Top 20 Anime Where Everyone Hates The Main Character

Not every protagonist is showered with love. Some leads start out shunned by their communities or become targets of fear and hostility as their stories unfold. These anime put a character at the center of suspicion, resentment, or outright hatred, and then show how that pressure shapes every choice they make. Here are twenty examples where the main character faces a world that wants them gone.

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)

Naruto grows up ostracized by the Hidden Leaf because the Nine Tails is sealed inside him. Villagers avoid him and treat him as a danger, and many teachers expect him to fail. This isolation drives his early pranks and loud behavior as he looks for acknowledgment. His path through the ninja ranks begins with earning trust one mission at a time.

‘The Rising of the Shield Hero’ (2019)

Naofumi is summoned as a Cardinal Hero and immediately faces a false accusation that turns the kingdom against him. Merchants refuse service, other heroes dismiss him, and nobles sabotage his efforts. He rebuilds his reputation by defending villages and hunting waves despite the stigma. His shield-only fighting style forces him to adapt under constant scrutiny.

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014–2018)

Kaneki’s transformation into a half ghoul leaves him hated by humans and mistrusted by ghouls. Investigators hunt his kind while rival factions test his loyalties. He struggles to control hunger and conceal his identity in a city that fears him. The conflict pushes him into violent turf wars and a new name that carries heavy consequences.

‘Elfen Lied’ (2004)

Lucy is a Diclonius whose invisible arms and traumatic past fuel mass fear. Government labs treat her as a lethal specimen and civilians flee or persecute her kind. A split personality complicates attempts at normal interactions. The story tracks escalating manhunts and experiments that reinforce public hatred.

‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)

Akira becomes a Devilman after fusing with a demon to fight other demons. As panic spreads, society turns on suspected hosts and vigilantes attack neighbors. Media frenzy and mass paranoia isolate him from ordinary life. His efforts to protect people only deepen the divide as the body count rises.

‘Saga of Tanya the Evil’ (2017)

Tanya is a child soldier and ruthless battalion commander in a fantasy world war. Enemy nations brand her a monster while some in her own army fear her methods. Military success brings promotions along with notoriety on every front. Her encounters with a higher power keep funneling her toward battles that make her even more despised.

‘Overlord’ (2015)

Ainz Ooal Gown rules as an undead overlord in a new world where his very presence terrifies people. Human kingdoms see him as a catastrophe waiting to happen. Adventurers and nobles scheme to contain or eliminate him while his guardians spread his fearsome legend. Diplomacy often gives way to displays of overwhelming force that harden opposition.

‘A Certain Scientific Accelerator’ (2019)

Accelerator begins as Academy City’s most dangerous esper and carries the baggage of past crimes. Students and law enforcement treat him as a threat even when he tries to help. His reliance on a life support device limits his power and complicates recovery. Protecting Last Order gives him purpose while public resentment lingers.

‘School Days’ (2007)

Makoto’s relationships spiral into betrayal that poisons his entire social circle. Classmates spread rumors, friendships collapse, and confrontations follow him through the halls. Text messages and public scenes amplify resentment. The fallout reaches a notorious conclusion after trust fully erodes.

‘Redo of Healer’ (2021)

Keyaru is exploited as a healing hero and abused by allies who view him as a tool. After resetting time, he hunts those abusers and gains infamy for brutal retribution. His actions make him a target for kingdoms and adventurers alike. He moves from town to town under disguise as hostility intensifies.

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

Hajime starts as the weakest student in a summoned class and gets pushed off a dungeon bridge by a classmate. Written off as dead, he survives alone among monsters. Rumors and class politics turn peers against him as he changes. His return with new powers brings suspicion and unresolved grudges.

‘Bungo Stray Dogs’ (2016)

Atsushi is expelled from his orphanage and chased by the Port Mafia over a bounty. His tiger ability draws danger to anyone near him. The Armed Detective Agency offers work but threats from rival groups keep him on edge. Public order forces treat him as part of the city’s criminal chaos.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Eren’s power to transform into a Titan marks him as both weapon and menace. Military tribunals question his right to live, and entire nations later condemn his choices. Allies and enemies scrutinize every move as battles reshape borders. The global response to his goals turns widespread fear into open hatred.

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

Lelouch leads a masked rebellion that topples authorities and causes civilian casualties. Britannia labels him a terrorist while some Japanese factions distrust his tactics. His Geass forces decisions that alienate friends and foes. As Zero’s identity drives political shifts, opposition hardens on all sides.

‘Higurashi: When They Cry’ (2006–2007)

Keiichi moves to a rural village with a history of ritual deaths and disappearances. He uncovers secrets that make neighbors paranoid and hostile. Misunderstandings and withheld information escalate into violence. The looping structure shows how mistrust repeatedly turns the community against him.

‘Parasyte -the maxim-‘ (2014–2015)

Shinichi survives a parasite invasion that takes over his right hand. Authorities and rival parasites target him as a rare hybrid threat. His changed demeanor alarms classmates and family as incidents mount. The hunt for concealed parasites spreads fear across his city.

‘Terror in Resonance’ (2014)

Nine and Twelve conduct high profile bombings to expose a hidden government project. The public brands them terrorists and nationwide manhunts begin. Media coverage fuels panic while police decode elaborate clues. Their motives unfold as hostility reaches a peak across Tokyo.

‘Berserk’ (1997–1998)

Guts travels as a branded swordsman hunted by monsters and shunned by villagers who fear the brand. Former allies see him as a destabilizing force. Church authorities and mercenaries pursue him across kingdoms. His reputation as the Black Swordsman ensures doors close wherever he goes.

‘Black Clover’ (2017–2024)

Asta grows up without magic in a society that values it above all else. Nobles mock him and some captains dismiss his potential. His anti magic grimoire and devil arm raise suspicion within the ranks. Missions gradually prove his reliability while prejudice remains an obstacle.

‘The Future Diary’ (2011–2012)

Yukiteru is thrust into a survival game where other diary holders view him as prey. Police and classmates get pulled into incidents that damage his standing. His alliance with Yuno isolates him further as bodies appear. The contest’s rules force confrontations that keep hostility aimed at him.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which other leads you’ve seen face a world that wants them gone.