavy and relatable even today. Sara was initially a wealthy, kind, and favored girl whose parents enrolled her in a boarding school. Her life took a turn for the worse as news of Sara’s parents’ bankruptcy reached the school principal’s ears.

Soon enough, all attitudes towards “Princess Sara” changed. She ended up getting bullied not only by her insecure classmates but also by adults. It’s a different kind of bullying where the victim is almost helpless after the world doesn’t see any utilitarian purpose for her.

15 Peach Girl

Toxic Power Dynamics

Peach Girl explores another shade of bullying — one that stems from the bully’s insecurity. Such is the predicament of Momo Adachi, a tan-skinned protagonist whose crush only likes pale-skinned girls. This compels Momo to reinvent herself and drastically change her appearance to suit her prospect’s preferences.

At the same time, Momo’s backstabbing friends have ensured that she gets bullied out of rumors of promiscuity. The anime depicts the difficulties of teenage romance when unfair and colonialized beauty standards come into play, along with the toxic power dynamics of high school communities.

14 Oshi No Ko

Online Harassment & Mass Bullying

A borderline recommendation that does not involve traditional bullying, Oshi no Ko warrants a mention due to Akane’s arc. While filming a reality show, Akane is encouraged to take a more active role to stand out; consequently, she confronts another cast member, accidentally hurting her in the process. Edited to make her actions seem deliberate, the young actress is relentlessly tormented and bullied online, an outcome that is not only disconcerting but also very real.

Despite only lasting about two episodes, this storyline was Oshi no Ko‘s high point so far. Bullying tends to be associated with classrooms, but that is an outdated representation. Bullying happens in offices, sports teams, romantic relationships, and families; naturally, nowadays, harassment runs rampant through online forums and social media.

13 My Clueless First Friend

Laughing Through The Pain

Spring 2023’s definitive anime about bullying, My Clueless First Friend is an oddly wholesome show considering it features some uncomfortably grounded depictions of this type of behavior. In her Elementary School, Akane has been labeled the “Grim Reaper,” a nickname that most of the students seem to have adopted as they frequently mock and tease the innocent girl. Totally isolated from her peers, Akane feels alone and helpless; however, that changes when Taiyou transfers to the school.

Relentlessly optimistic, direct, and imaginative, Taiyou is drawn to Akane, and they establish a friendship built on mutual respect. The boy thinks the “Grim Reaper” nickname is the coolest thing ever, and while this drives his initial interest in his classmate, he almost instantly makes a genuine connection with Akane. Also, Taiyou constantly uses logic to throw the bullies’ comments back at them, and it is incredibly satisfying.

12 Dear Brother

Not One Of Us

Dear Brother is like a high school version of A Little Princess Sara. It sets a troublesome premise for Nanako Misonoo who enrolls at Seiran Academy, an all-girls school. More than that, she also joins a sorority but quickly finds herself outclassed and outgunned by wealthy and high-status members.

It doesn’t take long for everyone to bully the impoverished and unpopular Nanako just because she doesn’t belong in the pack and because her classmates are somehow jealous of her. Dear Brother immediately sets its tone and subject — a psychological drama about the struggle of a bullied young girl.

11 Fighting Spirit

Inspiring Change

Plenty of sports anime incorporate bullying in some of their side characters’ stories, but in Hajime No Ippo, the main character himself is receiving the brunt of that repulsive human behavior. Before enrolling in a boxing gym, Makunouchi Ippo, the protagonist in question, was regularly bullied physically, verbally, and emotionally.

Yet, despite becoming an elite boxer and a champion, he never harbored ill will towards his bullies. He also didn’t try to get revenge and instead rose above his own hatred, even setting an example of improvement for his bullies who eventually became his boxing friends. Ippo’s display of emotional maturity is something plenty of bullies and bullied people should strive for.

10 Eyeshield 21

Inspiring Change Part 2

Eyeshield 21‘s Sena Kobayakawa’s situation isn’t too far from Makunouchi Ippo’s. Being a small and shy kid, he’s constantly being bullied and has made it his daily habit to run away from his bullies in order to survive school. Turns out, all that running made him talented in dodging and evasive maneuvers, which are perfect traits for a Running Back in American Football.

Hence, Sena was scouted and quickly became the MVP of his school varsity team. He even inspired his bullies to improve themselves and join the team. The anime deserves praise for how it rewards the resilience of bullied characters, and how it gave them the confidence they needed. It also celebrates the way that the American Football team made room for them, whereas other sports and social groups shunned their odd skills.

9 Flowers Of Evil

Blackmail

The art style is certainly bizarre even for an anime, but viewers will find that this show’s aesthetic meshes well with the story that Flowers of Evil wants to tell. It features a different kind of bullying, which is mostly psychological and blackmailing as the male protagonist, Takao Kasuga, is caught stealing the school heartthrob’s underwear.

The girl who catches him, Sawa Nakamura, takes advantage of the opportunity to turn the protagonist into a slave, so he can avoid getting bullied by everyone. As it turns out, Sawa is quite twisted, and the anime shows how perceived power can affect a person’s behavior. Sawa ends up controlling every aspect of Takao’s life and ruining his chances with the girl he has a crush on.

8 Naruto

Marginalized & Feared

Before Naruto Uzumaki became the most powerful ninja in Konoha, he had a rather rough childhood. Apart from being an orphan, he also houses within him a giant demon capable of destroying his whole country. He has few to no friends, and the whole town basically shuns his existence. Ostracization is a form of bullying and takes its toll on the show’s protagonist.

