The world of anime encompasses many stories, each series presenting us with a wide range of characters, from fearless heroes to memorable villains. Therefore, among various charismatic protagonists and captivating antagonists, we also find characters who evoke completely different emotions: hatred, annoyance, and sometimes even indignation.
That said, these are the characters who have managed to stand out as the most hated in anime history, leaving an impression for the wrong reasons. Some of the most hated characters are those who defy expectations by merging characteristics of heroes and villains. These charismatic anti-heroes often have a dark side that, instead of repelling viewers, draws them in in a frightening way.
The Spanish website SomosKudasai decided to talk a little about these characters, bringing a controversial yet accurate list.
Why Do We Love to Hate? The Most Hated Characters in Japanese Animation
Gabi Braun – Shingeki no Kyojin
If it weren't for two main factors, Gabi Braun, the aspiring warrior, would be a rather admirable and likeable character, but this impetuous and impulsive young soldier went too far in the eyes of Attack on Titan fans. He cannot be easily forgiven for what he did. It was Gabi who sneaked onto the aircraft and shot the beloved Sasha Blusa, an act that instantly united the entire fandom against her.
Rachel – Tower of God
Numerous anime fans detest the blonde Rachel from Tower of God, to the point that she's famous for it, and new fans are wondering why all the fuss. Rachel once presented herself as a decent person, but in reality, she was jealous of Bam and pushed him out of the Tower, nearly killing him. After that, Rachel pretended to be physically disabled to make others pity her and take her to the tower. Rachel's selfishness, manipulation, and dishonesty are the factors that make her so unlikeable, especially since she exploits society's sympathy for the disabled for her own benefit.
Shou Tucker – Fullmetal Alchemist
The anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood premiered in 2009, but even now, anime fans still shudder at the thought of Shou Tucker and his crimes. He is a state alchemist, known as the "alchemist who stitches life together," and when he becomes desperate for results, his family will pay the price. Shou obtained his license by stitching his wife together with an animal, and the resulting chimera begged for death. Years later, Shou combined his beloved daughter, Nina, with his dog, Alexander, producing a second chimera that horrified Edward, Alphonse, and Scar. Scar killed Shou before the case even went to trial.
Boruto – Naruto Next Generations
Although the original Naruto anime featured unpopular characters like Sakura Haruno and Danzo Shimura, fans still adored its protagonist, the brave and oppressed Naruto Uzumaki. Interestingly, Naruto's son, Boruto, quickly became one of the most hated shonen anime characters when he became the star of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Boruto Uzumaki is powerful and talented, but fans dislike him for that, considering him a sort of Mary Sue. The character is also unpopular for his bratty attitude, which, unlike his father's, was completely unjustified. Boruto came from a loving and understanding family, so it was strange that he behaved so badly.
Mami Nanami – Kanojo, Okarishimasu
Mami Nanami is a minor antagonist in the Kanojo romantic comedy, Okarishimasu, and anime fans detest her, even though she isn't a violent supervillain. Although the male protagonist, Kazuya, is far from being the best guy, fans felt bad for him when Mami dumped him for someone else. Mami's actions set the whole story in motion, but fans didn't exactly thank her. Beneath her sweet, deceitful facade, Mami is very manipulative and antagonistic, often striving to separate Kazuya and Chizuru for unclear reasons, which doesn't do anyone any good.
These hated characters above can evoke a wide range of emotions in viewers. Some make us feel deep revulsion for their cruel and malicious actions, while others exasperate us with their irritating personalities and selfish attitudes. An anime's ability to create characters that evoke such reactions is proof of its capacity to connect emotionally with the audience.
Finally, you can find the complete list at the end of this article. Comment below which hated characters you consider to be in Japanese animation.
Source: SomosKudasai