15 Best Anime About Revenge and Betrayal (2025 Update)

by **Mohsin Lag** · May 10, 2020, 12:35 am

Welcome, anime fans, to an updated list that highlights the dark and satisfying world of revenge anime! There’s something undeniably unique about stories where characters, wronged and betrayed, rise from the ashes fueled by a burning desire for vengeance. These stories explore the depths of human emotion, the consuming nature of hatred, and the often-blurry line between justice and retribution. Whether it’s a hero pushed too far or a villain forged in the fires of betrayal, anime about revenge offer intense drama, thrilling action, and complex characters that stick with you long after the credits roll.

This list, originally a top 10, has been expanded and refreshed for 2025 to bring you even more of the best revenge anime, blending timeless classics with recent hits. We’re looking at series where revenge is the driving force, where betrayal cuts deep, and where main characters often undergo incredible transformations – sometimes becoming overpowered, sometimes becoming monstrous – in their quest for payback. From historical epics and fantasy adventures to gritty crime dramas and psychological thrillers, prepare for a journey through some of the most intense and unforgettable revenge plots in anime. Let’s get started!

15. Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii (2024)

Genres: Romance, Drama, Seinen, Yakuza

Kicking off our updated list is a recent title that aired in late 2024, Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii. While billed as a romance, don’t let that fool you – this anime is a tense battle of wills steeped in the dangerous world of the yakuza, where betrayal is always lurking. The story follows Yoshino Somei, the granddaughter of a powerful Osaka yakuza boss, who finds herself unwillingly engaged to Kirishima Miyama, the grandson of a rival Tokyo boss. Yoshino initially wants nothing to do with the arrangement or the seemingly charming Kirishima. However, she soon discovers Kirishima is far more ruthless and manipulative than he appears. As Yoshino navigates this perilous engagement, she finds herself drawn into a complex web of yakuza politics, power struggles, and hidden motives. While not a straightforward revenge plot from the outset, the themes of manipulation, potential betrayal, and the lengths characters will go to protect their interests or exact retribution for perceived slights make this a compelling watch for fans of darker, character-driven narratives with high stakes. It’s a story where trust is a commodity and revenge might be just around the corner.

10. 91 Days

Genres: Action, Drama, Historical

Revenge is a dish best served cold. This chilling quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of 91 Days. Set during the Prohibition era in the United States, this gritty crime thriller follows Angelo Lagusa, a young man whose family was brutally murdered by the Vanetti mafia family. Years later, Angelo returns to his hometown under the alias Avilio Bruno, armed with a mysterious letter detailing the identities of those responsible for his family’s demise. He infiltrates the Vanetti family, slowly befriending the don’s son, Nero, all while meticulously planning his vengeance. 91 Days is a masterclass in suspense and atmosphere, portraying a dark world where loyalty is fragile, violence is rampant, and the pursuit of revenge consumes everything. Avilio’s journey is a tense, calculated descent into darkness, forcing viewers to question the true cost of vengeance.

9. Guilty Crown

Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Super Power, Drama, Romance, Mecha

Guilty Crown drops you into a near-future Japan that’s been shattered by the mysterious and deadly “Apocalypse Virus.” In the aftermath, the country isn’t just broken—it’s controlled by GHQ, a cold, powerful multinational organization. Hope feels like a distant memory… until things get personal.

At the heart of it all is Shu Ouma, your typical quiet high school student—until fate rips that normal life away. Shu accidentally inherits the “Power of Kings,” a strange and godlike ability that lets him pull out people’s Voids—physical manifestations of their hearts and souls, shaped into tools or weapons. Suddenly, Shu’s no longer an observer—he’s on the front lines of a rebellion he never asked for.

He finds himself drawn into Funeral Parlor, a rebel group fighting to take Japan back. They’re led by the magnetic and mysterious Gai Tsutsugami, and fighting alongside them is Inori Yuzuriha, an enigmatic singer whose connection to Shu runs deeper than he realizes.

But Guilty Crown isn’t just an action-packed sci-fi ride—it’s soaked in betrayal, loss, and personal vengeance. Friends become enemies. Truths get twisted. And everyone, in their own way, is carrying pain from the past. Shu’s journey forces him to grow—sometimes too fast, sometimes too painfully—as he struggles with impossible choices, the weight of power, and the heartbreak of watching people he loves fall.

