(Warning spoilers)
I'm only choosing 1 from each series (from what I've seen)
1. Guts (Berserk)
Probably the most complex and mentally scarred manga character ever written, his dark childhood and even darker young adult hood establish a believably jaded man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
2. Gendo Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Shinji Ikari's emotionally abusive and manipulative father, his actions destroy the lives of many he comes in contact with. Despite being extremely cruel, his depravity is all too human, and through him the biggest flaws in human nature are shown unadulterated.
3. Itachi (Naruto)
His actions are undeniably controversial, and yet he is not painted as a black/white bad guy, rather an anti-hero. But how can you justify genocide? Itachi's character tries, and his reasons are anything but simple. Behind his apathetic glare he holds a great guilt and an even greater sense of responsibility to his brother. Through the novelization of his life, he gains even further depth; clearly one of the most interesting and complex manga/anime character out there.
4. Meruem (Hunter x Hunter)
His journey toward self awareness and understanding human emotion is nothing short of a masterpiece.
5. Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
From failing to resurrect his mother and getting his leg torn off too witnessing the death of Nina Edward Elric has seen some shit, but he continues to preserver in search of hope that he can fix his mistakes. The guilt and pain and frustration he feels makes him feel very human unlike most of the emotionally stable and morally perfect shonen protagonists out there.
6. Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass)
A very intelligent and complicated character, he not only conquered the entire world, but he saved it too, all at the expense of his own reputation and life, somewhat similar to Itachi but ultimately unique in his own ways.
7. Johan Liebert (Monster)
8. L (Death Note)
9. Major (Ghost in the Shell)
10. Claire (Claymore)
make your own list
By best I mean most thought provoking and memorable. Thematically powerful and potent, able to be psychologically examined as if they were an actual human (or humanoid being) with complex emotions and complex reasons for doing things.
I'm only choosing 1 from each series (from what I've seen)
1. Guts (Berserk)
Probably the most complex and mentally scarred manga character ever written, his dark childhood and even darker young adult hood establish a believably jaded man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
2. Gendo Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Shinji Ikari's emotionally abusive and manipulative father, his actions destroy the lives of many he comes in contact with. Despite being extremely cruel, his depravity is all too human, and through him the biggest flaws in human nature are shown unadulterated.
3. Itachi (Naruto)
His actions are undeniably controversial, and yet he is not painted as a black/white bad guy, rather an anti-hero. But how can you justify genocide? Itachi's character tries, and his reasons are anything but simple. Behind his apathetic glare he holds a great guilt and an even greater sense of responsibility to his brother. Through the novelization of his life, he gains even further depth; clearly one of the most interesting and complex manga/anime character out there.
4. Meruem (Hunter x Hunter)
His journey toward self awareness and understanding human emotion is nothing short of a masterpiece.
5. Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
From failing to resurrect his mother and getting his leg torn off too witnessing the death of Nina Edward Elric has seen some shit, but he continues to preserver in search of hope that he can fix his mistakes. The guilt and pain and frustration he feels makes him feel very human unlike most of the emotionally stable and morally perfect shonen protagonists out there.
6. Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass)
A very intelligent and complicated character, he not only conquered the entire world, but he saved it too, all at the expense of his own reputation and life, somewhat similar to Itachi but ultimately unique in his own ways.
7. Johan Liebert (Monster)
8. L (Death Note)
9. Major (Ghost in the Shell)
10. Claire (Claymore)
make your own list
By best I mean most thought provoking and memorable. Thematically powerful and potent, able to be psychologically examined as if they were an actual human (or humanoid being) with complex emotions and complex reasons for doing things.
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