10 Surprisingly Dark/Tragic Moments In Children's Anime

In the early 2000s, the runaway sucess of series such as Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z brought anime into the mainstream. As anime is such a wide-ranging artform in Japan, covering numerous different genres and target audiences, this briefly caused an issue as some networks bought up big in anime rights in search of the next big thing, only to discover the series' they purchased were not actually suitable for children.

However, even anime series that are aimed towards children often have darker moments than you would usually see in most Western kid's animation, and even English dubs and content edits are not enough to entirely soften the blow. Here are a few children's anime moments that may have traumatised their young viewers.

1. Krillin dies (Dragon Ball)

For most Western viewers, Dragon Ball Z was the most recognisable entry in Akira Toriyama's franchise starring Goku and friends, it all began with Dragon Ball. While Dragon Ball did include the martial arts and epic battle sequences that became the core of it's popular sequel, much of the series was more humour and adventure based, and as such is often considered a more child friendly option, sometimes reccommended to those with a child interested in the franchise but not quite ready for the higher level of violonce in DBZ. However, an event late in Dragon Ball's run turns this idea on it's head.

About to head out to a dinner celebrating his and his allies achievements in the recent World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku realises he has left his power pole and precious Four-Star Dragon Ball behind in the arena. Krillin offers to go back and retrieve them. The tension builds throughout the following scene, as Krillin takes much too long to return, and Goku becomes increasingly unsettled. Eventually realizing something is very wrong, Goku races back to the arena, where he finds Krillin dead via a snapped neck.

While Dragon Ball had dealt with death before, it had never happened to a major character, so this moment would have come as an unpleasant shock to many young viewers, and changed the trajectory of the series forever. While in recent years, Krillin's tendency to die on a regular basis has become something of a meme, his very first death is genuinely chilling.

2. Greymon Dark Digivolves into Skull-Greymon

The Digimon anime was very often darker in tone than it's rival series, Pokemon, and the above moment is one of many times it proved it. Early in Digimon Adventure's second major story arc, shortly after the DigiDestined arrive on the continent of Server, they learn that their Digimon partners will not stand a chance against the next villain, Etemon, until they can Digivolve to their Ultimate forms. To do this, their Digidestined partner must obtain a crest that, once activated, will trigger the needed transformation.

Tai is the first to locate his crest, Courage, and becomes overly eager for his partner, Agumon, to reach Ultimate form. He begins overfeeding Agumon in the hopes of bulking him up, and later intentionally puts himself in harm's way, believing it will force Agumon's Champion form, Greymon, to digivolve to Ultimate to save him. Unfortunately, Tai's attempts to force the transformation instead corrupt the process, causing Greymon to Dark Digivolve into SkullGreymon. The Dark Digimon almost kills Tai, and goes on a rampage that only ends when SkullGreymon has expended enough energy to devolve.

Both Tai and Agumon are left traumatised by the incident for some time. Only with time, hard work, and a display of true courage are the pair able to recover and reach Agumon's true Ultimate form, MetalGreymon.

Many now adult fans said the SkullGreymon scene has stuck with them from childhood, a reminder of the potentially dire consequences of mistreating someone you love.

3. The 'Kidnapping'/Death of the Sailor Scouts (Sailor Moon)

Reaching most Western countries in the early to mid nineties, Sailor Moon introduced children of the era to anime's widespread 'Magical Girl' genre. However, they weren't exactly getting the full Sailor Moon experience, as the series original English dub was heavily edited, Westernising most character names, and removing excessive violence, nudity, and dark themes, at times drastically altering the story.

For example, during the final episodes of Sailor Moon's first season, Sailor Moon and her fellow Sailor Scouts travel to the Dark Kingdom for a final confrontation with the evil Queen Beryl. In the original dub, each of the other Scouts are 'kidnapped' during their journey, forcing Sailor Moon to face Beryl on her own in order to rescue them. Some fans noted that Sailor Moon's distress in the aftermath of the kidnappings seemed over the top. To those who know the truth, it is easy to understand why that is the case.

In the original Japanese version, the Scouts are killed off one by one, protecting Sailor Moon on the way to Queen Beryl. Sailor Moon is eventually able to resurrect them with the power of the Silver Crystal. Later editions of the dub have restored the death scenes.

Some anime purists would claim this one doesn't really count, as in Japan, Sailor Moon aired in primetime and was not solely aimed at children. However, this does not change the fact that in the West, at least in its early seasons, the Sailor Moon anime was marketed to younger audiences, and aired in children's time slots. Many who rediscovered the series in later life were shocked to see season one's final episodes in uncut form for the first time.

4. Mewtwo's Origin (Pokemon: The First Movie)

Unlike Sailor Moon's questionable child-friendly status, the Pokemon anime definitely counts children as it's target audience. In November of 1999, young Poke-fans everywhere rushed to theatres for the English release of Pokemon: The First Movie.

In the Japanese version, the film opens with a segment detailing the earliest days of Mewtwo. Mewtwo's creator, Dr. Fuji, initially joined Giovanni's Mew cloning project as a means to fund his own efforts to resurrect his deceased daughter, Amber/Ai. In the days following his creation, the infant Mewtwo's consciousness exists in a shared mindscape with clones of Amber, and the three Kanto Starter Pokemon, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. The group share a sweet bond, but sadly, Amber and the starter clones are not strong enough to survive, eventually dying and fading away before Mewtwo's eyes. The loss is traumatising to Mewtwo, and Fuji is forced to tranquilise him, causing him to lose memory of his dead friends.

