10 most dysfunctional anime families, ranked

Dysfunctional anime families are a common theme in many series, showcasing the darker side of family dynamics. While some anime focus on loving and supportive bonds, others highlight families torn apart by trauma, manipulation, and betrayal. These toxic environments leave lasting scars on the characters, shaping their actions and struggles.

This article explores the 10 most dysfunctional anime families, from controlling Zoldycks to power-hungry Zabis. Each family is marked by emotional pain, poor communication, and broken relationships, making them unforgettable examples of how family can support and destroy lives in anime.

Disclaimer: This article contains the author's opinion.

The Zoldycks and 9 other dysfunctional anime families

10) The Fujii family (Domestic Girlfriend)

Domestic Girlfriend (Image via Studio Diomedea)

The Fujii family in Domestic Girlfriend is one of the most deeply dysfunctional anime families, caught in a love triangle between Natsuo Fujii and sisters Hina and Rui. Natsuo’s one-night stand with Rui spirals into chaos when he learns she is Hina’s sister, his teacher, and his secret crush. Their relationships are marked by lies, guilt, and emotional instability.

Hina’s drinking problems and Rui’s pregnancy add pressure, worsened by Natsuo leaving her when she needs support. Poor communication leads to unresolved issues, as they avoid facing their feelings and responsibilities. Relying on unhealthy relationships for escape, they remain trapped in a painful and unstable family dynamic.

9) The Britannian family (Code Geass)

Lelouch vi Britannia (Image via Sunrise Studios)

The Britannian family in the anime Code Geass exemplifies the dysfunction often seen in anime families, shaped by Emperor Charles zi Britannia's harsh leadership.

His "survival of the fittest" belief fosters intense sibling rivalry and betrayal as his children compete for power under his manipulative rule. Charles embodies emotional detachment and cruelty, using Geass to control his children rather than offering care and guidance, replacing love with fear.

Traumas, such as the murder of Lelouch’s mother, perpetuate a cycle of violence and abuse, a recurring theme in many anime families where tragedy drives the narrative. Poor communication exacerbates the dysfunction, as secrets and manipulation dominate, leaving the family broken and ruled by mistrust, fear, and ambition.

8) The Yuuki family (Sword Art Online)

The Yuuki family in Sword Art Online reflects the struggles often seen in anime families, showcasing dysfunction caused by poor communication and high parental expectations. Kyouko Yuuki’s strict and controlling behavior creates distance from her daughter Asuna by criticizing her choices and pushing her into academic goals that ignore Asuna’s interests.

Emotional disconnection worsens their relationship, as Kyouko’s cold attitude leaves Asuna feeling unsupported. The trauma of Yuuki’s terminal illness adds more strain, with many emotions left unspoken. Their bond improves through a virtual reality meeting, where shared memories bring understanding and reveal their struggles to solve problems directly in real life.

7) The Xingese family (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

The Xingese royal family in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood portrays dysfunction through sibling rivalry, manipulation, and lack of support. Princes like Ling Yao compete fiercely for their father’s favor, fostering mistrust and tension. Greed’s betrayal underscores how personal ambitions can overshadow familial bonds. Mei Chang feels isolated due to the family’s emotional neglect, seeking solace in allies outside her kin.

Similar to other complex anime families, cultural pressures such as forcing daughters to produce heirs restrict their choices and breed resentment. Ling’s perilous quest for a Philosopher's Stone reveals the extreme lengths family members will go to meet expectations, often resulting in tragic consequences and strained relationships.

6) The Shiota family (Assassination Classroom)

The Shiota family in Assassination Classroom shows signs of dysfunction, especially in Nagisa Shiota's relationship with his parents. His mother, Hiromi, forces her unmet desires on him, making him adopt a feminine appearance and emotionally abusing him when he resists. His father is absent and unable to handle Hiromi’s controlling behavior, leaving Nagisa without support.

