26 Fan-Favorite Anime About Revenge & Betrayal

Download Article

Anime expert Dianté Richard shares the best anime with characters who are out for vengeance

Explore this Article

IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Vinland Saga

2 Redo of Healer

3 Berserk

4 Monster

5 Attack on Titan

6 Code Geass

7 Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

8 Moriarty the Patriot

9 Yona of the Dawn

10 Black Butler

11 May I Ask for One Final Thing?

12 Gachiakuta

13 Skip Beat!

14 Kill la Kill

15 Claymore

16 Hell Girl

17 Demon Slayer

18 Gun X Sword

19 Masamune Kun no Revenge

20 91 Days

21 Blade of the Immortal

22 Afro Samurai

23 Silver Fang: The Shooting Star Gin

24 Dororo

25 Gungrave

26 Prison Lab

+ Show 23 more...

- Show less...

Other Sections

Video

Tips and Warnings

Related Articles

References

Co-authored by Dianté Richard and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: August 18, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

You can’t always get revenge in real life, but you can feel vindicated by watching a good revenge anime. Whether you enjoy characters who are out for blood or those who prefer psychological vengeance, you’ve come to the right place. We interviewed anime experts and consulted the internet to compile a list of the best anime about revenge.

Warning: Some of these anime are meant for mature audiences only. Be sure to read all content warnings before watching.

The Best Anime Revenge Stories

Download Image

Download Image

Anime expert Dianté Richard says some of the best anime about revenge are Vinland Saga and Monster. Redo of Healer and Berserk are popular series, too. These are all very dark and violent, so if you want something lighter or more comedic, try May I Ask for One Final Thing?, Skip Beat!, or Masamune Kun no Revenge.

Steps

1

Vinland Saga

Download Article

1. 
   Richard definitely recommends Vinland Saga if you’re looking for a good revenge story. After witnessing a mercenary named Askeladd kill his father when he was a boy, Viking Thorfinn wants nothing more than revenge. He joins Askeladd’s mercenary band so he can one day kill Askeladd in an honorable duel. He begins the series as a hardened, violent warrior, but as the show progresses, he begins to heal and grow from his trauma.

   • Genre: Historical fiction, action, psychological drama, coming-of-age
   • Content warnings: Extreme violence, gore, slavery, implied sexual assault, psychological trauma
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Dianté Richard, also known as D-Rich, is an anime and cartoon expert. He’s been creating content about anime, cartoons, TV shows, and movies since 2020.

   Mel Mascarenhas is an anime and manga expert who has been watching anime for nearly 30 years. She shares anime recommendations and reviews on YouTube as @AniMel.

   Brandon Riley is an anime and manga enthusiast based in Australia. Known as @BrandonRTalks on social media, he shares anime video essays and analyses online.
Advertisement

2

Redo of Healer

Download Article

1. 
   According to this Reddit forum, Redo of Healer is one of the most notable revenge anime—and one of the darkest. After healer Keyaru is betrayed and abused by those he trusted, he is given the chance to redo his life by resetting the timeline to 4 years prior. This time, he sets out to get revenge on everyone who wronged him, and it’s brutal.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, harem
   • Content warnings: Explicit sexual assault, violence, torture, substance abuse, exploitation, misogyny, homophobia
   • Where to watch: HIDIVE
   • Already watched Redo of Healer? Check out our “Anime Like Redo of Healer” article for similar recommendations.