While the Origin sequence was dubbed, it was ultimately cut from the English language version for being too disturbing for Western audiences. However, it has been included as a special feature on some DVD releases, and retrospective reviews often believe Pokemon: The First Movie would be a better film if the sequence had remained intact.

5. Ken realises what he has done (Digimon Adventure 02)

The first arc of Digimon Adventure's sequel series, Digimon Adventure 02, involves the next generation of Digi-destined battling the Digimon Emperor, a human who has invaded the Digital World, tormenting and controlling it's residents with the use of Dark Rings. It is eventually revealed that the Emperor is Ken Ichijouji, a gifted boy known to the Digi-destined. The Digimon Emperor is a corruption of Ken's true self, caused by a dark spore embedded in his neck.

Ken is freed from the spore's influence when his partner, Wormmon, sacrifices his own life force to save Ken. Initially vowing to 'reset' the Digital World and fix everything, Ken is horrified when he is told that the Digital World is a real place, not a video game, and the Digimon he had tormented were real living creatures.

Ken spends the rest of 02's run trying to atone for his crimes as the Emperor, and gaining the trust of the Digi-destined as the sixth member they were always meant to have.

6. Cosmo's Sacrifice (Sonic X)

While the first two seasons of Sonic X adapt stories from the Sonic the Hedgehog video games, the third and final season tells an original story, featuring the gang as space travellers battling the evil robotic alien Metarex. Cosmo, a young plant-like alien creature, travels with them. During the journey, Tails and Cosmo develop a sweet puppy-love relationship, making plans for her to come home with them when the battle is over.

Unfortunately, it is eventually revealed that Cosmo is the final survivor of the species the Metarex had once been before warping themselves into their evil robotic forms. In the final episodes, she sacrifices her life to prevent the Metarex from destroying the Galaxy, and worse, Tails must fire the fatal shot. Watching an eight-year old kill his first love is definitely on the dark side for a children's series.

7. Jibanyan's Origin Story (Yo-Kai Watch)

Yo-Kai Watch, the anime adaptation of a series of Pokemon-esque Japanese roleplay games, was definitely targeted at a younger audience. However, the series was not afraid to tug at the heartstrings, and does so from the very first episode.

Soon after obtaining a Yo-kai Watch, which allows him to see Yo-kai (Monsters/supernatural beings of Japanese folklore) protagonist Nate meets Jibanyan, a cat-like Yo-kai causing trouble in the streets due to his tendency to run in front of cars. Questioning Jibanyan's reasons, Nate learns he was once a regular cat, Rudy, owned by a girl named Amy, until he was hit by a truck. He believes Amy called him lame for being hit, and wants to 'defeat' any car he comes across in order to prove himself to his former owner.

A brief trip back in time reveals the heartbreaking truth. Rudy was struck by the truck after pushing Amy out of his path. Amy had never called Rudy lame. The insult was directed at herself, for being the reason Rudy was killed. The little cat's bravery earned him his second life as Jibanyan. Now at peace, Jibanyan commits himself to becoming one of Nate's closest Yo-kai friends.

8. Tentacruel attacks Porta Vista (Pokemon)

After missing their scheduled boat, Ash and co are left briefly stranded in the beach side town of Porta Vista. When a group of Tentacool begin wreaking havoc, the group become caught up in a conflict between the Pokemon and local developer Nastina, who's construction of a new resort is slowly destroying the reef that the Tentacool call home. One evolves into a giant Tentacruel and, as revenge for the destruction of the reef, begins to destroy Porta Vista.

While Tentacruel is eventually talked down from it's rampage, the episode remains notable as the first time a Pokemon does harm to human property of it's own volition, a reminder of the potential dark side of the Pokemon World.

9. Jeri's nightmare (Digimon Tamers)

While the first two seasons of Digimon had their share of dark moments, the third, Digimon Tamers, takes this to a whole new level. Jeri Ketou is left deeply traumatised after the death of her Digimon partner, Leomon, and unfortunately, this makes her troubled mind a perfect portal for villain the D-Reaper to begin wreaking havoc.

This process triggers horrific nightmares in Jeri, involving the death of her mother, and her hand-puppet coming to life to berate her. Many fans remember the scene as scary and deeply unsettling.

10. Sunny's story (Pokemon)

Prior to the airing of Ash Ketchum's final eleven episodes, the Pokemon anime aired a special episode set in the alternate universe continuity from the films I Choose You!, The Power of Us, and Secrets of the Jungle. The episode begins with Ash receiving a call from his Mother inviting him to the Viridian City Pokemon Center, where his Father is due to visit the following day. While travelling to the centre, Ash meets and befriends a young boy, Sunny (Haruto in the Japanese version).

Ash's progress in his trip to Viridian City is slowed down when he stops to play and explore with Sunny, who claims to have never touched a Pokemon before. After helping Sunny retrieve an old hat that had been stolen by a Mankey sometime before, Ash loses track of his friend and stumbles upon a small berry farm, where he meets Sunny's parents. They reveal that Sunny had died of an illness some time ago. Ash has been playing with a ghost. Finally resuming his trip to Viridian, Ash encounters Sunny a final time, talking him through how it feels to touch Pikachu.

While Pokemon had dealt with death before, it had never done so with a human character, and definitely not a child. The reveal of Sunny's death was a gut-punch to many fans who, based on the episode's teaser, had theorised a time-travel adventure in the vein of the fourth Pokemon movie, with Sunny/Haruto revealed to be Ash's Father as a child. To twist the knife even further, Ash never sees his Father, as he had already left by the time Ash makes it to the Pokemon Centre.

In conclusion, if you have a child you want to introduce to anime, be careful which series you choose.. and maybe pre-screen the episodes first.