Top 20 Dumbest Decisions Made by Anime Characters
Script written by Alex Crilly-Mckean
#20: Breaking Up with Hina
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“Tokyo Revengers” (2021-)
To be fair to Takemitchy, he was at least coming at this from a place of good intention – break up with his girlfriend so she potentially avoids yet another gruesome fate courtesy of the time loops, and at the behest of her father. Of course, when you really think about it, it’s a terrible call given that all this does is create pain and drama between them, with no guarantee that Kisaki won’t kill her anyway just to hurt Takemitchy, as he’s always done through each cycle. Thankfully they got back together in the end, but all this accomplished was made Hina a new member of the “Beating Takemitchy’s Ass” club.
#19: Not Killing the Demons
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“The Promised Neverland” (2019-21)
Having a character choose the paragon route is noble, and can make for exquisite character development. However, when you live in a world where there are hordes of demons that are actively trying to eat you, that have systematically slaughtered your friends, that essentially control the world, choosing not to fight and be willing to kill, even for the sake of your surviving friends…is ludicrous. Especially coming from the likes of Emma, who has proven to go above and beyond to protect her fellow orphans!
#18: Aizen Lets Ichigo Live
“Bleach” (2004-12)
For being the one of the smartest anime villains of all time, you would have thought that Aizen wouldn’t have allowed even a single potential anomaly to ruin his best laid plans. Apparently, this strawberry was the exception to the rule. Oh sure, he states that he orchestrated Ichigo’s growth in order to fuel his own evolution so he could one day wipe out the Soul King…but did it never occur to him that Ichigo might overtake him at some point? Well, he learned that lesson the hard way, courtesy of the Deus Ex…I mean, Final Getsuga Tensho!
#17: Infiltrating Hellsing
“Hellsing Ultimate” (2006-12)
It’s hard to tell if the Valentine Brothers are either insanely prideful or just plain ol’ insane – since they figured launching a siege against Hellsing HQ by themselves would go well. All the while knowing that Alucard, the ultimate vampire, lives there. What’s the result? Jan gets torn to shreds by the likes of Seras and Walter, while Luke gets unceremoniously turned into dog food when Alucard decides to show him what a real vampire is like.
#16: Rudeus Antagonises Orsted
“Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” (2021-)
Rudeus may be incredibly talented when it comes to magic, but he downright sucks when it comes to reading the room – at least when it counts. In spite of his allies stating how dangerous someone like Orsted is – a man known to all as a Dragon God, aka that one guy you do not mess with – Rudeus can’t help himself and starts prodding. Even when Orsted, clearly aggravated, demands to know if Rudeus knows the Man-God, the little shit responds without a care in the world. Naturally, they all get their asses handed to them as a result of Orsted’s rage.
#15: Pissing Jotaro Off
“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders” (2014-15)
It’s practically a universal truth – if you mess with Jotaro Kujo in any way, shape or form, then he’s going to make you regret it. That extends to your basic thugs, sharks, and yes, even ancient vampire Stand users who can freeze time. In spite of his best efforts to flatten the bad boy Joestar, literally in some cases, Dio is still unable to fend off the untamed ferocity of Jotaro’s adolescent-yet-built-like-a brick shithouse-attitude, leading to him cracking Dio in two with a single punch from Star Platinum.
#14: Letting Orochimaru Go
“Naruto” (2002-07)
Despite being a pretty solid geezer, the Third Hokgae still made a litany of mistakes during his tenure, though his most grievous is undoubtedly letting his former student escape. We understand his hesitance to harm someone he trained from childhood…but when he discovered that Orochimaru had his own torture dungeon, and made no secret about his plans to cause countless more deaths to, you would think, as the leader and protector of a whole village, he’d be able to at the very least incarcerate him. But nope, the snake was given ample opportunity to escape!
#13: Opening the Door
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“Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou” (2020-21)
We all want to believe in the good in people, though there has to be a point where basic logic and survival instinct kick in. Apparently, Keiichi doesn’t have that, at least in this timeline. In spite of his friend Rena acting somewhat stir crazy, he still decides to let her into his house. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? Well, to no one’s surprise, except Keiichi, Rena grabs the nearest sharp object she can find and butchers him relentlessly. Remember, locked doors are your friend.
#12: Envy Confesses to Killing Hughes
“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10)
This shapeshifter may be famed for his jealousy, but this little stunt proved he might have fitted the role of Pride a lot better. After all, you’ve got to have some huge kahunas to taunt the Flame Alchemist right to his face about the murder of his bestie. Envy must have been suffering short-term memory loss, since he forgot that Mustang was the one who burned Lust to a crisp, so he was already well versed in taking down Homoculi. Still, he blabbers on, ignites the fires of vengeance in Mustang’s soul, and for his hubris gets literally roasted!
#11: Leaving the Gum-Gum Fruit Unattended
“One Piece” (1999-)
Shanks really has the devil’s luck. Given what we know in regards to just how truly special the Gum Gum Fruit is (winks in manga), you’d think that someone as savvy as Shanks wouldn’t leave such a powerful item out and about where someone can steal and eat it at a moment’s notice. Luffy being the one to gobble it up is certainly the best-case scenario, but if someone less worthy got their hands on it…we’d be dealing with a very different anime right about now. Sloppy oversight Shanks!
