Anime is oftentimes defined through its memorable and exciting betrayals. Characters that heroes and villains alike once thought they could trust turn their backs and reveal their true intentions, often for lasting consequence in the overall story.

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However, these betrayals have varying predictability for the audience viewing it from an outsider's perspective. By analyzing the most surprising betrayals and contrasting them against those that were obvious, we have a better understanding of the greatest diabolical minds in anime history and through the prodigious ways they have changed the trajectory of the narrative.

10 SHOCKING: Hawks' Betrayal Of The Heroes (My Hero Academia)

Hawks from My Hero Academia.

The ending scene of the first episode in My Hero Academia season five revealed a shocking truth about Hawks. He was collaborating with Dabi since the beginning, the man who had unleashed High-End on Endeavor and forced the new Symbol of Peace to fight for his life.

Considering Hawks' previous sentiments about wishing for a quiet career that is seldom disturbed, this revelation shocked fans and forced them to redefine their perception of the former hero. What his betrayal portends for the anime has yet to be fully understood.

9 UNSURPRISING: Light's Identity Was Clear Since The Beginning (Death Note)

Light Yagami from Death Note laughing evilly.

The events of the Death Note series covered the assiduous hunt for the Kira killer. However, audiences understood from the beginning that Light Yagami was behind the murders since the story followed his perspective. It was also L's greatest hunch, one that he attempted to build on until his death.

Eventually, Near would expose Yagami's identity before the Japanese Task Force. Given the aforementioned conditions previously established, this was of little surprise to viewers and confirmed the suspicions of Light's former coworkers.

8 SHOCKING: Blackbeard Was Introduced As A Kindly Stranger (One Piece)

Blackbeard One Piece

Blackbeard was first introduced in the Jaya arc as a kindly stranger sympathetic to Luffy's plight. He encouraged him to follow his dreams and stated that the era of pirates would never actually be over. This recuperated the Straw Hat's spirits before continuing his quest to find Sky Island.

After learning about the bounty on Luffy's head, Blackbeard promptly began to hunt the man across the sea. He would have successfully defeated him if the Going Merry was not whisked into the clouds on a great jettison of water, prolonging the Straw Hats' survival until their next encounter.

7 UNSURPRISING: Dio Was A Remorseless Sociopath Since The Beginning

Dio meets jonathan for the first time JoJos

When Dio Brando was introduced, he immediately made his intentions clear by kicking Jonathan Joestar's dog, Danny, in the face. His atrocities would only worsen over time, including killing the hound outright and defiling Erina Pendleton.

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This made his eventual decision to poison George Joestar surprising to no one, especially his biological son. In spite of this, the adoptive father refused to acknowledge Brando's treacherous intentions until Jonathan returned with concrete proof of the youth's duplicity. The revelation sparked a vendetta that would last for centuries.

6 SHOCKING: Meliodas Agreed To Become The Demon King (Seven Deadly Sins)

The Demon King's goal was to convince Meliodas to inherit his mantle. Possessing more humanity than his siblings on account of his relationship with Elizabeth, the Captain was initially defiant of this request.

However, after she was placed in mortal peril by the conniving Melascula, the hero felt as if he had no choice but to seize what power was offered in order to procure his paramour's safety. This would predictably turn him against the Sins, resulting in a clash against Escanor that he narrowly lost.

5 UNSURPRISING: Hisoka Was Never Interested In The Phantom Troupe's Aims (Hunter X Hunter)

Hisoka in Hunter X Hunter

Hisoka only volunteered to join the Phantom Troupe since he wanted to get close to Chrollo Lucilfer and have a sincerely challenging fight. He was loosely affiliated with them during the events of the Yorknew arc and capitalized on the carnage Kurapika unleashed to confront their leader directly.

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However, Lucilfer's power had been sealed away by this time on account of a Nen condition that the Scarlet Eyed avenger placed on him. This made Hisoka's efforts pointless, since their fight would have been brutally one sided.

4 SHOCKING: Satsuki Worked Against Ragyo From The Beginning (Kill La Kill)

The true intention behind Honnoji Academy was not to help Ragyo usher in the life fibers but instead to pose the planet's only hope against them. During the villain's takeover, Satsuki and the Elite Four turned on their benefactors.

Many were liberated in this venture, though Kiryuin lost her freedom in the process. Her capture infuriated those who had served under her and further incensed their desire to bring Ragyo down.

3 UNSURPRISING: Greed Had Flashbacks Of His Former Life Ever Since Rebirth (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Initially, Greed betrayed Father in order to fulfill his own ambitions and uncover the secrets of eternal life. This prompted Bradley to capture him, wiping his memories and storing him inside the vessel of Ling Yao.

Promptly after the homunculus was reintegrated into society, he began to have premonitions of his former life. Considering that the essence of Greed had not changed (and because he was placed in the body of someone who vociferously disliked Father's plans), he was even more likely to turn his back on his masters than before.

2 SHOCKING: Konan's Betrayal Was Audacious & Heroic (Naruto)

After Pain's defeat, Konan had much to contemplate. The sentiments of Naruto Uzumaki bore deep into her psyche and reunited her with the principles that the Akatsuki was founded on.

Therefore, when Obito sought to claim Nagato's rinnegan for himself and significantly enhance his own power, Konan arrived to protect the cadaver of her friend. It resulted in a narrow battle, one which the fallen Leaf shinobi was able to emerge narrowly victorious on account of the Izanagi's power to rewrite reality.

1 UNSURPRISING: There Were Dozens Of Hints Surrounding Annie's Identity (Attack On Titan)

Annie Leonhart's betrayal was perhaps the most obvious plot twist of the entire Attack On Titan series. She was one of the few scouts who did not attend the foray into titan country and bore a remarkable resemblance to her gigantic counterpart.

Further, she was cold and standoffish, using many of the techniques she practiced against Eren to defeat him again in her enlarged form. Armin was immediately suspicious of her after she made her presence known, arranging for a test that would prove her identity with objectivity.

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