8 Worst Anime Parents That Ever Existed

As a child of a parent who has seen the darkness that poor parenthood can bring, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of empathy for those whose lives have been marred by such neglect and abuse. Among the many unfortunate examples in anime, there are few as distressing as Grisha Yeager from “Attack on Titan.”

Be it anime or the real world, parenting can often be a mixed bag. Often a lot of series portray loving parents who are willing to go to any extent to protect their children. However, it’s not always sunshine and sunflowers, for a coin has two sides. Over the years, the anime world has seen some monsters, who do not deserve the title of parents.

As a longtime fan of anime who has watched countless series and followed many storylines, I can confidently say that there are some truly horrific parents portrayed within this genre. Having witnessed their cruelty, neglect, and inhumanity towards their children firsthand, I’ve compiled a list of eight of the worst anime parents I’ve ever encountered. Their actions have had a profound impact on the stories they appear in, leaving lasting impressions that continue to resonate with viewers even after finishing the series. Herein lies 8 of the most abhorrent anime parents that have graced our screens.

List of 8 Worst Anime Parents

1. Shou Tucker (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

In the annals of anime, Shou Tucker is infamous for one of the most harrowing scenes ever portrayed. Nicknamed the ‘Life Sewing Alchemist’, he perpetrates a horrendous act by merging his beloved daughter Nina, their cherished pet dog Alexander, and creating a Chimera through an abhorrent human transmutation experiment – a crime he had previously committed with his wife as well. Devoid of compassion for others, he conducted such experiments to preserve his position as a State Alchemist. Owing to his ruthless disregard for family values in the pursuit of science, Shou Tucker stands out among the most reprehensible anime parents.

2. Kagemitsu Daigo (Dororo)

Picture a father, willing to offer up his yet-to-be-born child as an offering to twelve demons, in pursuit of wealth and power for his kingdom. Yes, that’s Kagemitsu’s dreadful deed towards Hyakkimaru. Shockingly, he deserted his own son when he learned he was still alive. Decades later, upon discovering his son is alive, he plots to take his life. After Hyakkimaru vanquishes the twelfth demon, he breathes his last due to the terms of his pact, filled with resentment towards his child, even in his dying moments. Indeed, Kagemitsu’s actions make him a shining example of one of the worst anime parents.

3. Akemi Hinazuki (Erased)

Akemi’s name signifies ‘bright’ and ‘beautiful,’ but in the series, she was anything but those qualities. She often expressed her frustration towards her daughter Kayo through physical abuse. This abusive behavior stemmed from being tormented by her former spouse, yet it does not excuse such actions against a child. When the main character Satoru steps in, Kayo is relocated to live with her grandmother, stripping Akemi of all parental rights. The absence of maternal instincts solidified Akemi’s place among the most detestable anime parents.

4. Grisha Yeager (Attack on Titan)

In Hajime Isayama’s Shingeki No Kyojin, the saying “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” rings true. Grisha Yeager’s actions ultimately led to over 80% of humanity being slaughtered by his son, Eren Yeager. His ambitions caused him to transform his son into a Titan, a decision that weighed heavily upon him. Had Grisha merely continued as a dedicated doctor, the entire catastrophe could have been prevented. Unfortunately, Grisha’s inability to act responsibly as a father, particularly towards Eren and Zeke, solidifies his status as one of the most irresponsible anime parents ever portrayed.

5. Ragyō Kiryūin (Kill la Kill)

Ragyo Kiryuin stands out for the excessive ambition she demonstrates as a parent. Her authoritative demeanor is downright chilling, as throughout the series, she is portrayed manipulating and abusing her children, Satsuki and Ryuko. This manipulation extends to subjecting them to dangerous experiments and ultimately choosing suicide over accepting defeat, after Ryuko destroys all earthly Life Fibers. Such behavior puts her on the list of the most unfit anime parents, lacking any semblance of maternal instinct.

6. Gendo Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Despite excelling as a scientist, this character proves to be an abysmal father and husband. He prioritizes his work over his family, even going so far as to sacrifice his son Shinji in a misguided attempt to resurrect his wife Yui against her express wishes. Throughout the series, he is portrayed as aloof, harsh, and uninterested in his parental responsibilities. As the story progresses, it is revealed that he was a coward who preferred to keep his distance to shield himself from pain. In his final moments, he pleads for forgiveness, but his actions leading up to this point were so reprehensible that they are more than justified.

7. Dario Brando (JoJo’s Bizzare Adventures)

The entire JoJo saga originates from a misunderstanding: George Joestar believes that Dario saved his life, so he adopts Dio out of gratitude. However, Dario was actually trying to rob and kill George when they met after an accident. Worse still, Dario abused his wife until her death and took out his anger on his son. His alcoholism and toxicity ultimately mold Dio into the villainous character we know. Dario serves as a stark reminder of how poor parenting can lead to disastrous consequences.

8. Mayu’s Parents (Elfen Lied)

Despite having minimal screen time, these characters inflict lasting harm on Mayu over many years. When Mayu disclosed to her mother that her stepfather had been sexually abusing her, she reacted by slapping and insulting Mayu. This traumatic incident pushed Mayu to flee from home, a situation sadly mirrored in reality where children endure abuse at the hands of such people. These parents in the anime are among the most detestable, as their actions have left deep emotional scars on their child for life.

2024-08-06 19:08