Misanthropy – the general dislike of humankind. A sentiment even the most positive of us can get behind sometimes. In these anime series, the main character feels those vibes in a big way. Whether they were wronged in some way or just have a skewed outlook, they are forced into that main character role where they generally only enjoy a small handful of people, if that.
Best Anime Where the Main Character Hates Everyone
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
There is certainly a difference between cynicism and misanthropy, but Hachiman sure doesn’t make it seem like there is. For a romance show, having a main character with such a bleak outlook on the world, and especially love, makes for an interesting, yet predictable plot. However, what makes the show so good is they don’t carry things out in the way you would necessarily expect.
Rising of the Shield Hero
Naofumi’s hatred of almost everyone stems from an early betrayal for what, at the time, seemed like no reason. It made him bitter deep inside. Even with the people he does grow close to, there is still a distinct wall of bitterness that you see in his actions.
Arifureta
This is actually almost the same deal as The Rising of the Shield Hero. He was a kind guy even when his powers in a new world were disappointing compared to his peers. He then suffered a betrayal and it hardened his heart, and whitened his hair.
I’m Standing on a Million Lives
Yet another isekai series, but unlike the above two, Yotsuya hated everyone before he got sent to a new world. He remains cold and calculating in his actions, and doesn’t quite connect with his peers emotionally. It makes for a clever character, but not necessarily a likable one.
Death Note
At first, Light seems like your average, intelligent, albeit it deeply bored, high school boy. Yet, Death Note is all about watching his descent into madness when given the power to kill someone without dirtying his own hands. Let it be said that maybe Light doesn’t hate every person at first, but his disregard for life becomes pretty clear.
Hyouka
Oreki is all about that apathy. His laziness is in effort to conserve energy, and concerning yourself with others is probably a big waste of energy, too. It would probably wrong to say Oreki hates his peers, but rather that he just doesn’t care. Part of Hyouka is watching him develop a reason to care.
Saiyuki
Sanzo is an odd beast for a monk. He smokes, he swears, he eats meat, and he hates most everyone. Even his companions get on his nerves, but his only soft spots lie with his dead master and sometimes his ward when he is not being annoying.
Kaze no Stigma
Kazuma’s hatred stems from and for his family who exiled him for having wind powers instead of fire like the rest of them. It pushed him to become a master of his craft, but fostered a deep sense of cynicism in what was once a kind boy.
Vinland Saga
Thorfinn’s hatred stems from childhood trauma. His father was killed and the very man that took him under his wing. That need for revenge consumed him. He simply doesn’t care about anything or anyone else.
Goblin Slayer
Similar to Thorfinn above, the Goblin Slayer is a man consumed by a need for vengeance. However, his hatred isn’t for a person, but for all goblins. Interestingly enough, the slayer doesn’t actually hate anyone else, but he simply doesn’t care too much about them either. His actions are deliberate and rarely out of compassion.
Guilty Crown
Guilty Crown is very much a journey of watching Shuu manifest disdain for literally every other person. Particularly after a certain event happens, he just kind of goes full on into that hatred of humanity. It consumes him and he pays a weighty price.
Do you know any more anime characters that hate everyone? Let fans know in the comments section below.
