10 great anime with the worst characters

10 great anime with the worst characters
10 great anime with the worst characters (Image via Sportskeeda)

Given that the number of anime released every season is only increasing as time goes by, there are innumerable shows a person could choose to watch. However, while several anime with great storylines and characters exist, not all of them share the same fate as many are found lacking in either of the two departments.

That said, there are several anime that are quite popular but have bad characters. Interestingly, however, viewers seem to notice that while characterization may disappoint them, they are left amazed by some other elements in the series, such as the storyline, concept, or character designs.

Disclaimer: This list is subjective and ranked in no particular order.


Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, 5 Centimeters Per Second, and eight other anime with the worst characters

1) The Rising of the Shield Hero

Naofumi Iwatani as seen in The Rising of the Shield Hero (Image via Kinema Citrus)
Naofumi Iwatani as seen in The Rising of the Shield Hero (Image via Kinema Citrus)

If fans remember correctly, The Rising of the Shield Hero had one of the best anime premieres, as its plot and concept immediately had a huge impact on its viewers. However, its characters happened to be one of the worst elements of the overall production.

There were several characters of little importance in the series, such as the other Vassal Weapon heroes and their parties. In addition, the protagonist Naofumi's party was full of characters who were tough to watch due to their lack of persona, except for times when the story focused primarily on them.


2) Highschool of the Dead

Still from Highschool of the Dead (Image via Madhouse)
Still from Highschool of the Dead (Image via Madhouse)

While Highschool of the Dead could have been a good zombie series due to its atmosphere and intensity, its characters turned out to be very disappointing. Each character from the main cast is very stereotypical, leaving no sense of mystique for viewers.

Further, fans found the female lead to be very annoying, given that characters like hers are the ones that get others killed. In addition, the other characters seemed to simply fill stereotypical roles and had nothing original to offer to the story, except for fanservice.


3) 5 Centimeters Per Second

5 Centimeters Per Second (Image via CoMix Wave Films)
5 Centimeters Per Second (Image via CoMix Wave Films)

While Makoto Shinkai's 5 Centimeters Per Second is a highly acclaimed anime globally and is a good short watch that provides fans with an intriguing storytelling and compelling themes, its characters weren't the best.

Anyone who has watched the anime will admit that the characters in the movie are very bland and lacklustre. The story is so focused on the protagonists' lives that it is difficult for viewers to remember the characters themselves.


4) Rent a Girlfriend

Still from Rent a Girlfriend (Image via TMS Entertainment)
Still from Rent a Girlfriend (Image via TMS Entertainment)

While Rent a Girlfriend has amazing art and character designs, there are very few viewers who watch the anime for its storyline. Regardless, the anime has managed to become popular through its attractive cast of female characters.

As for the protagonist, Kazuya Kinoshita, he happens to be one of the most hated characters in the industry as viewers despise his actions. In addition, fans also dislike several female characters as well, although this may vary from person to person.


5) Danganronpa

Junko as seen in Danganronpa (Image via Lerche)
Junko as seen in Danganronpa (Image via Lerche)

While Danganronpa is a very popular anime with a dedicated fanbase, as fans would know, its character, except for a select few, change every season. This means that fans do not get enough time to learn about each of the characters.

Moreover, in the time period fans do get to see and assess the characters, they happen to be very stereotypical to the point that they are unlikable, owing to the lack of dynamism that they portray.


6) Death Parade

Death Parade (Image via Madhouse)
Death Parade (Image via Madhouse)

Death Parade is one of the very few shows that became popular after it finished airing. As obvious as it may seem to seasoned anime enthusiasts, it was due to the appearance of Death Note's Light Yagami in the final episode of the series.

This alone should help one understand how lacklustre the characters of the anime itself were. None of the characters, despite the cool concept of Quindecim bar, managed to leave an impact on viewers, which altogether left fans to focus only on the Death Games.


7) Noragami

Yato as seen in Noragami (Image via BONES)
Yato as seen in Noragami (Image via BONES)

While Noragami is an interesting watch, fans of the series do not have much to say about the characters. This is not because the characters are terrible, but because the story and lore behind the series do not suit them.

The series has a very unique lore with gods and regalia (weapons used to kill phantoms). However, considering that the characters themselves are in a modern setting, none of the gods and regalia characters fit in with the story, and it altogether feels like an isekai anime.


8) Platinum End

Mirai Kakehashi as seen in Platinum End (Image via Signal.MD)
Mirai Kakehashi as seen in Platinum End (Image via Signal.MD)

While Platinum End was very hyped since its announcement due to its creators Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, the anime itself failed to live up to the mark set by the audience's expectations.

Considering that the major cast of characters in the series were the ones who wished to commit suicide, fans did not like them due to their gloomy attitudes, hence making it an anime with some of the worst characters.


9) Psycho-Pass

Akane Tsunemori as seen in Psycho-Pass (Image via Production I.G)
Akane Tsunemori as seen in Psycho-Pass (Image via Production I.G)

When Psycho-Pass was first released, it managed to amass a sizable audience due to its unique concept that saw Japan's law and order being governed by the Sibyl System as enforcers would shoot criminals based on their criminal intent.

While the concept is still cool, the anime's characters, except for the protagonist and the antagonist of the first season, are very lacklustre. Thus, many viewers often drop the series after the first season, following which the aforementioned characters' roles diminish.


10) Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Boruto as seen in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Boruto as seen in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (Image via Studio Pierrot)

While Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a very popular show, most fans will admit that they started watching the series due to its original show, Naruto. That said, the new characters that were to appear in the series were promising. However, much to fans' disappointment, they failed to leave any major mark on the franchise.

Except for select few characters in the series, like Boruto, Sarada, and Kawaki, other characters were very bland and failed to leave an impact. Even the characters from the prequel that had some impact on the new series were later nerfed to make the new characters more relevant to the story.


These were some of the anime that we believe are great but have few of the worst characters. If we have missed out on any, do let us know in the comments below!

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Edited by Susrita Das
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