Top 10 Best Anti-Heroes in Fiction
The concept of an anti-hero is a relatively new one in literature, compared to traditional heroes and villains. The anti-hero is a flawed protagonist, someone who may not necessarily have all the traits we associate with a hero. They may lack morality, or have a dark past, but they still manage to capture our attention and our hearts. Many of the best stories of the last century have centered around anti-heroes, from classic literature to comic books, movies, and television.The term "anti-hero" was first coined in the mid-19th century by the Romantic poet William Hazlitt, but the concept didn't really gain popularity until the 20th century. This was a time of great upheaval and change, and the anti-hero was a reflection of this. In a world that was becoming more complex, with shifting moral values, the anti-hero represented a new kind of protagonist, one who was more nuanced and ambiguous than the traditional hero.
The anti-hero can take many forms, from the brooding loner to the charismatic rogue. They may be driven by revenge, a thirst for power, or simply a desire to survive in a harsh world. Whatever their motivation, they often become fan favorites, drawing us in with their complex personalities and unpredictable actions.
What are the best anti-heroes in fiction? From Walter White in "Breaking Bad" to Don Draper in "Mad Men," from Holden Caulfield in "The Catcher in the Rye" to Dexter Morgan in "Dexter," there are countless examples of anti-heroes who have left their mark on popular culture. So, let's take a look at some of the most memorable and beloved anti-heroes in fiction, and vote for the ones we think deserve to be at the top of this list.
A fierce and brooding mutant with animal-like senses, heightened agility, and a regenerative healing factor, Wolverine often clashes with his own moral compass as he battles both his enemies and personal demons. Wolverine is a great anti-hero because he is strong, imperfect, and follows his own rules. His tough past and inner struggles make him interesting and unique.
He wears a suit, and we don't know if he is a hero or an anti-hero. He is bad, but we want him to succeed.
I chose Wolverine because he is one of the most spectacular anti-heroes, even though he can be scary in his suit. Wolverine has exceptional strength and agility. However, he sometimes can't control himself because he is a mutant with animalistic traits and personal demons to fight.
His suit is exceptionally classy. I think it is the most beautiful suit in Marvel Comics. I think we can put him on the sliding scale of Anti-Heroes as a type IV because he is very dangerous with all these demons in him, but he can also be kind, as we can see when he has a personal story with a girl. He is loving with her.
A proud and ruthless Saiyan prince, Vegeta is initially driven by his lust for power and rivalry with Goku, but gradually evolves into a complex character who must reconcile his brutal past with his newfound role as a protector. I think Vegeta is one of the best anti-heroes.
First, he destroyed a whole planet, but despite that, he sacrificed his own life to save the Earth. However, he also keeps an evil side that prevents him from being a full hero.
I voted for Vegeta as I find his character very interesting. Once a space alien causing genocide across the galaxy, he has now reformed on Earth. He is quite stubborn and a bit arrogant sometimes (Cell Saga...), yet he still cares for the people around him, whether that be his friends, family, or his lifelong rival, Goku. He always comes through and sacrifices himself for the planet if needed.
He went from once a genocidal maniac in the Namek Saga to saving those same Namekians in the Moro arc. In short, to me, Vegeta is a fantastic character with amazing development. Even when we thought he could have never been redeemed, he ended up becoming one of the most loved and cherished characters in the Dragon Ball series.
A masked vigilante who seeks justice in the crime-ridden city of Gotham, Batman struggles with the darkness inside himself, as he aims to protect the innocent without becoming the very thing he fights against. To me, Batman is the best anti-hero for many reasons:
First, he has a tragic childhood because of the death of his parents, but he never turns to crime and instead chooses justice.
Secondly, he doesn't have the same mindset as other heroes, which is why he is considered an anti-hero.
Finally, he is violent, but he never wants to kill his enemies and always tries to save everyone.
In my opinion, Batman is the best anti-hero because he is smart and strong. He is a great person who fights for justice.
He doesn't want his enemies to die, even if they are dangerous. That is why he never kills them. He doesn't want to become like the people he is fighting against.
