Let’s get real: anime just wouldn’t be the same without characters you love to despise. Whether they’re creepy backstabbers, emotionally unavailable parents, or just general-purpose menaces, these characters have left their mark in anime history—for all the wrong reasons. So grab some snack food (and perhaps a stress ball), because we’re listing the most hateable anime characters of all time. Spoiler: We saved the worst for last.
10. Sakura Haruno – Naruto
It almost feels like a requirement to include Sakura in this list. In early Naruto, she was. Not good. While Naruto and Sasuke were discovering ludicrous abilities and housing demon foxes, Sakura was primarily bickering with Ino and being left behind in fights. Yes, she finally did get stronger, but for most of the original series, she was the weakest link in Team 7. As Screen Rant says, she was “easily the most hated character in anime when Naruto first aired.” Oof.
9. Gendo Ikari – Neon Genesis Evangelion
If there were an award for Worst Father in anime, Gendo would take it by a landslide. When his wife dies, he sends his son Shinji packing off to live somewhere else—then recalls him only to toss him into a massive mech to save humanity. Not exactly model parenting. Even when the show gives the sense that there is repressed love of Gendo for Shinji, it’s far too little, far too late. His interactions with Naoko and Ritsuko Akagi are just added levels of uncomfortable. Shinji never receives that redemption arc, and Gendo never does either.
8. Malty Melromarc – The Rising of the Shield Hero
Malty begins by presenting herself as a friend, then quickly loses the act. She manipulates Naofumi, accuses him of assault, and destroys his life—all without batting an eye. No guilt, no responsibility—just royalty mixed with pure evil. As Screen Rant points out, she “never apologizes for what she does and believes that it’s right if she wins.” Even among anime villains, that’s heartless.
7. Zenitsu Agatsuma – Demon Slayer
Zenitsu is the evidence that even the strongest characters can be extremely annoying. He has a top-breathing skill but spends half the series crying or hiding behind others. Even he acknowledges that he’s annoying, which makes it all worse. Despite the potential for development, his endless screaming and simping are hard to endure. As Screen Rant says, “he knows how annoying he is.” We do too, Zenitsu. We do too.
6. Danzo Shimura – Naruto Shippuden
Danzo is the puppet master behind the scenes—and not the kind that’s cool. He says he’s defending the village, but he’s actually stockpiling Sharingan eyes and dispatching assassins against political foes. The kicker? He actually thinks he’s the hero. No redemption, no epiphany moment—just ego and manipulation all the way. Danzo “never gets redeemed and is a selfish, hateable character until his death.” No disagreements here.
5. Ging Freecss – Hunter x Hunter
Ging could be an amazing Hunter, but he’s a piece of trash father. Ging abandons Gon and gives him crumbs to trail after—literally sending him across the world for a maybe-meeting. When his son is hospitalized and near death? Ging still doesn’t appear—unless directly summoned. As Screen Rant states, Ging “doesn’t have to pay for the consequences of his actions because he’s strong.” And that somehow compels me to hate him more.
4. Shou Tucker – Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Even anime casual viewers know who this character is. Desperate to maintain his alchemist reputation, Shou Tucker combines his daughter Nina with the household dog, producing one of anime’s most disturbing moments. He never says sorry—he just shrugs and attempts to rationalize. This isn’t evil—it’s repulsive. As Screen Rant puts it, Tucker “even has the audacity to equate his circumstances with Edward and Al’s.” Nope. Not at all.
3. Minoru Mineta – My Hero Academia
Anime certainly has its share of pervy characters, but Mineta makes it difficult to find the humor in it. His entire character is that of a creep, and he absolutely reminds his classmates (and audience) constantly of that. Unlike Jiraiya or Roshi, Mineta does not offer any of the charm—just constant boundary-pushing and cringe. As Screen Rant succinctly states, “Mineta doesn’t know boundaries and makes the girls around him feel uncomfortable.” It’s not funny. It’s just gross.
2. Rachel – Tower of God
Rachel was going to be Baam’s friend—until she pushed him into an actual abyss. Her betrayal is compounded by the fact that it stems from jealousy, not self-preservation. And then she lies about it to everyone. It’s one of those plot twists that fans get turned from sympathy into outright anger. As Screen Rant points out, Rachel “betrayed the most innocent character in the series for no real reason.” She didn’t merely fall from grace—she swan-dived.
1. Griffith / Femto – Berserk
No contest here. Griffith is anime’s gold standard for betrayal. He begins noble, even inspirational—and then offers up his whole army (and best friends) to become a godlike creature. What makes it more tragic is the individuality of the betrayal—particularly what Griffith does to Casca and Guts during the Eclipse. It’s trauma that lingers with fans for life. As Screen Rant points out, Griffith “sacrificed all of his allies and friends for power.” And somehow, that still does not completely convey how despicable he is.
And there you have it—ten anime characters who’ve brought fandoms together in a shared anger. Whether they’re manipulative geniuses, absent parents, or simply walking headaches, these characters have made their impact. In a negative way. Love them or hate them, really, they’ve worked their way into the anime hall of shame.