3

Berserk

Download Article

1. 
   Berserk is one of the most emotionally devastating revenge anime. It follows the mercenary Guts as he joins the Band of the Hawk, led by a charismatic man named Griffith. Things take a turn for the worse when Griffith betrays everyone and sacrifices his friends to become a powerful, demonic god. Guts manages to survive and sets out on a quest to get revenge on Griffith.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, action, psychological thriller
   • Content warnings: Extreme violence, gore, sexual violence, psychological trauma, abuse, suicide and self-harm, sexual themes, nudity, animal abuse
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Advertisement

4

Monster

Download Article

1. 
   Monster might not be a revenge story per se, notes Richard, but it does have elements of revenge and justice. Plus, he says this older anime has a super interesting story and is great if you’re looking for a series with some thrill (though it’s a bit slow-paced). The series follows neurosurgeon Dr. Kenzo Tenma, who makes a life-altering decision to operate on a young boy instead of the city’s mayor. Years later, Dr. Tenma meets the young boy he saved, who’s now a merciless serial killer. Driven by the guilt of his actions, Dr. Tenma swears to catch and kill his former patient.

   • Genre: Mystery, psychological thriller, crime, drama
   • Content warnings: Murder, violence, abuse, psychological trauma, suicide and self-harm, substance use, brief nudity
   • Where to watch: Netflix

5

Attack on Titan

Download Article

1. 
   Attack on Titan evolves from a standard revenge story into a complicated commentary on politics and the morality of war. It follows Eren Yeager, who witnessed a giant humanoid called a Titan kill his mother. He then joins the military to avenge her. As the series progresses, it emphasizes how revenge can lead to endless cycles of pain and violence.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, action, post-apocalyptic
   • Content warnings: Gore, violence, body horror, psychological trauma, self-harm, abuse, cannibalism, genocide
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Disney+
Advertisement

6

Code Geass

Download Article

1. 
   Code Geass follows the exiled prince Lelouch Lamperouge, who is now living as a student in Japan, the country that is being oppressed by his kingdom, the Holy Britannian Empire. When he’s given a supernatural power known as Geass, he uses it to lead a rebellion against the Empire, all while trying to hide his true identity, explains anime and manga expert Mel Mascarenhas.

   • Genre: Science fantasy, mecha, political thriller, psychological drama
   • Content warnings: Violence, genocide, psychological manipulation, imperialism
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll

7

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Download Article

1. 
   Gankutsuou is an anime adaptation of the classic revenge novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Set in a futuristic world, it follows the titular Count of Monte Cristo as he seeks revenge on those who ruined his life years before. Rather than violence, the Count gets his revenge through manipulation and social humiliation.

   • Genre: Sci-fi, drama
   • Content warnings: Blood, violence, sexual themes, emotional trauma
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Advertisement

8

Moriarty the Patriot

Download Article

1. 
   Moriarty the Patriot is a reimagining of the classic Sherlock Holmes. In this series, Moriarty seeks revenge not on an individual, but on Britain’s corrupt aristocratic society. He targets wealthy people who exploit lower-class citizens in an attempt to change society for the better. According to one Reddit user, “There is a LOT of violent revenge” in this series.

   • Genre: Mystery, crime, psychological thriller
   • Content warnings: Murder, violence, child abuse, implied sexual assault, suicide and self-harm, classism
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll

9

Yona of the Dawn

Download Article

1. 
   You might not think revenge would be a central focus of a reverse harem anime, but hear us out. When Princess Yona watches her cousin murder her father to take the throne, she flees with her bodyguard Hak. At first, her only goal is to survive, but as the series progresses, she develops leadership skills and becomes determined to get her kingdom back.

   • Genre: Reverse harem, fantasy, romance, adventure
   • Content warnings: Fantasy violence, on-screen death, suggestive dialogue, sexual harassment
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Advertisement

10

Black Butler

Download Article

1. 
   This gothic series follows Ciel Phantomhive, a young boy whose family is killed when their estate mysteriously burns down. Seeking to discover who started the fire and avenge his family, he summons a butler named Sebastian, who acts as Ciel’s butler and helps him on his quest for revenge.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, supernatural, mystery
   • Content warnings: Violence, gore, torture, child abuse and trafficking, demonic themes
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Disney+

11

May I Ask for One Final Thing?

Download Article

1. 
   When Scarlet’s fiancé, Kyle, suddenly breaks off their engagement, she discovers she’s been falsely accused of bullying and dubbed a “villainess.” After putting up with Kyle’s abuse for years, she’s had enough. Before she’s banished, she asks him for one last thing—to punch him in the face. Now, Scarlet is out for revenge against him and the rest of the corrupt nobles.

