Many people are extremely passionate when it comes to discussing their favorite anime, which shows just how much power this entertainment medium has over others. Everything from powers to personalities becomes a part of the discussion when people strive to talk about their favorite or most hated characters and why they deserve this label.
In fact, some characters can be so divisive that most people might have to agree to disagree when it comes to their opinions on these fictional personas. The following characters are great examples of this since they elicit such passionate reactions from both sides of the spectrum. It can honestly be fascinating to witness why these characters are hated or beloved in such a manner, to begin with.
10 Sakura Haruno (Naruto)
It's a shame that so many people hate Sakura nowadays. There was a time during the first few seasons when Sakura's potential was evident, and it was clear that she was destined for bigger and better things.
However, aside from her tutelage under Tsunade, there aren't really too many things of note when it comes to this character. This is pretty sad, especially since Sakura could've been just as powerful as Naruto or Sasuke but was ultimately left behind.
9 Broly (Dragon Ball)
There was a time when Broly was one of the most divisive characters in the entire series. His presence in the movies was pretty intimidating and awesome, although his reasons for hating Goku were so hamfisted that it's honestly laughable.
Thankfully, the new canon interpretation of Broly makes him seem like a more sympathetic and engaging character. Only time will tell before he'll develop as a character or just fade away into obscurity.
8 Near (Death Note)
Death Note is one of the best anime ever made... at least, for the first twenty-five episodes. After L's death, the new characters and arc don't really do a great job of keeping players as engaged as the first few episodes did.
It's a shame since characters like Near had a ton of potential and some people recognize that as well. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Death Note fans find this character to be nothing more than a bootleg copy of L, which is a shame.
7 Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Shinji is one of the most hated protagonists in anime history. It's a shame since most people would react the same way if they were thrust into the same position he'd been funneled into.
He might seem whiny, but Shinji serves as a breath of fresh air from the usual protagonist, who can perform Herculean feats of strength near-perfectly. This doesn't need to be appreciated... and most people don't either, which is a testament to the strong writing of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
6 Gabi Braun (Attack On Titan)
Gabi Braun quickly became one of the most hated characters around after the manner in which she murdered Sasha. However, in a way, most people can consider her to be a protagonist from Marley's point of view.
It didn't take her long to realize that all the propaganda she'd been fed as a child was nothing more than lies. Thankfully, she gets enough time to change her views and atone for her past mistakes, turning her into a pretty riveting character in the second half of the final season.
5 Yuno Gasai (Future Diary)
Most people consider Yukiteru to be a pretty hated character in Future Diary as well, but it's Yuno who's the more divisive of the lot. She does have her fair share of fans who love her take on the yandere trope in anime.
However, others feel that this character is a bit too random and obsessive for her own good. These criticisms are valid, especially when she screams Yuki for what feels like one time too many.
4 Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
Most people argue that it's better for a protagonist to be hated for having a crappy personality as opposed to having no personality at all. The latter is what Ichigo suffers from.
He's such a cliched shonen anime protagonist that it's honestly hard to fathom why people like him in the first place. He does have his moments in Bleach... but that's to be expected, given his status as the protagonist.
3 Kirito (Sword Art Online)
Speaking of one-dimensional characters who lack a personality, Kirito is a great fit for this list. His entire character is just that he's overpowered and no one can beat him... not even the creator of a game he's great at!
Saitama from One-Punch Man is a great example of how to execute an overpowered character correctly. Instead, what we get in Sword Art Online is a boring character who does nothing to justify all the screen time he gets.
2 Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)
Most people will be up in arms at the sight of Bakugo on this list... which is kind of the point. He's such an entertaining character that it's hard to fathom why people might hate him.
However, even his most passionate defenders can't deny that he was nothing more than a despicable bully who pushed Midoriya around for most of his childhood. Regardless of what his mindset might be after the loss of All Might's powers, that doesn't change his past.
1 Boruto Uzumaki (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
Most people still lament the fact that the sequel to Naruto took place directly after the events of the manga instead of opting for a lengthier time skip. It's one of the major reasons why people aren't really fond of this new show and its protagonist, Boruto.
Given how powers in Naruto have evolved over the course of the show, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that the two main characters from the previous series seem to be completely nerfed. This, coupled with the fact that Boruto plays a major role in the story regardless of the intensity of the threat, makes him a pretty hated protagonist indeed.