Most protagonists in anime are merciful heroes.Characters like Luffy and Dekuare well-known for never having killed, even when their enemies are vicious and cruel. Other heroes may end up killing one or two of their opponents but generally try to avoid killing when there’s no need to.
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Some protagonists, however, do not have any qualms about killing their enemies, even when it’s not necessary. Sometimes these characters are noble heroes who nevertheless believe that some villains deserve death, while other times they are forces of nature that mow down anything in their way. Here are some anime protagonists that have high kill counts.
8Akame – Akame Ga Kill!
While Akame shares the role of protagonist with Tatsumi, it is clear that she is an important main character in the seriesAkame ga Kill!An assassin with the revolutionary kill squadNight Raid, Akame is one of its strongest members, having been trained from her youth to become a top-class assassin.
Akame’s main weapon, Murasame, secretes a poison that kills anyone that gets cut by it. It is so dangerous that even Akame has to be careful when cleaning the blade. Akame’s skill and weapon make her an efficient killer, and she has killed the most out of the members of Night Raid, especially when including the people she killed in the prequelAkame ga Kill! Zero.
7Li Xin – Kingdom
Death is an expected consequence in war stories, andKingdomis no different. Being a story set in Ancient China, massive battles with high casualties are the norm. For protagonist Li Xin, a young soldier who aims to become a great general, fighting in wars and taking heads is vital for his ascent to the top.
Aside from his incredible athleticism, strength, and willpower, Xin is a normal human. That only makes his feats more incredible, however, with him managing to slay several top enemy officers and generals. Whether it be bandits, assassins, or soldiers, Xin has defeated and killed many on his way to the top.
6Denji – Chainsaw Man
The hybrid devil Denji is not the most conventional hero, as he often has a hunger for violence,especially when he becomes Chainsaw Man. With chainsaws coming out of his head and limbs, it’s no surprise that many of the devils Denji goes up against end up in ribbons.
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While Denji has yet to kill humans, he has killed a large mob of humans turned into zombies. Add to that the myriad of devils he has killed and Denji ends up with quite a number of kills.
5Guts – Berserk
The Black Swordsman Guts is one of the more cynical anti-heroes in manga and anime, which is understandable considering the horrible world he lives in. Constantly beset by demons, Guts spends his dayshunting down the man he once called his best friend.
Guts has no supernatural powers, with only his massive sword as his main weapon in combat. Despite this, he has killed all manner of demons, as well as the occasional evil cultist or villainous bandit.
4Kenshiro – Fist Of The North Star
Kenshiro isone of the most compassionate and kind-hearted heroesin manga and anime, and definitely one of the kindest characters in the post-apocalyptic world ofFist of the North Star. However, that does not mean that Kenshiro shies away from killing, as evidenced by his catchphrase, “You are already dead.”
Kenshiro’s martial arts style, Hokuto Shinken, is a style that attacks pressure points, which usually causes his opponents to explode. Kenshiro has used his techniques to kill those who abuse or threaten others, racking up a kill count composed mostly of villains, rogues, and murderers.
3Goblin Slayer – Goblin Slayer
The titular Goblin Slayer does exactly what his name implies: slay goblins. After a horde of goblins destroyed his village and murdered his sister, Goblin Slayer swore revenge on all goblins, refusing to take on a job that doesn’t involve goblins in any way.
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Goblin Slayer is a normal human but has accumulated years of experience and knowledge after doing nothing but killing goblins. Goblin Slayer has likely killed hundreds of goblins over the series' timespan, and he is certain to keep killing until all of them are dead.
2Alucard – Hellsing
The vampire-hunting vampire Alucardis one of the most dangerous beings inHellsing, with his only leash being his contract with Integra Hellsing. He is often the last resort of the Hellsing organization, sent to handle threats that no one else can deal with.
Alucard uses a variety of weaponry and supernatural abilities to fight and kill the many foes that oppose him. With an immense array of powers that augment his already incredible vampire abilities, it’s no wonder that Alucard has a kill count longer than his coat.
1Light Yagami – Death Note
Light Yagami might not seem like a remorseless killer, but in truth, he is Kira, the man who claims to be killing evil people for the good of society. With the power of the Death Note, Light can kill any person so long as he knows their name and face, making him a dangerous opponent.
Light had already killed scores of criminals before the end of the first episode,and goes on to kill hundreds moreeither by his own hand or through others like Misa Amane and Teru Mikami. Despite being the protagonist, Light is easily one of the most prolific killers in anime.
