Anime Villains Who Are Secretly the Real Heroes!

There exist various genres where, through the course of his or her death or self-sacrifice, many other anime characters emerge as real heroes. In most occasions, these may be adversaries or anti-heroes before their deaths; yet selflessness, love, and positive actions toward a common objective become clear in their dead state. Let's look into some iconic anime characters: Itachi Uchiha, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, Bruno Bucciarati, and Uncle Iroh are just a few of the memorable characters whose deaths or sacrifice gave birth to legacies that revealed their hidden heroism.

1. Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)

At the very start of Naruto, Itachi Uchiha was considered to be one of the most hated characters in the series. He slaughtered his whole clan and left his younger brother traumatized. During a series of sequences, he was meant to act as a bad fellow: a man led by this idea of power. Not after Itachi's death was the truth explained, showing that his moves had meaning: he acted with orders to kill his whole family of the Uchiha Clan to avoid the revolution against Konoha that might bring a critical case on it. His willingness to bear the burden of being seen as a monster, all to protect the village and his brother, makes him one of the most tragic and heroic figures in Naruto. He sacrificed everything, including his own reputation, for the future of those he loved.

2. Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, The Law-Abiding Soul Reaper (Bleach)

Captain Byakuya Kuchiki is one of the more stoic and reserved characters in Bleach, and early in the series, he can be perceived as cold and detached. Byakuya is a noble Soul Reaper bound by duty and tradition, and his strict adherence to the law often pits him against Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends. However, Byakuya's true nature and motivations are revealed later in the series. His seemingly harsh actions are revealed to be a result of his desire to protect his family and uphold his family’s honor, even at the cost of his own happiness. When he sacrifices himself during the battle with the villainous Aizen, Byakuya shows the depth of his loyalty to his comrades and his devotion to protecting the Soul Society. His apparent death cements Byakuya's true heroism: at all times, he was willing to put the welfare of others before himself, no matter the personal cost.

3. Bruno Bucciarati, The Kind Mobster (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Bruno Bucciarati is one of the most beloved characters in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and his story is one of great sacrifice and heroism. Bruno was in a powerful position as he ran a big gang called Passione. Different from most, it did not matter about either of these things with him because Bruno neither desires nor covets power and profit for himself. This guy stands for his own morale while holding others' lives paramount: especially those poor men the Criminal World has dealt unfairedness on their fates. So then, he will let this crime organization kill him only after standing on the side with Giorno Giovanna. Bruno is fatally wounded in the process but continues to fight for what he believes in until the very end. His death solidifies him as one of the true heroes of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Bruno Bucciarati may have been a mobster by occupation, but he was a hero in spirit, sacrificing his life for the sake of others.

4. Uncle Iroh, The Wise Firebender (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Another example is Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender, who throughout most of the series seemed to be a minor figure but proved his wisdom and heroism toward the end. Iroh is a retired Fire Nation general and mentor to his nephew, Prince Zuko. Early on, he is portrayed as a laid-back, oftentimes comedic character, but as the series progresses, we find Iroh to be so much more than just a wise old man; he's a spiritual guide, and through his actions, much is learned about peace, balance, and inner strength. Iroh's moment of most heroic action is actually him stepping away from the conflict and letting go of his support for the conquest of the Fire Nation. He helps guide Zuko to the right path-to seek his own identity, to make choices in a way that aligns with himself. Iroh's death is merely symbolic, not depicted in the series, but symbolic of the peace he tries to seek for the world. His legacy continued to live in the hearts of those he mentored, especially Zuko, and in life lessons about love and balance. Uncle Iroh remains one of the purest examples of selflessness seen in anime, and it is only as the series continues that the weight of his sacrifices for the greater good becomes clear.

5. Tatsuya Uotani (Fruits Basket)

Tatsuya Uotani is not always a villain, but her earlier character arc in Fruits Basket is filled with misunderstanding and misjudgment. Tatsuya is part of the "Delinquents," a group that initially intimidates the other students, but through her story, we learn that she is simply misunderstood and holds her own unique vulnerability. Her arc of redemption exposes the hidden depths of her kindness and selflessness, as she later plays an important role in supporting the true heroes of the series and seeing them through the most difficult moments. Though she is not really a "villain," her metamorphosis from being a hard nut to one who understands the meaning of family and emotional support presents how even those characters at first seeming cold or unfeeling can be a true hero if their depths were finally understood.