Explore 8 morally grey anime characters who aren’t villains. Find what classifies them under this description as well.

Anime excels at creating complex characters who do not perfectly fit into the criteria of “good” or “bad.” These figures often operate in a morally grey area, making difficult choices that blur the line between right and wrong. While these characters’ actions may not be heroic, they aren’t outright villains either. Rather, they have been shaped by their harsh environments, tragic pasts, and layered personal motivations.
Hence, here are eight morally grey anime characters who cannot be categorized as villains.
1) Lelouch vi Britannia – Code Geass

Lelouch from Code Geass is one of the most beloved protagonists ever, known for his high intellect and revolutionary actions. As the masked leader Zero, he sought revenge against the oppressive Britannian Empire while freeing the world from the tyranny of his father.
For its sake, Lelouch used the power of the Geass, allowing him to forcefully command others. What started as heroism soon became more complicated. Lelouch orchestrated large-scale conflicts, manipulated innocent people, and even mistakenly caused Euphemia to become a mass murderer.
While his actions were driven by the need to protect his sister and create a peaceful future for her, his steps left much to be desired. Nevertheless, Lelouch fully felt the cost of his actions. He took responsibility and sacrificed himself by the end of the series. This was an act that helped create the world he desired, making him far from an evil villain.
2) Itachi Uchiha – Naruto

Itachi Uchiha’s morality is one of the highest debated topics in all of anime. As the prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, Itachi was an immensely powerful and smart individual. However, stuck between the tensions of his clan and village, he chose to avoid civil war. By massacring everyone apart from his Sasuke, he drew the hatred of his brother.
Even after being classified as a criminal, Itachi worked in the shadows to support his village. He helped Sasuke gain strength before finally revealing the truth and dying. Despite living a life filled with loss, Itachi preached empathy and pacifism to the very end.
It is hard to completely forgive him considering the amount of crimes he’s committed in Naruto. However, knowing his true personality and reasoning for his actions, he cannot be a villain either.
3) Thorfinn – Vinland Saga

The protagonist of Vinland Saga, Thorfinn, is a boy who has faced hardship for most of his life. Initially living happily with his family, his life drastically changed when his father died against Askeladd’s crew.
Driven by revenge, Thorfinn followed Askeladd, obeying his orders in order to gain strength and kill him. During his journey, Thorfinn’s path was one filled with bloodshed. He was motivated solely by malice, causing him to kill countless innocents. However, he himself realized this.
Faced with the burden of his actions, Thorfinn eventually rose above his guilt. He became a man seeking redemption and peace, promoting non-violence. Thorfinn’s complex character arc relies on his moral greyness, highlighting his development as a person.
4) Guts – Berserk

Berserk’s Guts is a man who has lived in a brutal environment ever since his birth. As a child, he was forced to fight on battlefields, facing constant abuse and loss. Upon having momentary peace with Griffith, he lost this too during the Eclipse.
Left with nothing but the need for revenge, Guts became a violent and brash individual who lived to kill demons. However, through his journey, he has run into comrades who have helped lighten him up. While the scars of Guts’ past will take a long time to heal, he is slowly learning to trust again.
Guts is one character who is extremely violent, but it is completely understandable. In the unforgiving world of Berserk, we have seen the countless impossible tests he has had to face. Hence, his relentlessness to survive makes him a true antihero rather than a villain.
5) Ken Kaneki – Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul follows the story of Ken Kaneki, a young human who becomes a man-eating ghoul. As a person from both species, he experiences different perspectives and seeks to build a world of mutual peace and co-existence.
Kaneki’s journey is a tragically beautiful one, where he initially struggles to balance his morality with a ghoul’s violent tendencies. After all his experiences, he gained clarity on what was required, leading a group dedicated to a brighter future.
Unfortunately, Tokyo Ghoul’s world was far from kind with Kaneki. Faced with the burden of protecting others, he often took drastic actions. This ranged from cannibalization to mass murder. These actions were a result of his empathy, where he saw no other solution to save his allies. Hence, Kaneki is not a villain, but rather a character trapped by circumstance.
6) Reigen Arataka – Mob Psycho 100

Reigen is a relatively less controversial character compared to the other figures on this list, but he is still morally grey. Introduced in Mob Psycho 100 as Mob’s mentor, he was a con man who tricked clients into believing he had supernatural abilities.
Reigen also took advantage of Mob’s naivety, making the protagonist use his powers to his advantage. While he only cares about money and fame, Reigen goes on to care about Mob. He shows genuine compassion for the boy, providing life advice and even risking himself to protect him. Hence, his moral ambiguity might stem from his dishonesty, but his heart is ultimately in the right place.
7) Endeavor – My Hero Academia

Endeavor is a fan-favorite My Hero Academia character simply because of the layered journey his character goes through. Originally playing second fiddle to All Might, Endeavor was obsessed with creating a perfect hero.
For its sake, he put his sons through heavy abuse, creating long-lasting scars on Shoto, Toya, and others. Recognizing his past actions to be cruel, Endeavor eventually started making amends for them. He tried to fill All Might’s shoes, putting his life on the line to save innocent people.
He went through mental turmoil at Dabi’s appearance, showcasing his guilt. Despite this, he attempted to move forward, re-establishing the loose connection between his family. This makes him a deeply flawed individual trying his best to change.
8) Kiyotaka Ayanokoji – Classroom of the Elite

Ayanokoji has formed a large following among anime fans for his cool attitude and manipulative nature. As a secret genius, he works from the shadows to achieve his goals. Ayanokoji is a near-perfect individual, skilled in fighting, mental battles, and all other kinds of tricks.
Due to this, he took advantage of most classmates, even traumatized ones such as Kei. However, it is hard to classify him as bad because Ayanokoji always takes the most pragmatic approach. He cares little about empathy and morality, doing whatever it takes.
At the same time, he has also helped many others. He assisted Horikita gain self-confidence and allowed Kei to develop. Hence, his lack of conventional ethics makes him morally grey, but his lack of evil intent keeps him from being a villain.
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