Vengeance is a human emotion that many of us have experienced. Not to be confused with jealousy, being vengeful means you’re looking to hurt someone for either something they have done to you or someone else. It doesn’t matter if it’s factually or completely make-believe. The perceived threat must be eliminated at all costs. We have seen this emotion carried out many times in the anime universe. Characters were wronged and they literally made an entire series about this one event.
These characters either end up becoming some of the strongest characters the anime world has ever seen or die in the pursuit of vengeance. Technically, there’s also a third option where characters grow from their experience and choose to turn the other cheek. Let’s be honest though, we don’t want to see characters take this path. Watching them exact their carefully and meticulously calculated plan is extremely entertaining to watch. So with today’s post, we are going to be checking out some of the most vengeful characters ever created to cosplay as.
Kurapika (Hunter X Hunter)
First up we have Kurapika. If you have not seen this series then I highly recommend it and give it my personal stamp of approval. Kurapikas entire race was annihilated by the phantom troupe. Being the only known survivor, he has become consumed with vengeance. He literally focused his entire fighting style on destroying the phantom troupe. While making him incredibly focused, its also isolated him. But in his case, I completely understand his determination and actions as having your family killed for their eyes is a theme we have seen in another series. Hmm ringing a bell?
Scar (Full Metal Alchemist)
Next up is scar from Full metal alchemist. Another dated series but certainly one of the greatest characters ever created. Alchemist did not stop with Scars race or family. They decided to erase his entire country. If you remember all of America united after 911 so comprehending why this guy is doing what he’s doing shouldn’t be that foreign. Grant it he probably should narrow his targets down to the higher-ups as they’re the ones that gave the order but until you can get to them pawns will have to do.
Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)
Probably my personal favorite on this list, Lelouch Lamperouge is an absolute force to be reckoned with. His reasons for vengeance are actually a bit broader than the others. He of course wants to get justice for his mother who was killed but he also wants to make a safer world for his sister. I’m not saying the other characters didn’t care about a safer world, but they did not constantly state or display it as much as Lelouch did.
Shikamaru Nara (Naruto)
So this character was definitely not consumed by his rage but that’s probably because he was able to exact it in a very quick timeframe. Shikamaru Nara had to watch his best friend and master die at the hands of the Akatsuki. I’m not sure if you guys remember this episode but in terms of emotions, it was definitely up there with Jiraiya’s death. Anyways pissing off the smartest person in the hidden leaf village was not a great idea. Shikamaru decided the best punishment for Hidan was being buried alive. He is likely still in that whole thinking of his mistakes.
Sasuke (Naruto)
Sticking with the naruto franchise, you know we had to include Sasuke. Everyone knows this story so there’s no reason to retell it. Sasuke is not only one of the most loved anime characters but is also one of the most cosplayed. I’m really happy to see him living on in both Boruto and conventions as his story was really messed up. I’d say the only person that could really top it is his older brother Itachi. When I make a post about messed-up families these two will certainly hold the spotlight.
Clare (Claymore)
I don’t really see many people cosplaying or talking about this series but Claymore was really good. Im not going to focus on the story but know that it was really messed up for Clare. Death was a constant theme in her life as not only did her parents get killed, she had to watch her friends die also. Murder seems to be the revolving theme here as nearly every character is seeking vengeance for that reason.
Afro (Afro Samurai)
Afro Samurai was an amazing series and really is one that I need to go back and watch again. He watched his father not only be killed but decapitated by the number two headband. This event had a butterfly effect and resulted in the creation of one of the most deadly samurais the world has ever seen. Afro unlike the other characters, has no issue with killing and feels no sympathy for anyone standing in his way. He has one goal and will do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Mahiro Fuwa (Zetsuen No Tempest)
Mahiro Fuwa is from the series Zetsuen No Tempest. We already know his family was killed and now he is on a path of vengeance. What’s crazy about this story is that Mahiros father is not actually his blood father. Sorry if I gave away any spoilers. Also, he develops romantic feelings for his sister which is weird because there family but technically ok because they’re not blood. All that aside, Mahiros vengeance gets the boundless stamp of approval because if you don’t start nothing, wont be nothing.
Yami Bakura (Yu-Gi-Oh)
I know you may be thinking Yu-gi-oh is a great story about kids battling each other with monster cards but there’s a much darker side to this great anime. This dark story comes in the form of Yami Bakura. Yami, like scar is a sole survivor. When the millennium items were created, 100 humans were sacrificed. I’d imagine not all of those sacrifices went willingly and thus another vengeful character was born. So if you connected the dots that means Yu-Gi is wearing an item around his neck that literally stands for genocide.
Meliodas (Seven Deadly Sins)
Last but not least we have meliodas. Meliodas has a kind of complicated story. He was a bad guy then a good guy then kind of became a bad guy again, its a lot. But all of this happened simply because the gods said you are not allowed to love the one you choose. Then she was killed and he was made to relive her infinite lives and deaths and it just gets more complicated from there. Regardless, seeking vengeance for the one you love is normal. This rage would only be fueled if you were made to relive this cycle for all of eternity. I know physical torture is bad but at least it has the release of death. There’s no end in sight for Meliodas suffering.
I didn’t realize how many characters are actually in the vengeful category and really had to narrow this list down as I knew more than I expected. Fortunately, most of these characters are also bagasse’s so when you do cosplay as them others won’t be thinking of the reasons why you’re a badass and just accept your marvelous feats. Thanks so much for checking out my posts and as always, for more cosplay fun feel free to click HERE. If you want to see some amazing cosplay related YOUTUBE episodes click HERE. Until next time, stay BOUNDLESS!!!
