Despite its negative reputation, jealousy can be a useful feeling that sparks people to action. Depending on one's outlook, jealousy might inspire someone to take on more responsibility and better themselves spiritually. On the other hand, it might cause possessiveness and resentment.

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Anime characters are no different in this regard, and their jealous feelings are born from both positive and negative traits. The best possible outcome for a jealous anime character is to learn from their passions and turn it into a character-building event. Meanwhile, some of them are jealous for comedy relief reasons. Regardless of why an anime character might be jealous, there are plenty who stick out.

10 Envy's Cruelty Is Born From Jealousy (Fullmetal Alchemist)

envy smiling from fullmetal alchemist

While they might not show outward jealousy during Fullmetal Alchemist, Envy's cruelty and distaste for humans is born from jealousy over what humans have. Specifically, Envy is resentful of the connections humans forge with each other since they never had strong connections of their own. Envy's ability to shapeshift into any form of their choosing is tied to the concept of envy and jealousy since Envy outwardly becomes another person. But the pit of hatred and loneliness inside them ultimately remains unfilled.

9 Mary Becomes Resentful Of Anyone Who Gets Close To Katarina (My Next Life As A Villainess)

Mary Hunt and Katarina My Next Life As A Villainess

Although she initially falls in love with Alan Stuart in the original timeline of the Fortune Lover visual novel, Mary Hunt essentially falls in love with Katarina Claes in the new timeline during My Next Life as a Villainess. And instead of being the meek, ostracized girl she is in the original timeline, she turns out to be a much more boisterous and confident character in the new timeline. Mary can't stand anyone getting close to Katarina and often spends time scheming how she can get closer to Katarina herself.

8 Jealously Protecting Yukiteru Is Yuno's Biggest Priority (Future Diary)

Yuno From Future Diary Angry

Since the First World's Yuno Gasai is desperate to live in a world where she and Yukiteru Amano can be together, Yuno can't accept anyone getting close to him in Future Diary. Yuno's plans hinge on her ability to convince Yukiteru that she can be trusted and that he doesn't need anyone else.

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To that end, Yuno jealously fends off anyone trying to get close to Yukiteru, even resorting to lying and violence in extreme circumstances. Her behavior certainly isn't healthy, but it's exactly what viewers should expect.

7 Inuyasha Becomes Jealous Over A Lot Of Things (Inuyasha)

Inuyasha holding Shippo by the tail

There's a lot for Inuyasha to be jealous over in Inuyasha, although his past doesn't excuse him for his rude, thoughtless behavior. Not only is Inuyasha jealous over humans and demons since each of them has a group they belong to that he's been outcasted from, but he's also jealous over others getting close to either Kikyo or Kagome. Since he's a character who's literally and figuratively stuck in between two different groups and circumstances, he can't help but feel resentment over nearly every circumstance in his life.

6 Loneliness Caused Naruto To Become Envious Of Others (Naruto)

Images feature Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto

Although most people would never guess by just looking at him, Naruto Uzumaki harbors feelings of jealousy over others' circumstances when he's younger in Naruto. Most of it is born from loneliness since Naruto is an orphan. He can't help but become frustrated when seeing families together, which leads him to aim for the role of Hokage, so no one can ignore him ever again. He also develops a bit of jealousy over others who are praised higher than he is, such as Sasuke Uchiha, who's a star student when he's not being a loner.

5 Misa Won't Tolerate Anyone Getting Attached To Light (Death Note)

misa amane clinging to light yagami in death note

Death Note isn't the best source for healthy relationships, and Misa Amane nicely fits the trope of a possessive girlfriend. Her tragic past leads her to idolize Kira and she eventually unmasks his true identity: Light Yagami. Once she tracks Light down, she develops an unhealthy obsession with him and even threatens to kill any women who dare to get close to him. Misa can't stand the idea of any other woman taking a place in Light's life, and her jealous possessiveness allows Light to use her as a pawn.

4 Seeing Others' Misfortune Makes Darkness Jealous (Konosuba)

Darkness from Konosuba

Konosuba's status as a parody anime lets it get away with some seriously maladjusted personalities, and Darkness is one of them. As an incorrigible masochist, Darkness is thirsty for any kind of embarrassing situation to put herself in.

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Her desperation leaks out when she sees others in unfortunate circumstances, in which case she jealously looks on and comments that they seem to be having "fun." While Darkness's jealousy isn't expressed in a negative way, she's nevertheless envious of those who find themselves in embarrassing situations.

3 Zenitsu Longs For A Normal Life With A Bride (Demon Slayer)

Zenitsu is upset in Demon Slayer

Although he's a strong member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Zenitsu Agatsuma never asks to be a demon slayer. He's openly envious of those who don't have to live a dangerous life in Demon Slayer, and his cowardice leads him to believe his remaining days are shorter than they might actually be. A recurring source of jealousy for Zenitsu appears whenever he finds out that Tanjiro or Inosuke have spent time with cute girls. This makes him seem lecherous as a result, but it is pitiable that he's not able to settle down and have a peaceful life.

2 Matsuri Jealously Interferes With Yuzu's Personal Life (Citrus)

matsuri mizusawa from citrus

When Matsuri Mizusawa finds out Yuzu Aihara has fallen in love with Mei Aihara in Citrus, she takes it upon herself to break them up. Matsuri's predilection for shameless misbehavior stemmed from a lonely childhood where Yuzu was the one proverbial light she relied on to get through the day. Since she's so attached to Yuzu, she can't handle the idea of Yuzu being unavailable for her emotional needs. Matsuri takes it upon herself to stir up some drama to hopefully cause Yuzu and Mei to part ways, but it ultimately blows up in her face.

1 Belarus Is Cruel To People Close To Russia (Hetalia: Axis Powers)

belarus and russia blushing from hetalia

Hetalia: Axis Powers is an entertaining parody show that rolls up national stereotypes into personalities, and Belarus might be the strongest personality of them all. Belarus's attachment to Russia is similar to how the country Belarus continues to follow Russian culture even though it's been free of the USSR since its dissolution. Belarus can't stand other nations becoming close to Russia, including Lithuania, who has a crush on her. Belarus's jealousy over those Russia favors usually results in her treating them cruelly, and Lithuania is a common victim.

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