The dichotomy between good and evil in the media, particularly in anime, has been analyzed, separated, and pieced together so many times that it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of who the villain is supposed to be. For viewers, it’s no longer about being pointed in the direction of an evil, villainous individual, but about a multitude of options for heroes and villains alike.
This new normal leaves plenty of room for the lines between good and evil to blur, more so now than ever. These days, some of the best heroes are teetering on the brink of villainy, and it may just take one push to send them into the deep end forever.
10 Kurapika’s revenge may have no limits (Hunter X Hunter)
At the beginning of hunter x hunter Kurapika is promoted as the cool, calm and collected member of the protagonist group, possessing a high level of intelligence with a brilliant strategic mind. He seems much more content than the others, even more so than the trained assassin, Killua.
However, Kurapika hides a secret. In reality, he is on a mission to destroy the Phantom Troupe, a criminal group responsible for the slaughter of the 128 members of his village, the Kurta clan. Kurapika risks becoming a much scarier person in her quest for justice. And while he modifies his most powerful Nen ability to only work on company members, he won’t be afraid to take down anyone who gets in his way.
9 Nezuko Kamado is still a demon (Demon Slayer)
Nezuko, Tanjiro’s beloved sister who was turned into a demon at the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji, does her best to retain her humanity even in her new form in Murderer of demons. She sleeps in a box during the day, wears a mouth guard to prevent accidental bites, and refuses to attack humans even when they try to kill her first.
Unfortunately, Nezuko is still a demon, and there is no telling when her patience or self-control will run out. Her biggest supporter and the source of much of her positive energy is her older brother Tanjiro, but who knows what would happen to Nezuko if something horrible happened to Tanjiro in Murderer of demons.
8 Kaiman’s past could come back to bite him (Dorehedoro)
On the hunt for who exactly turned him into an anthropomorphic lizard, Kaiman is a friendly individual with a terrifying appearance in Dorehedoro. He has total amnesia since before his transformation, so Kaiman fills his days looking for information with his best friend Nikaidou and eating gyozas.
However, as time passes, it becomes clear that the person Kaiman was before his transformation was not as good as the lizard-man he is now. Kaiman is incredibly powerful, with a jaw that could rip the heads off his opponents in seconds, and if he were to go back to his old habits, he would become a formidable foe.
7 Roy Mustang’s emotions can overflow (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
On Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Roy Mustang is a state alchemist who often finds that the Elric brothers cross his path. Viewers get to know Mustang as a sometimes cold, but often brilliant alchemist, though he has one glaring flaw.
As the Flame Alchemist, it’s no surprise that Colonel Mustang can be so powerfully driven by his emotions. After losing his colleague and friend, Maes Hughes, Mustang shows how violent his need for revenge can be. Had Mustang lost his colleague, closest friend, and love interest, Riza Hawkeye, or perhaps even one of the Elric brothers, it is unknown if he would have been able to stop his rampage.
6 Armin Arlert has a lot of power (Attack on titans)
From the beginning of attack on titanArmin has always been the quietest of the main trio. His two best friends, Eren and Mikasa, are hotheaded and like to fight, while Armin is more comfortable using his mind and retreating.
But since Eren himself has gotten more into villainy, Armin can continue down the same route. The series is known for being morally gray, so much so that the audience will find themselves heavily rooting for characters on both sides, and it would only take some questionable tactical decisions from Armin to place him in the same category as Eren.
5 Naruto Uzumaki is good through the power of will alone, Naruto
It sounds ridiculous to suggest that Naruto, the paragon of friendship, redemption, and kindness, could end up being anything but the hero. naruto and its sequels, naruto shippudenand borutomake sure the audience knows that Naruto is a true hero through and through and that his resolve rarely wavers.
Gaara showed viewers that if Naruto had simply succumbed to the isolation of his village, or if he hadn’t had Iruka fighting in his corner, he could easily have become one of the most powerful villains in the series. Gaara was the original example of how close Naruto was to the brink and the horrible reality that Konoha was only safe because Naruto was a good and righteous person.
4 Homura Akechi will do anything to save Madoka, Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Many would already say that Homura stepped into villainy a long time ago in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, ready to crush anyone and everyone who stood in her way as she sought out Madoka’s survival. However, even when she lost almost all of her humanity, Homura never wanted to harm the other girls to save Madoka. She has always tried to be heroic, as her friend would want.
However, it’s obvious that Homura is more likely to fall into villainy sooner rather than later. She struggles to retain both her humanity and her compassion when it comes to finding ways to save Madoka, and losing herself forever can prove fatal.
3 Ganta Igarashi Was Falsely Imprisoned, Deadman Wonderland
As one of the more tragic characters that viewers can’t help but feel terrible about, no one would blame Ganta for resorting to villainy to get results. Falsely accused of slaughtering his entire class, including his dear friends, Ganta was sent to Deadman Wonderland and subjected to a world of torment.
no matter what happened in dead man wonderland, Ganta stood by both his morals and his innocence. He even tried to try to help fix the corrupt systems that made the prison even worse. Ganta was wrongfully imprisoned in a place full of strangers trying to assassinate him, so it’s surprising that the last straw hasn’t broken the camel’s back yet.
two Touka Kirishima has already lost too much, Tokyo Ghoul
Touka has lost an incredible amount in terror in tokyo and he’s been through so much pain, it’s amazing that he still fights for the good of the world every day. Her arc largely revolves around her dual, overbearing feelings of anger and kindness, and the struggle she faces trying to balance them.
However, it is documented that Touka particularly struggles with her emotions when she loses someone close to her, and each time she does, her low self-esteem is reinforced. Although the Touka at the end of the series is well adjusted, there were many times when she could have lost everything.
1 Louis’s anger simmers below the surface, Beastars
Louis was a character who, despite the image he gave others, always felt incredibly volatile below the surface in beasts. The intense pressure he had put on himself and the insecurities he had due to a life of neglect forced him to reject all of his weaknesses for one dangerous flaw.
Louis’s friendship with Legoshi and deep need for justice help him stay on the heroic side of things, but he certainly has his fair share of dark moments. Louis gives off the vibes of a man on the edge, and it wouldn’t take much to push him toward villainy forever.
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