The exploration of isolation turns out to be a powerful vehicle for storytelling in character-oriented shows. While anime protagonists are often celebrated and adored for their heroic acts and brilliance on the battlefield, there’s also an alluring side to such stories where the main character faces hostility and disdain from those around them.

Whether it’s Ikki challenging the established order, Kaneki confronting his ghoul identity, or  Souma navigating his journey in the culinary academy, these characters often bring depth and nuance to their respective stories. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best anime where MC is hated by everyone. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

10. Casshern Sins

Casshern Sins is a reboot of the classic 1970s anime “Casshan”, focusing on amnesia-stricken Casshern who travels through the barren wastelands of his world to learn about his past and his role in causing “The Ruin” that’s slowly destroying thousands of humans and robots alike.

Through Casshern, the anime sees a slow-paced introspection of isolation, death, and life as he tries to find answers in his placement in this world. Whether Casshern is to be hated or sympathized with is a running argument however, the makeover this character went through is contemplating in itself.

9. Chivalry Of A Failed Knight

An underdog’s story following the generic plot of magic school anime trope – Chivalry of a Failed Knight throws in all the cliché elements of its genre in a desperate attempt to stand out from the rest. Surprisingly, it manages to do that with perfect plot execution surrounding its central character Ikki Kurogane.

Having no particular talent for magic, Ikki is labeled the weakest student at the prestigious academy for Mage-Knights. Everyone looks down upon him calling him the “Failure Knight”, but that ends up being mostly a negative trait as Ikki eventually proves to be an incredibly overpowered protagonist anyway.

8. Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied is one bloody psychological horror anime that offers an edging storyline tangled with complicated character relations. The series centers on Lucy, a special breed of mutant human referred to as “Diclonius”, born with a pair of horns and invisible telekinetic hands.

Being armed with psychokinetic powers, Lucy is seen as a serious threat by her captors who perform various inhumane scientific experiments to take control of her. Her monstrous strength and the ability to create a torrent of bloodshed is the reason why she’s not only shunned but also feared.

7. Blue Exorcist

Dark fantasy shonen series Blue Exorcist is about a rowdy teen who not only discovers the existence of “demons” in his world but is actually the son of Satan himself. Thus, he decides to attend a school of exorcism to strengthen himself and learn to control his demonic power.

Honestly, Rin Okumura doesn’t come off as an evil person but because he’s related to Satan everyone thinks bad of him. And they can’t be blamed entirely as he often shows his impulsive side which results in risking other’s lives. Nonetheless, Rin strives to become an Exorcist despite his hellish origin.

6. Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul is one of the best dark shonen anime by Studio Pierrot to be ever made. The series not only features a well-written protagonist like Ken Kaneki, who was once a mild-mannered student but eventually turned into the strongest being, but it also doesn’t hold back in exploring the gore and brutality.

With a mix of grungy aesthetics, engaging action sequences, and metal tracks the story follows Kaneki who struggles to cope with his new life as a half-ghoul. Ridiculed by his cohort and enemies for his unconventional state, Kaneki pushes himself hard to strike a counterbalance between the two worlds in which he exists.

5. Food Wars

Food Wars is one of its kind, thanks to its unique take on “cooking” as a central theme which nicely blends all the ingredients of comedy, high school, and drama with loads of fan service. The narrative of the show centers on Souma Yukihara, an ambitious chef who is determined to reach the pinnacle of culinary prowess.

But, one shouldn’t loudly boast about their dreams right!? Souma however goes on to declare that he would become the best in the cooking business at his high school’s orientation, plummeting his image amongst his peers and making himself a target of other qualified up-and-coming chefs.

4. A Silent Voice

KyoAni’s A Silent Voice is one of the critically acclaimed romantic anime movies that deals with bullying and its repercussions on the people involved. The film follows middle school student Shoya Ishida as he becomes a victim of bullying himself after he bullies a deaf classmate named Shouko Nishimiya.

While Shoya was not the only person who bullied Shouko, he was ostracized by the very people who encouraged his bullying. As Shoya enters high school and continues grappling with feelings of guilt and despair, he confronts his insecurities head-on and endeavors to make amends for his past grievances.

3. Beastars

A show that transcends the logic of nature in the animal kingdom, Beastars embodies a story of a beast who strives to be who he is but faces his personal demons in an imperfect world. Despite his gentle nature, Legoshi faces prejudices that are about his supposed wolf-like nature.

While his herbivore peers stay out of the reach of his claws and fangs, the carnivores kind look down on him for being too passive. Even though Legoshi aims to counter this by censoring himself and acting almost like the polar opposite of what is expected of him, he’s put to trial at every turn.

2. Rising Of The Shield Hero

Another typical isekai fantasy series, Shield Hero tells the story of Naofumi who is initially summoned to a parallel world to serve as one of the four Cardinal Heroes. However, unlike the other heroes who are given powerful weapons and respect for the people, Naofumi is instead ridiculed and discriminated against.

Acting as the Shield Hero, who is considered to be the weakest of all, he soon becomes a laughing stock for his lack of offensive skills and false accusations of sexual assault. Betrayed and manipulated in the new world, Naofumi eventually grows into a cynical person and paves his own path to glory.

1. Naruto

The early 2000s hit martial arts anime Naruto is still celebrated with the same enthusiasm for its mystifying influence on kids and adults alike. Produced by Studio Pierrot, the story sees Naruto Uzumaki’s relentless journey of becoming the Hokage in order to get recognized by his fellow villagers and friends.

As a diehard fan of this series, fans can’t forget about Naruto’s beginning when he was despised and feared by everyone for carrying the nine-tailed demon fox seal on his body. Even though he was an innocent child, it was a long time before anyone other than Master Iruka showed affection towards Naruto.

Which one of the following anime where MC is hated by 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.

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