Some of the most interesting characters are those who cannot be definitively labeled as good or bad. Such heroes invite a deeper dive to understand their desires, motivations, and way of thinking. At times, they behave very contradictorily and illogically, deviating from their initial beliefs or plans. A combination of their wild actions, charisma, and attractiveness makes these characters truly memorable.
Zak (Isaac Foster) from Angels of Death
This charismatic, audacious young man wielding a scythe acts like a genuine madman, yet he captivates viewers with his memorable appearance and impulsive nature. Zak`s story evokes sadness, empathy, and horror, as the character was subjected to cruel torture and trials from childhood. A life of poverty, being set on fire, escaping an orphanage, and the clouding of his mind shaped him.
Zak grew up and became a true psycho and killer, but he still hasn`t lost the capacity to feel. He develops an attachment to Rachel, who is different from all his previous victims. Her lifeless gaze and complete indifference irritate Zak, but he isn`t quick to kill her. Zak often can`t control his emotions and outbursts of anger, especially when someone lies to him.
Do you even realize who you`re talking to? You`re facing a maniac!… For me to die, you`ll have to kill me first!
Power from Chainsaw Man
The charming and short-tempered fiend with red horns named Power from the anime Chainsaw Man has won over many viewers. This self-absorbed and egoistical girl considers herself superior to others and holds neither humans nor other demons in high regard. So why is she loved? Despite her arrogant and complex nature and her fondness for brutal fights, she is not at all devoid of compassion. While primarily directed towards animals, upon closer inspection, one can notice that she has also grown somewhat fond of her colleagues.
Power behaves carelessly and says and does whatever comes to mind without a hint of embarrassment. Such nonchalance borders on madness, which, incidentally, she also possesses. Her appearance doesn`t matter to her; she doesn`t care what others think; she lies constantly and perpetually gets Denji into trouble. Power is not human and largely misunderstands people, holding erroneous beliefs about them. Despite this, she gradually changes for the better.
Bow down before me, human! For my name is Power!
Michiko Malandro from Michiko & Hatchin
Crashing into a house through a window on a motorcycle with the most dramatic expression possible isn`t something everyone can do. A normal person wouldn`t even consider it, but there are no normal people on this list. The attractive and dangerous Michiko Malandro escaped from prison to find her beloved, but it`s not that simple. The only lead is his biological daughter, who lives somewhere unknown and knows nothing about her father. Anyone would say that finding the man in such a case is virtually impossible. But that would hardly stop this wild, determined, strong, and independent woman, especially if she has something to say to her ex-boyfriend.
Michiko isn`t afraid of problems; she creates them herself. Despite rescuing a little girl from a cruel family where the child was constantly mistreated, Michiko cannot be called a good person or a savior. While she gave Hatchin freedom, she dragged her into far more dangerous matters: fleeing from police, shootouts, kidnappings, and much more. Primarily, Michiko is guided by personal interests, but she still tries to care for the child and protect the little one from troubles as best she can. She`s not always successful, but she gets points for trying.
In combat and emergency situations, Michiko behaves incredibly coolly, unafraid of bullets, speed, or bandits. The character is well aware of her own strengths, using her attractiveness to turn almost any difficult situation to her advantage, all without losing an ounce of dignity.
I`ll send you express to hell.
Hange Zoë from Attack on Titan
Among all the characters presented, Hange might seem the most amiable, harmless, and reasonable, yet they are still a contradictory character. Hange`s crazy love for Titans is simultaneously terrifying and captivating. They appear before the viewer as someone utterly obsessed with their passion: eyes burning, ideas popping up one after another, and their mouth constantly moving, eager to tell everyone about their experiments. And herein lies the problem.
Hange is so consumed by their love for Titans that they simultaneously wish to dissect them for all sorts of experiments and understand their feelings. They give them names, talk to them, try to establish a connection, and at the same time, pierce them with spears to identify weaknesses. Fortunately, their wild ideas do not extend to people, unless, of course, it`s Eren — fate itself seemed to dictate he become Hange`s guinea pig.
The world is a vast mystery, and every new discovery brings us closer to solving it.
Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass
At first glance, Lelouch, affectionately called Lulu by his friends, is an ordinary high school student, excelling academically and working on the student council. He takes care of his younger sister, enjoys time with peers, and… is planning a genuine revolution. Throughout the series, viewers are shown the character`s duality: on one hand, he is a talented and diligent student; on the other, he is a royal heir, a political hostage, and one who wants to end the emperor`s tyranny to avenge his mother`s death. It would seem his goal is not without meaning, but his methods…
The power bestowed upon Lelouch fuels his arrogance and sense of superiority. The character begins using innocent people for his own ends, gradually transforming into a monster just like the father he wholeheartedly despises. Lelouch possesses high intelligence but mistakenly believes he can control any situation. Lelouch`s miscalculations drive him to madness. Every step the character takes towards his cherished goal evokes interest and captures attention, while every failure is painful and causes a sense of bitterness.
It wasn`t me who was mistaken! It was the world! And the world will change – it can be changed.
Juuzou Suzuya from Tokyo Ghoul
Among all the anime characters, Juuzou is arguably the most fascinating and captivating madman. His recognizable appearance with red stitches on his skin, his unusual way of speaking, his somewhat naive yet endearing behavior, his flawless fighting style, his lack of fear, and his gaze… His eyes see the world differently from ordinary people. Juuzou behaves like a wild creature who has been deprived of love and warmth but still yearns to understand these feelings. He differs from Zak from Angels of Death, although he also went through a difficult childhood.
Juuzou did not lose trust in people and did not become a maniac. Thanks to a caring mentor, he channels his energy and aggression into fighting criminal ghouls. Of course, the question of good and bad ghouls and humans is debatable, a topic discussed throughout all four seasons of the anime. However, like many characters in this series, Juuzou cannot be called either a purely positive or negative character. Being quite contradictory, yet very charismatic, he managed to win over viewers.
Why should I apologize for being a monster? Did anyone ever apologize for turning me into one?