15 Anime Characters That Went From Loved To Hated

It’s common for popular anime characters to lose favor with fans after making decisions that disappoint or shock audiences. This often happens due to a surprising twist, a disloyal act, or a change in their motivations that casts them as opponents to the heroes. These shifts dramatically affect fan reactions, what merchandise sells, and even how the character is portrayed in future versions of the story. Below are some examples of characters who went from being beloved to disliked, with details about the anime series and studio involved.

Light Yagami

The ‘Death Note’ adaptation on Madhouse follows Light, a brilliant student who starts using a special notebook to kill criminals. He quickly moves from targeting criminals to carefully manipulating those around him, including friends and family. A crucial part of the story is how he tricks the task force investigating the deaths, and how he uses people like Misa to help him stay hidden. As the investigation gets closer to the truth, the public begins to see the devastating consequences of his actions.

Griffith

The first ‘Berserk’ anime, created by OLM, shows Griffith as a captivating leader whose successes inspire his mercenary group, the Band of the Hawk. Later films from Studio 4°C reveal choices that break apart his relationships and loyalties. Driven by his overwhelming ambition, Griffith makes decisions with lasting, devastating consequences for those closest to him. As the full impact of his actions became known, many viewers who once respected his determination began to see him in a new, unfavorable light.

Sasuke Uchiha

The anime ‘Naruto’ by Studio Pierrot portrays Sasuke as a naturally talented ninja driven by a desire to avenge his family. When he leaves the Hidden Leaf Village and begins training with powerful, but questionable, figures, it’s a major shift in his character. His clashes with his former friends and attacks on the strongest leaders further widen the divide between them. Viewers who followed his journey watched as his focus on revenge led him down a darker path, sacrificing his relationships along the way.

Eren Yeager

As a huge fan of ‘Attack on Titan,’ I’ve been completely gripped by Eren’s transformation. Seeing him go from this eager, determined soldier to someone making decisions with worldwide consequences has been wild. It’s not just about defending the walls anymore; his actions start to really affect innocent people, and it gets messy. What’s been especially tough is watching his relationships with Mikasa, Armin, and the others fall apart as he keeps secrets and becomes increasingly focused on his goals. Honestly, the later seasons really made me rethink how I felt about him early on – it’s a complex and often heartbreaking journey.

Gabi Braun

Gabi, a character from ‘Attack on Titan’ (produced by Wit Studio and MAPPA), begins as a highly trained and dedicated soldier. Her choices within the walls of the city have significant consequences for other characters. Meeting people from outside her home country challenges her deeply held beliefs and sparks intense discussion among viewers. The fact that she’s so young, yet responsible for such impactful actions, led to a strong negative reaction from many fans.

Sōsuke Aizen

At first, Studio Pierrot’s ‘Bleach’ presents Aizen as a peaceful and well-regarded captain. However, the discovery of his elaborate, long-term plan dramatically changes how we view everything that happened before, revealing that he’d been manipulating people across different groups. His use of the Hogyoku and ability to control what others perceive demonstrate a level of planning no one anticipated. Those who had placed their trust in him within Soul Society were completely shocked by this betrayal.

Isabella

CloverWorks’ adaptation of ‘The Promised Neverland’ features Isabella, who oversees daily life at Grace Field House. Initially, she appears kind and dedicated to the children. However, as the truth about the orphanage is revealed, her seemingly caring behavior is exposed as a calculated tactic. Her calm demeanor and constant monitoring transform her into a chilling villain, all within the same familiar environment.

Suzaku Kururugi

In ‘Code Geass,’ Suzaku is portrayed as a hopeful soldier who wants to improve things from the inside. However, his choices put him at odds with his friends as he tries to support a system he believes he can fix. Difficult decisions he makes during important missions lead to unintended harm to civilians and complicated political consequences. This contrast between his good intentions and the negative results of his actions caused viewers to feel differently about him.

Kyubey

The anime ‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’ starts with Kyubey, a seemingly friendly creature who offers contracts to young girls. However, as the story unfolds, the true nature of these contracts is revealed, completely changing how everything initially appeared. Kyubey views the serious consequences of these contracts as simply part of the process. Many viewers who initially found Kyubey cute were shocked by the harsh, logical system he represents.

Neferpitou

Madhouse’s adaptation of ‘Hunter x Hunter’ portrays Neferpitou as initially playful and inquisitive. As the story progresses, Neferpitou demonstrates immense power and fierce dedication to the King. Key moments, like the fight with Kite and the scenes with Komugi, establish a more intimidating side to the character. Viewers were particularly struck by the contrast between Neferpitou’s surprising gentleness with some and their brutal actions towards others.

Minoru Mineta

The anime ‘My Hero Academia’ follows Class 1-A as they juggle training, internships, and challenging combat exams. Mineta provides comedic moments, but his behavior frequently causes problems during lessons and missions. While initially played for laughs, his actions increasingly draw criticism both within the show and from viewers, with many finding them inappropriate over time.

Canute

The animation studios Wit Studio and MAPPA effectively depict Canute’s transformation in ‘Vinland Saga,’ showing him evolve from a naive prince into a shrewd and powerful leader. His time fighting in battles fundamentally changes how he views power and his beliefs. After suffering significant defeats, he implements policies focused on maintaining order through strict control. This stark contrast between his initial innocence and his later, ruthless leadership has dramatically shifted how viewers perceive him.

Suguru Geto

In MAPPA’s ‘Jujutsu Kaisen,’ Geto is portrayed as a former friend who develops different beliefs after past events are revealed. His goals put ordinary people in danger and cause major conflicts. Actions carried out by his group threaten the safety of both students and the general public. Learning about how he went from being a classmate to an enemy changes how we view their earlier friendship.

Seryu Ubiquitous

White Fox’s animation of ‘Akame ga Kill’ portrays Seryu as a deeply committed police officer. Her unwavering belief in justice causes her to take drastic actions against the Night Raid. She uses deadly force and a unique living weapon, which makes it difficult to distinguish between maintaining order and acting cruelly. Initially, audiences admired her hard work, but they later became more aware of how harsh her methods were.

Rachel

Telecom Animation Film is adapting ‘Tower of God,’ where Rachel begins as a reserved companion to the main character, Bam. However, her decisions during important challenges erode trust and change the direction of their journey. Later, it’s revealed she’s involved in schemes that put her former allies in danger. These actions have dramatically altered how viewers feel about her, turning initial sympathy into disapproval of her intentions.

Share which character turn shocked you the most in the comments.

2025-11-06 02:20