Top 10 Anime Betrayals of All Time - Most Brutal Betrayals Ranked
by Maivizhi A | Updated Mar 29, 2023
Anime Betrayals of All Time
Betrayals have been a significant element in both Hollywood movies and anime, capable of amplifying the story's tension, generating passionate debates, and attracting new audiences to the series. However, executing a betrayal in the right way is crucial since not all deceptive moments can have the desired impact. In fact, poorly executed betrayals can detract from the viewing experience, seeming contrived or lacking in substance. On the other hand, the anime betrayals compiled below have been executed flawlessly, captivating audiences and guaranteeing that they will remain a topic of discussion for years to come. Read below to know the Biggest betrayals of Anime History.
Top 10 Anime Betrayals of All Time
The below table explains the Top 10 Anime Betrayals of All time. Check out below to know about the betrayal moments.
S.No
Anime Betrayals
1
Kyubey's true intentions are revealed.
2
Reiner and Bertholdt reveal their identities.
3
Griffith transforms into Femto
4
Kaworu’s betrayal to Shinji
5
Slaine Troyard’s End
6
Canute discovers Askeladd's plans.
7
Satsuki Kiryuin Fights her Mother
8
Sasuke joins Orochimaru
9
Aizen deceives Soul Society
10
Anthy stabs Utena
Top 10 Most Brutal Anime Betrayals
Let us see each anime betrayal in detail.
1. Kyubey's True Intentions are Revealed
The scene in Puella Magi Madoka Magica regarding Kyubey and his true intentions was a game-changer for my perception of the small and adorable-looking creatures often portrayed as benevolent in anime, such as Cerberus in Cardcaptor Sakura and Mokona in Magic Knight Rayearth. Kyubey, however, was the perfect antagonist for the series, initially appearing harmless but with an ominous glare that signaled something was amiss. His red eyes were the color of blood, representing the countless girls whose lives his race had ruined with their wish-granting abilities and their need for energy.
The magical girls in PMMM were not living a glamorous life, but rather a life of constant fighting and eventual death or transformation into witches if their soul gems were too stained. For Kyubey and his kind, this cycle was essential for keeping the universe running smoothly, regardless of the emotions or morality involved. Their motives were not driven by selfish desires, political beliefs, or ideologies but rather a commitment to what they saw as best for the majority. This was terrifying because it made sense but also dehumanizing.
Fortunately, Madoka's ultimate sacrifice and Homura's unwavering dedication to her helped break the cycle and put an end to Kyubey's schemes.
2. Reiner and Bertholdt Reveal their Identities.
The moment when Reiner and Bertholdt revealed their true identities in Episode 6 of Season 2 of Attack on Titan never fails to give me goosebumps, especially when Eren unleashes his anguished scream of fury. Although I accidentally discovered the identity of the Armored Titan through Google's keyword suggestions, the exceptional animation by Wit Studio and Sawano's captivating music still left me in awe.
For years, non-manga readers waited to discover that Reiner and Bertholdt were the Armored and Colossal Titans, respectively, responsible for the events of the first episode and whom Eren sought revenge against. Shockingly, these two titans were among Eren's closest friends and comrades, leading a double life while committing heinous acts that changed the lives of everyone around them. The enormity of their betrayal and the devastation they caused to humanity made this moment one of the most thrilling and unforgettable in anime history.
3. Griffith Transforms into Femto
If we were to rank the most distressing scenes in anime, Griffith's transformation into Femto would undoubtedly take the top spot.
This pivotal moment in Berserk is filled with terrifying and gruesome visuals as Griffith plummets into the depths of hell and rises again as Femto. In the final installment of the movie trilogy or episode 25 of the 1997 series, we witness the moment when Griffith betrays the Band of the Falcon and unleashes the Eclipse.
