Anime Protagonists Who Could Easily Turn Villains

Sometimes, even the greatest heroes can be just one difficult day from sliding into the villainy they had vowed to oppose. It’s fascinating how a main character can straddle the line between heroic deeds and imminent ruin.

In anime, the main characters are often portrayed as noble and resolute, yet there’s an intriguing complexity to them – a blend of virtue and vice. As anime enthusiasts, we find ourselves cheering for these characters, even though we acknowledge that if circumstances had changed, they could have become truly chilling figures.

Furthermore, these characters grapple with their inner struggles, enhancing the story’s intricacy and character growth. Notably, several protagonists possess traits that could easily transform them into formidable antagonists should they be pushed to their limits or turn against society:

Beyond this, the characters confront their inner demons, increasing the tale’s depth and character progression. Interestingly, there are numerous protagonists who, given the right circumstances, could convincingly switch roles with the antagonist:

Lastly:

Additionally, these main characters grapple with self-conflict, contributing to the narrative’s richness and character evolution. Remarkably, many heroes possess qualities that might make them formidable adversaries if they were pushed too far or turned against the world:

10. Yuji Itadori

A Hero Teetering On The Edge Of Villainy

Yuji’s odyssey through the realm of magic is marked by an ongoing inner conflict. As a conduit for Sukuna, the ruler of all curses, he grapples with the discord between his personal identity and his sinister aspect.

The conflict between Mahito in the Shibuya storyline hints at the possibility that Itadori might drift towards becoming a villain. Moreover, due to Sukuna’s influence, Yuji wrestles with themes of life and death that other series characters do not encounter.

His immense strength and resolve to accept his dark side would make him a dangerous villain.

9. Gon Freecss

The Dark Side Of Innocence

Gon’s strong affection towards his friend and unwavering determination in achieving his dreams make him a character that audiences can cheer for. Yet, Gon’s feelings run profoundly deep, and when he becomes entirely consumed in his quest, there is a fine distinction between the familiar Gon and a version of him that appears uncontrolled.

Could it be possible that Gon’s innocent trust in people may transform into a more skeptical perspective, given his repeated encounters with the intricate nature of the world?

The very trait that endears him to many might ultimately prove his undoing. A figure whose emotions run deep and is prepared to give up everything he has, possesses the capability to become just as menacing as the most formidable antagonist one can conceive.

8. Meliodas

The Power of The Demon Within

Meliodas treads a delicate balance, straddling both virtue and wickedness. A closer inspection of his persona might lead one to believe he was destined for darkness. He possesses the traits typically associated with a formidable antagonist – extraordinary powers, an intimidating heritage, and a tumultuous past.

Meliodas can often be jovial and seem unbothered, yet if he’s pressed beyond his limits, the facade fades. Furthermore, his connection to Elizabeth gives him an added edge of perilousness in his actions.

How does Meliodas behave when he believes he has lost his one true love, Elizabeth, and what might happen if he holds the world responsible for it? Despite being a hero, Meliodas can be contemptible; as a villain, he could thrive if he had no more attachments.

7. Saitama

The Madness Of A God With No Limit

In the series One Punch Man, Saitama never feels afraid as no obstacle stands before him. Despite having no malicious intentions, if Saitama were to acknowledge that he doesn’t wish to be a hero, or believe the world isn’t worth saving, what would happen then?

In this scenario, should someone no longer care about humanity and decide to act against it, they would become a formidable antagonist, almost like a deity among ordinary people. In anime history, there might not have been anyone as wicked and powerful as such an individual.

6. Naruto Uzumaki

The Rage Of An Abandoned Child

In a village that held contempt for him, viewing him only as a beast, Naruto nurtured an upbringing. Unwilling to accept their perception, he pledged retribution against the very village of Konoha for the injustices inflicted upon him.

Throughout the series, we often see demonstrations of Naruto’s immense destructive power, like his battle against Pain or his training sessions with Jiraiya, among others. Another potential scenario is that Naruto might transform into the supreme antagonist, given his connection to Kurama.

As a devoted fan, I often pondered: What if Naruto had heeded Kurama’s whispers of hatred? Naruto’s unyielding resolve is what makes him an inspiring hero, but it also means that if he were to turn against Konoha and the shinobi world, he could become an unstoppable nightmare.

5. Akira Fudo

A Demon With A Human Heart

Initially, Akira was a sweet and peace-loving child who lacked the strength to resist wickedness, but only until he acquired the devil’s might. After the demon Amon possessed him, he inherited the demon’s knowledge, strength, and wrath while retaining his human qualities.

Consequently, Akira swore to safeguard his people against evil spirits using his newfound strength. Akira is a hero since he continues to guard his people; however, what transpires if he entirely succumbs to the shadows? Then, he would merely be another antagonist with devastating powers.

4. Guts

A Mercenary With No Master

As a child solider, Guts had been under the command of Gambino, who had rescued him from infancy. Despite this, Gambino treated him harshly, and when the time came for Guts to confront the man who had once saved his life, he was left with no other option but to take Gambino’s life.

In that instant when my fellow warriors, the Hawks, were brutally slain, a dark path seemed to beckon me. Yet, amidst the shadows, there was Casca, my beacon of hope in the abyss. But before I could find solace in her light, she was desecrated right before my very eyes.

In a sinister role, Guts embodies a character who recognizes that true justice does not exist, holds no faith in the possibility of redemption, and perceives power as the ultimate reality. Such a malevolent individual, driven by such beliefs, could ignite the world with chaos.

3. Goku

A Power That Has No Equal

In a different phrasing, Goku, as a villain, is a terror nobody would wish to encounter. His life revolves around the excitement of conflict, and anyone with such a disposition can only bring about suffering.

Originally, the Saiyan warrior was from a species that indiscriminately incinerated planets as mere recreational activities. However, due to the compassionate upbringing he received, Goku’s inherent destructive tendencies were kept in check.

Because Goku has a strong fondness for combat, should the ethical guide that restrains him vanish, Goku transforms into an uncontrolled beast, relentlessly searching for the most powerful warrior regardless of the devastation of entire planets.

2. Lelouch Lamperouge

The End Justifies The Means

Lelouch yearns deeply to liberate Japan from its oppressors and safeguard his sibling. Though his intentions are admirable, his actions can be harsh and merciless.

He shapes events and makes sacrifices in the name of what he considers as the greater good. Essentially, his strong moral compass may cloud his judgment regarding the outcomes of his decisions. His power to inspire devotion and accomplish objectives is a double-edged sword, as it serves him well while also presenting potential pitfalls.

If his initial intention for freedom transforms into a desire for total control, this marks a troubling turn since he has demonstrated signs of wickedness during his pursuit of a righteous cause.

1. Gabimaru

A Man Lost To Himself

As a tool wielded by an assassin’s guild throughout my life, I, Gabimaru, have come to realize that my existence was nothing more than a means to an end. Now, I yearn to atone for the blood-soaked path I’ve walked and seek redemption from the violence of my past, not just as a gamer seeking a fresh start in a new game, but as a man longing for a chance to right the wrongs of my former self.

What gives Gabimaru depth as a character is his internal turmoil, stemming from the fact that he isn’t innately wicked, but rather influenced by his circumstances. His devotion to seeking redemption stems from his love for his wife, yet there’s a possibility that these memories of his wife could be mere illusions.

Therefore, if Gabimaru realizes that the reason for his quest for redemption holds no truth, he could plunge into despair and give in to his sinister nature. In this scenario, he might transform into a menacing antagonist.

2025-04-07 23:40