However, these characters undergo significant development, and it's important to appreciate their nuance and growth rather than dismiss them outright. In this article, we'll explore a selection of anime characters who have been unfairly hated. So, without further ado, let's begin.

10. Mai Zenin – Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen's colorful cast doesn't receive as much hate compared to other fandoms, but the opposite is true when it comes to Maki Zenin. She can be annoying at times, but Mai's unfounded hatred seems irrelevant.

People hate her for being weak and envy Maki's prowess, but they ignore Mai's inferiority complex, which underpins her actions. Her rivalry with Maki is very realistic, much like that of real-life siblings, and her story actually justifies it.

9. Akaza – Demon Slayer

Being just an anime, Demon Slayer fans might wonder why Akaza is on the list of hated anime characters, because for them, his place is in hell. To be fair, they're right, and Akaza's brutal death will be well justified after his role in the execution of the beloved Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku.

But from a manga reader's perspective, the situation may not be the same. There's no denying that Akaza is rude, but his backstory gives his character an edge, and once the Infinity Fortress arc concludes, Akaza's attempt at redemption will allow viewers to reevaluate the merits of his personality.

8. Yamcha – Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball's supposedly deadly warrior, Yamcha is the subject of much criticism and is treated as a fun character whose sole existence is for comic relief. Since his defeat at the hands of the Saibamen, people have mocked him and his abilities as a Saiyan.

But sometimes it feels like he's getting too much, considering that many other characters in the series have also been part of meme culture. However, Yamcha is pretty cool, especially in the original Dragon Ball series, and while most of it is a joke, he doesn't deserve the hate.

7. Gabi Braun – Attack on Titan

Gabi's overall character and resolute personality give a glimpse into Eren's childhood, which is why, as an Attack On Titan fan, it's a surprise how anyone can hate such a well-written character who is the exact parallel version of Eren, and in fact, even better.

Gabi's achievements at such a young age are truly commendable, and as much as one might want to condemn her, remember that she's only 12 years old and has been practically brainwashed into hating Paradis. Ultimately, Gabi did what she thought was right, and hating her means hating Eren too.

6. Takemichi Hanagaki – Tokyo Revengers

When it comes to the list of weakest main characters in anime, Takemichi is at the top, as he certainly doesn't act like a protagonist, nor does he feel like one. But does that make him worse? Absolutely not, as he's the kind of hero who's easy to relate to.

Although he's not the stereotypical protagonist, and is both dumb and whiny, Takemichi keeps going even when he's scared and doesn't give up easily. Even though he has no fighting skills, he knows he's the only one who can change the future and keep moving forward no matter what.

5. Kirito – Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online has played a significant role in influencing the isekai fantasy anime trope over the past decade, however, it has put Kirito in a state where he has become the object of collective resentment and arguably the most hated anime character on screen.

He doesn't really stand out in terms of personality and is initially criticized for being a "one-dimensional" character, which isn't true, as throughout the series, Kirito developed as a person, eventually becoming a competent isekai hero. Furthermore, SAO fans stop calling him "Black Swordsman"; that nickname belongs solely to Guts.

4. Sakura Haruno – Naruto

Sakura is arguably one of the most misunderstood and hated anime characters, aside from Boruto. A large portion of the Naruto fanbase that considers her useless is heavily biased against her. Her execution is quite disappointing in some arcs, but in Shippuden, she shows growth.

Unnecessary hatred for Sakura also arises due to her incompetent nature, but it should be remembered that a medical ninja is not allowed to engage in battle and must be protected. Healing may be an inferior skill, but it was Sakura who saved Naruto from death, yet she barely got to appreciate it.

3. Near – Death Note

Near, or N, in short, takes over Kira's case after the tragic death of his predecessor L and also makes good progress, eventually ending the endless cycle of murders. Despite all this, he is despised for being L's replacement, which shows the narrow-mindedness of some fans.

After all, Near was essentially groomed to be like L and was supposed to be his successor, so it's quite obvious that he shares his thinking style and high intellect. L was still the better detective than him, no doubt, but Near is a worthy successor and should be valued, as he is the last remaining member of L's legacy.

2. Boruto Uzumaki – Boruto

Boruto Uzumaki's only flaw is that he's the son of the legendary Hokage, Naruto. Being the heir to one of the greatest shonen heroes has burdened Boruto not only with great responsibilities but also with constant teasing that sometimes goes too far, considering he's still so young.

While Boruto sometimes goes too far, especially early in the series, that still doesn't change the fact that he's mostly hated for irrelevant and idiotic reasons. People hate to admit that he's a prodigy who will surpass even his father.

1. Shinji Ikari – Neon Genesis Evangelion

"Get in the robot Shinji"—this meme from one of the worst anime dads aimed at his amateur son never gets old. It's not that Shinji doesn't deserve to be mocked, but many criticisms are lazily delivered and ignore the factors that led to his ineptitude.

Shinji is a 14-year-old boy with mental health issues and father issues who is suddenly forced to fight in a high-stakes war he doesn't understand. For a boy in his early puberty who experiences extreme mental breakdowns, it seems biased to hate him, ignoring the reality that people his age often act the same way.

Which of the following hated anime characters is your favorite? Feel free to comment and recommend some other characters like the ones listed above. Also, don't forget to share this article with your otaku friends.