Anime Series That Fans Boycotted Over Forced Hetero Endings

Anime fans often become very invested in the stories and relationships they see develop over time. When a series hints at LGBTQ+ themes or builds tension between same-sex characters for years, only to end with a straight couple, many viewers feel let down. These decisions can lead to strong reactions, like boycotts and online protests, and can ultimately hurt the franchise’s popularity. This list highlights several well-known anime that received significant criticism for having forced straight endings.

‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’ (2016–2018)

The show’s ending caused a huge uproar when Shiro unexpectedly married a minor character. Many viewers saw this as a superficial gesture towards inclusivity that disregarded the character’s established history. The negative reaction led to online petitions and a large number of fans completely losing interest in the series. They felt the straight relationship seemed forced, as if the creators avoided developing a genuine LGBTQ+ storyline. This is now a well-known example of queerbaiting in animation.

‘Naruto Shippūden’ (2007–2017)

The popular series ended with its main character, Naruto, marrying Hinata Hyuga, and his rival, Sasuke Uchiha, marrying Sakura Haruno. Some fans felt these relationships were rushed, primarily to set up the sequel series, ‘Boruto.’ Many viewers had invested years in the deep friendship between Naruto and Sasuke and were disappointed that the ending seemed to downplay their bond. This led to online protests and heated discussions about whether traditional family structures are always necessary in action-adventure anime. For a lot of fans, these choices cast a shadow over the shift to a new generation of characters.

‘Bleach’ (2004–2012)

The ending of the ‘Bleach’ manga and anime caused a lot of disappointment among fans. Many were upset that Ichigo Kurosaki ended up with Orihime instead of Rukia, and some even protested by destroying their ‘Bleach’ merchandise. Critics felt the romance between Ichigo and Orihime wasn’t well developed and happened too quickly, especially compared to the strong friendships already established. This dissatisfaction led to fans refusing to buy new ‘Bleach’ products. The situation is now a well-known example of how passionate fans and their desires for specific character pairings can affect a series’ overall reputation.

‘Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time’ (2021)

As a longtime fan, I was really surprised by how the ‘Rebuild of Evangelion’ ended! Seeing Shinji end up with Mari just didn’t feel right to me, and a lot of other fans felt the same way. It honestly seemed like a forced pairing, especially considering all the history and connection he had with other characters. The online reaction was pretty intense – social media was full of angry posts and negative reviews. Most of us felt like their relationship didn’t really earn its place in the story and just felt like a way to tie everything up neatly. It’s still a really divisive topic, and people all over the world have strong opinions about it.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

The story’s ending and its animated adaptation received criticism for how the surviving characters found love. Many fans were disappointed that Mikasa Ackerman seemed to settle down into a conventional family life after the main character died, sparking extensive online discussion. Some fans even created their own alternative endings. Critics felt the emphasis on traditional romance didn’t fit the show’s generally dark and complex tone, and these discussions continue to shape how people around the world view the series.

‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!’ (2013–2023)

Even though the second season of the anime took a long time to arrive, many fans were already disappointed by how the story ended in the original light novels. The decision to have the main character, Sadao Maou, choose Chiho Sasaki instead of Emi Yusa caused a lot of backlash, including boycotts and negative reviews. Fans felt this felt unnatural and undermined the meaningful connection between the Demon Lord and the Hero. This led to decreased sales and a general loss of excitement for the new animated season. The community remains frustrated that the story opted for a conventional conclusion instead of exploring more complex options.

‘Usagi Drop’ (2011)

The anime series ‘Usagi Drop’ is well-loved for its touching depiction of family and how people change. However, when the original manga ended with a surprising and unwanted romantic development between the adoptive father and daughter, many fans stopped supporting it. Viewers of the anime felt this change ruined the story’s sweet and innocent core. The reaction was so strong that most people now see the anime and manga as completely different works. This situation highlights how drastically changing a story’s tone can negatively affect its audience.

‘Banana Fish’ (2018)

This series, based on a well-known manga, explores difficult themes like trauma and the strong bond between Ash Lynx and Eiji Okumura. Many fans were upset that the official releases and anime ending didn’t clearly portray their relationship as romantic, despite the depth of feeling in the original story. This choice to present their connection as more platonic or tragic led to criticism that the story’s LGBTQ+ elements were being minimized. Some fans protested through boycotts of merchandise and events. While the series is still highly praised, the way its central relationship was handled remains a source of debate.

‘Free!’ (2013–2021)

The series ‘Free!’ quickly gained popularity for its portrayal of the close relationships between a team of male competitive swimmers. However, as the story continued with sequels, many fans believed the writers unnecessarily added heterosexual romantic storylines, diverting attention from the core connections between the characters. The final films didn’t fully acknowledge or celebrate those central bonds, leaving viewers disappointed and sparking online protests against the studio’s choices. Throughout the series, finding the right balance between satisfying fans and telling an authentic story proved to be a persistent challenge.

‘Kuroko’s Basketball’ (2012–2015)

I absolutely loved Kuroko’s Basketball, especially the incredible bond between Kuroko and Kagami. Honestly, I was really disappointed when the later manga chapters and the movie started adding romantic interests that just didn’t fit the story. It felt like they were trying too hard to attract a wider audience and it took away from what made the series so special – the focus on the players and their teamwork. A lot of fans felt the same way, and there was even some protest online and in magazines! It really showed how much we all wanted the anime to stay true to its core relationships and the spirit of the game.

