When you think about ‘most hated anime character ever,’ Griffith from Berserk usually tops the conversation. But surprise: he’s on the #11 spot on Ranker’s list of the Most Hated Anime Characters of All Time. That cursed crown belongs to someone else, and it all ties back to one of the most unforgettable gut-punch scenes in anime history.
But, before we get into that, let’s take a look at Ranker’s Top 20 right now, so you’ll know exactly who made it into anime’s Hall of Hate:
Fullmetal Alchemist‘s Shou Tucker: The Chimera Scene That Made Him Rank 1
So, at the top of Ranker’s Most Hated Anime Characters list, you’ve got Shou Tucker from Fullmetal Alchemist (he appears in both Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Brotherhood (2009). Even if it’s been ages since you watched the show, just saying his name likely makes you feel all uneasy.
Why? Well, it’s because Tucker gave us that scene. You know, the one where he sacrifices his adorable daughter Nina and her dog Alexander to make a human-speaking chimera. There were no explosions or huge monster battles, just this quiet, heart-wrenching betrayal that hit anime fans like a philosopher’s stone to the face.
It’s the kind of moment that you can’t unsee. To this day, new fans bingeing Fullmetal Alchemist
Tucker isn’t hated because he’s powerful; he’s hated because his cruelty feels so real, so small-scale, and so monstrously selfish. That’s why, decades later, he still holds the crown as anime’s most despised character.
Anime Characters Who Deserve to Be On the List (But Aren’t!)
Top 20 sounds like a greatest hits album of characters we cannot possibly forgive. But ask any anime fan, and you’ll hear plenty of names that deserve a spot in this hall of hate but somehow didn’t make the cut.
Here are a few obvious misses:
Shougo Makishima from Psycho-Pass
Makishima is one of the best and creepiest villains in anime. His ability to commit serious crimes without triggering the Sybil System makes him terrifying. Fans hate him not just because he’s evil, but because he represents a philosophical nightmare: what if society itself can’t judge true monsters?
Psycho-Pass is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Sugou Nobuyuki’s Peers in Sword Art Online
Sure, Oberon made the list at #5, but what about some of the other SAO antagonists who almost ruined the show for fans? Characters like Death Gun (Gun Gale Online arc) might not be as despised as Sugou, but their mix of sadism and edge really annoyed a lot of fans.
Sword Art Online is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Excalibur from Soul Eater
Okay, this one’s less evil and more ‘oh my god, please stop talking.’ Excalibur is the walking definition of unbearable. He derails every scene he’s in with his nonsense monologues and grating personality. Hated not for cruelty but for sheer annoyance, his absence from the list feels like a missed opportunity for fans to vent.
Soul Eater is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
In the end, the point is, anime never runs out of people to hate. Whether it’s the pure trauma of Griffith and Tucker, or the constant annoyance of characters like Excalibur, fans are always ready to argue about who deserves to be despised the most.
At the end of the day, the reason these names stick with us isn’t just because they were villains; it’s because they emotionally resonated with us. Tucker’s betrayal felt too real, Griffith’s betrayal felt too epic. And characters like Mineta or Excalibur remind us how unbearable comic relief can ruin a moment.
These lists are like group therapy for anime fans. We may never forgive Tucker, Griffith, or the rest of this infamous cast, but at least we get to hate them together. And honestly? That’s fun as well. So, according to you, which anime character deserves the crown as the most hated of all time: Tucker, Griffith, or someone completely different? Share with us in the comments section below.
