Countless bizarre and enchanting anime universes have captivated fans globally due to their imagination, unique characters, and stunning landscapes. Many enthusiasts have expressed a desire to explore these realms, akin to aspiring to be a Pokémon master in the Pokémon universe or a State Alchemist in Fullmetal Alchemist.
However, some anime worlds would be perilous to inhabit. While some of these realms require contemplation to grasp their inherent horror, others prominently showcase their squalid conditions.
Disclaimer: The following article includes spoilers for all the anime mentioned. The views expressed are solely those of the author.
10 Anime Worlds That Would Be Terrible to Live In
1) Remnant (RWBY)
While RWBY’s world of Remnant is primarily depicted through the lens of powerful huntsmen and huntresses like Team RWBY, it is, in fact, a perilous environment. This danger is underscored in both the series and supplementary content, including novels. Challenging weather conditions, such as the severe cold of Atlas or the scorching heat of Vacuo, combine with the threats posed by marauders, gangs, governmental corruption, discrimination against Faunus, and the oppressive military regime in Atlas.
The Grimm represent a constant menace, drawn to humanity’s negative emotions. They come in various sizes, from small avian forms to colossal kaiju, and in alarming numbers—ranging from a single Ursa to groups of Beowolves. The only relatively safe areas are within the borders of the four kingdoms, as venturing outside for extended periods can lead to Grimm infestations.
The supernatural dangers are compounded by the existence of Remnant’s Gods, who are responsible for the demise of the first humanity version and cursed Salem to a life of immortality. Salem orchestrated the downfall of Beacon and Atlas in volumes 3 and 8, leaving Vacuo’s nearly uninhabitable desert as the only refuge as of volume 9.
2) Earth: Post-Second and Third Impacts (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
The world of Neon Genesis Evangelion was treacherous even before the series commenced. The Second Impact resulted in the destruction of ice caps, erasing island nations from existence. This devastation led to massive refugee crises and international conflicts, causing millions of casualties, including the obliteration of nations like India and Pakistan due to nuclear warfare.
Earth’s axial tilt was disrupted, eliminating distinct seasons in areas such as Japan. The arrival of overpowering Angels, capable of decimating entire cities, followed. The outcomes of the Third Impact differ in both the original NGE and the Rebuild film series, but remain equally catastrophic.
In The End of Evangelion, humanity is liquified into LCL, leaving only Asuka and Shinji. Despite the moon being cleaved in half, humanity remains if it chooses to reject Instrumentality. Conversely, in Rebuild 3.0+1.0, the Third Impact is interrupted, but Gendo Ikari’s Fourth Impact compels Shinji to restart the world, erasing all Evangelions to ensure peace ensues.
3) Universe 7: Future Trunks’ Timeline (Dragon Ball Z and Super)
While Dragon Ball’s world isn’t overly grim, provided one stays out of the perilous situations the Dragon Team faces throughout Z and Super, Future Trunks’ timeline stands apart. Here, the Dragon Balls are rendered useless due to Piccolo’s demise, leading to the near eradication of humanity. Trunks initially had hopes of rebuilding the world after vanquishing the future iterations of Androids 17 and 18, Cell, and preventing Majin Buu’s resurrection.
However, the emergence of Zamasu and Goku Black brought calamity. They wielded virtually limitless power to annihilate other gods and universes, leaving Earth as their final target. The only means to eradicate this threat involved Zeno intervening to completely erase the universe, allowing Future Trunks and Mai to escape to a different dimension.
4) Paradis and Marley (Attack on Titan)
Paradis, in Attack on Titan, was initialized as a haven for Eldians seeking refuge from Marleyans, only to later become a dumping ground for criminals turned into Titans. Both nations in this anime universe are rife with issues, though Paradis appears worse off.
Before the breach of Wall Maria, Paradis faced continuous Titan incursions. The Titans are a formidable threat, proving difficult to eliminate, leading to bloody chaos. Groups like the Church of the Walls, mercenaries such as Kenny, and the Yagerists indicate that Titans aren’t the only menace.
Marley treats its populace, especially Eldians, as expendable, demonstrating their status as second-class citizens and effectively deploying them as suicide squads. Speculation among fans suggests that had Marley ceased its cycle of violent oppression, Eren Yeager might not have unleashed The Rumbling. Regrettably, Attack on Titan is filled with individuals unwilling to cease conflict until it’s almost too late.
5) The Looped Earth (Undead Unluck)
Time loops are inherently tense, as seen in video games like In Stars and Time or anime like Summertime Rendering. Undead Unluck’s world is set within a massive time loop, unknown to most unless they are Negators. The world presents several anomalies, including the absence of stars, erratic seasonal changes, and colossal monsters causing chaos.
