Top 10 Anime Characters Whose Power Drove Them INSANE

Top 10 Anime Character Whose Power Drove Them Insane

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Anime Characters Whose Power Drove Them Insane.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the instances heroes, villains, and everyone in between went completely crazy from their superpowered abilities.

Which power, if any, do you think is worth going mad for? Discuss in those comments!

#10: Yuu Otosoka

“Charlotte” (2015-16)

In this guy’s defense, going crazy with these powers was less a matter of “if,” but rather “when,” especially in the hands of a hormonal teenager. The looting ability, which allows Yuu to possess the body of anyone for five seconds, is scary enough on its own, but unfortunately, it also comes with some nasty side effects. Each plundering causes the user to go slightly more insane, and if the victim had superpowers, memories are lost, too. While entrusting Yuu to be responsible with this ability was a fool’s errand, his excessive overuse of it quickens his path to insanity until he’s a full amnesiac in dire need of being institutionalized.

#9: Nadeko Sengoku

“Monogatari” (2009-2013)

Ah, young love. Nadeko’s innocent crush on Koyomi is incredibly adorable - or, it would be, if she wasn’t tempted by her own desires to eat a talisman and then try to kill him. There is something almost tragic about Nadeko finally sticking up for herself, only to be manipulated by a greater force who uses her feelings for Koyomi against her. When the loyal protagonist turns down her declaration of love, she succumbs to the dark power and proceeds to defeat both him and Shinobu in combat. If the fact her inner demons manifest as a creepy white snake wasn’t proof enough, then her nearly killing the man she loves was the sure sign that Nadeko wasn’t quite herself anymore.

#8: Shinei Nouzen

“86” (2021-)

You don’t get the nickname “Reaper” for being friendly on the battlefield, but apparently operating a juggernaut so effectively comes with a few slight mental issues. For one, Shin can hear the voices of the dead, but that constant noise doesn’t soften him in the warzone one bit. Instead, it drives him to be more and more violent, and when he gets lost in the carnage, even his own teammates need to stay clear. For someone who is supposed to be a valiant defender of the Republic, Shin can become genuinely frightening when that chilling smile appears. Thankfully, he eventually got his bloodlust under control, but any longer and he would’ve been no better than the Empire.

#7: Ouken

“Ranking of Kings” (2021-22)

Once upon a time, a benevolent knight served as one of the most noble defenders of the realm, but unfortunately, this doesn’t have a storybook ending. After overthrowing his evil father and founding an order of just warriors, Ouken’s rewarded with a birthday gift of immortality. But this present was more of a curse, since eternal life quickly corrupts his morals, turning the once-respected knight into someone who relishes violence. It’s all the more creepy since he’ll go out of his way to avoid a killing blow so he can watch his enemy’s final moments. It’s not quite the happily-ever-after this knight probably hoped for.

#6: Ichigo Kurosaki

“Bleach” (2004-12)

Not even death can put this substitute Shinigami down for good. In the white-knuckled brawl against Ulquiorra, Ichigo seems tapped out until Orihime’s cries bring him back from the brink, powered-up and ready to tear some Arrancar apart. One small problem, though: in doing so, Ichigo goes full-Hollow, and loses any and all reasoning beyond his instincts to destroy. At the very least, he sure showed Ulquiorra who’s really the zanpac-pro, but as the tradeoff, he’ll just as soon hurt his own friends as he would an enemy. After even death failed to subdue him, it’s clear the only thing strong enough to break Ichigo’s will is his own power.

#5: Meliodas

“The Seven Deadly Sins” (2014-21)

He may be the sin of wrath, but this impish knight is more recognized for his happy-go-lucky attitude than his dramatic exploits, though that’s not for lack of trying. There’s a darkness inside Meliodas, literally, and even Escanor is no match for him when that blank expression falls over his face. While it can come in handy every now and then, there’s no telling the kind of unintended devastation he could wreak if the power completely consumes him - like, for example, obliterating the entire kingdom of Danafor off the map. It’s a good thing Meliodas has gotten better at keeping it under control, or he’d really start to live up to his sinful title.

#4: Mao

“Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion” (2006-07)

Not to say Lelouch is a benchmark of mental stability, but compared to this psychotic lovebird, he’s practically a stand-up citizen. After receiving Geass as a mere child, Mao manifested the ability to hear the thoughts of everyone within a 500 meter radius. Unfortunately, his powers didn’t come with an off-switch, and the never-ending noise caused him to become increasingly unstable. Imagine Zero with none of the control, and you’re left with Mao, who’s twisted goals and lack of empathy make him almost more dangerous than the masked vigilante. If this is the true cost of Geass, maybe Lelouch wasn’t so bad, after all.

#3: Ken Kaneki

“Tokyo Ghoul” (2014-18)

Not many ghouls choose to abstain from their cravings, and it’s clear why. To resist his hunger for human flesh, the one eyed-hybrid resorts to cannibalizing others like him. However, the lack of a balanced ghoul nutrition has some unintended consequences, like transforming into an incomplete, mindless kakuja. With all the strength but none of the restraint, Kaneki’s left as a loose berserker only driven by his insatiable hunger. Though, for what it’s worth, there’s some poetic justice in his new form being named “Centipede,” especially since he gets to dole out some well-deserved vengeance with it. Even if he can’t control it, if anyone deserves a bloodthirsty bout of revenge, it’s Kaneki.

#2: Light Yagami

“Death Note” (2006-07)

High school is hard enough without the weight of the world’s moral system on your shoulders. When Light stumbles upon the titular notebook, he takes it upon himself to shape society by mercilessly killing anyone who doesn’t bend to his twisted views of justice. However, this so-called ideological crusade quickly becomes less about purifying humanity, and more about Light turning into the God of the new world. At a certain point, the moral justification is just an excuse for his continued dominance over L, the government, and morality itself. But, really, all the proof of his madness is in the unhinged, evil laugh - there’s no way that could’ve come from someone right in the head.

#1: Tetsuo Shima

“Akira” (1988)

Absolute power corrupts absolutely, but this iconic antagonist takes this idea to the next level by literally and figuratively succumbing to his overwhelming powers. Driven by a deep inferiority complex, there’s no limit to Tetsuo’s uncontrollable wrath as he carves a bloody path through Neo-Tokyo. His overpowered psychic abilities make him a threat to himself, his loved ones, and the entire country, but he continually rejects everyone around him until he’s left with only his own insanity. It’s a heart-wrenching downward spiral, but by the time he’s personally and physically unrecognizable, the Tetsuo that Kaneda knew was already long gone.