10 Best Anime Characters That Fans Love to Hate

Characters like Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen are known for being confident and playful, while Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling is compelling because of his kindness and power. Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries stands out with her smarts and unusual interest in poisons, and Frieren simply has a unique and captivating personality. Some characters naturally attract fans with their charisma. But just as many characters are popular because people love to dislike them.

Some anime characters are truly creepy, others are villains so awful they’re universally hated, and still others just manage to annoy viewers right away. While a lot of hate doesn’t necessarily mean a character is poorly written, it’s always noteworthy when a character can evoke such strong negative feelings in so many people.

Kikyo’s Character is Doomed to Fail in Inuyasha

Many anime romances feature a female character who is disliked by fans because she’s a romantic rival, and Kikyo from InuYasha is a prime example. She and InuYasha were in love before he met Kagome, but things get even more complicated because Kagome is actually Kikyo’s reincarnation from the future.

As a huge InuYasha fan, I have to admit Kikyo was a really frustrating character! It always bothered me how focused she was on trying to eliminate Kagome, even though she had such a complicated past. Honestly, her constant flip-flopping between wanting to kill InuYasha and wanting to be with him really hurt her character development. I know she was more than just a rival – she had a really tragic history – but a lot of us fans just couldn’t get past how much she antagonized the main heroine.

Dandadan Makes Aira the Best ‘Pick Me Girl’ in the Worst Ways

Aira presents herself as sweet and innocent, but it’s all an act. She’s actually quite selfish and mean, a side of her that became clear when she confessed to starting hurtful rumors about Momo Ayase.

Many anime fans dislike Aira because of her mean personality and tendency to act like the center of attention, and that negative reaction has continued even after the show explored her character more. However, Aira is a genuinely funny character in Dandadan to watch, and she’s become more likable since becoming a core member of the main cast in Episode 9.

To Be Hero X Fans Can’t Stop Calling Yang Cheng a Fraud

Yang Cheng earned the nickname “E-Soul” by defeating the previous title holder in Episode 7 of To Be Hero X. However, many fans now call him “E-Fraud” or “Fraud Soul” because his actions often resemble those of a villain, a far cry from the hero he originally intended to be. He initially received sympathy when Uncle Rock manipulated him into killing the man who had saved his life.

As the first season of To Be Hero X went on, it became clear that Yang Cheng was only looking out for himself and didn’t feel bad about it. He was willing to kill other heroes and let innocent people suffer to achieve his and Rock’s ambitions, a fact even his fans couldn’t ignore.

Amo Empool Did Too Much to be Forgiven That Easily

I have to admit, when Amo Empool first showed up in Gachiakuta, I wasn’t a fan! A lot of us found her super irritating – she came across as a spoiled brat, and honestly, some of her outfits and the way she was portrayed just felt…uncomfortable. But what really made her stand out – and honestly, a little terrifying – was her ability. She had this thing called a Vital Instrument that let her mess with people’s deepest traumas, especially Rudo and other important characters, and she didn’t even seem to care about the pain she caused! It made her a surprisingly complex villain, even if she was frustrating to watch.

Many fans of Gachiakuta feel Amo’s actions were never properly addressed and that her difficult past led to her receiving too much sympathy. However, other fans have grown to understand and care for Amo, especially after learning the full extent of her tragic history within the Gachiakuta story.

Sakura Haruno Ruined Pink Hair for Anime Fans

Sakura Haruno is arguably the most famous pink-haired character in anime, and she paved the way for many others with the same hair color. At the beginning of the Naruto series, Sakura was initially portrayed as a somewhat stereotypical character, primarily focused on her feelings for Sasuke Uchiha. Fans often didn’t connect with her early on because she frequently overlooked Naruto Uzumaki and seemed overly concerned with appearances.

Even though Sakura has grown a lot throughout the series, her initial portrayal as a childish and boy-crazy character continues to hinder her with fans. Every error she makes, even small ones, seems to undo her progress in their eyes. While there’s discussion about the quality of her writing, it’s clear Sakura has become a more relatable and sympathetic character as she’s matured alongside her friends.

Anyone Who’s Watched Code Geass was Unsettled by Nina Einstein

Nina Einstein, a character from the 2006 anime Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, initially appears quiet and shy. However, she’s also often considered one of the most frustrating characters in the series. Throughout the show, Nina develops a strong obsession with Princess Euphemia, which becomes increasingly unsettling.

Despite what some dedicated Code Geass fans believe, the controversial “Table Scene” did occur, and Nina is disliked for more than just being awkward. Her strong desire to avenge Euphemia and destroy the Black Knights drove her to help create a weapon that caused immense civilian casualties. Thankfully, realizing her role in this tragedy ultimately led Nina to seek redemption.

Death Note Fans Thought Misa Was Too Dumb For Light

Misa Amane is a popular and fashionable character in Death Note, and she serves as the story’s central female character. However, her romantic relationship with Light Yagami was controversial among fans. Misa is largely defined by her intense obsession with Light; many viewers would say her love for him is her most prominent characteristic.

Misa’s strong, unrequited feelings for Light didn’t make her a very relatable character, and her often silly and immature actions felt out of place in a show that focused on cleverness and strategy. While some Death Note fans believe she had her own hidden motives, Misa is still considered one of the most disliked female characters in anime.

Kaiju No. 8 Fans Find Kikoru Hard to Love (At First)

Kikoru Shinomiya is a strikingly confident character, making a big impression much like the immense roar of a giant Kaiju. As the daughter of Captain Shinomiya, she’s incredibly talented and one of the most promising new recruits in Japan’s Defense Force. However, because she often stands out so much from the other characters in Kaiju No. 8, some viewers haven’t warmed up to her.

Some viewers initially criticized Kikoru as a “Mary Sue” – a character who seems too perfect and unrealistic – especially when compared to the other new recruits. Characters like that aren’t usually popular because they can feel like wish fulfillment rather than believable people. But by the end of Kaiju No. 8 Season 2, Kikoru demonstrated significant depth and complexity, proving her critics wrong.

Sword Art Online Gave Isekai Protagonists a Bad Reputation

Kazuto Kirigaya, or Kirito, is the central character in Sword Art Online, an anime series that helped make the ‘isekai’ genre popular in the 2010s. While SAO was a pioneer of this trend, its quality is often debated by anime fans, and Kirito himself frequently receives criticism as a result.

Despite the popularity of its anime, Kirito is often seen as a surprisingly bland and unremarkable main character. He’s mostly defined by his overwhelming strength and lacks a strong personality, leading some fans to describe him as awkwardly trying to be cool. Fortunately, more recent seasons of Sword Art Online have improved his character by incorporating more details from the original light novels.

Jujutsu Kaisen Fans Collectively Hate Mahito

Mahito, easily recognized by his blue hair, has been a villain from the start of the series. He’s responsible for the deaths of two well-liked characters, including Junpei Yoshino, who fans hoped would return, and severely injured another during Season 2 of JJK. As a Cursed Spirit, he felt no guilt for the pain he inflicted.

Honestly, I’m fascinated by Mahito – he’s just so disturbingly happy when he’s hurting people, it’s almost like a kid getting a kick out of mischief, but way darker! He’s a really well-developed villain, and he’s been right at the heart of everything important that’s happened in Jujutsu Kaisen. A lot of fans, myself included, absolutely love to hate him because of how twisted he is, but I genuinely think the whole story wouldn’t have the same impact without him. He’s just crucial to what makes the series so compelling.

2025-10-27 04:17