A wisecracking, fourth-wall-breaking mercenary with regenerative healing abilities, Deadpool is a morally ambiguous character whose unpredictable nature and twisted sense of humor make him both endearing and dangerous. For me, Deadpool is the best because he has a great dark sense of humor that can turn every serious situation into laughter.
Even though he likes killing people, we can't hate him because of his character and charisma. His regenerative healing abilities make him different from others.
I think Deadpool is the best anti-hero because, unlike other anti-heroes, he is unique. His particular sense of humor always makes me laugh.
The fact that he enjoys killing people makes his character more intriguing, and the movie funnier for me.
A former elite assassin who is resurrected as a Hellspawn, Spawn struggles to reconcile his dark past with his newfound supernatural abilities, as he battles both the forces of evil and his own inner demons. He is not a classic hero. He is a betrayed man who returned from the dead with demonic powers, but he is haunted by his past and mistakes.
His dark side and inner struggle make him fascinating. He evolves in a violent, gothic universe where good and evil are not clearly defined. The story is very interesting.
A relentless and brutal vigilante, The Punisher is driven by the murder of his family, and his desire for vengeance leads him to become judge, jury, and executioner, often at odds with the very concept of justice. In my opinion, the Punisher is the best antihero. He is strong, intelligent, and driven by vengeance. He may kill, but only those who deserve it.
He's the best one. He's a former marine whose family was killed upon his return home. Throughout the show, we see his revenge against the men responsible and his efforts to destroy their group.
Wait! Number 50 doesn't make sense. Daffy Duck is ranked higher than the Punisher? The Punisher is the definition of an anti-hero. It should be: 1. The Punisher, 2. Batman, 3. Mad Max, 4. Daryl. Period.
A morally rigid and uncompromising vigilante, Rorschach seeks to expose corruption and crime in a dystopian society, even as he struggles with his own demons and the impact of his violent actions. Rorschach is a hurt man but he stays true to his moral code. Even though he is violent and kills people, I believe it is justified, making him my favorite antihero.
This guy is the best. He mostly stays true to his moral code and is willing to act, unlike Nite Owl.
He's literally the only true badass of Watchmen, despite his violent and crazy behavior.
A high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturer, Walter White's transformation from a mild-mannered family man to a ruthless criminal mastermind reveals the depths of human ambition and moral decay. Walter White is an excellent anti-hero because he undergoes a fascinating transformation.
From a chemistry teacher, he becomes a drug lord. His intelligence, ambition, and motivation (protecting his family) make him both captivating and frightening. His descent into immorality is gradual, maintaining moral ambiguity and pushing the viewer between empathy and rejection.
Walter White is a good example of an anti-hero because we can see his character development. He was a chemistry professor who became a dealer.
At first, we can understand his choice because he just wants to help his family. But later, he becomes selfish, does bad things, and we change our opinion of him.
A high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook that grants him the power to kill, Light Yagami becomes a vigilante known as Kira, whose godlike ambitions and twisted sense of justice lead him down a path of darkness. Light is easily the best anti-hero for me. He had his own sense of justice even before he got the power of the Death Note. He always wanted to eliminate criminals, and gaining the Death Note gave him the power to do it.
However, this led him down a dark path, making him increasingly unstable over time. In the end, he decided to kill anyone who opposed him while still believing he was saving people.
Light Yagami is the best anti-hero because he has a very unique vision of justice, a powerful ability, and high intelligence when killing criminals.
Moreover, he escapes from the police easily.
A former Robin who was brutally murdered and later resurrected, Red Hood becomes a ruthless vigilante who seeks to clean up Gotham City through any means necessary, even if it puts him at odds with his former mentor, Batman. He defeated Batman. If that isn't enough, he can control Bizarro. I think that makes a strong case.
The Newcomers
Blade is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and penciller Gene Colan, his first appearance was in the comic book The Tomb of Dracula #10 as a supporting character.
The masked alter ego of Lelouch Lamperouge, Zero is a cunning strategist and revolutionary leader who uses his power of mind control to fight against the oppressive Britannian Empire, while concealing his true identity and moral dilemmas. Zero is my favorite antihero of all time. Seriously, he manipulates, kills, lies, steals, and achieves world domination. But he does all of this to bring down a brutal dictatorship, find his mother's murderer, and, most importantly, make the world a better place for his crippled sister. In some ways, he could be seen as an 'ends justify the means' manipulator, but unlike most of these characters, who are spineless cowards, Zero is willing to put his own life on the line for his plans.
