Have you ever rooted for a character only to watch them descend into darkness? There’s something oddly fascinating about watching a hero fall—about seeing someone we once admired turn into something terrifying. In anime, this trope hits differently.
It’s not just about shock value; it’s about exploring what pushes someone to become the villain. Let’s dive into 10 must-watch anime where the hero doesn’t stay heroic for long—and ends up becoming the very thing they once fought against.
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#10: Tokyo Ghoul – Kaneki’s Tragic Fall Into the Abyss
Remember Ken Kaneki? The soft-spoken, book-loving college kid? Yeah, that guy’s long gone by the time you’re halfway through Tokyo Ghoul. After a brutal transformation into a half-ghoul, Kaneki is forced to embrace the monstrous side of himself just to survive.
His journey isn’t about a lust for power—it’s about pain, betrayal, and the harsh reality of a world that offers no mercy. As he descends deeper into violence and madness, we start to question if the Kaneki we once knew is ever coming back. And honestly? That transformation is haunting.
#9: Angels of Death – Rachel’s Morally Grey Mindset
Angels of Death gives us Rachel Gardner, a young girl stuck in a deadly building filled with killers. At first, she seems like your typical damsel in distress, but as the story unfolds, we realize there’s something…off.
Rachel’s desire to die—and her twisted sense of right and wrong—turn her into someone far more complex than a victim. She manipulates, she lies, and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. By the end, it’s hard to tell who the real villain is.
#8: 91 Days – Angelo’s Revenge Turns Him Cold
If 91 Days were a dish, it’d be served cold—ice-cold revenge, that is. Angelo, aka Avilio, sets out to destroy the mafia family responsible for his family’s murder. Sounds heroic, right?
But as he gets closer to his goal, Angelo begins to lose his soul. Every act of vengeance chips away at his humanity until there’s nothing left but bitterness. He becomes exactly like the men he wanted to destroy—calculated, ruthless, and emotionally numb.
#7: Terror in Resonance – Heroes or Criminals?
In Terror in Resonance, Nine and Twelve are survivors of horrific government experiments. Instead of seeking justice through legal means, they choose a path of terrorism to expose the truth.
They’re not evil in the traditional sense—but blowing up buildings and manipulating the media doesn’t scream “hero.” Their motivations might be noble, but their actions place them firmly in villain territory, raising the question: do the ends ever justify the means?
#6: The Saga of Tanya the Evil – A Devil in Disguise
You won’t find a more terrifying “child” protagonist than Tanya Degurechaff. Reincarnated into a war-torn world with the mind of a ruthless salaryman, Tanya doesn’t just follow orders—she relishes in destruction.
She’s smart, strategic, and absolutely devoid of empathy. Watching her climb the military ranks is like watching a demon take the throne. Her story forces you to question what it really means to be the hero in a world built on chaos.
#5: Berserk – Guts and Griffith’s Twisted Fates
In Berserk, both Guts and Griffith have compelling arcs—but it’s Griffith who delivers the ultimate betrayal. Starting as a charismatic leader with dreams of greatness, Griffith sacrifices his comrades to ascend as a demonic god.
It’s a gut-wrenching (no pun intended) twist that flips the narrative. The hero becomes the villain in one horrifying moment. Meanwhile, Guts, driven by vengeance, walks a dark path himself, raising the chilling idea that vengeance might make you no better than your enemy.
#4: Overlord – Power Reveals the Truth
Imagine being transported into a video game world and becoming the most powerful being in existence. That’s Overlord in a nutshell. At first, Momonga (later known as Ainz Ooal Gown) just wants to understand his new reality.
But over time, he embraces the dark role he’s been given—conquering lands, instilling fear, and showing zero mercy. Is it the world that changed him, or did the power reveal who he truly was all along? That’s what makes his descent so chilling.
Related:
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#3: Death Note – The Birth of a Tyrant
We all know this one. Death Note doesn’t waste time—it throws you right into Light Yagami’s transformation from high school genius to self-proclaimed god.
At first, Light genuinely wants to rid the world of evil. But it doesn’t take long before he’s justifying murder, manipulating friends, and eliminating anyone who dares challenge him. Watching his spiral is like watching a candle burn at both ends—brilliant but destined to end in flames.
#2: Code Geass – Lelouch’s Sacrificial Descent
Code Geass is a masterclass in “hero turns villain for the greater good.” Lelouch starts out with noble intentions: destroy a tyrannical empire, free the oppressed, and protect his sister.
But to do that, he lies, kills, and becomes a dictator. And the worst part? He knows exactly what he’s doing. His final plan—Zero Requiem—is both heartbreaking and brilliant. Lelouch becomes the villain so the world can finally have peace. It’s Shakespeare-level tragedy.
#1: Attack on Titan – Eren Yeager’s Unforgivable Choice
No character transformation has shaken anime fans quite like Eren Yeager’s. He began as a hot-headed kid who just wanted freedom for his people. But as the truth of the world unfolded, so did Eren’s resolve to destroy it.
By the final season, Eren is unrecognizable. He wages a war not just against his enemies, but against the world itself. Genocide, manipulation, betrayal—he does it all with terrifying calm. Is he a villain? A hero? Or just a slave to destiny? That’s for you to decide—but one thing’s certain: his fall from grace is unforgettable.
Conclusion: Why We Love Watching Heroes Fall
There’s something deeply human about watching a good guy go bad. Maybe it’s because we all have our own struggles with morality. Maybe it’s because darkness makes the story more real. These anime don’t just entertain—they challenge us. They make us ask hard questions: What would we do in their shoes? How far would we go?
In the end, the best villain arcs start with a hero—and the best stories leave us haunted long after the credits roll.
