Top 10 Anime Featuring Antihero Protagonists, Ranked

Fiction has often portrayed the "hero" as the central character - someone who is virtuous, selfless, and relentless in thwarting the villain's malevolent schemes. However, many narratives deviate from this conventional archetype by depicting the protagonist as morally questionable.

In certain anime series, the main characters are portrayed as minor criminals at best, or despicable individuals at worst. While some may have noble motives or tragic pasts, others indulge in malevolence simply for the thrill of it. Indeed, who says that the protagonist must always embody righteousness to captivate the audience?

Afro Samurai

MyAnimeList Score: 7.36

Afro Samurai from Afro Samurai - MyAnimeList Score: 7.36

Afro Samurai, the protagonist of the series, is a vengeful anti-hero driven by the murder of his father. Witnessing Justice, a skilled swordsman, take his father's life, Afro becomes consumed by a desire for revenge, stopping at nothing to eliminate anyone who opposes him. The manga portrays him as even more merciless and lacking in compassion.

Afro, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, is driven by understandable motivations, but his actions paint a different picture. His single-minded focus on revenge leads him down a dark path, where he becomes consumed by evil, mirroring the very man who took his father's life.

Gangsta.

MyAnimeList Score: 7.41

Worick Arcangelo and Nicholas Brown in Gangsta - MyAnimeList Score: 7.41 - Gangsta.

The series Gangsta. follows the adventures of the "Handymen" - a pair of gangsters made up of a gigolo named Worick and a "Twilight" mercenary named Nicolas. They provide a range of services for both gangs and law enforcement, including bodyguard duties and even assassination jobs.

Set in the dark and dangerous underworld of Ergastulum, the storyline portrays Worick and Nicolas as criminals who strive to improve their community. When they take in a former prostitute named Alex, they become embroiled in the complex dynamics between superhuman "Twilights" and ordinary humans.

Lupin III

MyAnimeList Score: 7.63

Lupin III Part 2 - MyAnimeList Score: 7.63

Arsène Lupin III, a character from the Lupin III series, has achieved iconic status in Japanese pop culture due to the numerous adaptations of the manga. As the grandson of a renowned gentleman thief, Lupin III is determined to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and has gained notoriety as an internationally wanted criminal.

Gungrave

In the anime Gungrave, the story follows the protagonist, Lupin III, along with his friend Daisuke Jigen, master swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII, and femme fatale Fujiko Mine. Together, they get involved in daring heists and outwit both his pursuer, Inspector Zenigata, and rival criminals.

MyAnimeList Score: 7.82

Beyond the Grave - MyAnimeList Score: 7.82 - Gungrave

Release Date : October 6, 2003

Studio : Madhouse

Gungrave consists of a total of 26 episodes.

The anime follows the journey of Brandon Heat, a minor criminal affiliated with the Millenion mafia group. Unfortunately, Brandon is betrayed and murdered by his closest friend, Harry MacDowell. However, he is brought back to life as the formidable gunslinger known as Beyond the Grave, seeking vengeance for his betrayal.

The anime "91 Days" follows the story of Brandon as Beyond the Grave, intertwining present-day events with flashbacks that unveil Brandon and Harry's backstory. These flashbacks also delve into the events that led to Harry's betrayal and Brandon's transformation into a revenge-driven gunman.

MyAnimeList Score: 7.83

stand-off in 91 Days - MyAnimeList Score: 7.83

Release Date : July 9, 2016

Studio : Shuka

12 episodes are dedicated to telling the gritty revenge story of "91 Days" set in America's Prohibition era. The series follows the protagonist, Angelo Lagusa, who witnesses the murder of his parents by the Vanetti mafia family and seeks vengeance. To achieve his goal, Angelo adopts the alias Avilio Bruno and befriends the son of the Vanetti family's don, with the intention of infiltrating the organization and dismantling it from the inside.

Avilio, similar to Afro from Afro Samurai, does whatever it takes to gain the trust of the mafia members. This includes carrying out their dirty work and being willing to kill or betray others in order to achieve his goals.

