10 Heroes Who Caused More Problems Than the Villains Ever Did
Heroes are supposed to save the day, but some leave a bigger mess than the villains they fight. These protagonists, through their choices or flaws, often spark chaos that overshadows the bad guys’ schemes, yet their stories still captivate us with their complex journeys.
I’ve picked ten main characters from anime, shows, and movies who cause more trouble than their enemies. Their actions, whether driven by good intentions or reckless mistakes, create problems that ripple far beyond the villains’ plans, making them fascinating, flawed heroes.
Tony Stark – Iron Man (2008)
Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Iron Man,’ builds his suit to fight evil, but his arrogance fuels chaos. His creation of Ultron leads to massive destruction, dwarfing many villains’ schemes, and his tech often falls into the wrong hands.
Despite this, Tony’s drive to protect the world redeems him. His willingness to sacrifice himself and confront his mistakes makes him a hero, even if his genius sparks bigger problems than the foes he faces.
Eren Yeager – Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
Eren, voiced by Yuki Kaji in ‘Attack on Titan,’ starts as a hero fighting Titans but becomes a global threat. His decision to unleash the Rumbling devastates entire nations, far outstripping the damage caused by Marley or other enemies.
His complex motivations, tied to freedom and survival, keep him compelling. Eren’s tragic arc, driven by his unyielding will, makes him a hero whose problems reshape the world.
Walter White – Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Walter, portrayed by Bryan Cranston in ‘Breaking Bad,’ begins as a chemistry teacher turned drug-lord to save his family. His empire-building destroys lives, from allies to innocents, creating chaos that surpasses any rival dealer’s harm.
His redemption lies in his final acts to secure his family’s future. Walter’s brilliance and descent into darkness make him a hero whose troubles eclipse the villains’ crimes.
Shinji Ikari – Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996)
Shinji, voiced by Megumi Ogata in ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion,’ pilots an Eva to save humanity but causes chaos through indecision. His emotional breakdowns trigger catastrophic events, like near-apocalyptic disasters, worse than any Angel’s attacks.
His growth into accepting responsibility saves him. Shinji’s struggles and final choices make him a hero, despite the massive problems his hesitation creates.
Rick Sanchez – Rick and Morty (2013-present)
Rick, voiced by Justin Roiland in ‘Rick and Morty,’ is a genius scientist whose adventures cause galactic mayhem. From destroying planets to fracturing realities, his reckless experiments often outdo the damage of any alien threat.
His love for his family grounds him as a hero. Rick’s brilliance and rare moments of care make him compelling, even when his chaos overshadows the villains’ plans.
Light Yagami – Death Note (2006-2007)
Light, voiced by Mamoru Miyano in ‘Death Note,’ uses the Death Note to kill criminals, aiming to create a perfect world. His actions spark global panic and countless deaths, far beyond what rival Kira users or detectives cause.
His tragic fall, driven by a twisted sense of justice, keeps him gripping. Light’s intelligence and moral spiral make him a hero whose problems outstrip any villain’s.
Anakin Skywalker – Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Anakin, played by Hayden Christensen in ‘Revenge of the Sith,’ is a Jedi meant to bring balance but becomes Darth Vader. His fall to the dark side fuels the Empire’s rise, causing galaxy-wide suffering far worse than Palpatine’s initial plots.
His redemption through his son Luke saves him. Anakin’s journey from hero to villain and back makes him compelling, despite the chaos he unleashes.
Guts – Berserk (1997-1998)
Guts, voiced by Nobutoshi Canna in ‘Berserk,’ fights to survive a brutal world, but his cursed brand draws demons that slaughter countless innocents. His quest for revenge amplifies destruction beyond what most apostles cause.
His unyielding will to protect Casca defines his heroism. Guts’ raw determination makes him a hero, even as his presence sparks more tragedy than the villains’ schemes.
Naruto Uzumaki – Naruto (2002-2007)
Naruto, voiced by Junko Takeuchi in ‘Naruto,’ aims to protect his village, but his reckless actions often escalate conflicts. His inability to control the Nine-Tails’ power causes destruction, sometimes worse than the Akatsuki’s plans.
His heart and bonds with others redeem him. Naruto’s growth into a leader who unites people makes him a hero, despite the chaos his impulsiveness creates.
Peter Parker – Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Peter, played by Tobey Maguire in ‘Spider-Man 3,’ fights villains but causes havoc when possessed by the symbiote. His actions as Venom-Spider-Man hurt his loved ones and city more than Sandman or Harry’s schemes.
His return to his moral core saves him. Peter’s struggle to do good, even after his darkest moments, makes him a hero, despite the trouble he stirs up.
Which of these troublemaking heroes do you find most compelling, or did I miss one who causes more chaos than the villains? Drop your thoughts in the comments!