The Most Controversial Anime Ships That Drive Fans Crazy

Anime has been more involved and controversial over the years. This is because “Waifu’s” are more popular than ever.

This isn’t like the 90’s or the 2000’s anymore. Anime is much bigger with more fans coming into the community everyday. Fuelled by Waifu’s and shipping (in part).

Let’s talk about the most controversial anime ships we’ve seen in the last decade or so.

Some of these ships have even lead to death threats.

Let’s get to it.

Controversial Anime Ships:

1. Subaru x Emilia (Re:Zero)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuHrVGq4diw

Subaru x Emilia is a natural ship that’s been set in stone… Since episode 1.

Subaru loves Emilia and falls for her from the beginning. She’s the first point of contact Subaru has. Characters like REM come later.

This fact hasn’t stopped rem lovers and Re:Zero’s fanbase from stirring controversy, arguments, and being toxic.

Arguments on both sides include:

Rem having more “Important” moments with Subaru.
Emilia being a better Waifu.
Rem not being deserving because she initially killed Subaru.

And so on.

The war never ends.

Relevant: 5 Simple Reasons Why Emilia Is BETTER Than Rem From Re Zero

2. Hinata x Naruto (Naruto)

Hinata x Naruto is another natural ship we expected, but not as much as Emilia and Subaru.

Naruto is a long anime series, and in the early stages – Naruto is interested in Sakura. But she’s has a sh*tty attitude and treats Naruto like dirt.

Later on she realizes her mistake, but it’s too late. Hinata has been watching Naruto since day 1, even before Sakura came into the picture.

The real nail in the coffin was when Hinata married Naruto. This is the source of their controversy as an anime couple and ship.

Some fans argue, fight, and are unwilling to accept things for the way they are.

3. Ochako x Deku (My Hero Academia)

Ochako x Deku seems like a normal ship. And some might even wonder how this ship is controversial. Despite the obvious hints in the series.

Well, in My Hero Academia, or what I should say is: the fandom of My Hero Academia works a bit differently.

Gay ships are common in the fandom. And more often than not, ships between Deku and Bakugo, Bakugo and Kirishima are more talked about than the anime itself!

These Yaoi lovers (the toxic kind) are the reason why Ochako x Deku is controversial.

Thing is though, this is basically canon as the author of MHA intends to build their romance in later seasons and chapters.

4. Kazuya x Mami Chan (Rent A Girlfriend)

Kazuya x Mami Nanami is no surprise as far as controversy. How could it not be? Mami Nanami, or “Mami Chan” s a b*tch to Kazuya.

She’s manipulative, Yandere-ish, insecure, toxic, and gives no f*cks when taking the piss out of Kazuya. A guy who has low self esteem and puts women on a pedestal.

This is the reason why they’re a controversial anime ship in Rent A Girlfriend.

That tone was set from the beginning of the anime.

Read: 26+ Of The Best Rent A Girlfriend Quotes

5. Ichigo x Hiro (Darling In The Franxx)

Ichigo x Hiro from Darling In The Franxx is another controversial anime ship.

In the early stages it’s clear Hiro has a thing for Zero Two, and Zero Two definitely has a thing for Hiro.

That’s when the “darling” phrase comes into the picture, and that becomes Zero Two’s tagline. Fans loved it.

Drama pops up later in the series with Ichigo and Hiro, and that’s partly where the ship comes from. And why it’s controversial.

6. Natsu x Lisanna (Fairy Tail)

anime ship, because according to the backstory, that’s how it should have been.

In the actual Fairy Tail story though, Lucy runs into Natsu and Happy, and that’s how she becomes a Fairy Tail wizard. That was her intention.

Both Lucy and Natsu grow close, especially as 2 of the anime’s main characters. And so the Lisanna x Natsu ship died a long time ago.

This is part of why it became a controversial ship, at least at the time.

Not so much today.

7. Kirito x Alice (Sword Art Online Alicization)

Kirito x Alice is a ship that came about when Alicization was in the works (novel). And before the anime adaptation was released, fans talked about it.

In fact a lot of fans talked about Alice x Kirito as if it’s the real thing, like Asuna isn’t already married (technically) to Kirito since season 1.

Asuna, similar to Emilia or Lucy, is the real anime couple of SAO when it comes to Kirito. But some Sword Art Online shippers prefer Alice for some reason.

Maybe it’s the newer fans who came later.

8. Kaneki x Touka (Tokyo Ghoul)

Kaneki x Touka is one of the craziest anime ships if we’re talking controversy. And for good reason.

In the anime, Touka and Kaneki get down and dirty. And the author of Tokyo Ghoul makes their relationship “canon”. So it’s official.

When this happened, Tokyo Ghoul fans sent death threats to the author who made them canon.

For this reason, it’s become one of the most controversial anime ships there is. With toxic fans behind the controversy.

9. Ichigo x Orihime (Bleach)

Ichigo x Orihime never made sense in the beginning stages of Bleach, or throughout the majority of Bleach.

Rukia is the girl Ichigo got close to first, and Rukia the same with Ichigo because of how they met.

Whenever major fights go down, Rukia is there. and they have great chemistry in general. This is why Ichigo x Orihime is controversial.

Tite Kubo made it canon in the manga, and that’s all there is to it. But the debate to this day continues.

I personally went with Rukia x Ichigo, because it’s the more logical option. Though there were reasons to pair up with Orihime.

10. Naruto x Sasuke (Naruto)

anime ship that lives on in the shadows to this day.

It’s controversial for obvious reasons. They’re not legitimate, and Naruto or Sasuke aren’t gay. An obvious fact based on how Naruto is written.

Both protagonists get married to Sakura and Hinata, but the Naruto x Sasuke fanbase have sparked a lot of fights over the years.

11. Izuku x Bakugo (My Hero Academia)

Izuku x Bakugo is another result of the Yaoi fanbase coming into the My Hero Academia community.

Shipping is fine, but the point of this article and the mention of “controversy” is to highlight toxic behavior when it comes to anime ships.

A portion of this fanbase is so loud and vocal, that they’re mad the author won’t do any Yaoi ships. But that’s because it’s NOT that kind of anime.

That’s just how it’s supposed to be.

12. Rukia x Ichigo (Bleach)

Rukia x Ichigo is still a thing like I already said. So it’s still a somewhat controversial anime ship.

Controversial because the ship never died. And the shipping wars don’t ever stop. Bleach is a massive anime with a massive fanbase.

That doesn’t change the extremism of the loudest fans though.

Relevant: 10 Of My BEST Anime Characters From Bleach

13. Kirishima x Bakugou (My Hero Academia)

Kirishima x Bakugou is another version of a gay ship in My Hero Academia, exclusive to the fandom itself.

It’s not surprising My Hero Academia makes the list so much because the fanbase focuses so much on shipping.

Some take it too far and try to force fans to believe it’s a real thing. Or they force their own ideals onto the characters and get mad because it’s not canon.

That of course is the loudest fans, and that’s just the way it is.