The Uncensored Version of 2026's Most Controversial Anime Episode Is Getting an Official Release
2 hours ago
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CloverWorks
Published Apr 23, 2026, 4:52 PM EDT
Megan Peters is the Deputy Editor at ScreenRant for comics, anime, and manga. Her career in entertainment journalism spans more than a decade as she built coverage lanes at ComicBook under CBS and Paramount following years of freelancing.
Megan is an experienced video host and event reporter. She previously hosted podcasts such as Anime Initative and is the current co-host of That Pokemon Podcast.
There aren't many words that can singlehandedly upset the entire anime fandom, but there is one that's stood the test of time. For better or worse, any talk of censorship never fails to rile up netizens. As the anime industry continues to globalize, censorship has become more of an issue than ever before, leaving fans to file more and more complaints. Anime fans don't often win the war against censorship, but thanks to a new report, we've learned one hit TV series is trying to make amends with upset viewers.
Kadokawa
According to the website, the anime will post the uncensored version of Rent-a-Girlfriend this summer when season five begins releasing its Blu-ray editions. At this point, no information has been given on whether this uncensored episode will be released outside of Japan. Traditionally, this kind of uncensored content is exclusive to Blu-ray releases, but streaming services like HIDIVE have made such content available with age restrictions. For now, fans will have to wait and see where the decision lands.
Rent-A-Girlfriend Isn't The Only Modern Anime Sparking Censorship Debate
Given the risqué nature of Rent-a-Girlfriend, the harem anime knows the drill when it comes to censorship. Fans may want the anime to adapt the hit manga scene for scene, but network television has its own standards to uphold. In order to keep its time slot, Rent-a-Girlfriend must adhere to certain content guidelines, and that means nudity is often a no-go. The team behind Rent-a-Girlfriend must work in tandem with these guidelines lest the show be cancelled entirely, so this Blu-ray exclusive is a fair middle ground for fans to explore.
It must also be noted that Rent-a-Girlfriend isn't alone in its war against censorship. A slew of modern anime have faced content adjustments and cuts in Japan. Famously, My Dress-Up Darling faced censors when its anime began in 2022 as certain fan-service elements featuring nudity were cut from the show. Other hit anime such as Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation and Interspecies Reviewers faced censorship for similar reasons. Even A-list anime titles like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba have faced pushback from censors for excessive violence and visual gore, so no series is immune when it comes to television standards. If giants like Dragon Ball have to play by the rules, then Rent-a-Girlfriend will have to do the same.
If you want to catch up on Rent-a-Girlfrienddespite its recent censorship, the anime has never been easier to watch. The hit series is streaming on Crunchyroll (subbed and dubbed).
CloverWorks
Kadokawa
English (US) ·