Typically, anime heroes are written to be as conventional and relatable as possible. It's ideal for audiences to like them, as it makes their victories more satisfying and their defeats more crushing. However, a handful of anime heroes are so disturbing that they lose virtually all appeal.

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Whether due to their eerie backstories or actions, these individuals are capable of unnerving even the most resolute fans. In many cases, their behavior has even been subject to scrutiny from other characters in their own series, providing a major source of conflict in the plot itself.

10 Gowther Didn't Process Human Emotions

The Seven Deadly Sins

Gowther, Sin of Lust from The Seven Deadly Sins.

Out of The Seven Deadly Sins' main cast, Gowther was the most perturbing. A construct made from a demon, he was intended to enjoy all the experiences his creator could not in his final years.

Gowther's fascination and inability to understand relationships was an essential source of conflict within the Sins and the overall story. In his efforts to dissect what united people, he nearly destroyed King's relationship with Diane by erasing her memories. Conveniently, he was forgiven for any wrongdoing and welcomed back as a member of the group.

9 Seiji Could Turn Enemies Into Meatballs

My Hero Academia

Seiji Shishikura from My Hero Academia using his Quirk, Meatball.

Seiji's strict and enigmatic mannerisms already made him disturbing in My Hero Academia. His quirk did little to dissuade such opinions since it was perhaps the most horrifying power that the heroes had encountered to date.

Using clay-like appendages, Seiji could forcibly mold his opponents into meatballs. Although completely conscious of their misshapen state, these aberrations were completely incapable of reversing it. The only reason why Seiji isn't a greater threat is due to his quirk's impermanence. Over time, the victim will reassume their true form as if nothing happened.

8 Kankuro's Dolls Were Walking Death Machines

Naruto

Kankuro from the Sand Village in Naruto

Although becoming a hero near the end of Naruto's first act, Kankuro remains a brutal shinobi. His method of dispatching foes was deeply disturbing, especially when uninterrupted by the Chunin Exams' rules.

During Kankuro's fight against Sakon/Ukon, Kankuro trapped the villains within one puppet and used the other to skewer them alive. Their screams resonated throughout the puppet, clawing at its wooden surface until they bled to death. The man's poisons were equally nefarious, nearly responsible for killing Shino during the Konoha Crush operation. The only quality distinguishing Kankuro as a hero was that his dreadful power had been re-purposed toward more positive ends.

7 Cavendish's Other Half Was Malevolent & Powerful

One Piece

Cavendish holding a rose in front of a sparkly background in One Piece.

At first, One Piece's Cavendish came across as a pompous albeit well-intended young man. However, his alleged charisma portends his darker nature. After falling asleep, a vile apparition took over his body and unleashed havoc on Dressrosa.

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Fortunately, most of Cavendish's targets were members of the Donquixote Family. Still, he expressed equal interest in attacking Nico Robin and was only thwarted through Bartholomeo's barriers. Cavendish might be an ally of the Grand Fleet, but his disturbing other half makes him difficult to trust.

6 Naofumi's Unscrupulous Actions Were Overlooked

The Rising Of The Shield Hero

Naofumi with fire in The Rising of the Shield Hero.

As the main protagonist of The Rising Of The Shield Hero, Naofumi skirted the line between good and evil. After being wrongly defamed by Myne, he recruited help from a local slave market. Considering that he never actually held the merchant accountable, he effectively became an accessory to human trafficking.

Worse yet, Naofumi's Rage Shield jeopardized his stability, increasing his strength at the expense of his humanity. He may have ultimately been an asset to the kingdom, though his questionable methods render him disturbing and untrustworthy.

5 Alucard Didn't Care About The Innocent

Hellsing

Alucard the heroic vampire grinning in Hellsing.

Alucard was the strongest vampire in the Hellsing universe. His loyalty to Integra meant that he could be trusted, though his ways of protecting London were far from scrupulous.

Instead of treasuring humans, Alucard relished in their terror and didn't mind when the Millennium Organization slaughtered them en masse. Although determined to defeat the Nazi invaders, he didn't care about collateral damage and freely imbibed innocent blood in order to increase his strength. Ultimately, Alucard's objectively monstrous nature disturbed everyone except for Integra herself.

4 Rohan Kishibe Was Nearly A Child Murderer

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Rohan Kishibe from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Despite being reformed as a hero, Rohan Kishibe was arguably worse than the most sinister JoJo's Bizarre Adventure antagonist. When Koichi stopped by his house as his biggest fan, he hoped to take advantage of him. This meant stripping the boy of his pages, a process that rapidly killed him.

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When Josuke and Okuyasu intervened, Kishibe nearly murdered the latter in order to preserve his secret. He acted as if nothing happened after being foiled. Peculiarly, everyone moved on as if he nearly hadn't murdered an innocent boy.

3 Mayuri Conducted Human Experiments

Bleach

Mayuri Kurotsuchi enjoys his victory in Bleach.

When Ichigo resolved his differences with Bleach's Soul Society, all previously antagonistic captains became heroes by default. This put Mayuri in a particularly awkward position, as he had previously relished in his own depravity.

Over the years, Mayuri performed human experiments on the Quincies, created artificial life known as Bounts, and was even willing to sacrifice his own apprentice for an advantage over Szayel Aporro Granz. While technically fighting in the Soul King's best interest, Mayuri's methods and history are deeply troubling.

2 Lelouch Was Willing To Sacrifice Everything For His Sister

Code Geass

Lelouch devises a plan in Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Resurrection.

Despite being presented as the smartest character in Code Geass, Lelouch is emotional and profoundly disturbing. He was willing to sacrifice the Black Knights for his sister repeatedly, using lies to maintain their loyalty to him.

Worse yet, Lelouch took great joy in betraying Rolo's trust and attempting to engineer his death. He also captured and nearly executed the other heroes, only to conduct his own death in hopes that it would unite everyone else. Lelouch's unashamed willingness to use others as tools makes it difficult to like him, let alone root for him.

1 Palm's Obsession With Gon Was Jarring

Hunter x Hunter

Palm holds a knife against Gon in Hunter x Hunter.

As a member of the Hunter Association and Gon's ally, Palm was technically considered a hero. However, her actions rendered her worse than most of Hunter x Hunter's most notorious villains, specifically due to what motivated her.

When imploring Palm's help to locate Kite and explore the NGL, she insisted that Gon date her as repayment. Considering that he was a child and she was an adult woman, this sent an immensely chilling message that prompted Killua to follow her. Palm's fixation on threatening people with knives also spoke poorly of her judgment and ability to think rationally.

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