Morally, the best gray anime characters remind viewers that the world is not always black and white. While most characters are justice-based symbols of peace, heroically working to save the world, or evil villains who want nothing more than to cause as much destruction as possible, the most memorable anime characters fall somewhere between the two extremes.

Perhaps they adhere to a strict set of morals that don’t match what others expect of a hero or villain, or have no basic principles, seeking pleasure and satisfaction above all else. Either way, their ambiguous nature, as opposed to being completely good or evil, makes them all the more interesting.

10 Rivi (Black Lake)

Based on the manga Ri Hiro

Black Lagoon’s female protagonist Revy is a polarizing and compelling character. She grew up in a difficult environment where she was physically and sexually abused, disempowered and hated. She sees money above all else because she knows how hard and unfair life can be for the poor. This is what puts her on the mercenary trail. As a member of Lagoon’s company, Revy is known as competitive, loud and impatient, often resorting to violence without hesitation. However, she can also be as kind and protective as a rock to those she calls.

9 Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)

An original anime created by Goru Taniguchi

As in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Lelouch Lamperouge is a complex character whose morals and values ​​are often ambiguous. Driven by his desire to avenge his mother and protect his sister, he takes control of the rest of Britain with the goal of reforming and ultimately facilitating the creation of a better and more unified world. Therefore, his goals can be said to be relatively noble, and his attitude towards his partners is similarly often admirable. However, he is seen as a necessary sacrifice, as cold and ruthless as his plans are to harm civilians.

Related: 10 Best Revenge-Driven Characters in Anime

8 Princess Cialis (Sleeping Princess in the Demon’s Castle)

Based on the manga by Kajiji Kumanomata

Sleeping Princess in the Demon Castle doesn’t have the scale or gravity of some of the other stories as a slice-of-life anime. However, that princess cialis does not include an accurate description of morally ambiguous characters. Kidnapped by a demon lord, most spend their days in fear and impatience for salvation, but Cialis is something else. Instead, she sees this as an opportunity to rest and makes it her singular goal to make her sleep as comfortable as possible. For this, she steals tarda from any of the palace residents.

7 Menu (The Executive and Her Lifestyle)

Based on the light novel by Mato Satou and Nilitsu

In most isekai titles, characters summoned to another world enjoy magical kingdoms filled with new possibilities, eventually receiving benefits and powers they never knew existed. In a complete reversal of this trope, in the way of the performer and her life, such otherworlders are labeled “lost” and can be killed because they pose too great a threat to be left alone. Protagonist Menu is simultaneously a sympathetic priest and a ruthless assassin tasked with preventing another great disaster. She may not find any joy in her mission, but she knows its importance.

6 Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Class of Masters)

Based on the light novel by Shougo Kinugasa and Shunsaku Tomose

Elite’s Kiyotaka Ayanokoji is an inconspicuous character who typically blends in with the crowd, refusing to stand out or draw unnecessary attention. To this end, he chooses to remain in D-Class, despite having the necessary intelligence and ability to join A-Class, which is only reserved for the most gifted students. This conflicting nature reflects more on his behavior and attitude towards other people. In some cases, he seems to be genuinely friendly and willing to help others, but most of the time, he is no more than lying, deceiving and misleading people if it helps him in any way.

5 Elena (The Traveling Witch: Elena’s Journey)

Based on the light novel by Jugi Shiraishi and Azure

Wandering Witch: Elaina’s main character, Elaina Journey, is a truly selfish and arrogant character who is willing to interfere in other people’s fates, even knowing the dire circumstances she would face without her help. As she travels from place to place, she encounters various situations, and she is always subject to everything. As she doesn’t help or directly harm anyone, she can be considered the most important neutral character. While she refuses to be a hero or a villain, she does not care about others because she values ​​nothing but her own happiness in life.

4 Death march

An original anime created by Yuzuru Tachikawa

As Quindecim’s head bartender and Death Parade’s protagonist, Decim is designed to be morally ambiguous. His bar is where two dead people go at the same time, waiting for their fate to be judged, and it is the judge who decides whether their souls will be reborn or disappear forever into the void. Dedicated to being an arbiter, Decim always tries his best to understand and care for his guests, even though he lacks the ability to understand human emotions. But he does not take upon himself the responsibility of saving or judging anyone, but only judges as he pleases.

3 Kane Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)

Based on the manga by Sue Ishida

Tokyo Ghoul Ken Kaneki is a complex and controversial character in his evolution of personality and attitude. At first, he appears to be a mild-mannered and reserved person who will go to great lengths to protect the people he loves, even if he needs to be punished for something he didn’t do. Even after becoming half-Gogol, he maintained his compassionate and self-sacrificing nature. However, after being captured and tortured, his attitude began to change. He was equally kind to his friends, but became crueler and more aggressive towards his enemies, eventually losing who he wanted to be.

Related: 10 Best Anime Main Characters With A Lot Of Development

2 Koko Hekmatyar (Jormungand)

Based on the manga by Keitarou Takahashi

As the protagonist of Jormungand, Koko Hekmatyar is a character whose good intentions are hidden only by her evil plans. Titled “Jormungand,” it’s a secret project she worked on with her friend Minami Amada, aiming to end war and the arms trade altogether. While this sounds positive on paper, the issue is that her methods will completely prevent air travel using complex satellites and quantum computers, and eventually include sea and land travel as well, if necessary. Knowing that 700,000 people could die in Jormungand’s movement, Coco realizes that these sacrifices are insignificant compared to the world peace she hopes to achieve.

1 Lady Iboshi (Princess Mononoke)

An original anime created by Hayao Miyazaki

Some characters are considered morally ambiguous because they cannot be seen as heroes or villains. Lady Iboshi is an exception in this regard, falling under both categories simultaneously, the only determining variable being one’s perspective. She is a strong and honorable leader who saved the people of Irontown, freed them and allowed them to live fulfilling lives. But for the spirits of nature and those aligned with it, like Princess Mononoke herself, Sun, whose actions cause great suffering, is an evil person who threatens the peace of the world and the order of nature. Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to decide how to judge Lady Iboshi’s actions.

These characters can only be considered morally gray due to the worlds they live in, and as a result they find favor with some factions only to be hated by others. In other cases, it is their indecisive nature that qualifies them for such a description, as they are too self-absorbed or uninterested in others to think for themselves about what their peers consider good or bad. Whether their goals or methods are questionable, or their personalities don’t match expectations, the best morally gray anime characters are definitely the most complex and memorable.