In an instant, the entire landscape changes as massive demons swarm around the Falcons, overwhelming them with their sheer numbers. Griffith, who had been saved from a year of imprisonment and torture by Guts and Casca, makes the fateful decision to bring doom upon them all. The ensuing battle is completely one-sided, with countless lives lost in the carnage.
4. Kaworu’s Betrayal to Shinji
Kaworu's betrayal in Neon Genesis Evangelion is particularly devastating because Shinji, who had already been deeply hurt by his father Gendo's betrayal, didn't deserve to be deceived again.
Kaworu appeared in Shinji's life when he needed someone the most. Shinji was lonely and struggling with his inner demons, and Kaworu was there to listen and offer him comfort. They even spent the night together, which made Shinji feel safe and understood.
However, Kaworu wasn't just an ordinary person. He was the Fifth Child and the 17th Angel, and he ultimately used Unit-02 to access Terminal Dogma and delay Shinji's pursuit, revealing Lilith instead of Adam.
Shinji ended up killing Kaworu at his request, but not before expressing his feelings of betrayal and hurt. Kaworu acknowledged their time together as significant, but it's little comfort for Shinji now that he's gone.
5. Slaine Troyard’s End
Slaine Troyard’s final act in Season 1 of Aldnoah.Zero remains one of the anime's most heart-stopping moments, although Season 2 failed to live up to it.
In the climactic scene, chaos reigns as Inaho fights Count Saazbaum and is badly injured. Princess Asseylum reports that everything is over, but Saazbaum shoots her. This drives Slaine into a rage, as he deeply cares for her.
Slaine furiously shoots at Saazbaum, then sees Inaho crawling towards Princess Asseylum. Slaine orders him not to come any closer, so Inaho points his gun at him. Slaine shoots Inaho, the show's main character, ending the season with a bang.
While Season 2 revealed that neither Princess Asseylum nor Inaho died, many fans felt betrayed by the show's decision to continue and wished it had never existed.
6. Canute Discovers Askeladd's Plans.
In the scene from Vinland Saga, Canute becomes aware of Askeladd's true intentions. The betrayal occurs in the final episode called "End of the Prologue," and it is a significant moment. Canute's father, King Sweyn, forces Askeladd into a difficult position: either kill Canute or let the King wage war against Wales. Askeladd chooses to behead the king instead, thinking he has solved the problem. However, Canute takes matters into his own hands and kills Askeladd, establishing his authority over the Vikings and England. This turn of events is already shocking, but Thorfinn's reaction to witnessing Askeladd's last breath is devastating.
7. Satsuki Kiryuin Fights her Mother
In Kill la Kill, Satsuki Kiryuin engages in a fight with her mother. Initially the main antagonist, Satsuki becomes a deuteragonist as the story progresses and it becomes apparent that her abusive and evil mother, Ragyo Kiryuin, is the one who needs to be defeated. Ragyo treats both of her daughters, Satsuki and Ryuko, as mere test subjects to satisfy her curiosity about Life Fibers. She never views them as a family to be cherished. Eventually, Satsuki gathers the courage to stand up to her oppressive and insane parents and teams up with her younger sister to fight against her. This betrayal ultimately benefits Ryuko and all of humankind.
8. Sasuke Joins Orochimaru
In Naruto, Sasuke's decision to join Orochimaru is a significant betrayal. Despite being rivals, Sasuke and Naruto were good friends, or so Naruto thought. They both understood each other's loneliness as they lacked a typical family to support them in their younger years. However, Sasuke's decision to join Orochimaru, a diabolical individual who will stop at nothing to achieve eternal life and who led an attack on Konoha resulting in the death of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is a major betrayal. Additionally, two of the three Sannin, Tsunade and Jiraiya, are in Konoha. Despite Naruto, Shikamaru, Choji, Neji, Rock Lee (even when he was drunk), and Gaara's team fighting hard to rescue him, Sasuke still refuses and chooses to become Orochimaru's apprentice. This is Sasuke's first major betrayal, although he later betrays Naruto again at the end of Shippuden for their final battle.
