New research from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) shows that 88% of people believe there is a potential risk to children if anime is not given appropriate and consistent age ratings. The study highlights that many parents who are unfamiliar with anime often assume it is always suitable for children.

The BBFC’s research combined ten online focus groups with a national survey of 2,001 participants aged 16 and over. The study included anime fans, non-fans, teenagers, and parents, and focused on how UK audiences respond to sexualised content in anime, such as sex references, nudity, and abusive behavior. The findings provide insight into how different groups interpret sexual material in anime and how well current BBFC classifications match public expectations.

Anime now makes up a significant portion of content classified by the BBFC. In 2025 so far, anime accounts for 24% of all content classified for DVD and Blu-ray release in the UK, more than double in recent years. Of the anime classified between January and November 2025, two-thirds received age ratings between U and 12, while one-third was rated 15 or 18.

The public strongly supports the BBFC’s approach to classifying anime. In nine out of ten cases, audiences agreed with the BBFC’s age ratings. 81% of respondents said sexual scenes in anime should be classified the same as in live-action content. 69% believe sexualised nudity in anime should receive a higher rating than natural nudity, and 90% agreed that certain visual techniques—such as lingering shots or close-ups—make nudity more sexualised, regardless of the story context.

When deciding between age rating categories, the most significant factors for a higher rating were:

• Misuse of authority in power-imbalanced situations (86%)
• Characters who appear or act childlike (82%)
• “Fan service”—sexual content or gratuitous nudity not essential to the plot (nearly 80%)

Some factors helped reduce concerns about sexualised content, such as the absence of nudity, the use of humor, or when problematic behavior was challenged. 47% of respondents felt comedic or fantastical elements could lessen the impact of sexual material, and 40% said brief and infrequent sexual content might justify a lower age rating.

BBFC age ratings and content advice are seen as essential tools by 90% of respondents for helping parents and caregivers ensure children watch age-appropriate content. 84% believe content advice should explain unfamiliar anime tropes or terms. The BBFC system is the most recognized in the UK, with 92% of people recognizing its age ratings, and 87% of those saying they trust them all or most of the time.

With anime widely available on streaming platforms—some of which do not display BBFC ratings—there is a greater risk of children encountering content without clear age guidance. 91% of respondents believe age ratings for anime should be consistent across all platforms.

David Austin, Chief Executive at BBFC, stated that anime’s growing popularity in the UK makes clear and consistent age ratings more important than ever. He emphasized the BBFC’s commitment to ensuring every anime film and series released in the UK is classified appropriately, providing families and fans with reliable guidance. Austin also noted that as streaming services expand anime’s reach, the BBFC will continue to work towards making its ratings available wherever UK audiences watch anime.

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