Top Anime Featuring Betrayed MCs Who Make Epic Comebacks

Betrayals sting in any story, but anime gives those moments room to breathe and then explode into unforgettable rebounds. This list highlights series where the main character is sold out, framed, discarded, or left for dead, only to claw back agency and turn the tables. You’ll find false accusations, backstabbing allies, ruined reputations, and shattered loyalties followed by smart training arcs, new alliances, and decisive counterstrikes. If you’re in the mood to watch leads rebuild from rock bottom and push forward with clear purpose, these picks deliver exactly that.

‘The Rising of the Shield Hero’ (2019– )

Naofumi arrives in another world and is immediately accused of a crime he didn’t commit, ruining his standing among the other heroes. He rebuilds from scratch by grinding levels, mastering defensive skills, and crafting gear. With Raphtalia and allies like Filo, he forms a reliable party that offsets his shield-only limitations. As threats escalate, his strategies and support-focused abilities keep towns alive and start changing public opinion.

‘Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest’ (2019– )

Hajime is pushed into the abyss of a dungeon by a classmate during a raid gone wrong. He survives by improvising weapons, consuming monster drops, and evolving into an unconventional fighter. Meeting Yue and others transforms his solo scramble into a capable team. He returns from presumed death with new skills and a direct path toward the classmates and forces who left him for dead.

‘Berserk’ (1997–1998)

Guts is betrayed at the Eclipse when Griffith sacrifices the Band of the Hawk. He escapes with Casca and forges the path of the Black Swordsman, armed with the Dragonslayer and a prosthetic cannon. Hunting Apostles becomes his way to chip back at the demonic power structure. Along the way he gathers companions whose skills help him survive encounters that would break ordinary warriors.

‘Tower of God’ (2020– )

Bam is pushed off the path by Rachel during the climb, shattering his trust at the worst moment. He survives and adopts the name Jyu Viole Grace as he navigates new teams and tests. Training in Shinsu and learning the rules of the Tower give him tools to advance. His progress lets him reenter the game on his own terms and close the gap with the people who broke faith with him.

‘Yona of the Dawn’ (2014–2015)

Princess Yona is usurped when Soo-Won kills King Il, forcing her into exile with Hak. She learns survival skills, crossbow marksmanship, and the realities of her former kingdom outside the palace. Tracking down the Dragon Warriors provides loyal companions and leverage. With each recovered ally, she gains influence to confront the new regime’s policies across the land.

‘Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo’ (2004–2005)

Edmond Dantès is framed by supposed friends, imprisoned, and presumed dead. He resurfaces years later as the Count of Monte Cristo, now wealthy and meticulously prepared. He maneuvers through high society to expose the conspirators’ secrets and undo their fortunes. The series follows his elaborate plans as they collide with the lives of those who benefited from the original betrayal.

’91 Days’ (2016)

Avilio loses his family to a mafia hit and grows up under a false identity. He returns to the Prohibition-era city with forged letters and a methodical plan. Infiltrating the Vanetti family, he leverages shifting alliances to get close to the culprits. Each move brings him nearer to the dinner-table betrayal that started it all and the reckoning he designed.

‘Guilty Crown’ (2011–2012)

Shu’s life collapses when a bio-weapon incident ties him to a resistance movement and exposes him to hidden agendas. He gains the ability to draw out people’s “Voids” and is thrust into power struggles that cost him friends and trust. After losing control, he rebuilds his resolve and reorganizes the remaining allies. His comeback hinges on understanding his power’s source and countering the regime exploiting the crisis.

‘Aldnoah.Zero’ (2014–2015)

A peace ceremony turns into an assassination event, plunging Earth and the Vers Empire into war. Inaho survives repeated ambushes by superior Martian tech through analysis and careful countermeasures. He’s forced to navigate betrayals on both political and personal fronts while protecting the princess. His steady tactical gains allow Earth forces to stand toe to toe with orbital knights who expected easy victories.

‘Seraph of the End’ (2015– )

Yuichiro loses his orphanage family to a massacre and is turned into a weapon by competing factions. He joins the Moon Demon Company, bonds with teammates, and trains with cursed gear. Conflicts reveal manipulations by both humans and vampires, pushing him to redefine loyalty. His response is to strengthen chosen ties and carve a mission that protects the people he has left.

‘Btooom!’ (2012)

Ryouta wakes up on a remote island forced into a survival game where explosives act as specialized weapons. He learns someone close nominated him for the death match, which cuts deep. Using map reading, resource control, and bomb types, he forms pragmatic alliances. His path forward becomes a plan to outwit the organizers and reach the offshore infrastructure that keeps the game running.

