Anti-heroes/misunderstood characters
 

Hey guys! I've noticed that I tend to love/sympathise with anti-hero type of characters, the ones that tend to be or bashed or loved to bits.

Examples would be:
Itachi from Naruto
Kikyou from Inuyasha
Homura from Madoka



Basically I'm interested in characters that appear to be mean or villains but actually have some kind of pure goal in mind.

Like Itachi killed his clan to save the village.
Kikyo attacked Inuyasha's team to kill Naraku.
Whoever watched Madoka, knows what I mean.
In titans while it is not confirmed I'm pretty sure it is for some bigger good as well.

Sadistic nature is a plus.

Basically I want a character who is between two sides of a conflict.

Any good suggestions?

You don't have to name characters. Just show titles are enough =)
Female is a plus but gender doesn't really matter.

My anime list is in the signature.

Fate/Zero
Code Geass

Watched those.

Shigofumi's first 2 episodes, it's quite morally ambiguous.I say just the first couple episodes because it's the first arc that has what you're looking for after that there's other stories that are unrelated but the first arc is pretty much self contained.

There's a great line in one episode,one of the characer says:

House of Five Leaves
Nijuu Mensou no Musume

Agree on Legend of Legendary heroes
Un-Go
The Super Robot Wars OG
Elfen lied
GunGrave

Edit: I am ashamed to forget mention Darker than Black which has to be seen.

Second on Darker than Black. Season 1 only
Seriously, if you like this trope, watch it. They have lots of those, and played real well too


Edit: oh the OP already watched it. But yeah i like this trope as well so would look out for recommendation myself

Yep, have seen DTB.

Thanks guys for suggestion, will look through them when I get time^^

Well... there is Angel Densetsu

Well, try Magical Knight Rayearth, Hokuto no Ken (anime is VERY old, so maybe it would be better to read the manga or play Shin Hokuto Musou), Gurren Lagann.

Ga Rei Zero

Haha, double this! It took me a few chapters to get over the art style, but once I did....yep, a real treat. The MC is the epitome of misunderstood =03.

Just finished, really good. Just what I wanted^^
Feel a bit depressed now though T_T

Can't seem to see if you specified Anime or manga.

But for Anime, for titles which have not already been mentioned. Kara no Kyoukai 3: Tsuukaku Zanryuu comes to mind. Girl was pretty much raped at the start, then goes around murdering the culprits causing her pain with her supernatural abilities. But you'd really have to watch the first 2 moves before it to get the story. I thought it was a pretty good battle between the heroine and the victim at the end.

As for manga, which title came to me first. Shi Ga Futari wo Wakatse Made. Pretty much a kick ass blind swordsman who everyone calls him evil and a bad bad man because of his ruthlessness and being suspected of Murder in a case police deemed manslaughter. But a the end of the day hes protecting a little girl who has the mafia and stuff wanting to kidnap her. Missunderstood ? yeah.

Duno, first 2 movies barely seem linked at all. If anything movie 2 should come before movie 1.

The first four films aren't in chronology order but the purpose behind each film gradually starts making more sense after you've watched the fifth. Personally I think each film is a part of the puzzle and series should only be judged as whole rather than as individual films.

The third film is the only film where the girl Velsy describes exists in and I personally think it's a stretch to call her an anti-hero since she doesn't have any pure goal in mind (she just wants to save herself). Rather I'd call the main character the anti-hero of the 3rd film. But the 3rd film sort of works as a stand alone film and you've already seen the first two films so you can see for yourself. It's only one hour long.

Personally I think the anti-heroes that you're looking for exist in the Ghost in a Shell: Stand Alone Complex series.

This is actually really interesting because I tend to love those characters too (though you mentioned wanting them to have a sadistic nature but none of the characters you listed were sadistic?) yet I never got too attached to the ones you listed. For example, I got attached against my will to Sasuke XDD
Although I must say that while Homura is misunderstood, I don't find her to be an anti-hero.
As for Itachi,
As for Kikyo,

OMG sorry for rambling!!!
Okay, suggestions!! Basically, you don't exactly want anti-heroes, but furtive characters whose motives are, unbeknowst to most, are pure.

Have you watched "Avatar the Last Airbender" yet, by the way?
It's not quite how you described, but I think you'll love Zuko, especially in the middle, you'll see a huge inner conflict. And the show itself is amazing.

Also, you might be interested in Kida Masaomi and Celty (<--female) (like this in the beginning I would say?) in the anime "Durarara"

And a lot might disagree, but despite it being a shoujo and somewhat slice-of-life with the one fantasy element, "Fruits Basket" has A LOT of these characters male and female

I'm not sure if that'll have exactly what you're looking for, but those are a few of my favourites and contain characters that I believe fit what you're looking for.

I saw the other 2, will take a look at Fruits Basket, thanks ;)

The Villain of C: Money of the Soul is a pretty good example, and the show is far from unwatchable.

Char's Counterattack is probably the very best example. At about 25 years old, it's starting to get a little bit up in terms of age, but the conflicting ideals and morality of Char's Character is fairly key to it.