There have been many times throughout anime where a hero had to betray their best friends. Sometimes, this is due to their friends drifting to the side of evil. Other times, they must betray those they love to keep them safe. Whatever the reason, it's a scenario that causes characters and fans alike to question these heroes.
With friendship and comradery being a prevalent theme in anime, a hero's betrayal is monumental, whether it is because these heroes are walking a thin line to do the right thing or because they have gone astray.
10 Zuko Betrayed Mai To Help Aang In Avatar: The Last Airbender
For most of the series, all Zuko wanted was to end his banishment by capturing the Avatar, thus restoring his rightful place as the prince of the fire nation. However, when he finally got the opportunity, he realized he was on the wrong path. So, he decided to switch from the side of villainy to the side of good and joined the heroes.
Unfortunately, to do this, he had to leave Mai behind and kidnap her uncle while at the Boiling Rock prison. While Zuko did not start as a hero, his betrayal made him one, and by the end of the series, he became an important heroic figure in the Avatar universe.
9 Sasuke Uchiha Turned His Back On Naruto Until The End Of The Series
Sasuke Uchiha began as a hero, but he certainly dipped into deuteragonist and anti-hero territory throughout the series. After the Sound Ninja convinced him to join Orochimaru, Sasuke committed the ultimate betrayal, leaving the Hidden Leaf Village and his teammates behind.
Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno never gave up on him though, even after he repeatedly tried to kill them and made sure to communicate he no longer considered them friends. Eventually, he returned to the side of good, rejoined the village, and helped his former comrades.
8 Kakashi Had To Break His Promise To Protect Rin In Naruto: Shippuden
Though Kakashi had promised his best friend at the time, Obito Uchiha, that he would protect their mutual best friend, Rin, he was unable to do so. The war forced both Rin and Kakashi into an impossible position.
Rin, being a Jinchuriki who housed a tailed beast many shinobi saw as a powerful weapon, was targeted, and Kakashi and Rin had to make a terrible and tough decision as children to keep the enemy from gaining that power. Eventually, this decision lead to Rin's death, and both Obito and Kakashi felt Kakashi had betrayed their promise.
7 Okuyasu Turned On His Big Brother And Best Friend For Going Too Far In Diamond Is Unbreakable
Keicho Nijimura had resolved to do anything to find a Stand that had the capabilities to kill his father, who had been turned into a monster by DIO. However, this led him to cross the line, and his younger brother, Okuyasu, finally had to put his foot down. He helped Josuke and Koichi after they showed him a bit of kindness and went against his brother. Though he did not want to hurt his brother, he did help Josuke and Koichi, and Keicho was killed by Red Hot Chili Pepper. Thus, they were unable to reconcile.
6 Ray Was A Tripple Agent In The Promised Neverland
Ray did care about Emma and Norman, but there was a moment in the first season of the Promised Neverland when viewers were not so sure about his allegiances. He was acting as a double agent for Isabella, but later it is revealed that this was all a plot to help Emma and Norman escape.
He was a triple agent. However, this did not change the fact that he betrayed Emma and Norman for a long time - even if he did have a plan to make it all worth it.
5 Pikachu Constantly Zaps Ash In Pokémon
Pikachu is Ash Ketchum's best friend and favorite Pokémon companion, and they have traveled together since the first moments of the show. However, their relationship has not always been smooth. Pikachu has been known to electrocute Ash on many occasions, even after they solidified their friendship in the earlier seasons of the show.
At this point, it is a minor betrayal and seen more as a form of comic relief, but it is hard to imagine Ash sees it that way every time. Sure, Pikachu can't communicate with words, but electrocution is a bit overboard.
4 Ty Lee And Mai Betray Azula And Join The Avatar
Like Zuko, Ty Lee and Mai eventually decide to join the side of the Avatar and leave their position in the Fire Nation. In doing so, the two friends had to betray their other friend, Zuko's violent sister, Azula.
For a while leading up to their betrayal, the tension between Ty Lee, Mai, and Azula had been building up, and it all came to a head at Boiling Rock when Mai decided to protect Zuko. Just as with Zuko, this betrayal also confirmed their status as heroes in the Avatar universe.
3 Spike Spiegel Betrayed Vicious And The Syndicate In Cowboy Bebop
The relationship between Spike Spiegel, Vicious, and Julia is a complicated one with a complex past. Spike and Vicious were part of the same organized crime entity, but Vicious grew angry with Spike when he betrayed both Vicious and the crime organization by running off with Julia.
Julia had been Vicious' girlfriend, so it is easy to see why Vicious saw all of this as a serious betrayal. However, if Spike had not been forced to leave, he would not have become the series hero/anti-hero.
2 Mitsuki Leaves The Village And Boruto Must Chase Him Down
Mitsuki, being a somewhat artificial lifeform created by Orochimaru, always questioned his purpose and will. These questions lead him to leave the Hidden Leaf Village along with other similarly artificial beings from the Hidden Stone Village. However, when he did this, it was seen as defecting from the Hidden Leaf.
Boruto was unable to accept this, and he chased after Mitsuki, who tried to strike him down when he caught up. Eventually, they were able to bring Mitsuki back.
1 Sailor Uranus And Neptune Joined Galaxia
As part of an elaborate plan that would eventually see Sailor Moon victorious, Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus joined Sailor Galaxia. However, this was all part of the plan. This, however, lead to the deaths of Sailor Saturn and Sailor Pluto.
Unfortunately, this plan did not work as well as the two Senshi thought it would, and they were easily repelled. Their betrayal may have been a farce, but it was not exactly worth it. Fans still debate whether or not this was a good moment for Sailor Uranus and Neptune.