‘Deadman Wonderland’ (2011)

Ganta is framed for his class’s murder and shipped to a private prison that profits off lethal attractions. He discovers the Branch of Sin power and is pushed into staged battles. By teaming up with other inmates and decoding the prison’s secrets, he chips away at the setup against him. His progress exposes the true culprits and the experiments behind the spectacle.

‘Black Butler’ (2008– )

Ciel Phantomhive survives a kidnapping and the destruction of his family home. He seals a contract with the demon butler Sebastian to gain the strength and reach he lacks. Managing the Phantomhive estate and the Queen’s Watchdog role, he investigates the circles that targeted his family. Each case tightens the net around nobles and criminals who benefited from his downfall.

‘The Twelve Kingdoms’ (2002–2003)

Yoko is dragged into another world and quickly abandoned by supposed protectors. She endures hostile provinces and misinformation while struggling to survive. Through trials, she learns governance, swordsmanship, and how to read the people around her. Her return to power rests on gathering allies and understanding the mandate tied to her destiny.

‘Redo of Healer’ (2021)

Keyaru is exploited and abused by the very heroes who should have been his allies. He uses his healing ability to reset events and retain knowledge, giving him a rare second pass. With careful disguises, potion craft, and skill reallocation, he undercuts those who harmed him. His methodical route back to strength is built on preparation and timing.

‘Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor’ (2007–2011)

Kaiji is sold out into debt schemes that strip him of stability and freedom. He enters high-stakes gambles where betrayal by teammates is routine. By memorizing rules, reading opponents, and spotting rigged setups, he creates narrow openings. Each narrow win drags him closer to clearing debt and confronting the organizations profiting from his misfortune.

‘Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside’ (2021– )

Red is pushed out of a legendary party after being judged a poor fit. He restarts in a frontier town as an apothecary and builds a stable life with Rit. When trouble arrives, he demonstrates a toolkit that had been undervalued, from route planning to combat experience. His steady presence becomes essential to regional security despite the earlier dismissal.

‘Now and Then, Here and There’ (1999–2000)

Shu is dragged into a war-torn world and conscripted by a tyrant who values children as tools. He endures captivity, forced marches, and the loss of freedom under a merciless regime. Holding on to his promise to help Lala-Ru, he builds alliances with other captives. His comeback is a determined push to dismantle the machinery that thrives on betrayal and coercion.

‘Dororo’ (2019)

Hyakkimaru is sacrificed by his father to demons, losing his body parts at birth. Raised by a doctor, he gains prosthetics and learns to fight with hidden blades. Traveling with Dororo, he hunts demons to recover what was stolen. Each victory restores a piece of himself and brings him closer to confronting the clan that traded him away.

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019– )

Thors is lured into an ambush, and his death leaves Thorfinn stranded among mercenaries. Thorfinn survives by dueling, scouting, and learning battlefield craft under Askeladd’s watch. Later he rebuilds after losing his purpose by embracing farming and long-term goals. His renewed path pulls him back into wider conflicts with better judgment and hard-earned discipline.

‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’ (2006–2008)

Lelouch is discarded by his royal family and later targeted by shifting allies as his rebellion grows. He uses the Geass power to command, builds the Black Knights, and engineers operations that crack Britannian strongholds. Strategic feints and masked diplomacy let him survive reversals that would end most uprisings. Each regained foothold pushes his plan toward a final resolution that reshapes the world order.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Eren faces revelations that expose hidden enemies inside the walls and among trusted ranks. Training with the Scouts gives him combat tools and discipline to counter superior foes. Information from basements and journals turns scattered battles into a coordinated offensive. His side regains territory and shifts the balance by uncovering the truth about Titans and the world beyond.

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014–2018)

Kaneki is captured and broken by enemies who exploit his isolation. He survives torture, reclaims agency, and adopts a new identity to protect people close to him. Building groups like Anteiku’s successors and later Goat lets him coordinate rescue and defense. His growing control over kagune abilities closes the gap with organizations that hunt ghouls.

‘Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-‘ (2016– )

Subaru is betrayed by shifting loyalties and deadly plots that repeatedly erase his progress. He uses return by death to map threats, alter choices, and form reliable alliances. Careful negotiations and training help him protect key figures and stabilize regions under siege. With each loop he builds a path that prevents earlier disasters from repeating.

‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022– )

Denji is manipulated by handlers who keep crucial truths from him. He learns to coordinate with a small circle, studies enemy behaviors, and refines his hybrid combat style. Contracts and tactical setups give him openings against devils that outclass regular hunters. His persistence leads to confrontations that flip control away from those who exploited him.

