Animeoften presents characters initially seen as villains, only for their stories to reveal how wrong our opinions were about them. These characters may seem cold and cruel initially, but as we learn more about their backstories, they become far more complex. Whether it’s a tragic one, a misunderstood motive, or being judged too quickly, these characters challenge our perceptions and make us reconsider what it truly means to be a hero or a villain.
Take Itachi Uchiha from Naruto, for example, who was introduced to the audience as a cold-blooded murderer whose true intentions are revealed to be far more complicated, as he sacrificed everything he loved for the greater good. Similarly, Saitama from One Punch Man appears as a seemingly apathetic and overpowered figure, but his search for meaning and purpose adds much more magic to his character. Such characters exist to remind us that there’s often more to a story than meets the eye.
10Kusuo Saiki - The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.
As In The Title, A Psychic Hero With A Disastrous Life
Written by Shūichi Asō, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is an anime that follows the story of Kusuo Saiki, a young guy with all sorts of psychic abilities, but he really wishes he didn’t have them. Kusuo wants to live a normal life but is often misunderstood when he tries to do so.
His powers always cause problems, and he always has to deal with the chaos created by the people around him. That’s why the title of the anime perfectly sums up the kind of life he leads.
9Meruem - Hunter X Hunter
The Lonely King Of The Chimera Ants
Meruem first appears in the Chimera Ant Arcas the ruthless King of the Chimera Ants who sees humans as nothing more than preyand has no regret over his actions. Over time, the character of Meruem goes through a major change, largely because of his bond with Komugi, a human with whom he builds a connection based on trust and respect.
Although his thirst for power ultimately led to his doom, and there’s no denying Meruem is a ruthless killer, his relationship with Komugi showed us a side of him that longs for a connection.
8Nico Robin - One Piece
Falsely Known As The Devil Child Of Ohara
One of the members of the Straw Hat Crew, Nico Robin, is a fan favorite not just because she’s incredibly cool but also because her backstory is both heartbreaking and brilliantly written. Nico Robin was the only survivor of Ohara, a place where scholars used to study forbidden history.
All her life, she kept hiding from the World Government for her involvement in researching the Void Century, a topic they had forbidden. As a consequence, the government spread lies, labeling her as the “devil child,” a trauma that stuck with her until she joined Luffy and the crew, who saw that her true motive was entirely scholarly.
7Saitama - One Punch Man
He’s More Than Just A Hero For Fun
Some anime fans complain that Saitama is a one-dimensional character with little depth since he can defeat his enemies with just one punch.People often forget that Saitama’s character isn’t about power, but about searching for a purpose, something many of us struggle to find.
Saitama was once just a lazy guy who pushed himself to the limit and became so strong that no one could keep up. But instead of being proud, all he really wants is to find someone who can challenge him, showing that he’s not the shallow character people think he is.
6Koro-Sensei - Assassination Classroom
The Smiling Koro-Sensei Of 3-E Is More Than He Lets On
Koro-sensei, the always-smiling teacher of Class 3-E, grew up in the slums where he became an assassin who would kill anyone for the right price. His life gave him a chance to redeem himself, as the dying wish of a woman he loved, Aguri Yukimura, pushed him to leave his past behind and become a teacher.
There, he gave his students the task of killing him before the academic year ended, or he would destroy the Earth. But he wasn’t trying to be cruel; he was only pushing his students to exceed their potential and become the best they could be.
5Naruto Uzumaki - Naruto Series
His Depressing Childhood Could Have Altered His Journey
Who would have guessed that an annoying kid with yellow hair and unmatched charisma would grow up to become the Hokage of the people who once saw him as a monster? Throughout his childhood, Naruto faced prejudice in the Hidden Leaf Village, not only from kids his age but even from adults, because they feared the power inside him.
Back when the Nine-Tailed Beast attacked the village, it was sealed within Naruto, making him a Jinchuriki, which was considered a curse. So, instead of seeing him as just a vessel, people blamed him personally for the destruction Kuruma or Obito caused.
4Lelouch Vi Brittanica - Code Geass
The Rebel Prince Of The Holy Britannian Empire
Lelouch Lamperouge was born into a noble family but was banished by his father, Emperor Charles of the Britannian Empire, someone Lelouch despised throughout his childhood. Therefore,he made it his mission to defeat this evil, but he did things that made him seem just as evil.
Lelouch was a morally complicated character who used manipulation and caused countless deaths along the way. Yet, it’s hard to deny that his goal was to create a better world. From a tragic prince to a misunderstood vigilante, Lelouch’s story shows how difficult it can be to stay on the path of what’s right.
3Eren Yeager - Attack On Titan
A Messiah For The People Of Paradis, A Devil For The Rest Of The World
Many see Eren Yeager as one of the most villainous characters ever, but his actions have a deeper reason behind them. He just wanted to end the centuries of suffering the Eldians had faced, especially the ones bound to Paradis.
Attack on Titan began by introducing viewers to the people living on the island of Paradis, surrounded by walls on all sides as the terrifying Titans roamed nearby, ready to kill without hesitation. As the series went on, we found that things weren’t as simple. The Titans weren’t the true villains; it was humans outside the walls who were the real evil, and Eren just wanted to end this oppression in the most violent way possible.
2Prince Zuko - Avatar: The Last Airbender
One Of The Greatest Redemption Arcs In Entertainment
Banished prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko’s story is one of the finest Redemption arcs you’ll ever see in the entertainment industry. Misunderstood his whole life by his nation and even being banished by his father, Zuko carried a trauma that stayed with him literally as a scar.
So, he made it his mission to one day make his father proud, a goal that led him to suppress a kinder side within him. At first, we saw him as a villain, but as his story unfolded, we got a glimpse into his inner battles ,and he eventually became a beloved character.
1Itachi Uchiha - Naruto Series
Again, Tough Choices Made For The Greater Good
From the first episode of the original Naruto, Itachi Uchiha is hinted at as a cold and ruthless character, willing to do anything, as he wipes out his entire clan, including his parents. Everyone saw Itachi’s story through the eyes of his brother Sasuke, who hated him and eventually killed him.
However, the writers surprised us all later,when they revealed that Itachi was working for a greater cause. When the Uchiha clan was planning a coup against the Hidden Leaf Village, Itachi followed the orders of Konoha’s leadership, making him one of the most misunderstood characters in anime history.
