5 anime with morally grey characters
Death Note – Light Yagami
If you’ve seen Death Note, you probably know Light Yagami as the famous anti-hero. He comes with the goal of making the world a better place by eliminating all the criminals, but it comes with a cost. He does so by writing the names of people he wants to kill in a diary called the Death Note. He goes from an idealistic student to someone people feared because of how brutal his killings were, and no one could guess why it was happening.
Attack on Titan – Eren Yeager
If you’re talking about moral ambiguity, then you can’t forget Eren Yeager. He is driven by a desire to protect his friends and get rid of titans, but his idea of freedom and survival becomes extreme. His actions grow to become extreme and can’t be justified anymore.
Code Geass – Lelouch Lamperouge
Lelouch’s goal is to make a better world for his sister. However, his ways of doing so are pretty straightforward. He goes on to use deception, violence, and manipulation to challenge the ruling regime.
Vinland Saga – Askeladd
Askeladd is something between a hero and a villain. He is a strategist and a warrior who lies very frequently, manipulates people, and also does brutal things to get what he wants. He has a complicated past, and he hides a lot inside. His arc brings up questions around morality in Vinland Saga.
Monster – Johan Liebert
Johan Liebert represents the darker end of moral ambiguity. His actions are often horrifying, but the mystery surrounding his personality, past, and motivations is what makes him such a captivating character.