Anime has a remarkable ability to craft characters who refuse to be neatly labeled as “heroes” or”villains.” Rather, some of anime’s most iconic characters blur that distinction—existing in moral gray areas, motivated by reasons that keep us guessing and arguing long after their storylines conclude. Below are ten of the most complex and thought-provoking anti-heroes and anti-villains anime has ever offered.
10. Endeavor (My Hero Academia)
Endeavor—whose real name is Enji Todoroki—is the stoic, unyielding heir to All Might. He’s incredibly strong, but his emotional remoteness and how he drove his family apart leave deep wounds. Nevertheless, he fights relentlessly for justice, and in time, starts confronting his past errors. His path towards redemption makes him one of anime’s strongest morally ambiguous characters.
9. Revy (Black Lagoon)
Revy is a mercenary for the Lagoon Company—deadly, crass, and brutally violent. She’s not in it for anyone else, usually taking pleasure in mayhem with twin Berettas. But underneath the carnage is a dedicated survivor with a tragic history. She’s not a hero, but she’s not entirely evil either—making her a classic anti-hero who can’t be ignored.
8. Askeladd (Vinland Saga)
First, an adversary to Thorfinn, Askeladd is soon much more: mentor, tactician, and reluctant hero. He is cunning and brutal, yet there is an underlying code of honor—particularly when defending his native land. His complex motivations and surprise allegiances make him one of the most compelling anti-villains in anime.
7. Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass)
Charismatic, smart, and ready to do whatever it takes to change the world, Lelouch possesses a mind-control ability that allows him to redefine morality for others. He battles tyranny—but his means include conspiracy, manipulation, and personal martyrdom. His revolution is brutal, but inescapably visionary.
6. Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)
Relaxed and perilously good, Spike is a bounty hunter with a fuzzy moral compass and a past that he can’t escape. He’s frequently aloof, jaded, and self-interested, but when the situation arises, he’ll intervene for his teammates. His relaxed toughness and genuine depth make him the epitome of cool ambiguity.
5. Jotaro Kujo (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Blunt, bold, and prepared to bring the battle to any bad guy, Jotaro embodies the tough guardian—but he doesn’t mess around with flowery manners. He’ll do whatever it takes, even if that means warping the rules to protect his buddies. His raw strength and pragmatic brutality make him one of JoJo’s scariest heroes.
4. Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
Sasuke’s journey veers from revenge to betrayal to redemption—and it’s far from easy. He betrays his village, teams up with foes, and even fights Naruto himself. But his suffering, guilt, and ultimate redemption make him a deeply complex character, representative of what it is to live between darkness and light.
3. Light Yagami (Death Note)
Light starts with a lofty (if warped) goal: eradicate crime with the Death Note. However, as his powers increase, so does his ego. He turns judge, jury, and executioner— taunting those who oppose him. Smart, charming, and egomaniacal, Light makes us wonder if it’s right for one person to determine destiny.
2. Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)
Eren’s transformation—from Arden freedom fighter to genocidal anti-hero—is anime in full dramatic relief. Impelleby traumama, responsibility, and a vision of freedom, he chooses widespread devastation to achieve his homeland’s security. Forfeiting his reputation, his ideals, and much ofhis humanity, Eren is still one of anime’s most complicated and polarizing characters.
1. Vegeta (Dragon Ball Franchise)
From ruthless Saiyan prince to reluctant hero to proud family man, it is Vegeta who upholds the gold standard for complexity in anime: battling remorse, keeping grudges, and pushing himself harder than anyone else—always striving for strength. His evolution, flairs of pride, and hard-earned compassion make him one of the genre’s richest characters.
These characters challenge our moral assumptions. They teach us that sometimes doing the right thing means crossing lines, and that the most compelling character is often the one who refuses simplicity. Let me know if you’d like an illustrated version, fan art gallery, or social-media-friendly breakdown too!