Anime Characters That Everyone Hates

As a huge anime fan, I’ve noticed certain characters just everyone seems to dislike – and it’s fascinating! Some are intentionally awful villains, and you’re supposed to hate them, but others… well, they become infamous because of how they’re written or things they do that just feel wrong. I’ve been thinking about these characters lately – the ones who consistently get under everyone’s skin across different anime and throughout the years. They often play a big role in the story, but even so, they always spark a lot of heated discussion among fans.

Shou Tucker

This character is a major villain in ‘Fullmetal Alchemist,’ infamous for experimenting on his own family. Desperate to keep his position as a State Alchemist, he horrifyingly combines his young daughter and their dog into one creature. This act is considered one of the most shocking and unforgivable moments in anime. Viewers strongly dislike him because he shows no regret and is completely cold-hearted. He stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of science without ethical boundaries.

Malty S. Melromarc

Myne, also known as the adventurer, is a major villain in the first part of ‘The Rising of the Shield Hero’. She falsely accuses the hero, Naofumi Iwatani, of a crime and works to destroy his reputation. Throughout the series, she constantly tries to undermine him, making her very unpopular with fans. Even after losing her position as royalty, she remains spiteful and continues to cause trouble for the main characters. She’s often considered one of the most disliked female characters in recent anime.

Griffith

In ‘Berserk,’ Griffith, the commander of the Band of the Hawk, ultimately sacrifices his entire army to fulfill his ambition of becoming a god. This shocking betrayal leads to horrific consequences for his closest companions and leaves the hero, Guts, permanently traumatized. His descent into the demonic form of Femto confirms his status as a ruthless villain who disregards human life. Though initially portrayed as a charismatic leader, his later actions are considered unforgivable by fans, and he has become a defining symbol of betrayal within the dark fantasy genre.

Rachel

In the webtoon ‘Tower of God,’ this character is known for a shocking betrayal at the end of the first season. Despite the main character, Bam, being completely loyal to her, she chooses to prioritize her own ambition and climb the Tower, even if it means hurting him. Her actions stem from envy and a fierce determination to reach the top, no matter the cost. This decision made her incredibly unpopular with fans and turned her into one of the most debated characters in the series. She consistently creates problems and frustrates both those within the story and the audience watching.

Danzo Shimura

In the anime ‘Naruto,’ he’s a powerful leader from Konohagakure who secretly runs an organization called Root. He’s known for his ruthless and manipulative political strategies, which caused significant suffering, most notably almost wiping out the Uchiha clan. While he claimed his actions were for the benefit of the village, many fans believe he was driven by a desire for power. His theft of Shisui Uchiha’s eye and his involvement in Itachi’s story made him a widely disliked character, and he’s often considered one of the most morally flawed figures in the series.

Gabi Braun

Gabi Braun debuted in the last season of ‘Attack on Titan’ as a potential successor to the Armored Titan. She quickly became disliked by many viewers after killing the beloved character Sasha Blouse. Gabi’s story highlights how harmful it is to indoctrinate children and how easily violence can repeat itself between countries. Although she develops as a character over time, her aggressive behavior and initial actions made her unpopular, and she continues to be a divisive character among fans.

Shinji Matou

He’s a relatively small villain in the ‘Fate/stay night’ story, appearing in both the original game and its anime versions. He’s known for being incredibly arrogant and treating his sister, Sakura Matou, very badly. Because he doesn’t have any magical powers himself, he tends to act out of pettiness and fear when facing real threats. The ‘Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel’ movies really show just how cruel he can be, and many fans feel a sense of satisfaction when he finally faces consequences for his actions.

Sugou Nobuyuki

In the second season of ‘Sword Art Online’, this character serves as the main villain, imprisoning Asuna within a virtual reality. He’s portrayed as someone who preys on others, planning to marry Asuna while she’s unconscious in the real world. He demonstrates a complete disregard for morality by trying to alter the memories of countless people. Many viewers find him frustratingly weak in combat, as he relies on his position of power rather than skill. His defeat by Kirito is a memorable moment for many fans of the Fairy Dance arc.

Spandam

Spandam was the leader of CP9 in ‘One Piece’ and the main villain during the Enies Lobby story arc. He’s notorious for being physically weak, a coward, and treating prisoners, especially Nico Robin, terribly. His mistake in calling down the Buster Call showed how dangerously incompetent he was, putting thousands of people at risk. Many fans dislike him because of his arrogance and habit of relying on his father’s power. He’s best known for getting a well-deserved beating from the Straw Hat pirates.

Seryu Ubiquitous

As a huge anime fan, I have to say Esdeath from ‘Akame ga Kill!’ is a character who really gets under your skin. She’s one of the Jaegers, and she wields this incredibly powerful, living weapon called Coro. What’s truly disturbing about her isn’t just her strength, but her twisted sense of justice. She genuinely believes she’s doing the right thing while casually committing horrific acts, and she doesn’t hesitate to execute anyone she labels a criminal. I remember being completely shocked when she killed Sheele – it was brutal and really cemented her as the villain. Her cold, unfeeling expressions and complete lack of empathy just make her terrifying, and she’s a character people either passionately hate or find strangely compelling. She’s definitely one of the most talked-about characters in the series because she truly believes in her own warped morality.