It’s easy to forget what Naruto had to endure as a child since he’s a shining beacon of strength by the end. At one time, the majority of the people in his country actually wouldn’t have minded if he disappeared or died. Still, Naruto’s perseverance and emotional intelligence are nothing short of inspiring. It’s good to see that he’s gotten more than his dues in Boruto.

7 Viral Hit

A Bullied Teenager Fights Back (And Profits)

Viral Hit does not hold back. The opening episode is particularly uncomfortable in its depiction of violent bullying, with the protagonist – Yoo Ho-bin – being downright assaulted by his bigger peers. To make matters worse, the latter are moderately successful streamers who pretend to be good people online; meanwhile, the main character is struggling to make ends meet as his mother lies dying in the hospital. One day, Ho-bin fights back against his bully’s underling (Ji-hyuk), and the encounter is accidentally streamed. After seeing the potential to make money, Ho-bin and Ji-hyuk decide to start a channel where the former confronts bullies.

OK; Viral Hit can leave a bad initial impression. The bullying is so over-the-top that it ventures into absurdity; however, these situations do happen, and they are meant to be vile and awkward. The anime also takes a risk by not making Ho-bin particularly likable, and the same can be said for Ji-hyuk. They improve as the story progresses (and their friendship strengthens), but they are not idolized heroes either. The fight scenes are also grounded and messy, which adds to their legitimacy.

Ultimately, Viral Hit is about standing up against bullying, all the while knowing that sometimes reaching out for help is the better move.

6 Hell Girl

A Supernatural Horror Twist

Hell Girl not only depicts bullying well but also sets a scary example of the grudge that builds up when someone bullies another. The anime is rather grim and doesn’t offer direct positive resolutions or counterbalance to bullying; in fact, it even rewards vengeful behavior from the bullied. Like it or not, though, that’s still quite an accurate reaction.

It suggests that if the bullied people had some kind of supernatural intervention to help them rid of their bullies, they would wholeheartedly torture the latter. Despite the negative aspects of dealing with bullies, the anime still paints a strong anti-bullying message.

5 Lookism

The Influence Of Appearances

Based on a respected manhwa, Lookism has a fascinating premise that focuses on how appearances impact other people’s perceptions of you. Park Hyung-Seok is bullied relentlessly at school, with his classmates targeting his weight. However, he gains the ability to transform into a “beautiful” version of himself, with his original form coming out at night. This physical change significantly improves his life as he starts to feel valued and visible. That said, he quickly realizes that his new figure still elicits discriminatory reactions from others, even if they are (usually) positive.

Lookism is good from the start, but it becomes great once another victim of bullying is introduced, Duk-Hwa. Hyung-Seok’s efforts to connect with Duk-Hwa highlight the anime at its best, emphasizing the impact bullying can have on somebody’s mental state and capacity to trust.

4 Fruits Basket

The Many Faces Of Bullying

Fruits Basket covers an impressively wide spectrum of emotions, themes, and even genres, and it handles most of them masterfully. Bullying is not only one of the manga’s main subjects but is also directly tied to its name, with “Fruits Basket” referring to an “innocent” school game that exemplified Tohru’s isolation as a child.

Beyond that, the story depicts various other types of vile and harmful relationships, emphasizing that bullying is not limited to traditional school dynamics. Akito’s manipulation of the other zodiac members is probably the most infuriating example, particularly his relationship with Yuki. Saki Hanajima’s backstory is also shaped by bullying, while the Yuki’s Fan Club’s obsessive behavior involves straight-up harassment of their “idol.”

3 A Silent Voice

Easy Target

A Silent Voice or Koe no Katachi is a school anime in which a boy named Shouya Ishida ends up bullying one of his deaf classmates. As they grow up, the effects of Ishida’s bullying reverberate, even though he did stop after a crescendo of transgressions.

A Silent Voice is thus praiseworthy for how it also explores the impact of bullying on the bully, as well as the people involved. Even as a teenager and young man, Shouya Ishida’s childhood actions against Shouko Nishimiya (the girl he bullied) were enough to cause immense guilt and self-loathing.

2 March Comes In Like A Lion

Standing Up For What Is Right

The first season of March Comes In Like A Lion doesn’t actually address bullying that much since it’s primarily an anime about shogi, a Japanese board game not unlike chess. Come the second season, though, the anime starts developing one of its characters and looking back at their backstory.

That character would be Hina, whose troubles began when she stood up for her friend who was being bullied. The bullies then turned their attention and efforts toward her in retaliation. The beauty in Hina’s reaction is in her conviction. Despite the predicament, she didn’t regret anything, as she knew that she stood for what was right.

1 Great Teacher Onizuka

Shocking & Heartbreaking

Great Teacher Onizuka is about a former bad boy Yakuza gangster who reforms and decides to be a teacher. His initial goal is to be closer to young women, but he eventually changes that to something nobler after seeing the state of the youth and how education fails them. Thus, Great Teacher Onizuka‘s title character Eikichi Onizuka goes from episode to episode fixing his students’ social and emotional problems.

A majority of these are bullying cases that the anime handles beautifully and sensibly. Great Teacher Onizuka understands that even the bullies themselves are also victims of poor parenting or other social issues. Eikichi sets out to address the root of the problem, while also giving confidence and protection to his bullied students. It’s a captivating look at the human condition through the eyes of a former gangster.