Anime is full of compelling characters ranging from iconic heroes to menacing villains to endearing sidekicks, ensuring that they, along with their respective series, will be remembered for years to come. However, there are some characters who become notorious for an immensely different reason, veering strongly away from any admiration or respect.
Some anime characters leave a lasting impression through the strong sense of hatred they evoke in the audience. These are the characters who often demonstrate darker traits when it comes to ambition and selfishness or a lack of remorse for their cruelty and manipulation. Their actions and behaviors have led to them becoming some of anime’s most hated.
Nina Einstein (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)
Nina Einstein is introduced as a shy, reserved Britannian student at Ashford Academy in Code Geass. She’s known for her academic brilliance and social anxiety; however, she stands out as one of the most talented members of her school’s student council. Yet, her worldview is heavily shaped by Britannia’s conflict with Japan.
As the series unfolds, she develops an obsessive, unhealthy attachment to Princess Euphemia, the Third Princess of the Britannian Imperial Family. She begins to toe the line between devotion and delusion. In time, her instability deepens and becomes fueled by intense xenophobia, displaying overt racism toward the Japanese and referring to them in a dehumanizing manner.
This hatred drives her to weaponize her intelligence, leading to the creation of the F.L.E.I.J.A. device, a bomb capable of mass destruction, crafted for the oppressive Britannian Empire to use. While Code Geass offers Nina a redemption arc, it does little to undo the damage she caused. Her racism, unchecked obsession, and catastrophic decisions led to terrible atrocities.
Kyubey (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Kyubey is a small, cat-like alien known as an Incubator from Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Kyubey presents itself as a harmless guide to young girls, offering them the chance to become magical girls in exchange for granting a single wish. Its cute, innocent appearance makes Kyubey seem harmless and trustworthy; however, it soon becomes clear that Kyubey is anything but.
Kyubey is devoid of human morality or empathy, often omitting the larger truth behind its actions and manipulating young girls into life-altering decisions without their fully informed consent, with unyielding persistence. As a result, the girls are drawn into an inescapable, tragic fate disguised as an opportunity that can’t be missed.
Yakumo Oomori “Jason” (Tokyo Ghoul)
Yakumo Oomori, infamously known as Tokyo Ghoul’s Jason, has a reputation for sadistic cruelty. As an executive of the Aogiri Tree organization, he holds both power and a degree of authority in the criminal organization. As an S-ranked ghoul, his strength was something few dared to defy, and he reveled in torturing humans and ghouls alike.
He becomes known as the 13th Ward’s Jason due to his brutality and full face mask. He enjoyed breaking his victims physically and psychologically, often driving them to the brink of insanity through relentless abuse. His lack of remorse and humanity made him a terrifying villain that fans agree has no chance for redemption.
Danzo Shimura (Naruto)
Danzo Shimura is a high-ranking shinobi of Konoha in Naruto. He comes across as a loyal patriot, presenting himself as a protector of the village. However, his methods are extreme, secretive, and often morally devoid. Behind his authority, Danzo is willing to sacrifice anything or anyone for what he perceives as the greater good.
He becomes infamous among the audience due to his manipulation and exploitation of children, using their lives as little more than tools in his schemes. His pursuit of power knows no bounds and leads him to acquire forbidden abilities, like multiple Sharigan eyes, which he obtained through unethical means.
Danzo completely disregards any personal cost and cares only for his vision of control and security. As Naruto unfolds, Danzo’s betrayal and corruption leave behind a massive and impactful scar on the story and lives of many characters, including Itachi Uchiha and Nagato, also known as Pain.
Malty S. Melromarc (The Rising of the Shield Hero)
Malty S. Melromarc is the primary antagonist of The Rising of the Shield Hero, and a princess of the Kingdom of Melromarc. At first glance, she’s polite and sweet. She’s the first person to join Naofumi Iwatani’s party when others refused to, appearing to show support and encouragement.
However, it soon becomes clear that she’s cunning and exploits her status to bend others to her will. Her most infamous act is falsely accusing Naofumi of sexual assault, setting off a chain of life-altering consequences for her own selfish gain. Malty weaponizes lies and ruins reputations without a care for the impact she may cause.
Sugou Nobuyuki (Sword Art Online)
Sugou Nobuyuki is introduced in Sword Art Online as Asuna’s arranged fiancé while she remained in a coma. He appears as a polished and influential executive, using his standing as the chief of the research institute at RECT Inc. to his advantage by seizing the server for the original Sword Art Online game and trapping 300 players to experiment on.
Sugou leverages his position and personal connections to manipulate both the real and virtual worlds for his own gain. He uses his intelligence and resources to control others and exploit those around him, going as far as imprisoning Asuna in his new game and sexually harassing and assaulting her while he retains a nearly untouchable position of power.
When he is ultimately confronted and defeated, he turns to immense cowardice, falling hard off his high horse in a near instant. Sugou resorts to begging and pathetic attempts to save himself, proving that he truly is a spineless character. Along with his lack of remorse and avoidance of responsibility, Sugou stands among anime’s most despised characters.
Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Mahito from Jujutsu Kaisen is a malevolent curse, born from the collective hatred of humanity. He thrives on manipulation and tormenting both sorcerers and ordinary people alike. He has a complete lack of empathy and will twist others into playing his games for amusement, psychologically tormenting them on a whim.
His sadistic nature and indifference to human life lead him to kill fan-favorite characters with a touch alone. Mahito views life as expendable and treats death and agony as mere ways to pass the time, making him one of the most inherently evil characters in anime as well as one of the most irredeemable.
Dino Golzine (Banana Fish)
Dino Golzine is the ruthless crime boss at the center of Banana Fish. He wields a level of power and influence that makes him dangerous and deadly to oppose. He shows little respect to those around him and exploits people as commodities to satisfy his sick desires.
He’s merciless, manipulative, and views people, including children, as disposable tools. His crimes in the show are most evident in how he exploits one of the main characters, Ash Lynx. He grooms, abuses, and sexually assaults Ash from a young age, using fear and violence to break him. Dino is one of the most unforgivable and vile villains in anime.
Griffith (Berserk)
Griffith is the charismatic leader of the Band of the Hawk in Berserk. He’s admired by many for his ambition, strategic brilliance, and charm, known for his vision of creating his own kingdom. He is originally Guts’ friend and commander, with the two having a strong bond and mutual respect for one another.
However, he eventually becomes the greatest antagonist after a shocking betrayal during a horrific event known as the Eclipse. He sacrifices everyone who believed and fought alongside him in order to achieve his ambition, going as far as sexually assaulting Casca as an act of jealousy, revenge against Guts, and to establish a sense of power and control.
Shou Tucker. A State Alchemist in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood who is known for specializing in bio-alchemy. He initially seems kind, albeit somewhat eccentric, and a devoted researcher and father to his young daughter, Nina. He’s respected for his scientific contributions and heavily driven to maintain his State Alchemist license.
However, beneath his façade is a man willing to go to any lengths to keep said license, even at the cost of his own family. His most infamous and unforgivable act is the creation of a speaking chimera by using Nina and their pet dog, Alexander. The experiment shakes both the characters and the audience to the bone.
His selfishness and utter disregard for his own daughter turned him into anime’s most hated character, leaving behind a traumatic memory on countless viewers. Shou Tucker lacks remorse and morality, with his actions cementing his place as a universally despised character.
