10 controversial anime characters like Jujutsu Kaisen's Mei Mei

A vast array of controversial anime characters captivate audiences with their unique traits and stories. Some characters tend to generate controversy due to questionable actions, beliefs, or moral ambiguity.

One such character who has sparked discussion is Mei Mei from the well-known anime Jujutsu Kaisen. With her nuanced nature and some provocative scenes, fans have debated Mei Mei's character.

While her complex persona intrigues many viewers, others question certain decisions. The anime explores morally complex themes, and Mei Mei exemplifies how even secondary characters can raise interesting topics for analysis. Her role in the plot brings added layers for fans to interpret.

From Light Yagami to Johan Liebert: 10 controversial anime characters like Mei Mei

1) Light Yagami - Death Note

Light Yagami, the main character of Death Note, is a debated and controversial anime character. To start, he seems like an insightful, charming high schooler. Yet, Light's journey into darkness originates when he finds a mystical notebook enabling him to murder anybody whose name he inscribes.

Taking on judge, jury, and executioner roles, Light's acts stir ethical inquiries and obscure justice from vigilantism lines. This inner disagreement has put Light as a discussion subject among fans, with some sympathizing with his aims while others denouncing his techniques.

2) Griffith - Berserk

Griffith from the dark fantasy manga Berserk is a controversial anime character that sparks much discussion. At first, he seems like an inspiring and driven leader, but as the story continues, his true self emerges more.

Without revealing too much, what Griffith does has huge impacts that lead to heated talks between fans. How much they see him as good or bad, and the situations around him, make Griffith a very debated person in anime. Readers have different views about where his character falls on morality and how they feel about the choices he makes.

3) Johan Liebert - Monster

Johan Liebert, the main villain in the psychological thriller Monster, is a controversial anime character recognized for his manipulation tactics and the mayhem he creates. As an individual with profound disturbances, Johan's behaviors result in a path of ruin and grief wherever he goes.

Due to his charm and high intelligence, he portrays a captivating yet disturbing figure. Johan's intricate and morally uncertain attributes have provoked deliberations about the essence of wickedness and the bounds of human wickedness.

4) Squealer - Shinsekai Yori

Squealer, also known as Yakomaru, from the anime Shinsekai Yori, is a controversial anime character whose actions provoke varied responses from audiences. At first glance, he seems subservient, yet his longing for equal treatment and liberty for his kind compels him to make difficult decisions.

Seeking empowerment for his people, some of Squealer's strategies test typical notions of acceptable behavior. The character challenges presumptions about right and wrong, obscuring distinctions between champion and foe. Squealer's complex choices and the underlying themes of subjugation and bias in Shinsekai Yori make him a stimulating figure for reflection.

5) Alexander Anderson - Hellsing

Alexander Anderson (Image via Satelight Studio)

Alexander Anderson, from the supernatural horror anime Hellsing, is a controversial anime character whose nature provokes debate. As a member of the Millennium organization, Anderson is a vampire purifier with a troubling and dangerous character.

His behavior and beliefs, including an interest in conflict and disorder, make him a divisive figure among audiences. Anderson's intricate motivations and his part as an opposing force stimulate conversations about the essence of wrong and the effects of limitless authority.

6) Makoto Itou - School Days

Makoto Itou, the protagonist from the anime School Days, is a controversial anime character whose behaviors have polarized audiences. At first, Makoto seems like a typical high schooler, but his promiscuity and inability to consider others' feelings reveal his inner flaws. The way he acts and the results of his decisions make School Days an exceptionally debated show.

Makoto's questionable choices and the scrutiny of youth romance stirred passionate discussions among fans. While some appreciated the realistic portrayal of relationships; others argued the series promoted unhealthy attitudes.

7) Homura Akemi - Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Homura Akemi is a controversial anime character from the magical girl series Puella Magi Madoka Magica whose controversial deeds originate from her wish to safeguard her companions.

Homura's techniques, which involve altering time and sacrificing others, test conventional ideas of heroism. Her intricate motivations and morally nebulous choices have made her a divisive character among fans, with some sympathizing with her sacrifices while others interrogating the ethics of her decisions.

8) Lucy - Elfen Lied

Lucy, the protagonist in Elfen Lied, is a controversial anime character because of her harmful behaviors and sad history. Born as a Diclonius, a type with supernatural abilities, Lucy's suffering of mistreatment and loneliness transforms her into a resentful and emotionally unpredictable person.

The character's deeds, which involve graphic harm and the examination of topics like injury and prejudice, have initiated conversations about the demonstration of harm in anime and the impacts of injury on individuals.

9) Accelerator - A Certain Magical Index

Accelerator, who frequently appears in A Certain Magical Index, is known for his morally ambiguous nature and questionable deeds. This controversial anime character was first presented as an opponent who had immense strength and a brutal attitude.

As the story advances, his character evolves and finds redemption, but his previous actions still split supporters. Accelerator's intricate travel from bad guy to antihero raises queries about atonement, individual progress, and the indistinct boundaries between right and wrong.

10) Askeladd - Vinland Saga

Askeladd was a controversial anime character disliked by viewers for his questionable tactics and deficiency of honor. However, Askeladd’s dedicated supporters contend he’s a more multifaceted antihero battling to generate a world without conflict and hypocrisy.

Askeladd plays a pivotal yet controversial role in Thorfinn's journey. Some criticize him for shaping Thorfinn into who he becomes, though others recognize how integral he is to Thorfinn's growth and the unfolding story. Pursuing his ambitions through morally ambiguous means, Askeladd constitutes a distinctly polarizing figure in the narrative.

Final thoughts

Controversial anime characters like Mei Mei from Jujutsu Kaisen add nuance and raise complex issues. They question our views of what's right or wrong, leading to debates on morality, atonement, and the impact of decisions made. Their roles are multi-faceted, rarely straightforwardly good or bad. Such figures challenge audiences to think more deeply about grey areas and reconsider cut-and-dry positions.

Their presence enriches stories with thought-provoking layers open to interpretation, just as in real-world dilemmas about ethics and justice, there are usually multiple sides. The methods that characters like Light Yagami and Griffith employ to pursue their goals, as well as their descents into questionable or tragic territories, create lasting impressions on viewers and fuel ongoing discussions long after their series conclude.