4 anime characters who'd make your blood boil (& 4 who are balls of sunshine)

From maddening manipulators to wholesome sweethearts, anime characters have a unique way of pulling emotional strings. From Rachel's cunning betrayal in Tower of God to Shou Tucker's truly cold-hearted abyss in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, some anime characters are so aggravating that they make viewers' blood boil.

These characters break the range of acceptable behavior, and not only because of evilness, but because their actions violate trust, compassion, or basic humanity.

However, anime balances its emotional roller-coaster with characters who are nothing less than glowing. Characters such as Tohru Honda in Fruits Basket or Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer are rather silent warriors of mercy, bringing hope, strength, and light to even the most gloomy arc.

These characters don't just bring warmth, they redefine what it means to carry emotional depth in storytelling

Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's personal opinion and not that of Sportskeeda as a whole.

Anime characters who'd make your blood boil

1) Rachel (Tower of God)

Still of Rachel (Image via Telecom Animation Film)

Few anime characters inspire collective disdain like Rachel. Her cold and calculated betrayal of Bam during the final ascent of the tower was not born of desperation. Instead, it was a cold-blooded plan born out of envy, as demonstrated in season 1, episode 12.

She knocks Bam off the platform as he extends to take her up, and the trust turns into heartbreak in a moment of pretending to be weak and helpless. Rachel embodies cowardice and deceit wrapped in a victim complex. Her actions go beyond disloyalty, revealing a pattern of emotional dependency that deeply affects those around her.

2) Shou Tucker (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

Shou Tucker doesn’t just cross ethical lines, he annihilates them. In episode 4, while many anime characters betray moral expectations, Tucker sets a new low by sacrificing his own daughter Nina and their dog Alexander, to create a talking chimera.

His casual justification and lack of remorse afterwards cement him as one of the most hated characters in anime history. He pushed the boundaries of cruelty in a way that left a lasting impression. What he did is difficult to forget, and even harder to excuse.

3) Seryu Ubiquitous (Akame ga Kill!)

Still of Seryu Ubiquitous (Image via White Fox)

Seryu is one of those anime characters who warp noble ideals into terrifying dogma. Appearing in episode 6, she plays a prominent role throughout the Jaegers' arc. Her delight in executing Sheele and torturing perceived "criminals" with her biological weapon, Koro, is both shocking and grotesque.

Her maniacal laugh and unwavering belief in her twisted justice make her almost impossible to tolerate. Seryu’s fanaticism is unrelenting. She murders with conviction and justifies sadism as virtue, which makes her dangerously delusional.

4) Malty S Melromarc (The Rising of the Shield Hero)

Still of Malty (Image via Kinema Citrus)

Malty’s entire arc reads like a case study in gaslighting. In episode 1 of The Rising of the Shield Hero, she falsely accuses Naofumi of assault, destroying his reputation and morale before the story even gets rolling.

Throughout the Cal Mira arc and beyond, she continues to manipulate, deceive, and twist every situation to her advantage, all while playing the innocent princess. Malty weaponizes trust and privilege with a smile. Her ability to ruin lives and then portray herself as the victim is deeply unsettling.

Anime characters who are balls of sunshine

1) Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket)

Still of Tohru Honda (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Tohru Honda tops the list of anime characters who heal the soul. In the beach arc from season 2 and the emotional reckoning with Akito from Season 3, Tohru chooses empathy over anger time and time again.

Whether she's comforting Kyo during his transformations or providing him with a sense of healing for his emotional scars, Tohru embodies patience and a rare, genuine kindness. She gently nurtures all those around her. Tohru brings light to trauma. Her compassion feels lived and not like a script, and her love is healing.

2) Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer)

Tanjiro shines among the ranks of action-oriented anime characters due to his compassion deeply rooted. During the Mugen Train arc in episodes 1-7, he faces overwhelming grief, but still manages to honor Rengoku with gratitude and rather than fall into despair.

In the Entertainment District arc in episodes 8–11 in season 2, his empathy for Daki and Gyutaro after their defeat highlights his unwavering humanity. Tanjiro doesn’t let tragedy make him bitter. His strength lies in his softness, which never fades.

3) Hinata Hyuga (Naruto)

Still of Hinata (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Hinata is proof that anime characters don’t need to be loud to be impactful. She risks her life in Naruto: Shippuden in episode 166 to save Naruto, even though she realizes that she stands no chance against Pain.

Her gradual transformation to a trusted and capable warrior can be observed throughout the show, starting with the Chunin Exams arc and culminating with the Fourth Great Ninja War. The gentle persistence of Hinata shines in an action-packed series of explosions and egos. She is kind-hearted, and that makes her truly memorable.

4) Nagisa Furukawa (Clannad: After Story)

Still of Nagisa (Image via Kyoto Animation)

Nagisa is one of the special anime characters that feels like a warm embrace. In Clannad: After Story's Family Arc, she nurtures Tomoya during his emotional burnout and provides the impetus to move forward.

Even with her declining health and tragic ending with childbirth in Episode 16, her love sustains growth and forgiveness, even in her absence. Nagisa teaches viewers how to hope through heartbreak. Her love isn’t loud, but it remains steady, offering comfort, healing, and quiet strength.

Final Thoughts

Anime characters are emotional architecture. Some burn bridges with betrayal and psychosis, while others build sanctuaries of comfort with empathy and light. They represent the range of humanity, our flaws, and our finest traits.

The best among them don’t just entertain, they leave a lasting impact. In the end, characters in anime are more than fiction; they’re reflections.

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About the author

Jayshree Gupta covers anime at Sportskeeda, with over 1.5 years of experience in entertainment writing. She has previously contributed to platforms like Desi Rap Network. Currently pursuing a Master's in English Literature, she also holds a degree in Physics, which she believes sharpens her analytical skills and helps her to draft content that resonates with diverse audiences.

One of the aspects Jayshree loves about anime is its ability to tell deeply resonant stories that transcend cultural and language barriers. She feels that anime not only entertains but also inspires and connects people from all walks of life. She admires mangaka Eiichiro Oda for his exceptional world-building and comedians like Ravi Gupta and Abhishek Upmanyu for their impeccable comic timing.

To ensure accuracy in her work, Jayshree conducts thorough research, cross-checks facts, and relies on trustworthy sources. When not writing, she finds solace in nature through gardening, enjoys magical films and series, and immerses herself in books, which has always been her favorite hobby.

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Edited by Sriparna Barui