A deity creates beings known as UMAs (Unidentified Mysterious Animals) to enforce rules upon existence. For instance, UMA Spoil introduces a mechanic where organic life decays upon death, effectively turning an entire town into zombies. Meanwhile, UMA Autumn imposes an odd concept of fall, transforming individuals into books that can be read and eaten. New rules are introduced every three months until the deity resets the world.
Being a Negator resembles being a mutant in X-Men, with their powers manifesting in childhood but often accompanied by severe repercussions. Fuko Izumo, the main character, possesses Unluck—anyone she touches encounters catastrophic misfortune, ranging from wardrobe malfunctions to fatal meteors.
6) The Hole (Dorohedoro)
The name “The Hole”inspires little confidence, epitomized by the grim realities portrayed in Dorohedoro. This anime world showcases a city where non-magic users live in squalor, serving as a testing ground for Magic Users’ cruel experiments.
Inhabitants face perilous conditions, including magic rain that inflicts illness, grotesque eateries such as the Hungry Bug, overwhelmed with vermin, and medical facilities unable to treat magical injuries. The populace also endures “The Night of the Living Dead,” where the risen dead, failed experiment victims, roam and thirst for flesh and blood, leading to a dismal existence.
7) Night City (Cyberpunk Edgerunners)
Cyberpunk Edgerunners, while exhilarating, reveals Night City as a dystopian cyberpunk nightmare. Already portrayed negatively in Cyberpunk 2077, this anime delves deeper into the lives of its residents.
In essence, Night City is a haven for crime, dominated by corporations controlling nearly every aspect of life, from healthcare to law enforcement. Cybernetics carry dangers, like Cyberpsychosis, while essential services like the Internet are jeopardized by Netrunners who manipulate lives at will.
Frequent blackouts plague the city, thanks to a strained power grid servicing drug dens, Netrunners, and corporate headquarters. Animal populations are dwindling, with many smuggled into the city. Diverse gangs, from the mechanized Maelstrom to the cultish Voodoo Boys, add to the chaotic environment.
8) Honno Town (Kill la Kill)
The primary setting of Kill la Kill, Honnoji Academy, is fraught with danger, where violence and injuries are commonplace. Outside the academy, residents of Honno Town endure a grim reality. The town’s vertical structure favors those of status and wealth, culminating in numerous privileges, including expedited transport to the academy, while the impoverished struggle in dilapidated huts, much like Mako Mankanshoku’s family.
Although achieving status through combat is a possibility, the process is riddled with challenges from the biased Elite Four and treacherous competitors. Most would likely choose to avoid Kill la Kill’s world if forced to reside in Honno Town.
9) Midland/Fantasia (Berserk)
Berserk resembles A Song of Ice and Fire long before George RR Martin penned his saga. This anime world comprises numerous horrors—mercenaries clouded by greed, colossal monsters terrorizing the land, and merciless demons.
After the Great Wave of the Astral World, countless spirits and entities invaded, wreaking destruction. The only sanctuary lies in Falconia, the de facto capital of Midland. Though it presents itself as a utopia, the city has its flaws, such as compelling apostles to battle bloodthirsty monsters.
Conditions in Midland deteriorated severely after Femto’s actions instigated the Great Wave, merging reality with Fantasia. Survivors like Guts persistently fought against both monstrous beings and brutal human adversaries, making existence in Berserk a true nightmare.
10) The Zombie-Infested World (High School of the Dead)
Some of the most dismal anime realms stem from simple horror tropes—zombie apocalypses.
Despite its fanservice aspects, High School of the Dead illustrates a gruesome scenario where zombies swiftly overwhelm a school, converting students into their ranks almost instantly during the early episodes. It unabashedly showcases graphic violence and unveils the existence of sociopathic characters like Koichi Shido, who heartlessly abandons survivors or manipulates peers.
The narrative also captures the swift societal collapse that ensues when individuals turn on each other, even those with good intentions. Amidst the tragic losses, moments of heroism still exist, such as thwarting Shido, battling zombies like soldiers, and securing medical resources for vulnerable civilians. Regardless, the omnipresent zombie threat marks it as a harrowing anime world.
Although many anime worlds are breathtaking, fantastic, and visually stunning, this list highlights their stark drawbacks, including those in dramatic settings like Kill la Kill. While numerous fans dream of visiting these realms, some hold dangers that transcend mere human conflicts.
While there are plenty of anime worlds that serve as intriguing and safe havens, this compilation is by no means exhaustive, as many realms are marred by violence and mystical creatures that thrive on havoc. Enjoying these anime worlds may be delightful, but being trapped within them would undoubtedly lead to tragic outcomes for the unprepared.
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