When it comes to anime, heroes are typically driven by noble ideals and guided by strong moral compasses. These are characters who are willing to do anything to ensure justice is served. However, not all anime heroes possess an unwavering ethical code that motivates their actions. Some heroes lack the conscience required to be considered classic heroes, and their actions often fall in the gray moral area. These “good” characters with unconventional moral codes tend to be intriguing, and we’ll be exploring six such characters in this article.
10. Asuka Langley Sohryu — Neon Genesis Evangelion
Asuka Langley Sohryu from Neon Genesis Evangelion is aggressive and passionate, but she is also fragile and traumatized like Shinji Ikari. Ironically, she despises Shinji. Like her fellow pilots, Asuka does not fight against the Angels to save humanity. Asuka’s morality is not related to her stubbornness to become the best pilot. Rather, she compensates excessively for her abandonment issues triggered by her neglected childhood. Seeking validation from everyone around her, Asuka chooses to play the part of a reckless hero rather than reevaluate her trauma.
9. Guts — Berserk
Guts from Berserk is a classic antihero who is guided not only by moral beliefs but also by a desire for vengeance. After decades of suffering, pain, and betrayal, Guts is wounded and cynical. After the Eclipse, he becomes anxious about being tied down and stops caring about others. He only cares about killing demons. Guts believes that those who are too weak to survive in the world are not worth saving. It takes him a long time to recover his moral compass.
8. Kanta — Desert Punk
In Desert Punk, the comical antihero Great Kanto Desert Wolf Kanta Mizuno never tries to be a hero. But, like almost everyone in the desert, he often acts as a savior for others. However, the only reason he takes on these noble jobs is money. Women, wealth, and basic survival are all that is on Kanta’s mind. In most of the series, he never considers the moral aspects of his job. He is not bothered by the difference between good and bad.
7. Panty and Stocking — Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
The two main characters in Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt are forced to vanquish ghosts to return to Heaven. But they cannot take this noble task seriously at all. Moral ideals are the last thing that come to mind for Panty and Stocking. These two rowdy women are always distracted by their bad behavior, having been kicked out of Heaven for it. Panty is driven by uncontrolled desire, while Stocking just indulges in candies and delicious food. Their noble mission is merely a difficult job that they half-heartedly do.
6. Hua Cheng — Heaven Official’s Blessing
Hua Cheng is the most feared and known Highest-ranked Ghost of the Four Great Calamities of the world in Heaven Official’s Blessing. However, Hua Cheng is not as powerful as the legend makes him out to be, nor is he as saintly as an angel. His one and only goal is to ensure Xie Lian’s happiness. Apart from his lover’s interests, Hua Cheng remains neutral, equally uninterested in altruism or pure evil acts. But, given Xie Lian’s strong moral righteousness, Hua Cheng often takes on the role of a hero alongside his lover.
These six characters are unconventional heroes who possess unique moral codes, making them stand out in the anime world. They may not fit into the traditional mold of a hero, but they are still fascinating and complex characters worth watching.
