Anime isn’t just for entertainment; it’s also a powerful medium that explores deep social issues. One common theme is bullying, especially in high school settings.
These anime don’t shy away from showing how cruel behavior can damage lives, but they also provide hope and inspiration for viewers to stand up against such injustice.
In many of these shows, bullying is more than just a side plot it’s a central issue that shapes the characters’ journeys.
By focusing on the emotional toll it takes, these anime help raise awareness about the serious impact bullying can have on a person’s mental health and future. T
They often show characters struggling to overcome their pain while also highlighting the importance of friendship and resilience.
Through these stories, anime not only reflects real-world struggles but also encourages viewers to be more empathetic and courageous.
Whether it’s through a protagonist fighting back against their tormentors or a group of friends rallying around someone in need, these shows offer powerful messages about standing up for yourself and others.
1) A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice shows how deeply bullying can hurt both the victim and the bully. The story follows Shouya, a boy who bullies a deaf girl named Shouko in his class.
His actions eventually come back to haunt him when he becomes the target of bullying himself, leading him to experience the same pain he once caused.
The anime highlights how bullying isn’t always about physical harm; it’s often a mental wound that can have lasting effects.
A Silent Voice explores the emotional struggles of both Shouya and Shouko, showing how self-hate and regret can silently destroy a person.
It’s a powerful reminder of how the consequences of bullying can affect both sides, leading to guilt, isolation, and a long road to healing.
Despite the darkness in the story, A Silent Voice also offers hope. The anime suggests that redemption is possible, but only for those who are willing to face their mistakes and truly understand the harm they’ve done.
By showing the intertwined fates of the victim and the bully, the story emphasizes the importance of empathy and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
2) Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is known as a classic shojo anime, but it also deeply explores the theme of bullying. The anime portrays bullying not just from peers but also from family and society.
Tohru, the main character, often becomes a target because of her cheerful and kind nature, but she is far from the only one affected.
The Sohma family, central to the story, faces intense bullying and oppression. Akito, the head of the family, keeps the members in constant fear and isolation.
In addition to this, some Sohma family members are bullied by outsiders for their unique traits. For example, Saki is picked on for her psychic abilities, and Kisa is taunted for her different hair color.
Yuki and Kyo endure severe psychological abuse from Akito, who inherits these cruel behaviors from her own mother.
This ongoing torment highlights the dark side of the Sohma family’s curse and the broader theme of how bullying can deeply impact individuals.
Through these experiences, Fruits Basket sheds light on the emotional pain caused by bullying and the struggle to overcome it.
3) Oshi no Ko
Oshi no Ko is an anime that takes a dark turn quickly. What begins as a hopeful story about a young idol soon transforms into a tragic murder plot, with Aqua seeking revenge.
Beyond the personal story of Aqua, the anime also explores the darker side of the entertainment industry.
It highlights the intense pressure actors face to be perfect and the heavy burden of public expectations, which can lead to devastating consequences, such as cyberbullying.
One of the most powerful examples in the anime is Akane, a typical teenager who becomes famous after joining a reality show.
However, her popularity brings a wave of online harassment and trolling, pushing her to the breaking point. The bullying becomes so severe that Akane feels her only escape is to end her life.
This tragic storyline offers a raw and emotional portrayal of the dangers of cyberbullying and its impact on mental health.
The anime also touches on the troubling world of child actors and the looming presence of social media.
As young stars handle their careers, they face the constant pressure of public scrutiny, which can lead to a downward spiral.
Oshi no Ko sheds light on these harsh realities, showing that the glamorous facade of fame often hides a much darker and more dangerous side.
4) March Comes in Like A Lion
March Comes in Like a Lion provides a realistic and powerful look at bullying. Unlike stories focused on appearance or social status, this anime highlights a more common but often overlooked form of bullying.
The protagonist, Rei Kiriyama, faces constant bullying because he is an introvert and highly intelligent.
He suffers from harsh treatment and jealousy from his adoptive sister, who resents the attention he receives from their father.
Rei’s life is challenging and filled with loneliness until he meets two kind-hearted sisters who support him and help him find the strength to stand up for himself.
Despite the anime’s heavy and sometimes somber tone, it goes beyond just depicting suffering. It offers a message of hope and resilience, showing that even in the darkest times, there can be light and support.
The series not only portrays the pain of bullying but also provides a journey towards healing and bravery.
It encourages viewers to face their own struggles and shows that standing up for oneself is possible with support and courage.
March Comes in Like a Lion is both a moving and inspiring story about overcoming adversity and finding strength through difficult times.
5) Hell Girl
Hell Girl explores the theme of bullying with a unique twist. Instead of focusing on the emotional and physical harm experienced by victims, the anime explores the consequences of holding grudges and seeking revenge.
