10 anime character fans hate for the most non-sensical reasons

Anime characters often generate strong opinions, both positive and negative, from fans. Some characters receive a lot of backlash for arguably illogical or nonsensical reasons, making audiences shocked.

Be it their face type, personality, or even what role the character plays, there are many reasons why fans may turn their anger on someone who doesn't really deserve it.

It is this aspect of expectations and emotional investment into anime narratives that makes things complex. They can arise due to a misunderstanding or a personal prejudice and thus subject someone to undue critique. Here are ten anime characters who fans hate for the most nonsensical reasons.

Disclaimer: This list is ranked in no particular order and contains the writer's opinion and spoilers.

Near, Gabi Braun, and 8 other anime character fans hate for the most non-sensical reasons

1) Sakura Haruno (Naruto)

Sakura Haruno as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Sakura Haruno from Naruto endures disproportional hatred that often exists due to misunderstanding and prejudice. Critics label her as a lovesick character or underestimate her as useless for simply not using her great potential to contribute greatly to the series.

Even though she is a medical ninja with great expertise whose work is often undervalued, especially in comparison to other, more conventionally powerful characters.

Fans have also forgotten the emotional turmoil she went through when she supported Sasuke and often fail to consider the extent of their relationship. Some fans detest how her character has evolved, but the majority of such criticism holds no merit and cannot think for one moment how important she is to the storyline. This makes Sakura one of the anime characters who faces baseless hate.

2) Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Shinji Ikari as seen in anime (Image via Gainax)

Shinji Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelion is constantly criticized for being a coward, but such judgments, ignore the complexity of his personality and situations. Many fans fail to understand that Shinji's responses are only to be expected given the immense pressure, trauma, and emotional turmoil he has been under.

His journey poses many challenges, and he makes countless efforts so that people can easily get along with him, making them understandable and not cowardly. His trouble deserves sympathy rather than facing outright hatred. Thus, Shinji Ikari is one of the anime characters who gets a lot of unwarranted criticism.

3) Deku (My Hero Academia)

Deku as seen in anime (Image via Studio Bones)

Izuku Midoriya, commonly known as Deku of My Hero Academia, is often severely criticized among the fandom. Some argue that he relies too much on others, and they get angry because he is not strong at the beginning of the anime, or because he's too emotional.

These criticisms miss the point of Deku's growth and determination, en route to becoming a hero. Much of his journey is perseverance and hard work, which represent prime qualities of the series.

4) Natsuki Subaru (Re:Zero)

Natsuki Subaru as seen in anime (Image via White Fox)

Subaru from Re:Zero frequently comes into fire among fans who hate his emotional and sometimes erratic behavior. While the struggles and development he undergoes throughout the series are monumental, some viewers target his constant failures and immature impressions rather than understanding the depth of his development.

This prejudice is disproportionate, considering that Subaru's mistakes play a crucial part in the story. His mistakes are an afterthought of actual human weakness. Critics forget that he, in these mistakes and tantrums, has a role in the story. For this reason, Subaru becomes an easy victim of unwarranted hate, becoming one of the anime characters the fans loathe for illogical reasons.

5) Near (Death Note)

Nate River who's one of the smartest and most popular Virgo anime characters (Image via Studio Madhouse)

The Near from Death Note often receives undue criticism, especially from anime-only viewers who lack the context put forth in the manga. It's almost like many people seriously hate him because he resembles L, forgetting that he's a well-crafted successor and certainly not a replacement.

The accusation of emotionlessness can be disregarded due to the calm he previously embodied, tied with past trauma defining him.

Fans misunderstand his actions, such as throwing L's money out the window, as impolite rather than a ploy. Near ability to solve very tough cases and his regard for L also goes underrated. This makes Near one of the anime characters who gets hate for no reason.

6) Takemichi Hanagaki (Tokyo Revengers)

Takemichi Hanagaki as seen in anime (Image via LIDENFILMS)

Takemichi Hanagaki from Tokyo Revengers frequently receives criticism from viewers, who see him as weak and indecisive. Many fans overlook the character's complexity, how he has recovered from his past traumas, and how he continues trying to improve.

His frustration from being defeated multiple times makes some people ignore the aforementioned opinions instead of reflecting on his improvement. Others simply fail to see that his emotional range really speaks greatly in establishing and developing redemption and resiliency themes. This makes Takemichi one of the anime characters who is a victim of unnecessary hatred.

7) Gabi Braun (Attack on Titan)

Gabi Braun as seen in anime (Image via MAPPA)

Gabi Braun elicits strong reactions from fans, often leading to disproportionate hatred due to her controversial actions. Even though she killed Sasha, it is purported that her acts were based on extreme indoctrination and the trauma Gabi had as a soldier for Marley.

Gabi was convinced that she was fighting to defend her country when her village was destroyed, and some of her comrades were killed. It is this background that helps explain her extreme decision. She develops into a character that defies simplification.

The advancements in this series reveal her growth and, incidentally, the finer details of her motivations, making her one of the anime characters fans hate for the most non-sensical reasons.

8) Boruto Uzumaki (Boruto)

Boruto Uzumaki as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Boruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, is always open to unwarranted criticism from fans, especially from the fans of the original Naruto series. The most common accusations against him usually happen when he doesn't have any action, the fights are subpar, and when they think he is acting bratty.

However, the complaints start with a misunderstanding of the context of Boruto's story. During the time of peace, action, and death are going to be circumscribed. Boruto's strategic battles reflect his normal shinobi status and not an extraordinary one, as compared to Naruto.

The frustrations against his father, the Hokage, are rooted in relatable family dynamics. This makes him one of the anime characters who has been hated for no valid reason.

9) Akaza (Demon Slayer)

Akaza as seen in anime (Image via ufotable)

Akaza, in his human form known as Hakuji Soyama, is often hated by fans for illogical reasons. This instilled a lot of malice against him as his killing of Rengoku at a point when his fight to the death was fierce seems to be motivated by a need to make Rengoku into a demon.

But manga readers who are aware of the painful history of Akaza know how miserable he has been through, starting from his sad death and remarriage with Koyuki. Therefore, this brings about the fact that in the eyes of many fans, he had failed to be something more complex but was seen in terms of his deeds only, making him one of the anime characters that fans hate for the most nonsensical reasons.

10) Kagome Higurashi (Inuyasha)

Kagome Higurashi as seen in anime (Image via Sunrise)

Kagome Higurashi from Inuyasha suffers from undue fan criticism due to illogical reasons. Much of this backlash was for her use of the rosary beads, which enabled her to command Inuyasha with the "sit" command, hence some declared that she was abusive to him.

However, this dynamic is often compared to the disputatious sibling rivalry between Inuyasha and his brother, Sesshomaru, but not in the same light. Regardless of how deep a character is and how much the storylines have progressed, Kagome receives more hate than she deserves, which makes her one of the most absurdly hated anime characters by fans for rather silly reasons.

Final thoughts

Sometimes anime fans can be confusing, as few anime characters are hated for seemingly illogical reasons. Sakura Haruno, Shinji Ikari, and Gabi Braun show how misinterpretation and personal preference give such an inflated amount of hate.

Similarly, it happens with a character like Boruto Uzumaki, as well as Akaza, whose criticisms do not gauge the intellectual depth and subtlety surrounding a story.

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Edited by Bharath S