Not all anime heroes wear bright, primary colors. Sometimes, the hero is dark, brooding, and outright terrifying to everyone around them, but still the good guy. If it works for Batman, then it can certainly work for anime protagonists.
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Some of these brooding anime heroes have an unfair reputation, with the world at large wrongly thinking they're the villains. Other heroes embrace a scary image to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. Occasionally, the author is trying to send a message that it's wrong to judge by appearances or that the world at large is a pretty dark place.
Devilman Is Feared To The Point Of Being Hunted
Devilman
In the Devilman series, Akira becomes the titular Devilman by effectively fusing with the demon Amon. Granted, how heroic Devilman is varies by the continuity. In the 1970s anime, for example, where Devilman is effectively a demon wearing Akira's corpse, he planned on destroying mankind before falling in love with Miki.
Regardless, Devilman usually finds himself becoming humanity's protector. Being a demon, Devilman naturally ignites fear in those who know of him. Unfortunately, this also means that Akira often finds himself being hunted down.
Eren Grows To Be Feared By The Whole World
Attack On Titan
In Attack on Titan, Eren Yeager lives in a world where mankind is plagued by gigantic, flesh-hungry Titans. Naturally, Eren starts the series with a strong hatred for these Titans. Then, Eren discovers he is a Titan Shifter, meaning he has the power to transform into a Titan himself.
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As the series goes on, the world at large grows to fear him. Eren ultimately uses his reputation to his advantage, as he can make the Eldians look like heroes by taking him down.
Light Yagami Even Inspires A Task Force
Death Note
In Death Note, the protagonist Light Yagami is a genius with a God complex. When Light comes across the Death Note, he obtains the power to kill anyone just by writing their name. Anyone Light deems unethical enough to lose their life is doomed.
Soon, Light becomes feared as "Kira," the alias the world at large gives the mysterious assailant. Eventually, a task force is developed to take the vigilante down. On the other hand, as "Kira," Light also develops a cult-like following.
Koro-Sensei Is Blamed For Destroying The Moon
Assassination Classroom
In Assassination Classroom, Koro-sensei, who appears to be an octopus-like alien, is believed to have blown up the Earth's moon. Koro-sensei really isn't to blame but takes advantage of the misconception to give humanity an ultimatum. Koro-sensei threatens to destroy the Earth and the only chance at escape is if a class he himself teaches takes him down.
In truth, Koro-sensei is a threat to the Earth not by choice, but because he's effectively a bomb. Ultimately, Koro-sensei actually wants to save humanity and, at the end of the day, be a good teacher. In fact, Koro-sensei is one of the best teachers his students ever had.
Inner Moka Awakens To Fight
Rosario + Vampire
In Rosario + Vampire, Moka might be a vampire, but she's a sweet, friendly girl, even if she does drink blood. However, that's mostly because of the rosary around her neck. Without it, Moka transforms into a much more deadly, threatening alter-ego. Known as Inner Moka, this is actually her original personality.
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Inner Moka is usually summoned to fight less friendly monsters and protect her love-interest Tsukune. At first, Inner Moka might come off as colder and scarier than her alter-ego, but she eventually shows a softer side.
Kyousuke Transforms Into The Terrifying SoulTaker
The SoulTaker
In The SoulTaker, Kyousuke Date's life takes a surreal turn when his dying mother stabs him in the chest. After Kyousuke is dug out of his own grave, he awakens to find himself dealing with two mysterious groups: the Kirihara Group and the mutants of the "Hospital Organization."
Fortunately, Kyousuke now has the power to transform into the horrifying being dubbed the "SoulTaker," often compared to a devil. With this new power, Kyousuke hopes to uncover the mysteries surrounding him and find his lost sister, Runa.
It Can Be Easy To Forget Jiren Is A Superhero
Dragon Ball Super
In the Dragon Ball universe, Jiren is an extremely powerful superhero and a Pride Trooper. Jiren is so strong he's famous for letting opponents attack with everything they got before he unleashes the finishing blow. Jiren also has a strong sense of justice but isn't really that friendly.
Jiren doesn't even care too much about helping his allies. In fact, Jiren arguably views friendship as a weakness, going so far as to threaten Goku's loved ones. While technically on the side of good, Jiren ultimately puts more importance on strength and power.
This Is How Tiger Mask Raises Money For Orphans
Tiger Mask
In Tiger Mask, Naoto Date starts the series as a fearsome wrestler with his Tiger Mask alter-ego. In fact, Tiger Mask's original shtick was to be as unlikeable as possible to garner interest in the fight. The fact that Tiger Mask is raising funds for orphans is usually kept secret because of this.
Learning that a young boy idolizes him, Naoto decides to reinvent himself as more of a hero. Even so, Tiger Mask is willing to employ similar gambits during matches, and he can get violent enough that he shouldn't be underestimated. There are times when Naoto can become violent enough to even scare himself.
The Outer Senshi Fear Sailor Saturn
Sailor Moon
In the third Sailor Moon series, the Outer Senshi fear the awakening of Sailor Saturn, who has the powers of death and destruction. Depending on the continuity, Saturn might have even had a hand in the destruction of the Moon Kingdom. It also doesn't help that her alter-ego, Hotaru Tomoe, is the host of the villainess Mistress 9.
The Outer Senshi are more concerned with destroying her than the villains, though Sailor Moon herself is horrified by the idea. Despite all this, Sailor Saturn isn't evil or even as dangerous as her reputation suggests.
Alucard Is Dracula Himself
Hellsing
In Hellsing, the vampire Alucard is the sworn protector of Integra Hellsing after she released him. As his name suggests, Alucard was once the infamous Count Dracula himself before becoming an ally to the Hellsing family.
Alucard is now humanity's protector and actually puts humans on a pedestal. It gets to the point that Alucard wants his death to be at the hands of a mortal. Conversely, Alucard also has some disdain for other more dangerous vampires. That said, as befitting Dracula, Alucard still retains a sadistic streak and can be more than horrifying when he needs to be.
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