8. Akatsuki No Yona

Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo

Don’t be fooled by the shoujo or reverse harem tags—Akatsuki no Yona quickly shifts into a powerful story of survival, growth, and reclaiming what’s lost through betrayal.

It starts with Princess Yona living a pampered life in the Kingdom of Kouka, but everything shatters on her sixteenth birthday when her cousin—and first love—Soo-Won murders her father and seizes the throne.

Forced to escape with only her fiercely loyal bodyguard Hak, Yona is thrown into a harsh reality she never knew existed. What follows is her transformation: from a heartbroken girl into a determined young woman who wants to protect her people and understand the pain of her kingdom.

Though revenge isn’t her main goal at first, Soo-Won’s betrayal becomes the spark for everything. Her journey to find the legendary Dragon Warriors isn’t just about survival—it’s about gathering strength, facing the truth, and eventually standing up to reclaim her place.

It’s a story that beautifully blends myth, emotion, and a deep, personal fight against betrayal.

7. Btooom!

Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Psychological, Seinen

Btooom! doesn’t waste time—it throws you straight into a high-stakes, kill-or-be-killed survival game where past grudges and revenge fuel every explosion.

Meet Ryouta Sakamoto, a 22-year-old shut-in whose biggest achievement is being one of the top players in the online game Btooom!. His quiet life crashes when he wakes up on a tropical island, no clue how he got there—until bombs start flying. Literally.

What Ryouta quickly learns is chilling: he’s been thrown into a real-life version of his favorite game, where players fight to the death using different kinds of bombs called BIMs. The only way out? Kill seven others.

But this isn’t just about random violence. The people dropped into this hell weren’t chosen by chance—each was nominated by someone in their life, often out of hate, betrayal, or a deep desire for revenge. That’s where the story hits hardest.

As Ryouta navigates the chaos, he meets allies, enemies, and those in between—some just trying to survive, others out for blood to settle old scores. Every encounter is a test of trust, morality, and willpower.

With explosive action and psychological tension, Btooom! is a dark, gripping dive into what people become when pushed to their limits—and how revenge can be the most dangerous weapon of all.

6. Kaze no Stigma

Genres: Action, Magic, Romance, Fantasy, Shounen

Kaze no Stigma spins a fiery (and windy) tale of power, pride, and old grudges that refuse to die quietly. At the heart of it all is Kazuma Yagami, a wind magic user who returns home after four years of exile—a black sheep cast out by the prestigious Kannagi clan, known for their mastery of fire.

Why was he exiled? Simple. He lost a duel to his younger cousin, Ayano, and couldn’t use the clan’s sacred flame magic. That disgrace was enough to get him kicked to the curb. But Kazuma’s back now—stronger, colder, and a whole lot more dangerous.

His timing? Impeccable… or suspicious. Murders have started happening within the Kannagi clan, and the killer’s using wind magic. Naturally, all eyes turn to the outcast who just strolled in with a chip on his shoulder and power to spare.

Kazuma now has two goals: clear his name, and—whether he admits it or not—prove to his family that they were wrong to ever look down on him. Partnered (read: constantly clashing) with the hot-headed Ayano, he become involved in a whirlwind of mystery, magic duels, and deep-seated resentment.

With explosive elemental fights, sharp tension, and an OP MC fueled by pride, pain, and a quiet thirst for justice (or maybe revenge), Kaze no Stigma hits the mark for fans of action-fantasy with emotional weight and personal stakes.

5. Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Harem

Arifureta tells a story about betrayal, survival, and revenge. Hajime Nagumo is a normal high school student until he and his entire class get transported to a fantasy world called Tortus to become heroes.

While the others receive strong powers and fighting skills, Hajime ends up with a weak and useless ability called Synergist, which lets him transmute things. Because of that, he’s looked down on by his classmates. But things get much worse when one of them betrays him during a dungeon mission, and Hajime falls into a deep abyss, all alone.

In the abyss, Hajime has to fight to stay alive. He eats monster meat to survive, gains new powers, and loses an arm and an eye. His old, hopeful self disappears, replaced by someone tougher and colder. His main goal becomes surviving and taking revenge on those who hurt him.

