The world of anime is often filled with complex and intriguing stories, unique characters, and creative world-building. However, despite these positive aspects, some anime protagonists can be so poorly written or acted that they become a stumbling block for the entire story. This article delves into the most hated protagonists in anime, those who are poorly written, detestable to the fandom, or perpetrate evil deeds in the show.
One of the most infamous protagonists on this list is Light Yagami from “Death Note”. Despite being a genius high schooler with a unique ability, Light’s actions become increasingly questionable as he becomes obsessed with his own goals, leading fans to question why others support his atrocious actions.
Another problematic protagonist is Eren Yeager from “Attack on Titan”. After the death of his mother, Eren vows to kill all titans, but as the series progresses, he becomes increasingly evil, killing innocents to protect his friends. This shift in character has led many fans to detest Eren’s actions and consider him the most hated character in the universe.
Izuku Midoriya, or Deku, from “My Hero Academia” also falls short of expectations. Despite being a unique and complex character, Deku’s whiny and crybaby nature makes him annoying to some fans, and his character development is overshadowed by his interactions with other characters.
Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan (Image via Getty)
Asta from “Black Clover” is another anime protagonist who fails to impress. With a talentless main character who has a hidden and unique power, Asta’s loud and obnoxious personality makes him an annoyance to many fans, leading some to drop the anime altogether.
The complex and troubled protagonist Shinji Ikari from “Neon Genesis Evangelion” is yet another example of a flawed character. Despite having natural reactions to his situation, Shinji’s whiny attitude, cowardice, and constant complaining make fans detest him.
Takemichi Hanagaki from “Tokyo Revengers” also falls into the trap of being a whiny and crybaby protagonist. Despite having some great episodes, Takemichi’s inability to make decisions and his constant switching between being a coward and trying to do good make his character seem repetitive and undesirable.
Meliodas from “The Seven Deadly Sins” is another poorly written protagonist. With his perverted tendencies, overpowered abilities, and lack of development throughout the series, Meliodas is not a character to be admired or respected.
Boruto Uzumaki from “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations” is the son of Naruto, one of the most well-loved anime protagonists. However, Boruto’s snotty, bratty, and willingness to cut corners make him a straight-up pest, unlike his father.
Makoto Itou from “School Days” is perhaps one of the most selfish and manipulative protagonists on this list. He never takes responsibility for his actions or deals with the consequences, making his character highly unlikeable.
Finally, Kirito from “Sword Art Online” is often considered one of the worst anime protagonists of all time. As a self-insert of the creator, Kirito is extremely intelligent and good at everything, making him unlikeable and unrelatable to many fans.
