Despite bringing joy to millions of fans across the globe, the anime industry is not exempt from toxic and questionable trends. Over the years, there have been many examples of problematic tropes that fans believe should no longer be included in series. Among the most common and unsettling is the prevalence of relationships between characters whose age gap is significantly wide.
While this trope can push away fans from a series, as it comes with serious implications about the power dynamics within the couple, there have been cases in which much more serious themes have also been included. This results not only in widely inappropriate relationships, but in couples who become synonymous with toxic and harmful attitudes that can forever ruin a show.
Known for being Inuyasha’s cold and emotionless brother, Sesshomaru impressed fans when he decided to rescue an orphan girl named Rin and take her under his care. Throughout the series, these characters grew a special bond, much like that of a father and his child. Sesshomaru would protect Rin from any danger, and the girl adored him and wished to remain by his side.
This wholesome relationship was nearly ruined when Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, the sequel series, was released. It was revealed that not only had Sesshomaru and Rin become a couple, but they were now parents of two kids. Many fans called this decision out, as it went completely against the original themes of Inuyasha, but also depicted a father-child duo in a romantic relationship, causing the show to lose a significant portion of its fanbase.
After spending three years in what was basically a coma, Kei wakes up ready to return to his regular life. One day, he comes across Mizuho, an alien woman sent to Earth to study human behavior. To protect her identity, they are forced to pretend to be married, forcing them to act like a loving couple and live together.
Please Teacher is a series that could have easily avoided the age gap issue by having its main character act his age, as Kei is technically 18 years old. However, the sickness that kept him unable to move also made his brain stop developing, making him mentally 15. The fact that Mizuho is his teacher, meaning she has an unfair level of power over the boy, makes this even more troubling.
After falling in love with his sister’s best friend, a 17-year-old high school student named Ichika, Ryo becomes determined to date her. Not even the girl’s constant rejection deters him from his goal, as he is sure that he will one day earn her love. To accomplish this, he begins to try to impress Ichika in extravagant and ridiculous ways.
It’s Disgusting to Call This Love depicts Ryo as an accomplished and popular businessman who could begin a relationship with any woman he chooses. Instead of attempting to captivate someone his age, he decides to harass and bother a girl ten years younger than him. Worse of all, since Ichika is his sister’s best friend, it is much easier for him to be close to her, which ultimately leads to the girl succumbing to his manipulation and becoming his girlfriend.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://gamerant.com/most-problematic-anime-age-gap-relationships/