Zero should be ranked higher. He's the perfect example of an anti-hero. He has killed many people but only wants to destroy the Britannians, despite being one himself.
A charismatic and self-serving smuggler, Han Solo is initially driven by his own interests, but eventually finds himself drawn into the larger cause of the Rebel Alliance, helping to bring down the oppressive Galactic Empire. We love Han Solo because he is an icon of the Star Wars movies. He is badass, smart, and very courageous. Moreover, he is an outlaw.
Alexis and Camille
He is the best character in the Star Wars saga!
A vengeful barber who turns to murder after a tragic betrayal, Sweeney Todd's descent into madness is fueled by his quest for retribution, leading him to blur the lines between justice and bloodlust. He is driven by one thing and one thing only: his own goals, and he doesn't care about anyone else. He is a perfect example.
A ruthless and conflicted mob boss, Tony Soprano navigates the dangerous world of organized crime while also dealing with the struggles of his personal life, making him a compelling and morally ambiguous anti-hero in the groundbreaking TV series The Sopranos.
A brilliant strategist and exiled prince, Lelouch uses his newfound power of mind control to rebel against the oppressive regime of Britannia, all while hiding his true identity and grappling with the consequences of his actions.
A master assassin and mercenary, Deathstroke's exceptional skills and tactical mind make him a formidable adversary, while his complex motives and personal code of ethics keep him walking a tightrope between hero and villain.
A hard-nosed and incorruptible law enforcement officer in a dystopian future, Judge Dredd's unwavering dedication to justice is both his greatest strength and his greatest flaw, as he navigates a world where the line between good and evil is increasingly blurred.
A supernatural vigilante imbued with demonic power, Ghost Rider is driven by vengeance and the need to punish evildoers, even as he struggles to maintain control over the dark forces that possess him.
A blood-spatter analyst by day and a serial killer by night, Dexter Morgan's twisted code of ethics and desire to eliminate other criminals make him a morally complex and fascinating anti-hero in the TV series Dexter.
A crude and narcissistic assassin, Travis Touchdown's quest for infamy and wealth drives him to kill his way up the ranks of the United Assassins Association, making him an unconventional and morally ambiguous anti-hero.
A skilled thief and occasional love interest of Batman, Catwoman navigates the fine line between hero and villain, often using her cunning and seductive charm to achieve her goals while still displaying a sense of morality. I love her and her superpowers. She's really strong. However, I think she's way too sexualized just because she's a woman.
A powerful vampire and the protagonist of the Hellsing series, Alucard serves humanity as a supernatural weapon against otherworldly threats, but his dark past and bloodlust make him a morally ambiguous and unpredictable anti-hero. I praise Alucard! I loved him since I was either 10 or 11, and I love him now! (I know I was too young to watch Hellsing and Hellsing Ultimate.)
Kohta Hirano turned Dracula from a bloodthirsty, villainous vampire into an amazing, deathless, gun-wielding anti-hero.
A lazy, sarcastic, and gluttonous orange cat, Garfield often displays selfish behavior and a lack of empathy, making him an unlikely anti-hero whose relatable flaws and dry wit have endeared him to millions of fans. Garfield is, to me, my favorite anti-hero. He is very lazy, selfish, and loves food, mostly lasagna. He will only act when it's about food.
He also loves to annoy Odie by kicking him in the butt or even throwing a bone far away from home for Odie to chase. He also annoys Jon, the person taking care of him, by eating all his food or making a mess in the house.
And, of course, there's his enemy, Nermal, whom Garfield traps multiple times in a box and sends as a package to other countries.
What makes him a hero is that he helps the mice and birds. He also sometimes helps Odie.
A vengeful specter and skilled ninja, Scorpion seeks to avenge his own death and the murder of his family and clan, often putting him at odds with both the forces of good and evil in the brutal and supernatural world of Mortal Kombat.