9. Aizen Deceives Soul Society
In Bleach, Aizen's deception of Soul Society is a significant plot point. At the beginning of the series, Aizen appears to be a gentle-mannered intellectual, possibly a philosophy or metaphysics professor. He is highly respected for his strategic thinking. However, it soon becomes clear that Aizen is calculating and willing to deceive and murder anyone to achieve his sinister goal. With his exceptional intelligence and powerful Arrancar Army, including the deadly Espada, he poses a significant threat to Soul Society. If Aizen succeeds in dethroning the Soul King, the balance of souls in and out of Soul Society would be disrupted, causing the collapse of the worlds. Aizen's initial appearance and subsequent betrayal make him a central antagonist in Bleach.
10. Anthy Stabs Utena
Anthy stabbing Utena is a pivotal moment in Revolutionary Girl Utena, a series known for its surrealism and symbolism. Directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara, the show boldly examines and critiques traditional gender roles and fairytale tropes that shape children's perceptions of masculinity and femininity.
Utena, the female protagonist, does not conform to the typical gender roles associated with princesses, as she aspires to be a prince and rescue the Rose Bride, Anthy Himemiya. However, Anthy has her own issues to contend with. She is harassed by her brother and the other duelists seek to use her for their own selfish purposes. Moreover, she has a negative self-image and carries the burden of being both a princess and a witch.
Anthy's complex emotions eventually lead her to betray Utena by stabbing her. However, their relationship does eventually heal, and the show ultimately serves as a critique of gender norms and a call for individuality and self-discovery.
Which is the No 1 Anime Betrayal of All Time?
Kyubey, the alien cat-like creature from the anime "Puella Magi Madoka Magica", has been revealed to have a hidden agenda in the series.
Despite appearing to be a helpful and benevolent creature that grants wishes to young girls in exchange for their service as magical girls, Kyubey is actually an emotionless being that views humans as mere tools to achieve its ultimate goal: to collect the energy generated by magical girls when they fight witches, in order to stave off the heat death of the universe.
Kyubey believes that the sacrifice of a few individuals is a small price to pay for the greater good of the universe, and is willing to manipulate and deceive the girls into making contracts with it. The true nature of Kyubey's intentions is gradually revealed throughout the series, leading to a shocking twist in the plot.
Overall, Kyubey's true intentions reveal a dark and unsettling side to the world of magical girls, and highlight the dangers of making deals with entities whose motivations may not be what they seem.
Conclusion
Betrayals have been a significant element in anime and Hollywood movies, capable of generating passionate debates and attracting new audiences to the series. However, executing a betrayal in the right way is crucial, and the anime betrayals compiled above have been executed flawlessly, captivating audiences and guaranteeing that they will remain a topic of discussion for years to come. From Kyubey's true intentions in Puella Magi Madoka Magica to Slaine Troyard's end in Aldnoah.Zero, these betrayals have left an indelible mark on the viewers' minds, showcasing the potential of anime as a medium to tell stories that resonate with audiences.
Top 10 Anime Betrayals of All Time - FAQs
The first betrayal on the list of top 10 anime betrayals of all time is Kyubey's true intentions being revealed in Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
Kyubey's betrayal is impactful because it reveals the true intentions of his race, which had been ruining the lives of countless girls with their wish-granting abilities and their need for energy. Kyubey's commitment to what he saw as best for the majority, regardless of the emotions or morality involved, made his character terrifying and dehumanizing.
The third betrayal on the list of top 10 anime betrayals of all time is Griffith's transformation into Femto in Berserk.
Griffith's transformation into Femto is considered to be the most distressing scene in anime because of the terrifying and gruesome visuals of his descent into hell and his rebirth as Femto.
The seventh betrayal on the list of top 10 anime betrayals of all time is Satsuki Kiryuin fighting her mother in Kill la Kill.