There are certain anime out there where the antagonists turn into protagonists. Regardless of the genre, we usually the more common trope is always the other way around. Protagonists usually turn out to be antagonists by the end of the show.
In the list below, we discuss some of the protagonists who originally started out as villains.
Antagonists Who Turned Into Protagonists
Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z)
Kicking things off with the most obvious pick that should be on everyone’s mind. Dragon Ball is sort of the biggest culprit when it comes to reforming antagonists into better people. They have been doing it forever throughout the series’ history.
There are too many characters to choose from in this anime, so we decided to go with the most impactful character, Vegeta. Born as a Prince to the Saiyan race, going around the galaxy picking planets to depopulate.
Vegeta eventually came around after the death of Frieza when he found a home for himself with Bulma. He became an integral part of the series and truly repented all his wrongdoings as a Saiyan.
Nico Robin (One Piece)
Nico Robin is another example in a different but popular shounen anime of antagonists turning heel. We commonly know her as an important part of the Strawhat crew and the archaeologist of the group.
She was originally introduced in One Piece as a part of the group of antagonists in Baroque Works. Her code name as a member of the group was Miss All Sunday. She directly served under the main antagonist of the Alabasta arc, Crocodile.
She originally joined the Strawhat crew as a mysterious character and to fulfill her own goals. But after the events of Ennies Lobby, she became a permanent and beloved protagonist.
Gaara (Naruto)
Since we are covering all the biggest anime ever on this list, we could not have missed out on Naruto. One of the most popular shounen series in existence, based around the world of Ninjas and fantasy.
The usual character that comes to everyone’s mind when talking about antagonists who turned into protagonists is Sasuke. He has gone through the phases of being a protagonist to a major antagonist, and then a protagonist again.
But there is one more character who fits the discussion even better, and that is Gaara of the Sand Village. He is met with a fate similar to Naruto, housing a tailed beast inside him, which turned him bitter. But Naruto was able to change him as a person, and he later went on to become Kazekage.
Byakuya (Bleach)
Bleach is manga creator Kubo Tite’s magnum opus and was one of the most popular anime of the early 2000s era. It has since found resurgence in recent years because of the renewed adaptation of the final arc of the manga.
Byakuya is at first introduced as a big, intimidating antagonist who suddenly appears only to overwhelm the main characters. He is the big adoptive brother to Rukia Kuchuki and a prominent shinigami captain.
After the whole fiasco around the Soul Society arc, we see familiar arc antagonists turn into normal protagonists. This was reflected in Byakuya’s character as well, and he became a strong ally to the many characters.
Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Yoshihiro Togashi is popularly known for creating the Hunter x Hunter series. It has gained quite the popularity in recent decades. But prior to that, his work in the Yu Yu Hakusho series was equally phenomenal.
Hiei is one of the main characters in the cast of protagonists. But if you have not watched Yu Yu Hakusho, Hiei was introduced as an important antagonist; he is known as the Master of the Evil Eye after all.
Hiei was a lone character without much interest in teaming up with the protagonists. But certain events led to him becoming an important part of the group and a rival to Yusuke.
Mukuro (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!)
Hitman Reborn is one of the few really popular shounen series from the years that people barely remember. It follows a very interesting premise of Italian Mafia mixed with anime fantasy and action.
Tsunayoshi Sawad gets recruited and revealed as the next heir to the Vongola Mafia family. Fate leads him to cross paths with some really powerful individuals. All of whom turn up as fated family lieutenants.
One of them was Mukuro, a major antagonist in the show who was deemed a criminal in the mafia world. After a fated battle with the protagonists, the momentum of the series shifts, and Mukuro is selected as another major lieutenant.
Satsuki Kiryuin (Kill la Kill)
Studio Trigger has won hearts over the years for their insane standalone anime series and animations. One of these is the Kill la Kill anime, which follows an over-the-top dystopian action setting based around high schools.
Matoi Ryuko, the newest student, arrives at the school with a mission. To search for the one who murdered his father. She immediately picks a fight with the student body, the leader of which is Satsuki Kiryuin, the series’ antagonist.
Over time, certain major events in the show bring about a change and realization in Satsuki Kiryuin. This changes her character, turning her into a protagonist and fighting alongside Ryuko.
Sesshomaru (Inuyasha)
Rumiko Takahashi is considered one of the most prominent female manga artists of our time. With a diverse genre of works that range from fantasy to comedy and romance. One of her most important works has to be Inuyasha.
It essentially did isekai before the whole genre took off in recent years. High Schooler Kagome finds herself in an alternate world with yokais and demons. She befriends and falls in love with a demon named Inuyasha.
However, we aren’t here to talk about him; instead, we want to focus on his older and stronger brother, Shesshomaru. He was originally an antagonist in the show, constantly clashing with Inuyasha.
He held a grudge against his brother, deeming him unworthy of wielding the Tenseiga. But eventually, he softens after he comes to appreciate fleeting life. He ends up turning into one of the important protagonists in the show.
Scar (Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Full Metal Alchemist has multiple versions of anime. One that diverted from the source material and found its own ending. The other is Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which fully sticks with the source and is the most popular version.
Scar was an antagonist in the show, making moves filled with vengeance. He targeted state alchemists and murdered them, seeking revenge for his people. His characterization starts diverging in the two different versions of the anime.
In the Brotherhood version of the show, he slowly starts learning more about the history of what really happened during the civil war. By the end of the series, he had pretty much turned into one of the protagonists with newfound goals.
Teruki Hanazawa (Mob Psycho)
Mob Psycho is the other really amazing work of the web comic artist ONE, who is also the creator of One Punch Man. The anime has a sort of similar premise, starring a high schooler who is a really powerful psychic but with no confidence.
Teruki is another psychic we come across in the show, initially an egotistical person, making him an antagonist. He was only using his powers to gain popularity and brownie points until he came across Mob.
He changed his ways for the better afterward and turned into an actual protagonist who used his powers for good.
