Overview
- Many anime protagonists navigate complex moral landscapes, questioning conventional notions of justice.
- Characters such as Shu Oma, Koko Hekmatyar, and Eren Yeager resort to terrorism as a means to fulfill their ambitions.
- Series like Guilty Crown, Jormungand, and Code Geass delve into themes of rebellion, the role of freedom fighters, and the impacts of terrorism.
Anime often idealizes its protagonists as virtuous individuals dedicated to their friends and the pursuit of peace. However, there exists a subset of characters who are unafraid to operate within morally ambiguous realms to achieve their objectives, which may include opposing governmental authority or causing widespread destruction, thereby earning the label of ‘terrorists.’
These characters exemplify a willingness to take justice into their own hands, fighting for the liberation of their people through means that are frequently devastating. Such narratives compel viewers to reflect on the true essence of justice and the lengths to which individuals can go to attain it, often at the cost of their own humanity.
8 Guilty Crown
Terrorism as a Tool of Authority
Shu Oma’s journey in Guilty Crown begins inauspiciously, as he inadvertently becomes a pivotal leader in the resistance movement known as the Funeral Parlor. Following the devastation wrought by the Apocalypse Virus, Japan relies heavily on the authority of GHQ, which ultimately seeks to exploit the chaos for its own benefit, prompting the emergence of the resistance.
Despite GHQ’s instigation of the crisis, they adeptly frame the actions of the Funeral Parlor as terrorism. The ensuing chaos results in significant collateral damage, often affecting innocent civilians. Under the leadership of Shu Oma, who succeeded Gai Tsutsugami, the group adopts more ruthless measures, blurring the lines between freedom fighters and terrorists.
7 Jormungand
Global Peace: A Terrorism Agenda
While often characterized as a narrative focused on arms dealing, Jormungand transcends this genre. Koko Hekmatyar, the armed dealer at the story’s center, engages in violent engagements, including actions against governmental bodies, attracting the attention of the CIA, who view her as a threat to national security.
Koko’s ambitious initiative, Operation Jormungand, seeks to enforce global peace by severely restricting air travel and communications, using advanced technology and viewing human casualties as collateral in her grand vision.
6 Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Freedom Fighters or Terrorists?
The narrative of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans follows a group of orphans turned mercenaries, who were previously exploited by a private military organization. Leading figures Mikazuki Augus and Orga Itsuka rally their companions in defiance against the oppressive Gjallarhorn military.
While the series tends to depict their actions as desperate attempts for survival, the violent tactics they employ often align with conventional definitions of terrorism. Their militant methods—including assassination and sabotage—complicate the viewer’s perception of their true identities.
5 Akudama Drive
Rebellion Against Oppression
Kansai’s cyberpunk ambiance serves as the backdrop for Akudama Drive, where the Akudama—individuals labeled as criminals with exceptional skills—generate fear and chaos. The story’s protagonist finds herself impersonating one of their members, Swindler, and eventually becomes integral to the Akudama’s operations.
This group’s acts of defiance against the government typically manifest as large-scale destructive events, positioning them as prominent figures of rebellion against an oppressive regime.
4 Terror In Resonance
Using Terrorism to Uncover the Truth
The protagonists Nine and Twelve engage in terrorism that is both enigmatic and public-facing, causing widespread panic while aiming to expose government corruption. Operating under the alias Sphinx, they leave riddles for authorities to decipher while executing bomb plots, instilling both fear and urgency.
Their goal is not indiscriminate chaos but rather to shine a light on the unethical dealings of the government, attempting to unveil secrets while minimizing harm to the public. They occupy a complex moral ground, often labeled as pseudo-terrorists.
3 Attack On Titan
Struggles for Freedom
Attack On Titan initially unfolds as a gripping shounen narrative featuring intense battles against ominous Titans. However, the series evolves into a complex tale infused with themes of conflict among the Eldians and Marleyans, culminating in the devastating phenomenon known as The Rumbling.
Eren Yeager’s pivotal action that incited global terror during The Rumbling epitomizes the tragic nature of his transformation into a figure seen as a terrorist. His desperate measures to shield Paradis Island result in catastrophic losses, killing an estimated 80% of the global population in mere days.
2 Death Note
From Savior to Terrorist
Initially, Light Yagami’s motives in Death Note are commendable, as he seeks to purge the world of evil due to widespread injustice. However, as he seizes the power of the Death Note, his quest for justice devolves into a path of terrorism, characterized by increasingly drastic actions meant to evade law enforcement.
What began as a noble cause soon transforms him into the very embodiment of the evil he sought to eradicate, raising profound questions about the nature of justice and morality.
1 Code Geass
A Relentless Rebellion Against Britannia
In the Code Geass series, protagonists regularly challenge the tyrannical Holy Britannian Empire, often employing extreme measures that categorize them as terrorists. The story centers on Lelouch Lamperouge, whose use of Geass empowers him to orchestrate a dramatic rebellion to safeguard his sister and dismantle an oppressive regime.
Posing as the masked vigilante Zero, Lelouch gains admiration from the oppressed while inciting fear among Britannia’s ruling class. The series ultimately showcases the complexities surrounding rebellion and morality, as characters engage in terrorism for what they believe to be just causes.
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