Minoru Mineta

Mineta is a student at U.A. High in the anime ‘My Hero Academia’ with a Quirk called Pop Off. He’s often criticized by fans for constantly making unwanted advances towards his female classmates. Although many anime feature characters with similar flaws, viewers often find Mineta’s behavior to be over the top and not funny. Many feel he detracts from the series’ focus on heroism. While he sometimes shows improvement in battles, he remains a very unpopular character.

Sakura Haruno

Sakura Haruno, a key character in ‘Naruto’, has often been criticized for not being very helpful in fights early on. Many fans dislike how focused she was on Sasuke and how she didn’t recognize Naruto’s feelings for her. Even though she becomes a skilled medical ninja in ‘Naruto: Shippuden’, a lot of people online still see her as weak. Her development is often seen as less impressive than Naruto’s and Sasuke’s. She’s still a popular topic of discussion when people talk about how female characters are written in action manga like ‘Naruto’.

Makoto Itou

This character from the anime ‘School Days’ is notorious for being a terrible person. The show is known for twisting the typical ‘harem’ storyline, and he embodies that by constantly cheating and using others to satisfy his own desires. He can’t make up his mind, doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings, and his actions ultimately cause a lot of tragic events, leading to a famously shocking and violent ending. He’s widely considered one of the most unpleasant and harmful protagonists in anime.

Akito Sohma

The matriarch of the Sohma family in ‘Fruits Basket’ is a controlling figure who uses fear, manipulation, and even violence to keep her family together. This causes significant emotional damage to characters like Kyo, Yuki, and Rin. Although the 2019 anime explores her history and attempts at making amends, she’s largely remembered for her harshness and is the biggest challenge standing in the way of the main characters’ happiness.

Nina Einstein

Nina is a student at Ashford Academy in ‘Code Geass’ who becomes dangerously fixated on Princess Euphemia. From the start, she’s a divisive character due to her strong prejudice against the Japanese people living in Area 11. Following a devastating incident involving the Princess, Nina spirals into grief and starts working on incredibly destructive weapons. Ultimately, her actions cause the deaths of thousands during the war between Britannia and the Black Knights. Many viewers find her character frustrating because of her extreme mood swings and inability to see things from other people’s perspectives.

Near

Near, who took over after L in ‘Death Note,’ headed the team trying to catch Light Yagami. However, many viewers found him too much like L, but without the same engaging personality or in-depth backstory. Some fans also thought his success in finding Light relied more on chance and the needs of the plot than on his own intelligence. This lack of originality caused many viewers to dislike him during the final part of the series. He’s often seen as representing the change in quality the show experienced after its first major villain died.

Kyubey

I have to admit, Kyubey from ‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’ really messed with my head. It looks all cute and innocent, but it’s actually an alien who doesn’t feel anything. It convinces girls to become magical girls, but it completely hides how terrible things will eventually get for them. Turns out, Kyubey sees our feelings as something to collect, all to try and save the universe from… well, basically nothingness. It’s scary how cold and calculating it is – it’s a master manipulator! A lot of fans, myself included, think it’s a truly terrifying villain, pretending to be a friend while actually being a predator. It really turned the magical girl genre on its head.

Mahito

Let me tell you, this villain from ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ is truly chilling. He embodies the darkness of human spite, and his power, Idle Transfiguration, is just… disturbing. He doesn’t just kill people; he twists their very souls into horrifying creatures. Honestly, he’s become infamous for being a sadist, especially how much he seems to enjoy tormenting Yuji Itadori. The fact that he’s responsible for the deaths of some of the show’s most beloved characters has cemented his place as a villain you absolutely love to hate. It’s that playful, almost cheerful way he commits these awful acts that really gets under your skin – it’s viscerally upsetting, and brilliantly done.

Boruto Uzumaki

When ‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations’ first came out, many fans didn’t like Boruto, the main character, because of how he acted towards his father, Naruto. Those who had watched Naruto’s own difficult journey felt Boruto was being disrespectful by complaining about Naruto being so busy. This made it hard for viewers to like him at the beginning of the show. Although Boruto has grown a lot and faced many challenges, that early impression still sticks with a lot of people. He remains a somewhat controversial character as he tries to make a name for himself.

Yuki Amano

In the anime ‘Future Diary,’ the main character is forced to compete in a deadly game to become a god. Many viewers find him irritating because he cries a lot and constantly needs Yuno Gasai to save him. He often lacks initiative and even betrays people who try to help, making him an unlikeable protagonist for some. Although his fear is understandable given the dangerous situation, it doesn’t fit the typical hero archetype. He’s often ranked as one of the most frustrating and ineffective protagonists in anime.

