BBFC publishes new research on sexual content in anime

• New BBFC research highlights need for appropriate and consistent age ratings for anime content to protect children 

• 90% say BBFC age ratings and content advice are essential tools to help parents ensure age-appropriate viewing for their children

• 91% of respondents think age ratings for anime should follow consistent standards, wherever the content is accessed

New research commissioned by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has found  nearly nine in 10 (88%) people agree there is a potential child protection risk if anime content is not age-rated appropriately and consistently, with parents who are unfamiliar with anime frequently assuming it is inherently “child-friendly”.

The mixed-methods study combined ten online focus groups with a national survey of 2,001 participants aged 16 and over to examine how UK audiences respond to sexualised content in anime –  including sex references, nudity and abusive behaviour. Both strands included anime fans, non-fans, teenagers, and parents. Understanding how opinions differ – particularly between fans familiar with anime’s stylistic and cultural conventions and those who are less accustomed to them – provides valuable insight into how UK audiences interpret sexual material in anime and how well current BBFC classifications and content advice align with public expectations in the UK. 

The findings come as the BBFC is classifying more anime than ever before for physical media release in the UK. In 2025 so far, anime has accounted for nearly a quarter (24%) of content classified by the BBFC for release on DVD and Blu-ray – a proportion that has more than doubled in recent years. While two-thirds of anime classified between January and November 2025 received age ratings between U and 12, one-third was rated 15 or 18. 

The research shows the BBFC’s approach to anime classification is strongly supported by the public. In nine out of ten cases, audiences agreed with the BBFC’s age ratings for anime. And in line with the BBFC’s current approach, 81 per cent say that sexual scenes in anime content are equally impactful as in live-action content, and should be classified similarly.

“They weren’t fully nude, and you didn’t see any of the things that you would describe as nudity, like nipples or genitals or something like that. So I suppose I’d be happy to go down to 12.” - 25 to 31-year-old fan

Consistent with existing BBFC policy, 69 per cent of people said sexualised nudity in anime should be rated higher than natural nudity. The majority highlighted that certain visual techniques can shift nudity from natural to sexualised. 90 per cent agreed that lingering shots, close-ups, or camera angles emphasising characters’ physical attributes add a sexualised dimension, regardless of the narrative context, and as such were identified as some of the most significant aggravating factors in determining higher age ratings for nudity.

“There was quite a few lingering shots on her breasts and buttocks, which wouldn't have been appropriate for a younger audience.” - Parent non-fan

The misuse of authority, within power-imbalanced situations, was identified as the most powerful aggravator (86%) when a scene sits on the borderline between two age rating categories, followed by characters who appear to be children or behave in a childlike way (82%). Similarly, nearly 80 per cent of respondents agreed that “fan service” – sexual content including gratuitous nudity or shots to titillate the viewer rather than being essential to the plot or character development – pushed content into higher classification categories.

“No nudity. No sexual content. No references to sexual violence. It’s just literally nothing that I think would be bumping it up.” - 25 to 31-year-old fan  

Audiences identified several factors that helped mitigate concerns around sexualised content, including the absence of nudity or explicit sexual activity, the use of humour, and instances where problematic behaviour was challenged or condemned. However, tolerance decreased when sexualisation was perceived as gratuitous, such as through overt “fan service.”

Nearly half of respondents (47%) felt that comedic or fantastical elements can lessen the impact of sexual material in anime, indicating that a lower age rating may be appropriate. Two in five (40%) also said that brief and infrequent sexual content may warrant a lower classification. 

“Other than the images we saw at the beginning of lingerie and things like that, I would be swaying more to a 12.” - Parent fan 

Nine in ten respondents (90%) said BBFC age ratings and content advice are essential tools for helping parents and caregivers ensure age-appropriate viewing for children. Participants placed high value on content advice as a trusted decision-making tool, with 84 per cent agreeing that content advice should explain unfamiliar tropes or terminology in anime. 

The BBFC classification system was identified as the most recognised in the UK, with 92 per cent of respondents recognising BBFC age ratings. Of those who recognised BBFC age ratings, 87 per cent say they trust them all or most of the time. 

“I just decided to keep it on the 15 just to be on the safer side.” - Parent fan 

With anime now widely available in the UK via streaming platforms, not all of which display BBFC age ratings and content advice, there is a greater chance of children and young people encountering material without clear guidance on age suitability. Nearly all (91%) of respondents believe that age ratings for anime should follow a consistent standard across all platforms, to ensure that trusted guidance is available wherever people are watching anime.

Implementing the findings of the research 

The research findings demonstrate that the BBFC’s approach to classifying anime – combining consistent age ratings with clear content advice – is highly trusted, continues to meet public expectations, and supports informed viewing decisions across all audience groups.

• Misuse of authority is a notable aggravator. The BBFC will continue to be cautious when classifying scenes involving trusted figures abusing power, particularly in school settings.

• Ambiguous age or childlike behaviour raises concern. Even where sexual connotation is not overt, audiences viewed such portrayals as aggravating. The BBFC will continue to apply higher ratings in borderline cases where perceived youthfulness increases sensitivity.

• “Fan service” divides UK audiences but is generally viewed as an aggravating factor. Gratuitous sexualisation of characters is frequently judged as warranting a higher classification, even by some anime fans. The BBFC will continue to consider such images of characters as indicative of higher age ratings when classifying content on the borderline between two categories.

• Lingering shots, verbal references, anatomical detail, and character poses are aggravating factors in strengthening the sexualisation of nudity. The BBFC will err on the side of caution and opt for higher ratings where appropriate. 

• Content advice is a trusted decision making tool and should explain unfamiliar tropes or terminology in anime. The BBFC will ensure its extended content advice explains unfamiliar tropes or terminology in anime. 

David Austin OBE, Chief Executive, BBFC, said: “Anime’s explosion in popularity—from record-breaking box-office releases to a surge in physical media—shows just how deeply it has captured the British imagination. But not all anime is appropriate for children. Eighty-eight per cent of audiences told us there is a potential child-protection risk if anime content is not age-rated appropriately and consistently.

“Our research is clear: ninety per cent of people say that age ratings and clear content advice are essential tools for parents and caregivers seeking to ensure age-appropriate viewing. British audiences want trusted and consistent age ratings to help keep children safe wherever they’re watching. 

“As Ofcom shapes the future Video-on-Demand Code, we’re committed to ensuring every anime film and series released in the UK is classified appropriately, giving families and fans clear guidance they can rely on. And as streaming services bring anime to wider audiences than ever before, we will continue to work on a voluntary best-practice basis to ensure consistent, recognisable BBFC ratings are available wherever UK audiences choose to watch.”