Although a fluffy romance anime or manga is a quick fix to heal the soul, not everything is sunshine and rainbows when it comes to relationships. Whether it’s the wrong time, place, or people, some relationships tend to leave a bitter taste in viewers' mouths purely because of the wholesomeness that it lacks.
22 Best Isekai Manhwa Where The MC Is Trapped In A Game
Readers who love a relatable and witty main character are sure to enjoy manhwas where they are trapped inside a game with no way out.
Depending on the reader's interests, some stories go above and beyond to either teach them a life lesson or a harsh truth. Such toxic relationships are relatable to an extent, whereas some are unfortunately romanticized by the industry. If any anime watchers or manga readers would like to try their hand at some of these stories that expertly portray toxic relationships, do proceed with caution, as they are not for the weak-hearted.
8 Ran x Kaya (Spring Storm And Monster)
An Abused Boy Looking For Love From His Stepsister
|
Japanese Name |
Haru no Arashi to Monster |
|---|---|
|
Creator |
Miyuki Mitsubachi (Story & Art) |
|
Chapters |
35 |
|
Status |
Ongoing |
This type of series may not be for everyone as it introduces a simple schoolgirl named Ranko who is continuously sought after by her younger stepbrother, Kaya. They enter each other's lives when they’re teenagers, and although Kaya has explicitly said he’s never seen her as a sister, his mental vulnerability is the main red flag here.
Kaya is unequivocally emotionally and mentally scarred due to the harsh abuse he faced in his past. He almost unhealthily craves love, validation, and comfort. He’s a bad person in general, yet also an intriguing character from a psychological POV. Their relationship is quite toxic and raises a lot of sexual harassment issues as well, but readers still hope to see some growth in Spring Storm and Monster.
7 Miku x Haru (Makeup With Mud)
A Suffocating Love Coated In Sweet Words
|
Japanese Name |
Kao ni Doro o Nuru |
|---|---|
|
Creator |
Yoshikazu (Story & Art) |
|
Chapters |
60 |
|
Status |
Complete |
Miku and Haru’s relationship may hit a little too close to home for some readers. As a woman, Miku has always been interested in expressing herself through makeup, but her boyfriend Haru never misses a moment to shoot down her happiness. Their relationship is a toxic push-and-pull of approval, manipulation, and gaslighting at its finest.
Haru is the antagonist in Makeup with Mud, as his ‘ideal’ image of a wife is one that obeys him and dresses ‘neatly’. It’s only when Miku meets Yves that she soon realises the drastic effects her relationship with Haru is causing on her mental well-being. This story portrays toxic relationships so realistically that it can be terrifying, so readers may find some connection with Miku as she starts her journey of self-love.
6 Yuusuke x Haruki (Studio Cabana)
A Forbidden Love Born From Trauma
|
Japanese Name |
Studio Cabana |
|---|---|
|
Creator |
Uma Aguri (Story & Art) |
|
Chapters |
32 |
|
Status |
Ongoing |
Studio Cabana not only has amazing art but a captivating story that touches on the innocence of young love and the strong themes of abuse and harassment that can come with it. Yuusuke and Haruki’s relationship is far from morally acceptable as Yuusuke is a minor while Haruki is an adult.
Despite this, Haruki takes advantage of Yuusuke’s feelings for her and uses him for pleasure whenever she feels lonely. Yuusuke himself is too caught up in his love for her to even realize how much of a terrible person she is. The story is bound to make readers not only shed tears but also wish for a better future for Yuusuke and Maki, who is the female lead.
5 Yui x Sakamaki Brothers (Diabolik Lovers)
An Ordinary Girl Sought After By Vampires
Diabolik Lovers
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2015
- Creator
- Rejet
- Studio
- Zexcs
The situation between Yui and the six Sakamaki brothers in Diabolik Lovers is a questionable turn of events. Although the anime does include other romanceable characters from the game, the brothers are the main characters of this bloody show.
8 Most Iconic Otome Love Interests
Some otome love interests last a second in our hearts, whilst some are remembered for a lifetime.