Louise de La Vallière

Louise is the central female character in ‘The Familiar of Zero,’ famous for her ‘tsundere’ personality – a character who acts tough but has a softer side. However, many viewers find her treatment of the main character, Saito, goes beyond playfully harsh and is actually abusive. Throughout the series, she often physically hits and verbally insults him, even over small things. This consistent violence has led many to label her as a particularly unhealthy romantic interest in the ‘isekai’ genre. While she has moments where she shows vulnerability, her aggressive behavior is what most people remember about her.

Misa Amane

In ‘Death Note,’ Misa Amane is Light Yagami’s devoted follower and partner, often called the Second Kira. However, many viewers find her voice and overly submissive, obsessive personality irritating. Even though she possesses her own Death Note and considerable power, she rarely takes independent action and frequently creates problems for Light. As a result, she’s often seen as a plot device rather than a well-developed character, leading to frequent criticism from fans who find her shallow and annoying.

Charles zi Britannia

In ‘Code Geass,’ the Emperor of Britannia is a ruthless and strategic leader who believes only the strongest should survive. He sees even his own children as tools to be used and harshly suppresses other countries. His plan to connect all minds would erase individuality and free thought. His coldness towards his children, Lelouch and Nunnally, is a major source of conflict in the series. Most viewers consider him a cruel and controlling tyrant, embodying the negative side of absolute power.

Envy

In the anime ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’, Envy is a Homunculus known for being able to change shape and their generally cruel nature. They were responsible for starting a devastating civil war that caused countless deaths, and are infamous for the murder of the beloved character, Maes Hughes. Envy is a truly hateful villain, delighting in the suffering of others and showing no empathy. Even in defeat, it’s hard to feel sympathy for them, considering the terrible things they did throughout the series.

Babidi

Babidi is a villain from ‘Dragon Ball Z’ whose goal is to bring back the powerful monster Majin Buu and take over the universe. He’s a manipulative wizard who uses magic to exploit the darkness within others, controlling characters like Dabura and even Vegeta. Many viewers find him irritating due to his high-pitched voice and habit of staying hidden behind his followers. He’s a coward who relies on screaming and isn’t physically strong, making him one of the more frustrating and less compelling villains in the ‘Dragon Ball’ series.

Saint Charlos

This character from ‘One Piece’ is a World Noble, representing the worst aspects of those in power. He sees everyone else as beneath him, treating people like slaves and showing a complete disregard for their lives – he even tries to abduct women publicly. Deliberately designed to be repulsive both in appearance and behavior, he’s meant to be thoroughly unlikeable. When the hero, Luffy, finally punches him, it’s a hugely satisfying moment for viewers. He continues to be a powerful symbol of the widespread injustice within the world of ‘One Piece’.

Blackbeard

Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard, is a major villain in ‘One Piece’ and a key opponent of Luffy. He famously betrayed the Whitebeard Pirates and captured Portgas D. Ace, triggering the devastating Paramount War. Fans despise him for his ruthless ambition and willingness to sacrifice even his own crew to gain power. He’s essentially a dark reflection of Luffy, pursuing the same dreams but through lies and force. As he grows stronger, he remains a significant and feared enemy that fans are anxious to see fall.

Zetsu

This character in ‘Naruto’ is a shadowy figure who is later shown to be pulling the strings behind a lot of the series’ biggest events. Many viewers didn’t like how he was revealed as the one who manipulated villains like Madara Uchiha into bringing back Kaguya Otsutsuki. Some felt this was a forced plot twist to create a new final enemy, and it diminished the arcs of characters who had already been well-developed. He wasn’t a particularly engaging villain due to his bland personality and lack of any real connection to the heroes, and is often blamed for the series’ divisive ending.

Yamcha

Yamcha started as a desert bandit in ‘Dragon Ball’ and later joined the Z-Fighters as a helpful ally. However, he became a frequent target of jokes among fans because he often lost battles and felt less important as the story went on. A particularly famous image of him being defeated by a Saibaman has become a popular anime meme. Although he’s not a bad guy, many fans feel both sorry for him and frustrated with how his character developed. He represents how much stronger the Saiyans became compared to the human fighters.

Gendo Ikari

As a huge anime fan, I’ve always been fascinated – and disturbed – by Gendo Ikari from ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’. He’s the head of NERV and, as you quickly learn, Shinji’s father, but ‘father’ feels like a really strong word. Honestly, he’s a terrible parent. He barely acknowledges Shinji as a son, treating him more like a pawn in his grand scheme. It’s heartbreaking to watch, because Gendo is so emotionally distant and focused on his own goals – specifically, trying to reunite with his deceased wife – that he’s willing to put all of humanity at risk and inflict serious psychological damage on his son. He’s consistently ranked as one of the worst dads in all of anime, and it’s easy to see why. He avoids any real parental responsibility, and the consequences are devastating for Shinji.

As a movie fan, I’m always fascinated by flawed characters, but some actions are just… unforgivable. I’m curious to hear what you all think – which movie character’s deeds really crossed the line for you? And if I’ve left anyone out, please let me know in the comments – I’m always open to hearing about other truly awful on-screen behavior!

2026-02-20 14:48