While many anime protagonists adhere to a code of ethics that avoids taking lives, there are certain series that defy this convention. The heroes or you can say “antiheroes” inhabiting these narratives embrace a more ruthless approach that requires resorting to lethal force when faced with formidable adversaries.

Whether it’s the political rift in “Code Geass”, the moral complexities of “Inuyashiki”, or the psychological warfare in “Terror in Resonance”, these series dive into the worlds where justice is delivered with a deadly edge. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best anime where MC isn’t afraid to kill. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

10. Dorohedoro

Dorohedoro is a dark fantasy anime series known for its mix of gruesome, blood-soaked, and gore visuals. The series perfectly captures the essence of raw art, dark comedy, violence, and brutality through its antihero Caiman whose hatred of sorcerers drives him to figure out who cursed him.

Living the life of an amnesiac reptilian-headed person can be difficult for anyone which is why Caiman shows sorcerers very little mercy and is not above slaughtering them all if it helps him regain his memory. It’s his rudeness and affinity for mindless violence that blurs the lines of morality for him.

9. Saga Of Tanya The Evil

Falling under the isekai anime with op MC category, Saga of Tanya the Evil features a cold and calculating heroine who’s nothing short of a maniac. Before being reincarnated as a teenage girl in the middle of magical warfare, Tanya Degurechaff was a salaryman with a harsh and self-centered personality.

Due to his poor nature, he was murdered by one of his subordinates and sent to a world by a God that Tanya calls “Being X”. Hellbent on defiance, Tanya resolves to ascend the ranks of her country’s military by eliminating countless foes and propelling the mighty Empire into becoming the most powerful nation in mankind’s history.

8. Goblin Slayer

Goblin Slayer chronicles the titular character in a fantasy world where goblins are a common threat to villages and towns. They are often underestimated by adventurers, who see them as weak and insignificant. However, there’s a mortal who is determined to wipe them out.

Ever since he watched his sister taken advantage of and killed by the Goblins he had only one thought going through his head – eradication of goblins with extreme prejudice. Acting like an emotionless robot born for slaughtering goblins, this warrior won’t rest until his mission is fulfilled!

7. Inuyashiki

Created by the author of “Gantz”, Inuyashiki walks us through the the lives of Ichiro Inuyashiki, a man in his late 50s, and Hiro Shishigami, a teenager, who wake up with armed mechanized bodies after getting struck by an explosion of extraterrestrial origin.

While Inuyashiki uses his powers to heal those with incurable diseases and fight crime, Hiro becomes a psychopath and goes on killing innocent people just for amusement. As their paths are destined to clash, Inuyashiki puts on the suit of a reluctant hero to stop Hiro’s murderous power trip.

6. Terror In Resonance

Studio MAPPA’s Terror in Resonance is a well-crafted suspense anime that provides an interesting look into the diabolical minds of anti-heroes. The series follows two individuals who pose a threat to the modern world in order to uphold their ideologies in a society they no longer believe in.

Months after a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility in Japan, a video mysteriously appears on the internet where two teenagers – identifying themselves as “Sphinx” – take charge of the assault and threaten to destroy Tokyo unless a cryptic riddle can be solved.

5. Attack On Titan

Coming from the brilliant mind of Hajime Isayama, Attack on Titan forms a thrilling narrative around human political tensions and the fight for survival against the menacing Titans. Needless to say, it features a brutal and ravaging protagonist like Eren who isn’t afraid to wipe out people from the face of Earth.

Eren’s differentially bizarre ideology of freedom to protect his friends from outer threats put 80% of human lives at stake. Arguably it’s not that he’s a joyful warmonger, instead, Eren sees no other path forward other than genocide. Hence, he chose to live as a villain and die as an Eldian hero.

4. Darker Than Black

Sci-fi mafia anime, Darker Than Black takes place in an alternate present-day where a spatial anomaly identified as Hell’s Gate appears in Tokyo, altering the sky and landscapes. As gates came to the surface, individuals known as “Contractors” acquired supernatural abilities in exchange for their humanity.

Operating in this world is Contractor Hei, an elite agent who’s branded as one of the most terrifying figures in the world. Working as an assassin for a shadowy group called the Syndicate, Hei sets off to uncover the secrets of Hell’s Gate while saving his sister from evil forces.

3. Code Geass

Code Geass emphasizes the political and moral turmoil between three dominions – the Holy Britannian Empire, the Chinese Federation, and the European Union. The story follows Lelouch Lamperouge, the exiled prince of Britannia, who swears to take revenge on the empirical state for destroying his homeland.

Under the alias Zero, Lelouch leads a rebellion against rampant colonialism to lead the country towards freedom. However, it doesn’t take long for his moral compass to shift and in his quest for absolute power, Lelouch makes countless innocent people a part of the collateral damage.

2. Hellsing

Classic dark seinen series, Hellsing is home to one of the most ruthless vampires in anime verse, Alucard. Alucard didn’t become a vampire hunter for anything resembling moral reasons – he does it because he thoroughly enjoys ending lives with no sign of remorse or mercy.

Being a villainous figure of the Hellsing organization that’s dedicated to taking down the supernatural monsters plaguing England, Alucard seeks the thrill of killing his own kind and doesn’t shy away from going into an all-out war to prevent an eternal feud with the vampire army.

1. Death Note

Even after so many years, Death Note remains a prime example of a thrilling detective anime done right. The series features Light Yagami, a young, diabolical genius who accidentally stumbles upon a death-granting notebook and follows his wicked sense of justice to eliminate all the evil-doers of society.

Aware of the terrifying godlike power that has fallen into his hands, Light – under the alias “Kira” – begins fancying himself to be the “god of the new world”. But, he eventually gets so swallowed up by his ambition that he gives up on the code of ethics and starts killing guiltless people just to save his neck.

Which one of the following anime where MC isn’t afraid to kill is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other anime like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.

We post daily anime and manga news articles, so make sure to follow us on Instagram. You can also check out our anime ranking page for more articles like this.