He then meets Yue, a vampire trapped in the dungeon. Together, they form a strong bond and start making their way back to the surface. Hajime’s journey is no longer about saving the world, but about getting home and dealing with anyone who stands in his way.

If you want an isekai story with a hero who tiurns overpowered, faces real struggles, and fights back hard, Arifureta is a good choice.

4. Dororo

Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Demons, Supernatural, Samurai, Dark Fantasy

The 2019 Dororo remake brings Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga to life with a raw, emotional story about loss and revenge. Set during Japan’s chaotic Sengoku era, the powerful lord Daigo Kagemitsu makes a dark deal with twelve demons—trading parts of his newborn son’s body for power and fortune. The baby, named Hyakkimaru, is left for dead but somehow survives, rescued by a kind doctor who gives him prosthetic limbs and hidden weapons.

Hyakkimaru grows up missing many senses, but he can see demons that no one else can. He learns that by killing these demons—each holding a piece of his stolen body—he can get himself back bit by bit. His journey is fueled by revenge not just against the demons, but also against the father who sacrificed him for power.

Along the way, he meets Dororo, a clever orphan thief who becomes his loyal companion. Together, they travel through a dangerous land torn apart by war, fighting demons and facing the cruelty of humans alike. With each demon Hyakkimaru defeats, he regains more of his humanity, but also struggles with the anger and darkness growing inside him.

With stunning animation and a story that hits you right in the feels, Dororo is an unforgettable anime about revenge, redemption, and finding your way back from darkness.

3. The Rising of the Shield Hero

Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

The Rising of the Shield Hero starts off with a major betrayal that basically breaks Naofumi’s world. So, this guy gets summoned from modern Japan along with three others to fight off monster invasions in a fantasy kingdom. Naofumi ends up as the Shield Hero—which sounds cool but basically means he’s stuck playing defense while everyone else gets all the flashy attacks. Then, boom! The princess Malty totally screws him over, stealing his gear and cash, and even falsely accuses him of a super serious crime. Talk about hitting rock bottom.

From there, Naofumi’s life turns into a solo grind filled with anger, distrust, and a burning need to prove everyone wrong. He’s all about leveling up, finding out who set him up, and getting sweet, sweet revenge. Along the way, he teams up with Raphtalia, a fierce demi-human fighter, and Filo, an adorable but deadly bird creature. Despite all the teamwork, Naofumi’s trust issues and scars from betrayal keep things real. This anime doesn’t shy away from tackling heavy stuff like prejudice and betrayal, but it also nails that slow-burn comeback story that keeps you hooked.

2. Kill la Kill

Genres: Action, Comedy, Super Power, Ecchi, School

Kill la Kill is an energetic, wild, and visually crazy action-comedy, but underneath all the chaos is a strong revenge story. Ryuko Matoi is a wandering high school girl hunting for her father’s killer, armed only with half of a giant scissor blade. Her search brings her to Honnouji Academy, a harsh school ruled by the powerful student council president, Satsuki Kiryuin, and her elite members wearing superpowered uniforms. Ryuko suspects Satsuki knows more about her father’s death and challenges her authority. She teams up with Senketsu, a living sailor uniform made of Life Fibers that grants her incredible power when she feeds it her blood. Ryuko’s relentless drive for answers and vengeance pushes the story forward, leading to explosive battles and shocking truths about her past, Life Fibers, and the real goals of Honnouji Academy and Satsuki. It’s a stylish, over-the-top series where revenge starts it all and leads to a bigger, world-changing conflict.

1. Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Genres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Thriller

Next we have Gankutsuou, a stunning sci-fi retelling of Alexandre Dumas’ classic The Count of Monte Cristo — one of the most famous revenge stories ever. Set in a futuristic Paris in 5053, full of aristocrats, advanced tech, and strange supernatural elements, the story is mostly seen through the eyes of Viscount Albert de Morcerf. He becomes fascinated by the mysterious and wealthy Count of Monte Cristo during a festival on the Moon. Albert welcomes the Count into Parisian high society, unaware that the Count is actually Edmond Dantès — a man betrayed years ago by his closest friends, including Albert’s own father, and wrongfully imprisoned. After escaping and gaining great power (and a demonic pact in this version), the Count carefully plans a devastating revenge against those who destroyed his life. Gankutsuou is visually breathtaking, using vibrant colors and unique animation styles. It perfectly captures the original story’s themes of betrayal, obsession, justice, and how long-lasting revenge can corrupt the soul — making it a truly unforgettable revenge anime.

