Fans Have A Love-Hate Relationship With These Anime Characters

Anime fans are incredibly dedicated, so when a show really connects with them, they find it impossible to stop watching.

It’s also common for fans to heavily criticize anime characters who do terrible things. Sometimes, even well-developed characters receive harsh feedback, and fans who dislike their personalities struggle to acknowledge the depth and complexity these characters demonstrate when given the opportunity.

Shinji Ikari

A Crybaby In The Eyes Of Some, A Great Depiction Of Depression In The Eyes Of Others

Shinji is often criticized for being overly whiny, and his behavior in *The End of Evangelion* is hard to excuse. However, there’s a deeper side to his character that many viewers might miss if they don’t fully understand the reasons behind his choices.

Asking a child who desperately wants his father’s approval to pilot a giant robot and battle terrifying creatures, all to earn that approval, is an enormous burden for anyone, let alone a child. It’s made worse by the fact that his father, Gendo, is simply using him for his own selfish goals, which explains why Shinji struggles so much throughout the series.

Sakura Haruno

Has Her Moments, But Kishimoto Does Her No Favors With Her Reliance On Naruto

Sakura isn’t to blame for how weakly her character was portrayed in *Naruto*. The real issue is with the author, Kishimoto, who frequently struggled to write compelling female characters. What many fans find particularly frustrating is that Sakura had a lot of promise, but her development stalled when she became overly dependent on Naruto.

Temari had a strong showing during the Chunin Exams in *Naruto*, but then her role diminished. Fans were pleased to see her power highlighted again at the beginning of *Shippuden*. Unfortunately, she didn’t progress much after her battle with Sasori and failed to demonstrate any real growth. When she confidently declared herself equal to Naruto and Sasuke after only revealing one new ability, fans found it unconvincing and it ultimately damaged her reputation.

Ichigo Kurosaki

An Aura Farming King, But Seems Bland Otherwise For Some

Ichigo isn’t a very compelling main character compared to others in the shonen genre. Even though his series is incredibly popular, he didn’t really develop much after the early stages of the story. Plus, his later power increases felt unearned, which disappointed many fans and hurt his character arc.

Even though Ichigo isn’t a perfect character, his bravery and determination are really impressive. While other heroes in anime often become more complex over time, it’s unfair to expect Ichigo to measure up to the very best of all time – and fans might be let down if they do.

Zenitsu Agatsuma

Before He Gets Serious And Wows Fans, He Cries All The Time And Annoys Them

Zenitsu is a really divisive character! Some fans are shocked anyone could dislike him, while others are baffled by how much support he gets despite his constant complaining and awkward behavior around women. It seems like people on both sides have valid points, and he truly sparks a lot of debate.

I have to admit, even though Zenitsu can be incredibly irritating, he’s become one of the best at building up his aura in all of anime, in my opinion. The way he took just one Thunder Breathing technique and made it his signature move is amazing, and his battles are visually stunning – Ufotable’s animation really makes them pop.

Gabi Braun

People Who Hate This Character Eventually Realized What Isayama Was Trying To Convey With Her Presence

Those critical of Gabi’s character are overlooking her purpose. She represents how easily young people can be manipulated into blindly hating a group, and her fear of Eldians is a direct result of that indoctrination – which makes her perspective understandable, even if it’s wrong.

Sasha was seen as an opponent by one character, but fans adored her – she was a beloved member of the Survey Corps, known for her love of potatoes. When she was killed, fans were furious, and even a later reveal about her didn’t change their feelings.

Boruto Uzumaki

It Will Take A Long, Long Time For Him To Live Up To His Father’s Legacy

Boruto faced a tough challenge as the main character in the continuation of *Naruto*. It was difficult for him to gain acceptance from fans who greatly loved the original series’ hero.

Boruto’s difficult personality initially made it hard for viewers to connect with him, despite understandable reasons for his behavior. Hopefully, the *Two Blue Vortex* arc will better showcase his strengths and prove why he deserves to be seen as a compelling lead character.

Griffith

He’s A Horrible, Horrible Man, But Fans Can’t Help But Be Wowed By His Charisma

Griffith is a truly reprehensible character, and his actions during the Eclipse are unforgivable. Despite this, he remains popular and is often considered one of the best villains in manga, which is a testament to the incredible skill of the late Kentaro Miura as a writer.

This man was determined to become king, and nothing – not even his loved ones – would stop him. He’s a captivating character, which makes him so interesting to watch, but his terrible deeds are shocking, and only the most devoted viewers will likely support him.

Katsuki Bakugo

People Either Hate Him Or Love Him, There’s No Middle Ground

It’s rare for a character to be both incredibly popular and intensely disliked, but Bakugo manages to achieve this. While many fans love him, his past behavior – especially his constant bullying of Midoriya before he had a Quirk – is hard to forgive, and his aggressive personality doesn’t make things any easier.

A lot of people who previously disliked this character began to change their minds after seeing his unexpected fight with Deku. He revealed he felt responsible for All Might’s retirement, which gave him a chance to grow and become more sympathetic. While this didn’t win everyone over, it significantly improved his image for many fans.

2025-09-24 22:58