   • Genre: Fantasy, comedy, action
   • Content warnings: Moderate violence, abuse, bullying
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Advertisement

12

Gachiakuta

Download Article

1. 
   After being falsely accused of murdering his adoptive father, an orphan boy named Rudo is sentenced to the Ground, a monster-filled wasteland where criminals are exiled. Now, Rudo joins a group called the Cleaners to fight the monsters, all while trying to find and kill the person responsible for killing his father.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, post-apocalyptic, action/adventure
   • Content warnings: Violence, gore, child abuse, disturbing imagery
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
   • Which Gachiakuta character are you most like? Take our quiz to find out!

13

Skip Beat!

Download Article

1. 
   Skip Beat! is more lighthearted than most of the series on our list, but revenge is still at the center of the story. It follows Kyoko Mogami, a girl who will do anything to help her childhood friend Sho Fuwa succeed as he pursues a career in the entertainment industry. But when she finds out he was only using her, she is determined to become more famous than him.

   • Genre: Romantic comedy, coming-of-age
   • Content warnings: Mostly lighthearted, but contains themes of bullying, parental neglect, and stalking
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Advertisement

14

Kill la Kill

Download Article

1. 
   Who said revenge stories can’t also be funny? Often classified as a parody, Kill la Kill follows Ryuko Matoi as she enrolls at Honnouji Academy to hunt down her father’s killer. Wielding half of a giant pair of scissors, she cuts her way through the school to find the murderer with the other half.

   • Genre: Action, comedy/parody, magical girl, ecchi
   • Content warnings: Sexual fan service, nudity, violence, gore, body horror, sadism, abuse
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Disney+

15

Claymore

Download Article

1. 
   In a world filled with monsters called Yoma, a mysterious Organization creates female half-human, half-Yoma warriors known as Claymores to defeat them. The anime follows Clare, a Claymore who joined the Organization to avenge her mentor Teresa, who was murdered by a Claymore named Priscilla.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, action/adventure
   • Content warnings: Graphic violence, gore, body horror, child abuse, cannibalism, implied sexual violence, psychological trauma
   • Where to watch: Not available on streaming
Advertisement

16

Hell Girl

Download Article

1. 
   Hell Girl is an episodic series centered around the website Hell Correspondence. At midnight, the website allows users to input the name of an abuser they want to get revenge on. The titular Hell Girl, Ai Enma, will then send the abuser to Hell. The catch is, the person who entered their name into the website will also go to Hell when they die.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, supernatural thriller, psychological horror
   • Content warnings: Abuse, bullying, psychological torment, animal cruelty, body horror
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll

17

Demon Slayer

Download Article

1. 
   After his family is killed by the Demon King Muzan, teenager Tanjiro Kamado joins the Demon Slayer Corps to seek revenge and save his sister, who was turned into a demon, explains anime and manga enthusiast Brandon Riley. Along the way, he and his friends face other demons and deadly trials on their quest for vengeance.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, adventure
   • Content warnings: Violence, gore, childhood trauma, abuse
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+
Advertisement

18

Gun X Sword

Download Article

1. 
   In this sci-fi, Western-inspired world, Van is a swordsman determined to hunt down The Claw, a cult leader who murdered Van’s bride on their wedding day. Along the way, he encounters many other people with their own vendettas against the Claw, and they work together to battle enemies and get their revenge.

   • Genre: Space western, mecha, action
   • Content warnings: Violence, gore, sexual themes, attempted sexual assault, substance use
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll

19

Masamune Kun no Revenge

Download Article

1. 
   You know revenge is an important plot element when it’s in the title. This anime follows a young man named Makabe Masamune, who was bullied and rejected by a beautiful girl named Aki Adagaki in middle school. Wanting revenge, Masamune starts working out to become conventionally attractive so he can seduce Aki and break her heart.

