10 biggest traitors in anime, ranked

Betrayal is a fascinating theme that has been explored by some of the biggest traitors in anime. Some of these treacherous characters, known for devising clever schemes to turn against their allies, propel the plot forward. Their unexpected shifts in loyalty frequently reveal the complexities of their individual personalities.

Betrayals test the trust and loyalty of the main characters, challenging the foundations of the stories fans love. The biggest traitors in anime may be driven by personal goals, a desire for justice (though twisted), or a deep need for revenge. Regardless of their motivations, these characters have become iconic and memorable in the anime world.

Mucho, Griffith, and 8 other biggest traitors in anime

10) Yuga Aoyama (My Hero Academia)

Yuga Aoyama, a student at U.A. High School, holds the position of being one of the biggest traitors in anime. Although Yuga appeared to be a loyal and dedicated student, it was later revealed that he was secretly working as a spy for the League of Villains.

This betrayal left fans stunned and deeply disappointed in Yuga's actions. It turned out that Yuga was forced into becoming a double agent by the powerful villain, All For One, who threatened to harm the former's parents if he didn't cooperate. Under this immense pressure, Yuga had no choice but to leak sensitive information about his classmates and teachers to the villains.

9) Yauhiro Mucho (Tokyo Revengers)

Mucho was a trusted captain in the Tokyo Manji Gang in the Tokyo Revengers series who betrayed his friends and comrades. He was formerly a member of the S-62 Generation, which had other notable members including Izana Kurokawa, the Haitani brothers, and Shion Madarame, among others.

Furthermore, it was later known that Mucho was also one of the founding members of Tenjiku. His actions are driven by his personal ambition and disillusionment with his former allies. Mucho's betrayal added depth to his character, revealing the complexities of loyalty and ambition within the gang dynamics.

8) Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)

Sasuke Uchiha (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Sasuke Uchiha's journey in Naruto was marked by a deep sense of betrayal as he turned his back on his friends and the Hidden Leaf Village, making him one of the biggest traitors in anime. He was driven by an intense desire for power and revenge against his brother, Uchiha Itachi, who was responsible for the massacre of the Uchiha Clan, including his own parents.

Sasuke's thirst for vengeance led him to make the difficult decision to abandon his comrades and align himself with one of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, a powerful and dangerous shinobi. This betrayal was particularly heartbreaking for Naruto, Sasuke's closest friend, who fought tirelessly to bring him back to the right path and prevent him from being consumed by darkness.

7) Kurozumi Kanjuro (One Piece)

Kurozumi Kanjuro (Image via Toei Animation)

Kanjuro's betrayal in the Wano Country arc of the One Piece series was a huge setback for the Kozuki clan and their allies, as they had been preparing for the Onigashima raid. As one of the biggest traitors in anime, he pretended to be a loyal servant and friend while secretly leaking information to Kurozumi Orochi for many years.

This meant that Kanjuro was betraying the people he had promised to protect. His willingness to turn against his own people was driven by a twisted desire for revenge against the Kozuki clan, which made the already tense situation in Wano even more complicated and tragic.

6) King Bradley (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Bradley's shocking betrayal in Fullmetal Alchemist shattered people's trust in Amestris' government. Initially portrayed as a strong, respected leader, Bradley was later exposed as one of the Homunculus, artificial humans created by the evil Father.

His treachery against the citizens he vowed to protect laid bare the deep-rooted corruption festering within Amestris' regime. Not only that, but Bradley's betrayal also underscored the immense challenge facing the protagonists as they battled against oppression and dishonesty. This act earned him the sixth position in the list of the biggest traitors in anime.

5) Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt (Attack on Titan)

Bertholdt, Reiner, and Annie (Image via Wit Studio)

Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt are collectively the three biggest traitors in anime. It was a turning point when they revealed themselves to be Titan Shifters who were working for the enemy. This major plot twist shattered the foundations of trust and friendship that existed in the world of Attack on Titan until then.

Up until that critical point, Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt had successfully blended in and acted just like regular members of the Survey Corps. No one had the slightest idea that they were actually the Titans that caused the fall of Wall Maria and the breach in Trost district.

In an attempt to fit in with everyone, the three worked alongside Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and others, fighting against the Titans and putting their lives on the line during perilous missions outside the walls.

4) Blackbeard (One Piece)

Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard, is widely regarded as one of the biggest traitors in anime. Once a trusted member of the Whitebeard Pirates, Blackbeard's true sinister nature was concealed behind a façade of unwavering loyalty and comradeship.

However, his insatiable thirst for power and the acquisition of the formidable Yami-Yami no Mi Devil Fruit ultimately drove him to commit a shocking and ruthless betrayal against his own crewmate, Thatch. This act of treachery sent shockwaves throughout the entire One Piece universe, shattering the bond of camaraderie that once bound him to his former comrades.

3) Suguru Geto (Jujutsu Kaisen)

The third position in the list for the biggest traitors in anime goes to Geto Suguru, whose betrayal in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime revealed the complex and multifaceted themes of friendship, ideology, and the corrosive effects of extremism. Geto was once a close friend and ally of Satoru Gojo.

As a skilled and talented sorcerer, Geto witnessed firsthand the immense power that sorcerers wielded, and he became increasingly disillusioned with the limitations and vulnerabilities of non-sorcerers. His ideology gradually evolved into a form of extremism, where he believed that sorcerers should rule over and subjugate non-sorcerers for the greater good of society.

2) Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)

In the Soul Society story arc of Bleach, Captain Sosuke Aizen's betrayal was a huge shock to fans. Sosuke Aizen earns the second spot in this list of the biggest traitors in anime.

Sosuke Aizen was a captain in the Gotei 13, the powerful military force that protects the Soul Society. On the surface, he appeared to be a kind and noble leader, but on the inside, he had plans to overthrow the entire Soul Society system.

Over many years, Aizen pretended to be a loyal Soul Reaper while secretly gathering followers and power. He made everyone trust him completely. Even when he nearly killed his own lieutenant, Momo Hinamori, no one suspected it was part of his evil plan. Finally, Aizen revealed his true self and unleashed his full power on the Soul Society.

1) Griffith (Berserk)

The first position in this list of the biggest traitors in anime goes to Griffith, who was the admirable commander of the Band of the Hawk, a fearsome group of mercenaries. He had earned the deep devotion of his followers, such as Guts and Casca, due to his magnetic presence and exemplary leadership. However, Griffith's thirst for dominance knew no restraints.

After enduring imprisonment and cruel torture, he forged an unholy pact with sinister demons called the God Hand. In a horrifying ritual dubbed the Eclipse, Griffith betrayed his own comrades, sacrificing them to fulfill his ambitions. This unthinkable act of treachery culminated in the brutal assault on Casca and irrevocably altered the trajectory of the story.

Final thoughts

In several critical junctures in anime, trusted characters betray their friends and allies in shocking ways. These biggest traitors include Griffith from Berserk and Aizen from Bleach, characters who were once close companions, but their actions shattered that trust.

Griffith sacrificed his own soldiers to become a powerful demon; Aizen deceived everyone by pretending to be a good guy while secretly plotting evil deeds; and there are numerous other betrayals in the world of anime. The audience is forced to ponder these acts by the biggest traitors in anime after witnessing the devastation caused by their choices.