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Draft:Incest in anime and manga

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Incestual relationships are a recurring subject in Japanese manga and anime.[1][2] Depictions of incestuous relationships within these mediums date all the way back to their earliest pornographic titles, such as Osamu Tezuka's Ayako (1972–1973) and the early hentai Cream Lemon (1984-1987).

  • Comment: Sources are going to have to be MUCH, MUCH better than this. Stuartyeates (talk) 04:11, 9 July 2026 (UTC)

The most common forms of incest seen are between siblings and between cousins. Cousin coupling in particular is commonly depicted, because cousin marriages in Japan are not legally incestuous and seen as desirable rather than taboo.[3]

Sibling incest

One of the main categories of incest is between siblings in anime and manga. Lynzee Loveridge of Anime News Network noted the anime trope of brothers inappropriately advancing on their sisters, including adopted and step-sisters, giving Oreimo in My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute, Aruto in Kagihime Monogatari Eikyū Alice Rondo, Setsuna in Angel Sanctuary, Yūji Kazami in The Eden of Grisaia, Koshirō Saeki in Koi Kaze, Sora in Aki Sora, and Haruka in Yosuga no Sora as examples of male characters fulfilling this trope.[4] Justin Sevakis of the same site noted that Japan, historically, did have an issue with incest, with clans encouraging relationships between cousins and second cousins "to perpetuate family dynasties" into the 20th century, and noted that genetics experts had concluded that incestuous relationships had created "all sorts of problems into Japan's DNA."[1]

However, Kim Morrissy, also writing for ANN, stated that incest between brothers and sisters is "considered taboo in modern Japan," noted that the "little sister moe genre" began with the series Sister Princess in 1999, pointed to incestuous themes in Mitsuru Adachi's manga, Miyuki, prior to that series and the cultural influence of "Sister Princess" on series such as Koi Kaze. Morrissy also noted the ending of the Oreimo light novels with "incest between blood-related siblings", which is reflected in the anime adaptation.[5]

Various manga and light novel authors, such as Kaori Yuki, Tsukasa Fushimi, Reiji Miyajima, Kotomi Aoki, Ichirō Sakaki, and Sakurako Kimino, have used sibling incest as a theme in their stories Earl Cain,[6][7] Angel Sanctuary,[8][9][10] The Shiunji Family Children,[11] Eromanga Sensei,[5] Boku wa Imōto ni Koi o Suru,[1] Chaika the Coffin Princess,[12] and Sister Princess,[13] all of which have anime adaptations.

Other anime and manga have been noted as including sibling incest. Kennedy of Anime Feminist describing the incest storyline in Vampire Knight, where pure-blooded vampires often marry siblings to keep their bloodline pure, as manifested in Yuki's incestuous romance options of Zero, her adopted brother, or Kaname, her brother by blood, and noted that this love is portrayed as "spicy and forbidden" in the series.[14] Ederlyn Peralta, writing for CBR, noted similar themes in the series.[15] Sinclair August of Anime Feminist reviewed works by Ichikawa Haruko, particularly Land of the Lustrous. August stated that while these stories confront "difficult subjects" such as incest, leading to controversy among fans, but that she views it as "toxic," by depicting causes and consequences of such relationships.[16]

Commentators have noted incestuous relationships in additional series. Writers for Anime News Network described Koi Kaze as having a "highly emotional tale" about a potential sibling relationship,[17] and the "inherent shock value of incest" in Yagami-kun's Family Affairs,[18] Writers for the same publication also pointed to "prestige TV incest" in Onimai,[19] "creepy incest undertones" in Tenchi The Movie 2 to Tenchi Muyo! In Love,[20] incest plotlines in Sailor Moon,[21] or rape and incest depicted in Babylon.[22] Otherwise, Caitlin Donovan of Anime Feminist criticized a sympathetic depiction of an incestuous relationship in I'm in Love with the Villainess. The series was controversial because protagonist Rae Taylor compared queer and incestuous relationships, calling them "forbidden," with Donovan stating that she directly equated "queer sexuality and incest".[23]

Brotherly relationships

Certain anime and manga programs, depict relationships between twins, including those between brothers. Anime News Network also pointed to the incest plotline prominently in Revolutionary Girl Utena, between the twins Miki and Kozue.[24][25] Latonya Pennington of Anime Feminist also noted incest the series, saying it focuses on this mature theme, and abuse, without using it "for lurid appeal or titillation."[26] Adam Wescott stated the same in an article for Crunchyroll News, saying it focuses on themes that would not be addressed by "child-friendly series like Steven Universe and Princess Tutu."[27]

Sisterly relationships

For years, incestuous stories have involved romance between sisters. This includes series such as Dear Brother[23] and Citrus. The latter series was controversial with fans and critics pointing to sexual assault[28][29] and put off by the "sisterly romance angle" while others praised it "yuri messiness".[2] However, Steve Jones noted that the number of yuri incest series is "much smaller" than other genres, and pointed to "angry sister ex-lovers" in Simoun.[2] Jones also described Candy Boy as an obscure series that is a "tale of twincest yuri".[19] Otherwise, Please Twins! has been described has having male characters surrounded by sisters "claiming to be potential lovers".[13]

Parental incest

Some anime and manga depict incestuous relationships between parents. This includes series such as Kaze to Ki no Uta,[citation needed] Papa to Kiss in the Dark,[30] and Tokyo Ghoul.[citation needed]

Censorship and broadcast standards

See also: Editing of anime in distribution

Some anime and manga with incestuous relationships have experienced censorship or been impacted by broadcast standards of various countries. In April 2011, Masahiro Itosugi, a mangaka, stated that two volumes of Aki Sora would no longer be printed due to "the story's depictions of incest," after July 2011, following a revised version of Tokyo's Youth Healthy Development Ordinance going into effect.[31][32] This followed the Tokyo Metropolitan Government listing Aki Sora, Lovers & Sharing (Kareshi Sharing), and Midori no Kisetsu (Blue-Green Season) for restriction due to incest, along with three other titles for reasons including child rape, rape, and "sexual intercourse in a school building".[33]

In May 2012, the Youth Healthy Development Council of Tokyo examined Yosuga no Sora for its incestuous themes, but concluded it didn't violate the city's new Youth Healthy Development Ordinance, since it didn't present incest as "socially acceptable" and stated that the series did not depict incest in an "excessive" way.[34][31]

In May 2014, the manga for Imouto Paradise 2, by Moonstone Cherry, became the first work to be officially restricted as "unhealthy" in the city of Tokyo, under the Youth Healthy Development Ordinance, for "glorifying incestuous acts".[35]

In February 2020, Eromanga Sensei was given an MA 15+ rating for "strong sexual themes" by the Australian Classification Board. They responded to a complaint by Australian Senator Stirling Griff asserting that the series had "child exploitation" and "heavily features incest themes" with many scenes that "are so disturbing I just won't, I just can't, describe them," while calling for the Board to investigate the series.[36][37]

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