Ranking the 10 Most Troubling Anime Mothers

Anime mothers exhibit a diverse range of personalities, from nurturing figures who provide unwavering support to those who present formidable obstacles in their children’s lives. Beyond these two extremes, there exists a subset of mothers whose personal struggles inadvertently entangle their children in turmoil, leading to significant suffering.

The issues faced by these mothers—be they familial or personal—often manifest in ways that adversely affect their children’s mental and physical well-being. This article aims to highlight ten of the most troublesome anime mothers, whose actions and problems have resulted in unnecessary distress for their offspring.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article reflect the personal opinions of the author.

Ranking 10 Troubling Anime Mothers: From Kikyo Zoldyck to Kaguya Otsutsuki

10. Kikyo Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)

Kikyo Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter (Image via Madhouse)

Kikyo Zoldyck, the mother of Killua, reflects the complexities of a problematic parent in Hunter x Hunter. Proud of her child’s assassination abilities, her overprotectiveness led her to sever ties with anyone who might pose a threat to Killua’s well-being. Her efforts to isolate him, particularly from his friend Gon, culminated in significant emotional suffering for Killua.

9. Charlotte Linlin (One Piece)

Charlotte Linlin from One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Known as Big Mom in One Piece, Charlotte Linlin stands out for her overwhelming fixation on the elusive One Piece treasure. In her quest for power, she constructed a formidable pirate crew without providing genuine love or support to her children. The neglect faced by her daughter Charlotte Pudding exemplifies the emotional void created by Big Mom’s relentless ambition.

8. Yumi Suou (Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian)

Yumi Suou from Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian (Image via Doga Koba)

In Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Yumi Suou struggles with her son Masachika’s burgeoning genius. Her anxiety over his potential led her to stifle his achievements, inadvertently creating barriers that caused Masachika emotional turmoil and isolation from his family.

7. Saki Arima (Your Lie in April)

Saki Arima from Your Lie in April (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Driven by ambition, Saki Arima in Your Lie in April sought to mold her son Kousei into a musical prodigy. Her abusive tactics left him scarred emotionally, and even after her death, Kousei experienced haunting memories that paralyzed his ability to play the piano.

6. Hiromi Shiota (Assassination Classroom)

Hiromi Shiota from Assassination Classroom (Image via Lerche)

Hiromi Shiota overstepped by imposing her unfulfilled dreams onto her son Nagisa in Assassination Classroom. Her obsession with beauty and societal expectations led to Nagisa donning feminine attire, which made him a target for bullying, severely impacting his self-esteem during formative years.

5. Isabella (The Promised Neverland)

Isabella from The Promised Neverland (Image via CloverWorks)

In The Promised Neverland, Isabella plays the role of a motherly figure who masks her true intentions. Her façade of love conceals a sinister plan to exploit her children for personal gain, creating harrowing challenges that they must overcome while escaping their grim circumstances.

4. Akemi Hinazuki (Erased)

Akemi Hinazuki from Erased (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Akemi Hinazuki, featured in Erased, faced her share of personal torment that she unjustly directed toward her daughter Kayo. The abuse and emotional neglect Kayo endured left her deeply scarred, forcing her to conceal her pain. After several attempts, Kayo was finally saved from this cycle of abuse.

3. Ren Sohma (Fruits Basket)

Ren Sohma from Fruits Basket (Image via TMS Entertainment)

In Fruits Basket, Ren Sohma’s intense jealousy and fears regarding her daughter Akito Brought about severe mental trauma for Akito, who was forced to embody traits to appease her insecure mother. Ren’s misguided intentions led to lasting psychological effects on Akito, including a profound identity crisis.

2. Saika Gasai (Future Diary)

Saika Gasai from Future Diary (Image via asread)

Saika Gasai’s abusive behavior in Future Diary significantly contributed to her daughter Yuno’s psychological decline. Treating Yuno like a possession rather than a person, she instilled paranoia and fear in her daughter, ultimately leading to a tragic and violent turn of events as Yuno emulated her mother’s abusive patterns.

1. Kaguya Otsutsuki (Naruto)

Kaguya Otsutsuki from Naruto (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Kaguya Otsutsuki, the pivotal antagonist of Naruto, is notorious for her tragic flaws as a mother. Her insatiable thirst for chakra led her to consume her own sons, leaving them with no choice but to rebel against her destructive nature, ultimately sealing her for the greater good of their world.

Final Thoughts

This analysis recognizes the shadowy aspects of these maternal figures, who acted out of their tragic circumstances. Although they may not be viewed as conventional role models, each character reflects deeper narratives about love, loss, and the impact of personal failings on familial relationships. Moments of redemption—for instance, Isabella’s regret or Hiromi’s eventual acceptance—depict the complexity of motherhood within these narratives.

Source & Images