Michiko & Hatchin

MyAnimeList Score: 7.83

Michiko Malandro from Michiko & Hatchin - MyAnimeList Score: 7.83

Release Date : October 16, 2008

Studio : Manglobe

Michiko & Hatchin consists of 22 episodes in total. The series begins with Michiko Malandro escaping from a high-security prison. She then rescues a girl named Hana Morenos from her abusive foster family, mistaking her for the daughter of her ex-boyfriend, and gives her the nickname Hatchin.

Michiko and Hatchin set off on a quest to locate Hiroshi Morenos in the fictional South American nation of Diamandra, contending with both criminal organizations and law enforcement. Despite Michiko being a fugitive, she displays moments of kindness, particularly as she grows closer to Hatchin.

MyAnimeList Score: 8.03

Black-Lagoon main characters - MyAnimeList Score: 8.03 - Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon follows the exploits of the Lagoon Delivery Company, a group of mercenaries operating in Roanapur, a fictional city in Thailand. One day, Salaryman Rokuro "Rock" Okajima is kidnapped by the Company and eventually becomes a part of their criminal activities.

Rock joins forces with the tough-as-nails leader Dutch, the skilled mechanic Benny, and the sharpshooter Revy. As he delves deeper into the criminal underworld, Rock realizes that the Company is involved in smuggling operations, gunfights, and clashes with various criminal factions. Despite starting off as the most morally upright member, Rock's values begin to erode the longer he remains with the Lagoon Company.

Terror In Resonance

MyAnimeList Score: 8.09

Nine And Twelve (Terror In Resonance) - MyAnimeList Score: 8.09

Set in a twisted version of contemporary Tokyo, Terror in Resonance follows the story of two enigmatic teenagers, Nine and Twelve, who execute a string of terrorist acts using the moniker "Sphinx." Their tactics involve posting cryptic videos online, daring authorities to decipher their puzzles or face the consequences of Tokyo's destruction.

Detective Kenjorou Shibazaki leads a police force tasked with uncovering the motives of Sphinx and stopping their reign of terror. As the series progresses, the motives of Nine and Twelve are gradually unveiled, revealing a complex government conspiracy and the existence of human weapons.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

MyAnimeList Score: 8.60

David Martinez And Lucyna Lucy Kushinada (Cyberpunk Edgerunners) - MyAnimeList Score: 8.60 - Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Based on the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners tells the story of a boy named David Martinez, who encounters a netrunner named Lucy Kushinada after a near-fatal drive-by shooting. Lucy, harboring a deep resentment for their city, introduces David to the Edgerunners - a group of rebellious cyborgs.

With the help of a prosthetic implant that grants him incredible speed, Martinez decides that joining the Edgerunners is his only chance to survive in the corrupt and dystopian Night City. Given the harsh reality of their surroundings, David and Lucy's decision to turn to a life of crime may be seen as a necessary means of survival.

Death Note

MyAnimeList Score: 8.62

Light In Death Note Anime - MyAnimeList Score: 8.62

Death Note is widely recognized as one of the most popular anime series featuring a protagonist who is a criminal and a detective determined to stop him. The story revolves around Light Yagami, a highly intelligent high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook that grants him the ability to kill anyone by simply writing their name in it. Motivated by his desire to eliminate criminals and establish a society based on his own twisted sense of justice, Light embarks on a mission to become the ultimate ruler of the world.

Light's actions draw the interest of an international law enforcement agency, prompting a thorough investigation led by the brilliant detective known as "L." Dubbed "Kira" by the media, Light finds himself in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game with L as they both strive to reveal each other's true identities.

Editor's P/S:

This article explores the intriguing concept of anti-hero protagonists in anime, who deviate from the traditional archetype of virtuous heroes. It presents a compelling case for the captivating nature of these characters, despite their morally questionable actions. The examples provided, such as Afro Samurai, Gangsta, and Death Note, showcase how anti-heroes can drive narratives with their complex motivations and flawed personalities.

While it is true that some may question the morality of these characters, the article argues that their actions often stem from understandable motivations and tragic pasts. By presenting characters who are willing to embrace darkness for their own reasons, anime can challenge societal norms and explore the complexities of human nature. The article successfully highlights the nuanced and engaging nature of these anti-hero protagonists, making a strong case for their place in the anime landscape.