Top 10 Times Anime Heroes Showed Mercy

“Digimon Tamers” (2001-02) It only makes sense that a knight chooses to show mercy to a bested opponent, even if they are a three-eyed, gunslinging death machine responsible for killing their crush’s digital partner. Fuelled by righteous fury, Takato and Guilmon’s bio-merged form managed to finally bring down the edgy Mega Digimon, fully prepared to delete him with a single strike of his lance. However, thanks to a final desperate plea from Jeri, he’s allowed to go free and seek a much-needed redemption arc, which of course led to one of the most badass moments in Digimon history.

“Yu Yu Hakusho” (1992-94) One of the few Sensui Seven to redeem themselves, this rather unfortunately named psychic can thank his lucky stars he ended up facing off against Kuwabara, since as we all know Hiei would have found a way to turn him into a puddle. While he still ended up getting a pretty nasty cut across his body courtesy of the new and improved Spirit Sword, the water manipulator was spared at the last second. In typical Kuwabara fashion, beneath that thug hairstyle is just a big old teddy bear.

#8: Ann Spares Kamoshida

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“Persona 5: The Animation” (2018-19) His depravity and unlikability may be a tad more prevalent in the game, but as far as the anime is concerned, this gym teacher still came across as an abusive perv who treated the school as his own castle. So yeah, we were veeeeery eager to see the Phantom Thieves rip out his volleyballs. Given his lecherous advances and the fact he made her friend attempt suicide, Ann had more reason than most to burn him alive. Of course, Panther decided that a much more fitting fate would be for the so-called king to face the judgement of those he had wronged in the real world.

“Dororo” (2019) As we all know, the limbless swordsman really hates demons. He does spend every waking moment trying to slay them in order to recover his body, after all. Well apparently that bloody creed goes out the window when he’s confronted with a Spider Woman who wants to live…because she’s fallen in love with a human. Likely due to the impact Mio left on him, along with Dororo’s protests, Hyakkimaru uncharacteristically allows the Jorogumo Silk Spider and her wounded lover to flee. Guess all those other monsters missed a trick…

“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14) Coming from a family of master assassins, its fair to say Killua has no problem with butchery. This made all the easier given the fact his opponent was none other than a Chimera Ant. You know, those hybrid creatures that would prefer humanity were served up on a plate? This should have been an insta-kill by all accounts. However, this talking octopus proved to be the exception, since he managed to earn the young Hunter’s respect when he refused to abandon his comrades and ended up looking damn cool in the process. You know, as much as a talking octopus can. You’ve got weird tastes Killua.

“A Certain Magical Index III” (2018-19) Kind of ironic that the guy imbued with terrible luck manages to give so many of his enemies a pass, even more so when it’s the so-called Right Hand of God. With psychic abilities and hubris in abundance, Fiamma was ready to burn the world to a cinder in the name of a self-righteous cause, but like all wannabe deities, ended up getting done in when his mortal opponent outwitted him. While it would have been downright poetic to let the false god be consumed by the Star of Bethlehem, Touma just couldn’t bring himself to abandon him, even going as far as to toss him in the final escape pod, risking his own life in the process.

“Sword Art Online” (2012) No swords, no magic, no cheat codes, just two dudes fighting it out in a car park. One of which just so happens to be a bit of a lunatic who likes to spend his days assaulting young girls inside of video games dressed as a fairy. Yeah, Kirito had more than enough reason to want to slit this old pervs’ throat, and while it might have been oh so satisfying to see Sugou’s face get smashed into that car door, cutting him up may have been taking it a bit far. Unlike in Alfhein Online, you can’t just raise your stats in order to escape real-world prison! Then again this is Kirito so…who knows.

#3: Roy Mustang Spares Envy

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“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10) The fact this Homonculus managed to make it through the Flame Alchemist’s onslaught in just about one piece is staggering. Granted he was roasted so badly that the only thing that remained was a disgusting grub-like monster, but he was alive nonetheless. Things wouldn’t have stayed that way if Colonel Mustang had been allowed to fully give into his hatred, but some stern words from Ed and Hawkeye just about managed to pull him out of his murder phase. The feels proved to be a tad too much for the jealous little imp to handle, leading to Envy tearing out his own philosopher’s stone. Sorry Colonel, doesn’t count as a kill.

"The Rising of the Shield Hero" (2019) For those not in the know, here's a rundown on the shit this father-daughter duo put our boy Naofumi through just because he was chosen to become the Shield Hero: framing him for attempted rape, turning the citizens against him, conspiring with the Church to paint him as a devil-figure, framing him for kidnapping another princess, along with various assassination attempts. After their crimes were brought to light and they were sentenced to death, you would have thought Shield Bro would have been happy to kick back and let heads roll. Alas, being the only guy worthy of the title of hero, Naofumi spares their lives at the last second...but not before having their names changed to Bitch and Trash respectively. Oh sweet karma.

“Black Clover” (2017-) Merciless in his use of magic, this Shining General of the Diamond Kingdom didn’t hesitate to bury anyone in his way. Then he went and pushed the No-Magic Knight too far. In order to get past his magical defences, Asta was left with no choice but to tap into the darkness inside of him, resulting in a new look and a whole world of hurt for Ladros. Not only did his magic get eaten up, but he also had to deal with a supersonic demon sword to the gut. It’s such a devastating loss that he literally begged Asta to kill him afterwards. And does he? Of course not, this pint-sized dork marches to the beat of his own drum.