) is one of the most controversial and infamous entries in anime history. Based on the 1984 (erotic-grotesque) manga by Suehiro Maruo
Keep in mind that this is a relatively obscure anime, and opinions about it vary. If you're interested in watching "Midori Shoujo Tsubaki," I recommend checking out some online reviews, summaries, or analyses to get a better sense of whether it's the right fit for your tastes. midori shoujo tsubaki anime
Set in the early Showa era (late 1920s), the story follows , a 14-year-old girl orphaned after her mother's death. Deceived into joining a traveling circus troupe, she finds herself in a living nightmare, subjected to extreme physical, psychological, and sexual abuse by the performers. Her only hope comes from the arrival of Wandâ Masamitsu , a dwarf magician with supernatural abilities who takes a special interest in her—though his presence brings its own dark consequences. The film is famous for its unflinching portrayal of: ) is one of the most controversial and
You're looking for a review of the anime "Midori Shoujo Tsubaki"! Set in the early Showa era (late 1920s),
As of 2025, Midori remains a difficult watch. The "restored" DVDs are often out of print, and streaming rights are non-existent on major platforms. You will likely find it only via independent horror distributors (like Unearthed Films) or, ironically, on certain "grey area" boutique Blu-ray labels.
The film was completed in 1992. Because of its extreme content, no major Japanese distributor would touch it. Harada attempted to screen it at film festivals and indie theaters. However, in the wake of the 1989 "Tokyo Junior High School Girl Murder Case" (the "Otaku Murderer" incident), Japan was in a moral panic regarding otaku culture and fictional depictions of violence against minors. The film’s explicit scenes of a pre-teen girl being molested by circus freaks made it de facto unpresentable.
Harada eventually entered the film into a competition requiring a "no cuts" clause. It was shown at a handful of festivals, but when the organizers tried to schedule a general release, distributors pulled out citing fears of violating obscenity laws (specifically Article 175 of the Japanese penal code regarding "indecent" materials).