As a rule, anime heroes go through a lot. They often experience tortuous plot twists and there is always an antagonist to shake things up or add tension — and even danger — to the mix. Sometimes, however, the villain also adds romance to the story.
What is a villain in anime? It largely depends on the circumstances behind their respective backstories — and, as any anime fan knows, circumstances can change drastically. Love can be the very reason a character evolves. It's certainly all a matter of perspective for heroes who fall in love with someone who begins as a villain.
10 Yukiteru Amano Falls For Yuno Yuno Gasai (Future Diary)
Shy loner Yukiteru Amano's phone is turned into a Future Diary that can predict the future up to 90 days in advance, courtesy of his friend Deus Ex Machina — who happens to be the God of Space and Time. Yukiteru is forced to rely on obsessive stalker and general psycho Yuno to protect him. Through a plot that involves decapitations, the Apocalypse, and alternate timelines, Yukiteru falls in love with Yuno — but she doesn't turn out the way she seems.
9 Train's Love For Saya Turns Him From Assassin To Bounty Hunter (Black Cat)
Part adventure, part comedy, Black Cat centers around the story of Train Heartnet, a.k.a. Black Cat, an assassin famous for his cool efficiency. Saya Minatsuki is a bounty hunter (or sweeper), who should be his enemy, given that it's her influence that turns him Train contract killer into another sweeper. They become close, but their relationship has a tragic ending when, just as they are supposed to meet & watch fireworks together, Saya is killed by Train's jealous former boss. It's a great love that never had a chance.
8 Kaname Fights, Collaborates, Then Falls In Love With The Ruthless Shuka (Darwin’s Game)
Karino Shuka begins as yet another obstacle for Kaname to battle in the brutal real-life survival match that is Darwin's Game. The only consolation prize is that players also get a kind of superpower. Karino has just won his first match by pure luck, something that catches Shuka's attention. She gets in touch with him and they end up fighting — in the heat of battle, however, she surrenders so that they both can stay alive. Thus begins their collaboration in the Sunset Ravens clan, later blossoming into romance.
7 Kenshin And Tomoe Are Enemies Who Fall In Love (Rurouni Kenshin)
Kenshin and Tomoe's romance in Rurouni Kenshin is a tragic one. Kenshin survives the assassination of his family, as well as his entire traveling party, to become one of the Choshu clan (and a feared assassin himself). After killing Kiyosato Akira, a bodyguard, he crosses paths with his former fiancee, Yukishiro Tomoe, who is bent on revenge.
The two end up pretending to be husband and wife in order to hide in a village, but fall in love in the process. Sadly, Kenshin ends Tomoe's life by accident and vows to give up violence.
6 Yukako Yamagishi Kidnaps Koichi Hirose, Who Proceeds To Fall In Love With Her (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable)
Koichi Hirose is a main ally in Diamond is Unbreakable, a shy teen who is initially turned off by Yukako Yamagishi. She's unstable, subject to wild mood swings, not to mention completely obsessed with him. It's a dangerous love, one that leads Yukako to kidnap Koichi and threaten his life when he doesn't fall in line... right away. He fights her off and escapes — but over time, Koichi gradually comes to see her obsession more as evidence of her forceful personality. Before long, they're holding hands as a couple.
5 Akihito And The Spirit World Warrior Mirai Fall In Love (Kyoukai no Kanata)
In the world of Kyoukai no Kanata (or Beyond the Boundary), Youmu are destructive spirits that take on human disguises and wreak havoc. On the other hand, Spirit World Warriors battle to protect the human race from Youmu attacks. High school student Kanbara Akihito saves Mirai, who he thinks is about to jump off the school roof, unaware that she's a Spirit World Warrior sent to kill him. Akihito tries to help her and they begin to grow close – even after he realizes who Mirai really is. While her affection for him is more obvious, he later reveals his feelings for her too.
4 Yusha Falls For The Demon Queen He Has Sworn To Slay (Maou Maoyuu Yuusha)
Demons and humans live in constant conflict on the world of Maou Maoyuu Yuusha (or Archenemy and Hero). Yusha is the world's greatest warrior, sent with his party to kill the Demon Queen and end the war between the two races once and for all.
However, when Yusha meets Mao, the supreme ruler of the Demon Realm, she convinces him that a sudden end to the war would cause chaos and that they could work together, instead. The pair end up developing feelings for each other in the process.
3 Eiji Hoshimiya Loves Rin, But She Doesn’t Love Him Back (Big Order)
In Big Order, Eiji Hoshimiya is tortured by the idea that he was responsible for wishing the destruction of the world, an event that happened ten years before the story starts. Rin's parents were killed in a fire that took place because of the Great Destruction, which is why she tries to kill him.
Eiji falls in love with her at first sight, sparing her life even though he could beat her. He uses his Order (his special power) to make Rin stay in his domain and be his partner for life. Sadly, it doesn't work out because she never returns his affections.
2 Shikamaru And Temari Begin As Opponents And End Up Married (Naruto)
During the Chunin Exams in Naruto, Temari and her family are the villains of the story. She’s tough and ruthless and is a formidable opponent for Shikamaru. He gets the better of her, but when it comes time to finish the fight in the final rounds of the Chunin Exams, he forfeits the battle. Is that the moment Shikamaru falls in love? Later, Temari saves his life and they begin to grow closer. They eventually get married and have a couple of kids.
1 Gajeel Meets Levy By Attacking Her – But She Forgives Him Later (Fairy Tale)
Gajeel Redfox is an Iron Dragon Slayer, former S-Class Mage, and a member of Fairy Tail's enemy guild at the time. He meets Levy McGarden when he attacks her and her fellow guild members. Gajeel even shockingly brands the Phantom Lord's symbol on her stomach. He later joins Fairy Tail and Levy comes to forgive him over time. They fall in love and become a popular couple in the series. In the year X793, the two of them have a baby together.