People are very passionate about anime, and understandably so. Fans get invested in the epic stories, breakneck action, and scintillating reveals, all of which feature their favorite characters.
Some anime characters end up being easy to hate, although fans eventually start respecting them over time as the story evolves. This creates a unique relationship with these iconic characters that makes the shows they’re featured in all the more riveting to witness.
Shinji Ikari
A Teenager Saddled With So Many Responsibilities He Can’t Handle Is Bound To Lose It All The Time
It’s a shame that many fans peg Shinji as one of the worst anime protagonists of all time. The complex themes of Neon Genesis Evangelion make it clear that he was going to be anything but a goody-two-shoes protagonist who steps up to the plate whenever required.
At the end of the day, he’s a teenage boy with a ton of responsibility on his shoulders that he never wanted to bear. It’s easy to see why he breaks down multiple times in the show, making him a sympathetic figure for people who understand what he’s going through (although none of this justifies his infamous act in The End of Evangelion).
Griffith
His Actions Are Unacceptable, Even if His Character Is Riveting
Griffith is easily one of the most fascinating characters of all time. He’s also a horrible, despicable villain who deserves all the hate in the world after triggering the Eclipse to become a powerful figure in the world.
As much as fans may glaze him for being a riveting villain, none of his monstrous actions can be justified. Anyone who says “Griffith did nothing wrong” deserves a knock in the head for absolving this villain for his crimes just because of his charismatic personality.
Ichigo Kurosaki
One Of The Most Hated Shonen Protagonists Of All Time
Ichigo is a protagonist whom fans have mixed feelings about. Out of all the protagonists in the Big Three, Ichigo easily has the most vapid personality, making it hard to root for him when he reaches new heights of power.
However, this takes nothing away from the incredible aura farming moments featuring this character, when he overcomes immense odds with his strength and shows everyone who’s boss. Kubo’s epic moments are so alluring that most fans give Ichigo a free pass for his unlikable attitude.
Zenitsu Agatsuma
Fans Can’t Understand Whether They Love His Badass Moments Or Hate How Much Of A Crybaby He Is
Zenitsu fans find it hard to fathom that people don’t like this character. He can indeed be a bit of a crybaby at times, but that should take nothing away from how focused and locked-in he gets when things get serious.
His mastery of Thunder Breathing’s first form is so tantalizing that he’s able to take out the strongest foes in the series with this technique alone. Seeing him finally get serious in the Infinity Castle arc is a treat, and even his biggest haters can’t wait for his clash against a demonified Kaigaku.
Frieza
This Emperor Is A Tyrant Everyone Loves Because Of How Iconic He is
There’s no denying that Frieza is one of the most despicable villains in Dragon Ball. He’s a horrible tyrant who eradicated the Saiyans out of fear and has no problem being cruel to his opponents.
However, he’s also one of the most iconic anime antagonists of all time who pushed Goku to his very limit and helped him achieve the power of a Super Saiyan. The fact that he comes back not once, but twice in Dragon Ball Super makes it clear that the late great Toriyama was also aware of the love people had for this villain.
Dio Brando
He May Be A Heinous Villain, But His Charisma Is Undeniable
Dio Brando wastes no time in establishing himself as a villain. He steals Erina’s first kiss, kills Joseph’s dog, and tries to replace him in the family. His thirst for power is so immense that he becomes a vampire and doesn’t give up, even after becoming a head, returning in Stardust Crusaders as the main antagonist.
However, Dio is also an iconic and entertaining character whose charisma is undeniable. Takehito Koyasu’s voice acting is so infectious that fans can’t help but smile whenever Dio gets his much-deserved screen time, even though his villainous actions are unjustifiable.
Gabi Braun
Before Her Character Was Justified, Everyone Hated Her Guts (And Some Still Do)
Attack on Titan‘s incredible writing turns what seems like a formulaic and gory shonen anime into an allegory for war, generational hatred, and the inevitable cycle of violence. Gabi personifies the problems plaguing this world, and it turned out that her illustration of these issues was so convincing that fans ended up hating this character.
Her heartless killing of Sasha, a fan favorite, is a huge part of what made this character so hated. However, she eventually realized the wrongness of her actions, although this still wasn’t enough to redeem her in the eyes of many.
Orochimaru
The Most Iconic Naruto Antagonist Who Is Undeniably Alluring, Despite His Villainous Intentions
Orochimaru is one of the slimiest villains in the early parts of Naruto, with this heinous villain single-handedly causing a ton of unrest in the ninja world after he killed the Kazekage and initiated the Konoha Crush. His villainous ambitions didn’t stop as he convinced Sasuke to turn over to the dark side in his quest for power, just so he could take over the Uchiha’s body.
As hated as Orochimaru was at this point, he was eventually bodied by Sasuke and his Sharingan. He turned over a new leaf during the War arc, contributed to some hilarious moments in the post-war episodes, and became a halfway-decent character in Boruto, redeeming him in the eyes of many… even if fans already had a soft spot for him as one of their favorite anime villains.
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