Yui is unfortunately manipulated left, right, and center by these vampires as she has blood running through her that appeals the most to them. She’s often placed in terrifying situations, scared for her life, or questioning her self-worth. The anime is less triggering than the games, yet viewers are sure to feel the constant helplessness Yui feels on a daily basis.
4 Kyoya and Erika (Wolf Girl and Black Prince)
Love With A Collar
Wolf Girl and Black Prince
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 5, 2014
- Seasons
- 1
- Japanese Title
- Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji
- Creator
- Ayuko Hatta
- Studio
- TYO Animations
Kyoya and Erika’s relationship in Wolf Girl and Black Prince is on the lower spectrum of toxicity for this list. The start of their relationship does have issues, with Kyoya’s sadistic nature playing a huge part in Erika’s deal with him as her pretend boyfriend.
By modern standards, one could say that Kyoya keeps Erika near him through various methods of emotional manipulation and gaslighting. However, as Kyoya’s true nature as a tsundere is revealed, Erika eventually begins to see things in a different light. This story does have mixed reviews, so it is recommended to read the manga so that viewers can gain a better idea of the characters’ personalities.
3 Satou and Shio (Happy Sugar Life)
A Yandere Type Of Love
Happy Sugar Life
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018
- Network
- TBS, MBS
- Directors
- Ryosuke Shibuya, Fumihiro Ueno
- Writers
- Michiko Yokote
- Studio
- Ezola
- Creator
- Tomiyaki Kagisora
- Number of Episodes
- 12
Satou and Shio have quite a complex relationship in Happy Sugar Life. It borders on toxic and unhealthy, as Satou befriends and ‘adopts’ Shio after she is abandoned. This, in turn, creates space for an unhealthy attachment as Satou grows to great lengths to protect their relationship.
Although the relationship is left open to interpretation in the anime, most view it as romantic in the manga. Satou has a possessive desire to protect the love she has for Shio and will practically do anything—even murder—to secure it.
2 Mugi x Hanabi x Akane x Sanae (Scum's Wish)
It’s Easy To Consider Lust When Love Doesn’t Work Out
Scum's Wish
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2017 - 2017-00-00
- Studio
- Lerche
- Creator
- Mengo Yokoyari
- Japanese Title
- Kuzu no Honkai
Scum's Wish might not be for everyone, but it’s a story that makes one think. Mugi and Hanabi are hopelessly in love with two different people but have chosen to use each other to fight their loneliness. Mugi is in love with an older teacher, whilst Hanabi is in love with an older childhood friend. They get caught up in this never-ending cycle of acceptance and denial until it eventually affects everyone around them.
8 Best Romance Manhwa About Adult Couples, Ranked
Sometimes, a whirlwind romance requires less drama and more maturity — like with these great adult couple romance manhwa.
Hanabi ends up in a pitiful sexual relationship with her best friend Sanae, whereas Akane takes the chance to finally take advantage of Mugi’s feelings for her, despite being his teacher. Each of their crippling emotional needs to feel wanted overflow and the drama presents a surprisingly educational outlook on what it means to be a teenager in such an overwhelming society.
1 Shigure x Akito (Fruits Basket)
Doomed Lovers From The Start
Fruits Basket
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment
- Creator
- Natsuki Takaya
- Number of Episodes
- 63
Shigure and Akito from Fruits Basket is the type of toxic relationship that hurts in a good way. They can be best described as lovers doomed from the start. The two of them fell for each other as children, but that innocent love soon morphed into something quite terrifying.
Akito’s god complex and obsession affected her relationship with Shigure, and the two of them ended up in quite a chaotic situationship. Akito was intimate with Kureno to deepen her zodiac bond with him, but in retaliation, Shigure was intimate with Akito’s mother. This further soured their relationship, yet despite this, they still sought physical comfort in each other and couldn’t help but communicate their frustration in any other way.
Best New Age Shoujo Manga To Read
New age shoujo manga is more relatable for today's reading audiences, with these series representing the best of the genre's modern evolution.