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The worst mothers in anime often leave forever marks on their children and thus onto the plot, showing how destructive a maternal figure could be. While most anime shows narrate the complexities of becoming a parent, there are some others for sheer coldness and cruelty.
These characters represent neglect, manipulation, and abuse, thus bringing fear and desperation to the offspring. Their behaviors have brought about many critical plot turning points and character developments, highlighting the darker side of family relations. Here are the ten worst mothers in anime, ranking from least cruel to the most cruel.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and includes spoilers from the anime.
Saika Gasai, Akemi Hinazuk, and 8 other worst mothers in anime ranked based on cruelty
10) Medusa Gorgon (Soul Eater)
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Medusa Gorgon is the epitome of the toxically evil parent archetype by maltreating and tormenting her son, Crona. Rather than nurturing her child, she exploits Crona for her evil missions and keeps him miserable in a life of constant emotional and psychological torture.
Medusa used Crona as a test subject for experiments because of her excessive desire to attain power while ignoring every option related to his needs. The dynamic creates a deeply troubled relationship, causing Crona to stumble on self-worth and identity constantly. She traumatizes Crona and brings about a cycle of fear and despair through her actions, placing her among the worst mothers in anime.
9) Sayu's Mother (Higehiro)
Sayu's mother, in the anime Higehiro, shows the worst aspects of motherhood through her neglectful and abusive behavior. Her desires came first before her child, which brought an unhealthy assemblage, causing Sayu to feel unwanted and unloved. Rather than giving emotional support to her daughter, she quoted stones for her to live in.
Her lack of mercy forces Sayu into precarious situations, making her vulnerable and isolated. It sets the stage for Sayu's hardships during this series, highlighting the intense effects of her mother’s actions. Considering her brutality and inability to save her child, Sayu's mother is one of the worst mothers in anime.
8) Ren Sohma (Fruits Basket)
Ren Sohma, the mother to Akito in Fruits Basket, is one of the worst mothers in anime because of ruthless manipulation and emotional abuse. She breeds fear and fear alone in her child and nurtures an atmosphere of control and resentment. The characteristic obsession that fuels Ren with the curse of the Sohma family causes her to ignore Akito's emotional needs, which greatly provokes deep psychological trauma.
Her cold attitude and evil practices regarding this issue put Akito, the character, in a circle of abuse. She does not provide her child with any love and support but uses him as an instrument, exploiting motherly love to fulfill his ambitions.
7) Hiromi Shiota (Assassination Classroom)
Hiromi Shiota in Assassination Classroom is among the worst mothers in anime due to her having oppressive tendencies and domination over her son Nagisa. She can not accept his identity, hence enforces her will upon him by forcing him to adopt a feminine appearance, including clothing and hairstyles that do not reflect his true self.
This was all part of a vicious manipulation of his personal space, which renders Nagisa resentful and imprisoned in a place of his own choice. Hiromi's obsessive, controlling attitude about her son's life means there is no respect for his individuality or personal choices. It serves as a setting for emotional turmoil and confusion and brands her as one of the worst mothers in anime.
6) Saika Gasai (Future Diary)
Saika Gasai of Future Diary is one of the worst mothers in anime. Her behavior toward her daughter, Yuno, had been abusive and neglectful. Saika was particularly isolated because of her busy husband, who projected all her frustrations toward her daughter.
This emotional and physical torture consisted of putting Yuno in a cage and starvation combined with labeling her a "bad daughter." Saika's excessive fit of affection was followed by guilt, which distorted Yuno's perception of love and acceptance, causing major psychological difficulties. This toxic relationship did not allow Yuno to grow but instead led to her further violent activities.
5) Marianne Vi Britannia (Code Geass)
Marianne Vi Britannia is an ideal example of a manipulative and self-centered mother. She is in complete contrast to how she is often portrayed as a caring mother. Her real self is in absolute alignment with her husband, Emperor Charles, as they both seek a world where they are the sole power holders. She sees her children, Lelouch and Nunnally, as tools to help her move forward with her master plans rather than seeing them as people.
Behind her mask of care, she can hide her false affection and is willing to sacrifice the well-being and happiness of the children in order to reach her own goals. This makes her one of the worst mothers in anime history.
4) Akemi Hinazuki (Erased)
Akemi Hinazuki from Erased is a harsh, cruel mother who brings immensurable torture to her daughter, Kayo. Akemi did not merely neglect her daughter, as she often tortured and psychologically tormented her as well. Akemi separated Kayo from the world by not allowing her to have close relationships or any kind of normal childhood.
She showed no concern for Kayo’s well-being, even when her daughter was at risk of being kidnapped. Her cold, heartless behavior and complete lack of remorse make her a deeply disturbing character. Akemi’s abusive nature directly contributed to the trauma and vulnerability Kayo experienced, cementing her place as one of the worst mothers in anime.
3) Isabella (The Promised Neverland)
Isabella of The Promised Neverland is a chilling example of how one's cruel intentions could be covered under the disguise of love. A caretaker entrusted with the sacred responsibility of looking after orphaned children, she succeeds in gaining their trust and love before sending them to their deaths as food to demons.
Her act is not out of desperation but a calculated decision to secure her survival in the dastardly system. She knows the inevitable fate awaiting the children yet raises them in an environment filled with all affection, only to betray them at the right moment. Her willingness to sacrifice innocent lives makes her one of the three worst mothers in anime.
2) Cordelia Sakamaki (Diabolik Lovers)
Cordelia Sakamaki, from Diabolik Lovers, demonstrates maternal neglect and cruelty. As a demon lord's daughter, she has absolutely no maternal feelings towards her triplet sons, Kanato, Ayato, and Laito. Her actions with Kanato are rather nasty because she forces him to sing until his vocal cord is damaged.
Ayato has to suffer constant criticism and physical abuse despite his desperate attempts to gain her approval. However, the most terrifying is her taking advantage of Laito, whom she sexually assaults in a bizarre effort to draw her husband's attention. Cordelia's actions show an utter disregard for the welfare of her offspring and put them through severe psychological and physical torture.
Her actions do not limit themselves to mere neglect but cross lines into deliberate and sadistic abuse in order to further the position of one of the worst mothers in anime.
1) Ragyo Kiryuin (Kill La Kill)
Ragyo Kiryuin exploits and uses her daughters and indulges them in abominable experiments and emotional torture. Ragyo Kiryuin treats her children as equipment in order to achieve her goal without any regard for their lives. She even goes as far as to discard one of her daughters, showing a complete lack of maternal affection.
Ragyo's brutal treatment of her family, both physically and emotionally, has made the mark for cementing her as the most heartless and destructive parental figure, ranking in the top three worst mothers in anime.
Final thoughts
Anime often depicts the difficulties of motherhood, but at its darkest ends of the spectrum, there are characters like Ragyo Kiryuin, Cordelia Sakamaki, and Isabella. These mothers, whose selfish desires, cruelties, and neglect can lead to destructive paths for the lives of their children, leave the most profound scars.
Their poisonous nature impacts not just their family but the bigger story, revealing how toxic such destructive parenting can be. These mothers show exactly how maternal figures can ruin or save the future of their children. From manipulative measures to abuse, they absolutely rank among the worst mothers in anime.
Related links:
- 7 anime studios with the worst working conditions
- 10 Worst Mother Parents, ranked based on how much they tormented their children
- 10 characters who had worst mothers in anime
- 5 live-action anime adaptations universally hated (and 5 that are well-liked)
