Ask John: Have Any Anime Protagonists Turned Evil?

Question:
Spoilers Within!
While there have been several anime and manga where a major protagonist has gone over to the villain’s side (often for altruistic motives such as protecting a loved one or to act as a double agent). There doesn’t seem to be many anime or manga where a major protagonist has become one of the main villains. One notable example of this are the recent events unfolding in Naruto, where Sasuke Uchiha, once a major protagonist has become over the course of the second part of the series, a main villain. While there have been instances when a major protagonist has become a villain, it is mostly short lived. An example is Vegeta in the final saga of DBZ where he allowed himself to be taken over in hopes of regaining his former power before joining Goku’s party. Only for few chapters later he sacrifice himself to try and destroy Majin Buu to atone for his mistake in helping to resurrect him. In Fullmetal Alchemist Ling Yao in his search for immortality becomes the new Greed and allows him to take over his body. Later on though he rejoins the hero’s side but becomes something of an anti-hero by wanting to become the ruler of the world by killing his original creator. I was wondering if there has been other anime or manga where a major protagonist ended becoming a major villain.

Answer:
More Spoilers Within!
Despite anime fans frequently wishing and interpreting otherwise, anime is largely designed for kids, and while anime usually strives to maintain a narrative faithfulness to itself, anime also usually strives for a degree of responsibility to its audience. Anime isn’t usually consciously educational or moralistic, but animators and creators don’t necessarily want to discourage viewers or set a bad example for viewers. Anime creators also want to create interesting, entertaining stories. Tragedy and conflict are frequently vital components of an intriguing story, but a hero that turns villainous isn’t usually encouraging or satisfying for viewers. Supporting or co-leading characters turning evil isn’t especially uncommon. Supporting characters including Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto, Fuma Monou in X, and Sasame in Shin Shirayukihime Densetsu Pretear turn evil. Rayearth’s Princess Emeraude turns antagonistic, although calling her “evil” may be going too far. Vegeta, in the final Dragon Ball Z story arc, is a prime example of a supporting character that turns evil temporarily. Leading role characters that join the dark side, however, seem quite infrequent.

To be honest, it’s been over twenty years since I watched the Hades Project Zeorymer OVA series, so my recollection of it isn’t distinctly clear. I seem to recall protagonist Masato Akitsu, if not fully turning evil, then at least turning very aggressive and antagonistic.

The climax of Megazone 23 Part 3 hints that Shogo Yahagi, the heroic protagonist of Megazone 23 Parts 1 & 2, has become the despotic Bishop Won Dai. If indeed Won Dai is Shogo, which seems to be the case, the centuries long relationship between Eve Tokimatsuri and Shogo reaches an unexpected and bittersweet climax that places a fascinating and memorable capstone on the series.

The transition of Hameln in the Violinst of Hameln television series from hero to villain isn’t clearly definable because the entire series takes care to keep distinctions of “good” and “evil” very ambiguous. It’s a matter of fact that Hameln is driven out of the human camp, and the show does not have a cheerful, heroic conclusion. Whether Hameln literally turns evil or simply pursues his own goals that don’t necessarily align with the goals of the human faction is a matter of personal interpretation, I think.

I’ll admit that I’m stretching a bit by mentioning Nadesico’s Akito Tenkawa. In the Nadesico motion picture, the optimistic and friendly Akito who starred in the television series has become a grim, vengeful anti-hero. However, calling him evil is too extreme. He simply exhibits a drastic darkening in personality from the TV series to the movie.