   • Genre: Romantic comedy, harem
   • Content warnings: Bullying, body shaming, suggestive content, comedic violence
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Advertisement

20

91 Days

Download Article

1. 
   Set during the Prohibition era in America, 91 Days follows Angelo Lagusa, who witnesses the Vanetti mafia murder his family. He returns years later under the name Avilio Bruno, determined to destroy the mafia from the inside. But as he develops a friendship with Nero Vanetti, his quest for revenge gets even more complicated.

   • Genre: Historical fiction, crime drama, psychological thriller
   • Content warnings: Violence, gore, substance use, grief, trauma
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll

21

Blade of the Immortal

Download Article

1. 
   Blade of the Immortal follows Manji, a swordsman who has been cursed with immortality. In order to atone for his sins and regain his mortality, he sets out to kill 1000 evil men. Along the way, he becomes the bodyguard of a young girl named Rin who is determined to get revenge against those who killed her parents.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, historical drama, action
   • Content warnings: Extreme violence, gore, torture, mutilation, sexual violence, nudity
   • Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Advertisement

22

Afro Samurai

Download Article

1. 
   This 2007 cult classic combines classic samurai anime with a modern hip-hop aesthetic. It follows a swordsman named Afro as he sets out to get revenge on Justice, the man who killed his father in front of Afro when he was a boy. By the time he gets his revenge, will Afro have any humanity left?

   • Genre: Action, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic
   • Content warnings: Violence, gore, sexual content and nudity, profanity
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll

23

Silver Fang: The Shooting Star Gin

Download Article

1. 
   If you’re looking for a more unique cast of characters, Silver Fang: The Shooting Star Gin is about a dog. An Akita puppy named Gin leaves his domesticated life to join a pack of wild dogs. His father, Riki, was killed by a giant bear, and now, Gin is determined to gather an army of dogs to take down the bear once and for all.

   • Genre: Action/adventure, drama
   • Content warnings: Animal violence, gore, animal cruelty, trauma, grief
   • Where to watch: Not available on streaming
Advertisement

24

Dororo

Download Article

1. 
   Dororo follows an orphan boy named Dororo who meets a skilled swordsman named Hyakkimaru, whose limbs were sacrificed to demons when he was a baby. Now, Hyakkimaru is on a mission to destroy those demons and regain his humanity. Dororo becomes his companion and joins him on his quest.

   • Genre: Dark fantasy, action/adventure, historical, supernatural
   • Content warnings: Violence, body horror, torture, child abuse and abandonment, sexual content, animal cruelty, war crimes
   • Where to watch: HIDIVE, Amazon Prime

25

Gungrave

Download Article

1. 
   In Gungrave, Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowell are two best friends who get involved with the Millennion mafia syndicate. After Harry betrays and kills Brandon to gain control of the syndicate, Brandon is later resurrected as a Deadman gunslinger known as Beyond the Grave, and he sets out on a bloody quest for revenge against Harry.

   • Genre: Supernatural, crime drama, sci-fi
   • Content warnings: Gun violence, gore, organized crime, nudity, implied sexual content
   • Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Hulu
Advertisement

26

Prison Lab

Download Article

1. 
   Prison Lab follows Aito Eyama, a bullied high schooler who receives a mysterious invitation to a “captivity game” in which he can imprison a person of his choosing for a month. According to the rules, he can do anything he wants to the prisoner, short of murder. Eyama decides to play, choosing his bully, Aya Kirishima, as his victim.

   • Genre: Psychological horror, thriller
   • Content warnings: Violence, gore, torture, psychological abuse, bullying, imprisonment, dehumanization
   • Where to watch: Not available on streaming

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

• Richard notes that there are popular anime series, like Naruto and Hunter x Hunter, that might not be primarily about revenge, but do have revenge elements going on in the background. For instance, he says Sasuke (Naruto) and Kurapika (HxH) are two characters who are out for revenge.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement