Slavery in Anime: A disturbing trend

I first encountered the issue in “How not to Summon a Demon Lord”, a fantasy anime that premiered in 2018. The show follows a young man who gets transported to his favourite MMO as his own persona. An attempt to enslave him is reflected on the other two main characters who from the point on are his slaves. He is very embarrassed by the situation and tries desperately at the start to find a way to remove their slave collars. However by the end of the first series we have seen a slave trader who’s slaves are happy to be enslaved, and other characters are basically begging the MC to enslave them.

Some other anime that portrays slavery in a positive light that I’ve watched has been “Rising of the shield hero”, “The Ancient Magus Bride” and “Black Summoner”. All of which have the MC buy slaves who are sickly or in need of help but then do not “free” them. They just keep them as party members when no one else in the world would join with them.

 These enslaved characters are depicted as loyal, selfless, and even proud to serve their masters. The master characters, on the other hand, are portrayed as benevolent, almost parental figures, “protecting” their “children” from a harsh world. I was stunned – the very institution that has caused unimaginable suffering in our real history was turned into a “family” trope. I couldn't help but wonder: is the anime industry inadvertently glorifying a system that was meant to be fought against?

The trend isn’t limited to only anime, there have also been some hentai titles falling into this state as well. Harem in the Labyrinth of Another World also feature enslaved characters who willingly accept their role as a duty. The dialogue is filled with reverence for the masters, and scenes of the enslaved people “working hard” or “being grateful” are celebrated. It feels like a perverse romanticization of oppression. I know some might argue that it’s pure fantasy, but the problem isn’t the setting – it’s the framing. When a narrative normalizes slavery as a necessary, even noble, part of the story, it risks desensitizing viewers, especially younger ones, to the real horror of the practice.

I can’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment. Anime has always been a vehicle for challenging themes: discrimination, trauma, the struggle for identity. It has given us stories that encourage empathy and reflection. Yet here we have a new wave of series that seemingly erases the brutality and moral reprehensibility of slavery. The way the enslaved characters are depicted – content, loyal, almost content with their fate – feels like a betrayal of historical truth. And in a world where people are more conscious than ever about representation, it seems like a step backwards.

The question I keep asking myself is: why do some creators choose this route? Perhaps it’s a narrative shortcut, a convenient way to establish hierarchy and conflict. Maybe it’s a misguided attempt to add depth to a fictional world. Whatever the motivation, the result is the same: it normalizes a system that caused unspeakable suffering.

There are still anime out  there that are taking a negative stance towards slavery, such as “Skeleton Knight in Another World”, “One Piece” and “Overlord”, where the MC is actively fighting against the practice. So the world has not completely fallen over the edge and some are still taking the correct stance on this terrible part of human history.

In closing, I urge fellow viewers to look critically at the media they consume. If a series seems to romanticize slavery or any form of oppression, let that be a red flag. Demand narratives that challenge us, not those that reinforce harmful tropes. Anime has always been about imagination and possibility; let’s not let that imagination be clouded by an unearned, misguided sense of comfort in oppression.

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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.