Bad-Guy-to-Good-Guys: Not Real Anti-Heroes

 

Hello all!  Well, it’s finally here!  My very first anime discussion post.  This post will discuss “anti-hero” characters who, by my standards, do not entirely fit the role because their pasts cast them in a different light.

This all started a few months ago when I went on a YouTube spree.  At random, I pulled up a video from WatchMojo that counted down its top ten anime anti-heroes.  I agreed with most of the results…all but the number one spot.  This character-who I will actually be talking about later-really didn’t quite fit as an anti-hero by my standards.  Now that we know what brought up this topic, let’s ask some questions.  Which leads to the first question “what is an anti-hero?”

By definition, an anti-hero is a protagonist whose actions are not traditional to that of a protagonist.  In other words, they’re heroes who act like anything but heroes.  These characters are often dark and their actions are almost something that would make them villains.  A perfect example of an anti-hero in anime is Alucard from Hellsing- although at times I think that anti-hero is a bit of an understatement.  Now think about the word protagonist.  These are characters who, if they are not the main character, are characters who are considered to be good guys.  Even Alucard, who does some pretty questionable things in Hellsing and Hellsing Ultimate, is the protagonist and by all means a good guy.  And also something to think about, let’s consider the word antagonist.  These are characters who are opposite of the protagonists;  they are the villains. 

So yeah, this is all pretty basic stuff in T.V. and movies and books and so on.  So why ask all these basic questions? To ask this question: what about those characters who transition, particularly from the villain role to the hero role?  Though these characters do develop into something of an anti-hero, traditionally, they’re not really heroes.  For these characters, I call them bad-guy-to-good-guy characters- I know, totally unoriginal and uncreative.  These characters are protagonists-and often times anti-heroes- but they weren’t protagonists to start out with.

So now that we have all the terminology out of the way, how about some examples of some BGGG’s?  Here’s three of the many examples of these kinds of characters.

·         Anubis (Ronin Warriors, 1988)

Now this is a character who fits the definition of a BGGG perfectly.  I say this because he makes a complete transition from villain to hero within the entire series.  Originally from Yoroiden Samurai Troopers- or more commonly known by its English name  Ronin Warriors-, Anubis started out as one of the biggest baddies in the series.

In Ronin Warriors, the demon ruler of the Netherworld Talpa tries to take over the mortal world and obtain the nine armors of virtue to restore his own body.  The only thing that’s stopping him are the Ronin Warriors, five teenagers who posses five of the nine armors of virtue.  However, Talpa doesn’t fight them alone; in his arsenal are his four generals who fight against the Ronins numerous times.  Enter Anubis.

Originally one of Talpa’s generals, Anubis started out fighting against the Ronin Warriors. But that changes midway in season one.  After being captured by the Ronins, he is pulled aside by The Ancient One, the Ronin Warrior’s mentor.  The Ancient One explains Talpa’s true intentions, uniting the nine armors of virtue and using Anubis and the other generals to do it.  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the other four of the armors of virtue are in the possession of Talpa’s generals.  Anubis sees the error of his ways and is seen fighting alongside the Ronins by the end of season one.  In season two, he kinda goes missing.  We don’t really know what happens to him.  That is, until a familiar face returns.  The Ronins learn of a stranger who is posing as the now dead Ancient One.  Guess who it is?  Yep! You guessed it.  Anubis assumes the duty of New Ancient One and assists the Ronins in finally defeating Talpa.

Like I said, this is a pretty impressive transformation for a character.  Anubis goes from the all-around bad guy to the all around good guy within the entirety of the series.  Still, even though he ends up being this “all-around good guy”, he was still a villain at the beginning of the series.  Not quite a good guy.  His role as one of Talpa’s generals is what makes him a BGGG.

·         Sesshomaru (Inuyasha, 2002)

Next on my list is a character from a show that every otaku has seen or at least heard about.  Known as the mysterious and merciless older half brother of the hot-headed protagonist, Sesshomaru’s role in Inuyasha is a bit misunderstood, and a bit ambiguous.

Many people who’ve seen Inuyasha will tell you that Sesshomaru is a pretty interesting character.  Like every other protagonist in Inuyasha , Sesshomaru pursues Naraku, although he has no interest in obtaining the Sacred Jewel shards.  Also, much of his actions neither hurt or help Inuyasha and the gang.  Sesshomaru radiates an air that screams anti-hero. However, many fans of the show-myself included- and even the Wikipedia page will tell you that Sesshomaru was a villain in the first two seasons of the show.  In the first few episodes, Sesshomaru was out to get Inuyasha in order to take Inuyasha’s sword  the Tetsuaiga- an heirloom sword of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru’s father.  In season two, Sesshomaru still goes after Inuyasha, but realizing that he may never be able to posses the Tetsuaiga, he instead resolves to out-do Inuyasha by fighting him to the death.  After season two and onward, and after obtaining his own powerful sword, Sesshomaru stops pursuing Inuyasha (but there are some occasional fights between them, but Sesshomaru has no real intention to fight Inuyasha).  It’s at this point where Sesshomaru starts to develop into an anti-hero character.  

But even so, Sesshomaru’s role in Inuyasha draws some question marks.  Most of this is due to the fact that from season two onward, Sesshomaru goes his own way.  Like I said, his actions neither hurt nor help.  He does what he does cause he can.  And he goes about things in his emotionless and merciless.  Classic anti-hero.  But, keep in mind that Sesshomaru was a villain in the beginning.  However, despite what Wikipedia may label him, I think Sesshomaru makes a nice transition to anti-hero in Inuyasha.  But regardless of what anyone thinks, he’s still a BGGG.

(However, to give Wikipedia some brownie points-and to give a spoiler from Inuyasha: The Final Act- Sesshomaru does revert back to his villain role at one point in Inuyasha: The Final Act.  But he goes back to pursuing Naraku after that.)

·         Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z, 1989)

Remember what I said earlier about that countdown and that I didn’t agree with who got the number one spot, well here he is.  WatchMojo’s number one anime anti-hero was the prince of all Saiyans himself.  And I disagree with that one hundred percent.  Why?  Let’s find out.

Many people who have seen Dragon Ball Z do recognize Vegeta as an anti-hero.  It’s true; throughout much of the series, he works with Goku and company, and even shows a bit of a rivalry with Goku.  But to understand what makes him a BGGG and not an anti-hero, we have to go back to the very first season and Vegeta’s first appearance.  When Vegeta first comes to Earth, his main objective is to DESTROY THE EARTH-as well as find all the Dragon Balls.  Now what anti-hero wants to destroy the Earth-unless it’s some weird emergency?  Even WatchMojo itself noted how many times Vegeta threatened to blow up the Earth! That’s why I don’t agree with WatchMojo’s countdown; Vegeta isn’t a real protagonist, and therefore, not a real anti-hero.  He was originally a villain who had evil intentions.  But I will agree that Vegeta does fit into the anti-hero role after his little phase.

Though it may be shocking that I called out on the prince of all Saiyans, but like Abe Lincoln, I can’t tell a lie.  I don’t think Vegeta is a real anti-hero.  I think Vegeta is a well-known example of a BGGG.

So to my readers out there, what do you think?  Do you agree with my theory on BGGGs?  Do agree with the characters I’ve classified to be BGGGs?  Do you know of other characters that fit this category?  Come on people! I want to hear your opinions.  Remember, this is a discussion, but it’s also a discussion of my own opinions.  Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed my first anime discussion!  And with that, I’m out.  Be sure to stay posted, because next week I’ll be back with another review!

HellHH

-Hanime on Anime