It reveals a dark reality where both the bully and the victim who seeks vengeance end up facing severe repercussions.
The story revolves around a mysterious website where people can name their tormentors, and those bullies will be condemned to hell.
In return for this revenge, the person seeking justice agrees to be sent to hell themselves after they die. This setup creates a morally complex situation, highlighting that vengeful actions come with a heavy price.
Hell Girl challenges viewers by showing that every action has consequences and that seeking revenge can lead to one’s own downfall.
The anime underscores the idea that morality has strict boundaries and that even attempts to right wrongs through harmful means can result in damning consequences.
6) I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too
I Got a Cheat Skill is an isekai story that focuses on the trauma of bullying. The main character, Yuuya, is an average guy who is often picked on because of his looks and poor background.
His constant mistreatment by others leaves him deeply hurt, and at times, it seems like he may be pushed to a breaking point.
Everything changes for Yuuya when he finds a gateway to another world that gives him incredible powers and a more attractive appearance.
As the story shifts to his new life, where he is physically transformed, Yuuya begins to experience the drastic change in how others treat him.
Now that he’s acceptable by society’s standards, people who once ignored or bullied him suddenly start to show him respect.
Despite his new life, Yuuya can’t help but reflect on how shallow society is, treating people differently based solely on their looks.
The anime highlights the unfairness of judging others by their appearance and the painful impact it can have on those who are seen as different.
7) Peach Girl
Peach Girl is notable for its early exploration of body shaming and subtle racism. The anime shows how bullying can come from jealousy and unfair judgments rather than just direct harassment.
The main character, Momo Adachi, faces criticism and negative behavior from others because of her appearance.
Momo’s tanned skin and bleached hair, a result of her frequent swimming, lead to her being unfairly labeled as too easy compared to her lighter-skinned peers who are seen as more proper.
This unfair comparison and the harsh judgments she faces contribute to her feeling isolated and attacked by those around her.
In addition to these issues, Momo also deals with backstabbing and manipulation from a supposed friend. Peach Girl challenges unrealistic beauty standards and highlights the judgment people face based on their looks.
It sheds light on how such standards can lead to harmful and unfair treatment of individuals who don’t fit the conventional mold.
8) Lookism
Lookism explores a common issue many people face: being judged based on appearance. The anime, adapted from a popular manhwa, follows Park Hyung-Seok, a boy who is often bullied because of his weight.
Society’s tendency to define people by their looks is a major theme in the story, showing how deeply appearance can influence others’ perceptions and behavior.
Things change for Park Hyung-Seok when he gains the ability to switch between his usual body and a more conventionally attractive one during the day.
This transformation opens his eyes to the complete contrast in how people treat him when he’s beautiful.
Suddenly, the same people who bullied him start to treat him with kindness and respect, highlighting the shallowness of societal standards, especially in high school environments.
Through Park’s experience, Lookism shines a light on the harsh realities of how appearances affect social interactions, particularly among teenagers.
The anime critiques the toxic beauty standards that lead to exclusion and bullying, revealing how damaging it can be when people are valued solely for their looks instead of who they truly are.
9) Viral Hit
Viral Hit explores the dark side of bullying, showing how it can become violent and disturbing. The story focuses on Ho-bin, who suffers brutal attacks from his peers for no clear reason.
With his mother gravely ill and financial problems weighing him down, Ho-bin’s life becomes even harder as he endures relentless bullying from people who present a fake, perfect image on social media.
As Ho-bin hits rock bottom, he decides to fight back against his bullies. He starts to use the situation to his advantage, realizing that standing up for himself can also bring some benefits.
The anime explores morally complex territory, showing how Ho-bin’s actions, while not perfect, reveal the hypocrisy of those who use their social status to mistreat others.
Viral Hit highlights the harsh reality of how some people exploit and bully others while maintaining a facade of superiority.
It presents a grim picture of the double standards in society and the impact of violence and hypocrisy.
The anime makes viewers question the ethics of using personal struggles for gain and exposes the cruelty behind seemingly perfect public personas.
10) Dear Brother
Dear Brother follows the emotional journey of 16-year-old Nanako Misonoo, who is accepted into a prestigious all-girls school.
To fit in with the elite students, Nanako joins a sorority that only admits the most beautiful girls. This decision exposes her to the harsh reality of the school’s rigid social hierarchy and deepens her feelings of insecurity.
While Nanako doesn’t face direct bullying, she experiences a lot of pressure to meet high social standards and be accepted.
The constant need to fit in and maintain a certain image weighs heavily on her, leading to a growing sense of inadequacy and self-doubt.
The anime is emotionally powerful and explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and the effects of social pressure.
Dear Brother shows the painful consequences of being in the spotlight and how not everyone views such attention positively.
It serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and emotional toll that come with trying to conform to high social expectations.