Like many dysfunctional anime families, this dynamic causes Nagisa to struggle with low confidence, anxiety, and emotional suppression. Hiromi’s manipulative nature and lack of healthy communication isolate Nagisa, forcing him to rely on unhealthy coping strategies. Although he eventually confronts her, the damage caused by their relationship remains significant.

5) The Zoldyck family (Hunter x Hunter)

The Zoldyck Family (Image via Nippon Animation)

The Zoldyck family from Hunter x Hunter is a dysfunctional unit, marked by extreme pressure, manipulation, and isolation. Each member faces high expectations to be perfect, like Killua, who struggles with his identity while being trained as an assassin.

As with many anime families, relationships are often manipulative, exemplified by Illumi controlling his siblings for his own gain. Fear and isolation are common, especially with Alluka, who is kept locked away because of her dangerous Nen ability. Communication is poor, with Milluki ignoring his family, and violence is a normal part of their lives, making it a toxic environment without real emotional connections.

4) The Todoroki family (My Hero Academia)

The Todoroki Family (Image via Studio Bones)

The Todoroki family from My Hero Academia is a prime example of dysfunction, marked by trauma, neglect, and abuse, primarily caused by the patriarch, Enji Todoroki (Endeavor). Enji's obsessive pursuit of becoming the number one hero led to neglectful and abusive treatment, especially toward his children, including harsh training for Shoto and neglect of his eldest son, Toya, who later became Dabi.

Like many troubled anime families, the Todorokis grapple with identity, resentment, and unresolved trauma, which are central to their narrative. Rei, the mother, suffered emotional distress, culminating in a tragic incident. The story highlights a cycle of abuse and the challenge of healing.

3) The Reiss family (Attack on Titan)

The Reiss family in Attack on Titan is dysfunctional due to secrecy, manipulation, and violence. Rod Reiss values power over his family, forcing his daughter Historia into harmful traditions. At the same time, their history includes cannibalistic rituals to pass on Titan powers, turning family members into mere vessels.

As with many complex anime families, emotional isolation is common, with members like Frieda struggling with trauma and mental health issues. Violence and betrayal shape their story, as Grisha Yeager kills most of the family. Their generational trauma, caused by past choices like imprisoning Ymir Fritz, creates a cycle of violence and dysfunction, affecting their relationships and society.

2) The Daigo family (Dororo)

The Daigo family in Dororo shows clear dysfunction, especially through the father's actions, Kagemitsu Daigo. He sacrifices his son, Hyakkimaru, to demons for power, ignoring his parental responsibilities. This betrayal leaves Hyakkimaru without limbs and organs, forcing him to fight to regain his body. Kagemitsu shows no guilt, making the family’s problems worse.

The rivalry between Hyakkimaru and his brother, Tahomaru, is also driven by their father’s manipulation, leading to violent conflicts. The cycle of pain continues with Hyakkimaru’s mother, Nui No Kata, who sacrifices herself, highlighting the family’s tragic and dysfunctional nature.

1) The Zabi family (Mobile Suit Gundam)

The Zabi family in Mobile Suit Gundam is dysfunctional due to power struggles, betrayal, and a lack of real bonds. Patriarch Degwin Zabi’s rise to power involved betrayal, setting off rivalry among his children, who were given important military roles.

Raised in an authoritarian environment, the siblings, Gihren, Dozle, and Kycilia focused more on ambition and control than family unity. Their relationships were filled with distrust and manipulation, leading to infighting that helped cause Zeon’s downfall. The Zabis’ dysfunction shows how ambition can destroy family ties, representing larger themes of power and betrayal in the series.

Final thoughts

These 10 anime families show how dysfunction can stem from manipulation, trauma, and unmet expectations. Whether through betrayal, abuse, or emotional distance, these families highlight the effects of toxic relationships, often leading to tragic outcomes and broken bonds, making them memorable examples of family chaos in anime.