2025’s Darkest Anime Quietly Censors a Pivotal Scene After Weeks Dominating Crunchyroll
Even the year’s bleakest anime couldn’t dodge the censor’s scissors: Gachiakuta’s episode 20 scrubs Rudo’s defiant middle finger to Zodyl Typhon from the moment that hit hard in manga chapter 71—stirring fresh debate over anime censorship.
Gachiakuta has been one of the grimiest, meanest anime of the year, which makes this little speed bump extra annoying: the show just censored a moment fans really care about.
What changed
In the manga (Chapter 71), Rudo flips the bird at Zodyl Typhon, who sure looks like an antagonist for now. In the anime (episode 20), that gesture got swapped out for a thumbs-down. Fans spotted it immediately; one post making the rounds on Nov 23, 2025 summed up the mood with:
"sighhhh we lost" — nat (@scissoreaper)
It is not the first time a manga moment gets sanded down in animation, but for a series that sells itself as scrappy and confrontational, losing a sharp, character-defining beat stings.
Why the switch
The boring answer: ratings and reach. Gachiakuta was not positioned as an R-rated title. Meanwhile, shows like Chainsaw Man, Tougen Anki, or even some runs of One Punch Man often land in 18+ territory depending on region and platform. If you want a wider audience from day one, you keep a lid on gestures and shots that can trip broadcast and platform guidelines. Hence the thumbs-down swap. It keeps the vibe without poking the ratings bear, even if it dulls the edge a bit.
Could the time slot have saved it?
Maybe, but not cleanly. A late-night broadcast in Japan traditionally buys you more leeway. The complication now is global simulcasting and wildly different time zones. There is no universally safe hour anymore, and platforms want one version that clears the most standards with the least friction.
Will the Blu-ray restore the middle finger?
Fans are hoping for it, but temper expectations. Redrawing, re-compositing, or re-animating a shot costs time and money, and Bones Film might decide that a restored hand gesture is not where the disc budget goes. It is possible; it is not guaranteed.
- Title: Gachiakuta
- Release date: July 6, 2025
- Studio: Bones Film
- Genre: Action, Fantasy
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
- The scene in question: Manga Chapter 71 (Rudo flips off Zodyl Typhon) vs. Anime Episode 20 (changed to a thumbs-down)
- Read the manga: Available digitally on the K Manga App
The bigger picture
Fans expected the adaptation to lean into the manga's grit, so yeah, this particular tweak landed poorly. With darker arcs ahead, it probably will not be the last tough call the show has to make under non-R-rated constraints. Best case, the team finds smarter workarounds; worst case, we see more edges sanded down.
Do you think the swap was harmless housekeeping or uncalled-for censorship? And if a Blu-ray fix does not happen, does it matter to you going forward?