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The world of anime is packed with exciting and colorful characters of all sorts, and many of the best anime characters are gung-ho heroes, such as classic shonen protagonists. Then again, some anime villains are likable too, in their own way. Not all villains are total monsters — some of them redeem themselves or show their sympathetic side later in the story.
Anime heroes start off likable and become even more so as they are deepened during the story, and sometimes, that will apply to one or more villains, too. These villains might be so cool and stylish, fans can’t help but learn to like them, or the villain reveals an entirely new, nicer side of themselves to boost their image among viewers.
10 Itachi Uchiha Was Actually A Double Agent (Naruto)
Itachi Uchiha was built up to be Sasuke Uchiha’s worst nemesis, his murderous big brother who betrayed the entire Uchiha clan for unknown reasons. Itachi proved Sasuke’s worst fears correct when he appeared not long after the Third Hokage’s death, but that wasn’t the end of Itachi’s story.
In reality, Itachi was a double agent all along, and he was loyal to the Leaf Village as a whole, not to one person. He did everything for Sasuke’s sake and took down the traitorous Uchiha clan on orders — not for the sake of enjoyment. He loved his little brother all along, and helped him later.
9 Grimmjow Jeagerjaques Is A Tragic Antihero (Bleach)
At first, the 6th Espada Grimmjow Jeagerjaques was just a thuggish bully who wanted Ichigo dead, and he was the total opposite of the cool and composed Ulquiorra Schiffer. However, Grimmjow soon proved that he had a sense of honor, and would only fight Ichigo when the latter was at his best.
Grimmjow even helped Orihime and asked for Ichigo to be healed before their final fight, which is somewhat noble. Later on, he even helped Ichigo and Nelliel fight back against the Sternritter, showing just how far he had come. He was even willing to set his grudge with Ichigo aside for the time being.
8 Zeldris Is Meliodas’ Brother (The Seven Deadly Sins)
Zeldris was introduced as a stern and disciplined member of the Ten Commandments group, and he was among the most powerful of these ten demonic warriors. At first, that was all he seemed to be, but then a plot twist arrived — Zeldris is Meliodas’ brother.
Zeldris’ personal motives and emotions became much clearer after a point, and he became somewhat more sympathetic by then. He also had a lover, the vampire Gelda, and would do anything for her sake. It’s tough not to like him after learning about his life.
7 Reiner Braun Isn’t Just A Warrior (Attack On Titan)
Reiner Braun is the mighty Armored Titan, and he joined the Survey Corps as a double agent working for the distant Marleyan Empire. He and his cohorts were Eren’s friends on the outside and his enemies on the inside, but there’s more to Reiner than that.
Reiner is a somewhat noble villain who isn’t exactly bloodthirsty or ambitious. In fact, he sometimes suffers self-doubt, and he wants more than anything for his family back in the Eldian internment zone to be safe and happy. For their sake, he will fight with or against anyone.
6 Mello Indeed Mellowed Out After A Point (Death Note)
The villainous schemer Mello made a strong, and negative, first impression when he burst onto the scene and captured Light’s little sister Sayu to pressure the NPA into giving him the notebook. Mello and his mobster allies would betray and kill anyone if it meant protecting their new prize.
Mello later cooled down, though, and started cooperating with his one-sided rival Near, a gesture that Near appreciated. Mello also had a friend, Matt, and deeply regretted Matt’s death. Eventually, he died when Kiyomi Takada wrote his name down.
5 Tomura Shigaraki Is Just A Scared & Exploited Kid After All (My Hero Academia)
Tomura Shigaraki made his big debut during the League of Villains’ attack on the U.A. school, and he was just a creepy and bratty villain at the time, covered in severed hands. Tomura Shigaraki wasn’t always like this, however. He never meant to become a villain, but traumatic experiences in his boyhood set him on that path all the same.
Later episodes in the series made it clear that Tomura’s Decay Quirk was too much for him to handle, and then All For One took advantage of Tomura’s grief and shock, molding him into the ideal successor as the symbol of evil. Now, anime fans see Tomura in a whole new light, though none of this excuses his many crimes.
4 Scar Was Redeemed In The End (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
The vengeful Ishvalan monk Scar was introduced as a thuggish brute who wanted to kill all state alchemists in retaliation for the Ishval Civil War, and to prevent alchemists from desecrating the world of the Ishvalan god. Scar was out for blood, but he soon learned that revenge only leads to yet more misery.
Scar became more likable when he called a truce with the Elric brothers, and he became a rogue antihero who wanted to take down Father and the homunculi, his true enemies. Scar was also more likable when viewers learned of his close relationship to his unnamed brother.
3 Tsukasa Shishio Finally Sided With Senku (Dr. Stone)
Tsukasa Shishio began the story of Dr. Stone as a powerful and shockingly merciless fighter who was determined to not let the governments, laws and justice system of the previous era return in this new stone age. He became an anarchist who favored natural law over mankind’s laws, and that put him at odds with Senku Ishigami the scientist.
Tsukasa was willing to kill Senku over their differences, and for a time, he was Senku’s biggest headache. Fortunately, he later changed his mind and sided with Senku against Hyoga, and it was revealed that Tsukasa had a sickly younger sister to look after and defend. He was immensely relieved when she was revived from the stone.
2 Azami Nakiri Made Peace With His Daughter & Ex-Wife (Food Wars!)
The villainous Azami Nakiri had a partial redemption at best, but it was still enough to make him at least slightly more likable, and it deepened his character, too. Azami was introduced as an arrogant and self-centered person who wanted to forcibly reshape the culinary world to match his own lofty ideals on cuisine.
Azami was a total tyrant at home, and his talented daughter Erina feared him for years. After Azami’s defeat, he vanished, then came back as a much humbler and gentler person. More of his backstory was also explored, including how he first met Erina’s mother Mana, and it was actually very touching. Azami’s humanity was on full display at last.
1 Mr. 2, Bon Clay, Became A Friend Of Luffy’s (One Piece)
Mr. 2, or Bon Clay, appeared during the Alabasta arc as a flamboyant and deadly agent of Sir Crocodile’s. He based his combat style on swans, ballet and the number two, and he fought a close battle with Sanji Vinsmoke before facing defeat. He appeared again much later as a prisoner in the fearsome Impel Down facility.
Bon Clay had cut ties with Crocodile, and he now valued friendship and loyalty far more than before. To that end, he helped Luffy, Mr. 3 and other protagonists escape the prison, and gave his life to fool warden Magellan and secure Luffy’s escape. This endeared him to many viewers, not to mention Luffy himself.
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