‘Akame ga Kill!’ (2014)

Tatsumi arrives in the capital and is deceived by nobles who prey on travelers. After discovering the truth he joins Night Raid and learns to use Imperial Arms effectively. Missions target corrupt officials and military assets that shield the regime. Each strike weakens the network that benefited from the initial betrayal.

‘Claymore’ (2007)

Clare operates under an organization that withholds information and discards its warriors. She trains to control yoma energy, tempers it in combat, and builds bonds with fellow Claymores. Coordinated hunts and planned retreats let her live through encounters meant to be one way. Her campaign narrows the distance to the enemies responsible for her losses.

‘The Promised Neverland’ (2019–2021)

Emma and her friends learn their caretaker raised them for shipment to monsters. They study the facility’s routines, gather tools, and test escape routes without raising alarms. Team roles cover tracking, rope work, and misinformation to confuse pursuers. Their breakout turns a controlled farm into a starting point for a larger rescue mission.

‘Bungo Stray Dogs’ (2016– )

Atsushi is expelled from his orphanage and hunted for reasons tied to a rare ability. The Armed Detective Agency trains him to use his power and pairs him with experienced partners. Investigations expose rival groups and plots that treat him as leverage. He grows into a frontline asset who can counter threats that once cornered him.

‘No. 6’ (2011)

Shion is cast out by his ideal city after helping a fugitive. Life in the slums teaches him survival skills and the realities behind the clean facade of the dome. With Nezumi he gathers proof of systemic abuses and deadly experiments. Their plan aims at exposing the city’s control mechanisms and freeing those trapped inside.

‘Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers’ (2015)

Adlet is framed as an impostor when more heroes appear than the prophecy allows. He uses traps, terrain, and logic puzzles to test alibis and dismantle accusations. Careful reads of timing and seals reveal the real saboteur. Clearing his name lets the team move forward toward the demon lands.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans’ (2015–2017)

Tekkadan is betrayed by employers who treat them as disposable child soldiers. Orga and Mikazuki seize control of their unit, acquire better equipment, and secure transport contracts. Political alliances and escort missions build their reputation and income. Each victory reduces dependence on patrons who once held them by the throat.

‘Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom’ (2009–2010)

Zwei is abducted and conditioned by an assassin syndicate that later moves to erase him. He recovers his sense of self, studies enemy routines, and gathers intel on leadership splits. Coordinated hits and escape routes let him peel away layers of the organization. His counteroffensive targets the handlers who made him a weapon.

‘Blue Exorcist’ (2011– )

Rin’s heritage is exposed and institutions turn on him in fear. Training at the academy teaches control over flames and teamwork with exorcists. Field missions and exams become opportunities to prove reliability under pressure. Successes in containing threats rebuild trust with classmates and mentors.

‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)

Akira’s closest friend orchestrates events that destroy his life and expose the world to chaos. Akira merges with a demon and uses enhanced speed and power to shield survivors. He organizes scattered allies and challenges rampaging forces across the city. Each battle pushes back against the plan that began with that intimate betrayal.

‘The Heroic Legend of Arslan’ (2015–2016)

Arslan survives a battlefield coup that topples his kingdom. He gathers loyal commanders, secures supply routes, and reclaims forts through careful campaigns. Diplomacy brings tribal and regional support that offsets smaller numbers. Step by step he builds the strength needed to confront usurpers occupying the capital.

‘Deca-Dence’ (2020)

Natsume learns her world is a controlled playground designed by entities that treat people as pieces. With Kaburagi she hijacks system routines and repurposes tech meant to keep citizens docile. Upgrades to armor and weaponry shift battles from spectacle to real resistance. Their actions rewrite the rules that once made rebellion impossible.

‘Nabari no Ou’ (2008)

Miharu is targeted by ninja factions and betrayed by figures positioned as protectors. Training sharpens his control over a power that could end their conflict. He studies the history behind the technique and the motives of each clan. This understanding lets him choose a path that denies weapons to those who would use him.

‘Trigun’ (1998)

Vash carries the fallout of a city’s destruction and the schemes of a brother who manipulates events. He improves his marksmanship under constant pursuit and learns to anticipate traps. Allies like Meryl and Milly help him navigate towns where bounty systems distort the truth. Through repeated standoffs he dismantles plans designed to break his resolve.

‘K’ (2012–2015)

Yashiro is accused of a high profile killing that sets seven clans against him. He relies on friends to evade capture, then investigates the mystery of his own identity. Evidence hidden in everyday items and recordings leads him to the real instigators. Recovering his role allows him to stop a conflict that would consume the city.

Share your favorite comeback story from anime in the comments and tell us which betrayal hit you the hardest.