#10: Kaiji’s Final Gamble
“Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor” (2007-11)
Honestly, what were you thinking here man? You won. You’d beaten a bunch of evil, twisted geezers at their own game and were about to walk away rich. Sure, you lost your ear in the process, but that’s hardly a problem since you’ve now got all that green. Any sane person would have walked away here, but not our boy Kaiji. Deciding to try and take even more money from the perverse Chairman, this gamble ultimately fails. Not only does Kaiji lose all his winnings…he also loses his fingers, courtesy of a guillotine.
#9: Kaneki Joins Aogiri Tree
“Tokyo Ghoul Root A” (2015)
Now, I’m not sure about you, but if I ever got kidnapped, held captive and tortured until my hair changed colour, the last people I’d hook up with would be the organisation responsible for said torture! Not only is this crazy decision a direct contradiction from the manga, but it’s just so…ridiculous! Kaneki throws his lot in with a bunch of murderous creatures who wouldn’t hesitate to slaughter those he loves. Now with a bigger bulls-eye on his back than ever, it’s fair to say that this stands as one of the stupidest things Kaneki has done. Right alongside going on a date with Rize.
#8: Yuki Puts His Dick In Crazy
“Future Diary” (2011-12)
In what universe is sleeping with a homicidal stalker a good idea? Even if we ignore the fact that she had only recently butchered Aru, just out of a sense of self-preservation it makes no sense for Yuki to bump hips with Yuno. He’s seen what she’s capable of, he’s obviously aware of how many screws she has loose, and yet he decides the best thing to do would be to get his freak on with her. Naturally this comes back to haunt him when he inevitably breaks her heart and she decides to come at him with an axe. Ain’t that a peach.
#7: The Black Knights Betray Lelouch
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“Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2” (2008)
We can buy that the rebellion forces may be a little peeved that their boss Zero didn’t tell them he could control minds and was in fact part of the Britannian royal family, but to try and instantly gun him down just because another one of the royals tipped you off? Come on! The fact these guys only got to where they are because of Lelouch and his plans seems to be lost on this so-called band of brothers. Of course, after Lelouch manages to escape the whole organization is left vulnerable, allowing them to be easily steam-rolled afterwards. Great plan.
#6: Saazbaum Trusts Slaine
“Aldnoah.Zero” (2014-15)
We’d love to know what was going through the Count’s mind when he made this decision. “Hmm, well this Slaine kid has shown to be a tad unstable, hates my guts and even tried peppering me with bullets…I know, I’ll adopt him! What’s the worst that could happen?” Well, as we all know, Slaine would do anything and everything for his beloved Princess, especially if it involves backstabbing his new father figure. Saazbaum may not have realized just how deadly a thirsty young man really was, but the writing was clearly written on the wall!
#5: Akira Leaves Miki Behind
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“Devilman Crybaby” (2018)
With the world gone mad ever since the existence of demons was revealed, humans had begun slaughtering each other out of fear. The only one capable of standing up to both shades of evil is our man Akira aka Devilman, whose only goal left in life is to protect his beloved Miki. So…why did he leave her behind when it was pretty clear just how much things have gone to shit? This decision would prove to be fatal, as upon his return he discovers Miki has been killed and decapitated by a crazed mob.…nope, nope, can’t watch this, hurry up and nuke the planet God!
#4: Orga Follows McGillis’ Plan
“Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans” (2015-17)
We understand that “King of Mars” sounds like a pretty cool title, but did Orga really think following a snake like McGillis was going to work out well for Tekkadan? He failed to mention that his endgame was essentially stealing one giant mecha and hoping everyone would bow down to him as a result. Surprise, they didn’t, and the aftermath didn’t only end up costing Orga of his beloved comrades, but also got him shot on the side of a street! He had nothing to gain and everything to lose…
#3: Griffith Screws the Princess
“Berserk: Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey” (2012)
This guy had the world in his palm, and he just let it all slip away. After discovering that he wasn’t considered an equal by his best friend Griffith, Guts decided to leave the Band of the Hawk in order to find a dream of his own. Turns out he meant more to Griffith than anybody realized, as the shock prompts the White Hawk to do something rather…risqué. Ah, I get it, he’s just going to get blindly drunk with his friends and slowly work through it all – nope! He’s gonna go take the Princess’ v-card, and as a result get imprisoned and mess up the happily ever after for everyone involved. Dammit Griffith!
#2: Vegeta Lets Cell Achieve His Perfect Form
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“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96)
Granted, Goku giving Cell a senzu bean before the fight with Gohan was unspeakably idiotic, but it doesn’t even come close to the crap that the Saiyan Prince pulled. After some intense training, Vegeta finds himself with the power to kill the ultimate android once and for all…but he doesn’t. Want to know why? Because Cell goads him into letting him to achieve his final form just so he could pose a bigger challenge. Of course, Perfect Cell turns out to be a little stronger than the prince had expected, leading to him getting his precious pride (and most of his body) smashed to pieces.
#1: Light Falls for L’s Taunt
“Death Note” (2006-07)
You know for a supposed genius and would be deity, Light is way too easily wound up. While the serial murderer that would come to be known as Kira has managed to think his way out of some pretty tight spots, that’s not to say he hasn’t made a few rookie mistakes along the way to godhood. After being mocked on live TV, Light busts out the Death Note without hesitation and instantly kills the person he believes to be L…only to find that the whole thing was set up, and instead tipped the detective off about his general whereabouts, which would lay the groundwork to his eventual demise. The God of the New World everybody.