2. Vinland Saga

Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Historical, Seinen

Oh My God, just brace yourself for Vinland Saga—a raw, epic historical drama packed with jaw-dropping animation and deeply complex characters. At its heart, it’s the story of Thorfinn, a young boy whose life is shattered when his legendary warrior dad, Thors, is brutally killed by the sly mercenary leader Askeladd. Instead of running away, Thorfinn does something wild—he joins Askeladd’s crew, training himself to be a ruthless fighter, all so he can one day face Askeladd in a duel and get his revenge.

This burning hatred drives him through endless battles and harsh struggles, but Vinland Saga isn’t just about revenge. It also revolves around how revenge feeds violence, contrasting Thorfinn’s rage with his father’s peaceful dreams of a better world—a place called “Vinland.” The show hits you emotionally and visually, making you feel the weight of every choice and the true cost of vengeance. It’s fierce, powerful, and will stick with you forever.

4. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Genres: Action, Mecha, Military, Sci-Fi, Super Power, Drama, Thriller, School

Code Geass is a brilliant mix of strategy, political drama, and rebellion, all fueled by a powerful desire for revenge. The story takes place in an alternate timeline where the Holy Britannian Empire has conquered Japan, renaming it Area 11. Lelouch vi Britannia is an exiled prince living undercover as a student in Area 11. He hates the empire and his father, the Emperor, blaming them for his mother’s murder and his sister Nunnally’s paralysis. Everything changes when he meets a mysterious girl named C.C., who gives him the power of Geass — the ability to command anyone to do anything. Taking on the masked identity of “Zero,” Lelouch creates the Black Knights, a resistance group, to fight against Britannia. Though his goal is to build a kinder world for Nunnally, his tactics are often ruthless and manipulative, driven by his personal grudge against the empire and his family. The series is known for its complex twists, moral dilemmas, epic mecha battles, and Lelouch’s sharp, if sometimes morally gray, mind. Revenge is the spark that lights the rebellion, making Code Geass a prime example of the theme woven into a sweeping political drama.

2. Attack on Titan

Genres: Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen, Dark Fantasy

Though Attack on Titan grows into a huge story about war, freedom, and harsh truths, it all starts with revenge. The world’s people live behind massive walls, scared of giant man-eating Titans. Young Eren Yeager sees his hometown destroyed and his mother killed by a Titan during a wall breach. This trauma fills him with a fierce hatred for Titans and a vow to wipe them all out. He joins the military, specifically the Survey Corps, whose mission is to fight Titans beyond the walls, all driven by this burning need for revenge. As the story goes on, the enemy and the world become more complicated, and Eren’s reasons shift, sometimes darken, but his original, raw desire for vengeance remains a strong undercurrent. Attack on Titan is known worldwide for shocking twists, brutal fights, and its deep look at cycles of hatred—all sparked by one boy’s promise for revenge.

1. Berserk

Genres: Action, Demons, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Military, Romance, Seinen

Our list wouldn’t be complete without including Berserk. It all starts with Guts, the Black Swordsman, on a relentless quest for revenge against Griffith, his former friend turned enemy.

Whether it’s the classic ’97 series, the manga, movies, or the recent remakes, the story centers on Guts, the Black Swordsman, and his savage quest for vengeance against Griffith, his former friend turned nightmare.

Guts starts as a lone mercenary, powerful and fierce, who finds a rare sense of belonging with the Band of the Hawk, led by the charismatic Griffith. But everything shatters during the Eclipse—a horrifying event Griffith triggers to ascend to godhood. The Band is slaughtered, and Guts’ lover Casca is tragically violated. Guts survives, but he’s branded, hunted by demons, and left with a missing arm and eye.

Fueled by grief and rage, Guts sets off on a relentless and bloody mission to destroy Griffith and the demonic forces that ruined his life. Berserk doesn’t shy away from the darkest sides of trauma, fate, and revenge—it’s raw, unforgettable, and absolutely iconic in the world of anime and manga.