8 Anime Heroes So Twisted They Feel Like the True Villains

Anime has always thrived on morally complex storytelling, and few things showcase that better than protagonists who blur the line between hero and villain. While some anime leads embody pure righteousness, others operate by their own twisted moral codes—often making them far more fascinating to watch.

These characters may be the “heroes” of their stories, but their actions, beliefs, and motivations often place them uncomfortably close to the role of the antagonist. Here are eight anime heroes so dark, they might as well be villains.

Prince Lloyd – I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability

Prince Lloyd is one of the most unexpectedly unsettling protagonists in modern anime. On the surface, he appears cheerful, intelligent, and endlessly curious. But beneath that charming exterior lies a disturbingly obsessive fascination with magic.

Lloyd’s love for magical research often overrides basic moral judgment. He’s less concerned with whether something should be done and more interested in whether it can be done. When confronted with genuine evil, he’s more intrigued by the mechanics behind it than the consequences. That unsettling curiosity makes him both fascinating and quietly terrifying.

Gon Freecss – Hunter x Hunter

At first glance, Gon Freecss seems like the embodiment of innocence: cheerful, honest, and full of boundless optimism. But beneath that bright exterior lies something far more dangerous.

When pushed to his limits, Gon reveals a terrifying lack of restraint. His emotional volatility reaches its peak during his confrontation with Neferpitou, where his grief and rage completely consume him. In that moment, Gon transforms from a wide-eyed adventurer into something almost unrecognizable—a character driven purely by vengeance, unconcerned with his own humanity.

Tanya von Degurechaff – The Saga of Tanya the Evil

Tanya von Degurechaff is proof that appearances can be deceiving. Despite her small stature, she is one of the most ruthless and calculating characters in anime. Fueled by spite and an unrelenting desire to defy the godlike Being X, Tanya treats warfare as both a science and a personal vendetta.

On the battlefield, she is terrifyingly efficient, charging headfirst into danger with complete confidence. Her cold logic, paired with a complete lack of empathy, makes her less of a soldier and more of a force of destruction wrapped in a child’s body.

Ainz Ooal Gown – Overlord

Ainz Ooal Gown stands as one of the darkest protagonists in anime history. Trapped inside a virtual world as his powerful undead avatar, Ainz gradually abandons any remaining traces of his humanity.

Unlike most isekai heroes, Ainz doesn’t seek to protect the innocent or uphold justice. Instead, he rules through fear, overwhelming power, and calculated cruelty. His godlike strength makes resistance meaningless, and he shows little hesitation in annihilating entire armies to achieve his goals. In Overlord, the villain isn’t lurking in the shadows—the villain is the main character.

Eren Yeager – Attack on Titan

Few anime characters have undergone a transformation as shocking as Eren Yeager’s. What begins as a fiery desire for freedom slowly morphs into something far darker.

By the series’ end, Eren is willing to commit mass genocide to secure freedom for the people he loves. His actions force viewers to question whether his motivations justify his methods. Eren isn’t driven by hatred alone—he’s driven by inevitability, making his descent into villainy both tragic and horrifying.

Clevatess – Clevatess

Clevatess is a character who blurs the line between antagonist and antihero from the very beginning. Introduced as a monstrous threat to humanity, he later becomes a more complex figure driven by curiosity rather than compassion.

Though he occasionally displays moments of restraint, Clevatess remains detached from human morality. His actions are guided by logic, not empathy, making him unpredictable and dangerous. Whether he will ever truly become a hero remains uncertain—and that ambiguity is exactly what makes him compelling.

Light Yagami – Death Note

Light Yagami is the textbook definition of a protagonist who becomes the villain. Initially motivated by a desire to rid the world of criminals, Light’s moral decay is gradual but absolute.

As the series progresses, his god complex takes over. Anyone who opposes him becomes expendable, innocent or not. By the end of Death Note, Light is no longer a misguided idealist—he is a mass murderer convinced of his own righteousness.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka – Classroom of the Elite

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka is a master manipulator hiding behind a calm, emotionless façade. Exceptionally intelligent and strategically brilliant, he treats people as tools rather than allies.

Unlike more expressive antiheroes, Ayanokoji operates from the shadows, pulling strings without ever drawing attention to himself. His lack of empathy and willingness to sacrifice others for his goals place him dangerously close to villain territory—yet his restraint makes him all the more unsettling.