‘Seraph of the End’ (2015)

The series became popular thanks to the intricate connection between Yuuichiro and Mikaela. However, as the story continued, fans became frustrated with the inclusion of unnecessary romantic storylines involving other characters. Many felt the show was deliberately avoiding exploring the strong, potentially queer bond between the two leads, which led to decreased interest and online protests. Viewers believed the story was weaker when it focused on conventional romance. The series is now often cited as a prime example of promising character development that ultimately fell short.

‘Blue Exorcist’ (2011–2024)

‘Blue Exorcist’ has often been criticized for its handling of romance, specifically the relationship between Rin Okumura and Shiemi Moriyama. Some fans felt this romantic subplot felt unnatural and was added simply to fit common tropes in shonen anime. This led to some viewers becoming disillusioned with the series and even refusing to participate in official fan polls. The show’s attempts to balance its supernatural storyline with romantic elements frequently caused disagreement among viewers about the show’s overall quality, and these discussions have continued across multiple seasons and the movie releases.

‘Black Butler’ (2008–2024)

The heart of this gothic series lies in the complex relationship between Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis. However, many fans have felt that attempts to add traditional romantic storylines feel unnatural and disrupt the pacing. This has sparked disagreements and even boycotts within the passionate international fanbase. Critics point out that the series hints at deeper connections between characters, but ultimately falls back on predictable tropes. Because the series is still ongoing, these fan concerns continue to resurface with each new season.

‘Sk8 the Infinity’ (2021)

The anime, known for its lively characters and strong friendships within skateboarding culture, faced fan backlash over concerns that future storylines would force romantic relationships between characters who weren’t previously interested in each other. This led to online protests and promises of a boycott if the show moved away from its existing character dynamics. Fans were particularly vocal about wanting the show to continue focusing on the close bonds between male characters. This situation highlights how engaged modern audiences are with how characters grow and change in their favorite shows.

‘No. 6’ (2011)

The anime series ‘No. 6,’ based on a set of novels, centers on the connection between Shion and Nezumi in a futuristic, troubled world. Fans were unhappy with how the anime handled their relationship, feeling it softened the romantic elements and presented an unclear or purely friendly ending. This led to a fan boycott of the DVDs and Blu-rays, as viewers wanted the adaptation to stay truer to the original story. Many believed the changes were unnecessary and aimed to make the story more broadly appealing. While the series began strongly, the ending is often seen as a letdown.

‘Stars Align’ (2019)

This sports drama tackled important and sensitive topics like gender identity and family abuse. When the show was unexpectedly cancelled, fans feared the characters’ complex stories would be wrapped up with a simple, straight-forward ending, ignoring the diversity of the cast. This led to a fan-driven campaign to support the show’s creator and protest the decisions of the production company. Viewers hoped the show’s thoughtful exploration of identity wouldn’t be sacrificed for a rushed conclusion. The whole situation highlights the difficulties faced by creators of original anime.

‘Promare’ (2019)

The action-packed film ‘Promare’ centers on the connection between Galo Thymos and Lio Fotia. Although the movie was successful, some fans protested by refusing to buy official merchandise because the script didn’t clearly state a romantic relationship between the two main characters. They believed the film was capitalizing on the characters’ chemistry without offering a definite romantic outcome. This led to a broader discussion about whether it’s ethical to hint at LGBTQ+ relationships without providing explicit confirmation. Despite this controversy, ‘Promare’ is still widely praised for its incredible visuals and remains a popular film in its genre.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans’ (2015–2017)

The last few episodes of this ‘Gundam’ series sparked a lot of controversy, particularly regarding what happened to the main characters. Many fans thought the show awkwardly tried to give the surviving characters a happy, normal life, which didn’t fit the overall story. This led to fewer people participating in online discussions and some fans even stopped buying related products. Viewers felt the sudden focus on traditional families didn’t match the show’s previously realistic and often dark atmosphere. The ending continues to be a point of disagreement among ‘Gundam’ fans.

‘Aldnoah.Zero’ (2014–2015)

The ending of this animated series is still talked about today, but for all the wrong reasons. Viewers were shocked and angry when the main female character married a relatively unimportant character who hadn’t been featured much throughout the show. This caused many fans to stop watching and led to a major drop in the show’s popularity outside of its home country. Many felt the ending unnecessarily pushed a straight relationship, especially given the strong connection and competitive dynamic between the two male leads. The negative reaction to the finale serves as a warning to writers about how important it is to satisfy their audience.

‘Darling in the Franxx’ (2018)

The last few episodes of this sci-fi show unexpectedly focused on having children and traditional families. Many viewers felt this change didn’t fit with the show’s earlier, more open-minded ideas. The story’s emphasis on straight couples as the only way to save humanity caused fans to protest and write negative reviews. People criticized the ending as being too obvious and ignoring other kinds of relationships. It’s become one of the most controversial anime endings in recent years.

Share your own thoughts on these controversial anime finales in the comments.

2026-01-11 23:17