Best Anime Where The Main Character Is Betrayed

Betrayal can flip a story on its head and push a hero into their most defining choices. These anime put their leads through painful backstabs from friends, mentors, and entire systems they believed in. Each entry below highlights where the trust breaks and how that turn shapes the journey. If you are looking for twists that cut deep and consequences that linger, this lineup delivers.

‘Berserk’ (1997–1998)

Guts fights alongside the Band of the Hawk and rises through its ranks under Griffith’s command. When Griffith sacrifices his comrades to ascend, Guts loses almost everything in a single night. The event marks the end of the Hawks and the beginning of Guts’ crusade. That betrayal defines his path and fuels every battle that follows.

‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’ (2006–2008)

Lelouch builds a rebellion using the power of Geass and the trust of a masked inner circle. Shifts in allegiance inside the Black Knights expose his identity and shatter the unity he forged. Key confidants turn on him in a public reckoning that strips away control. The fallout forces Lelouch to recalibrate his entire plan.

‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)

Akira accepts Ryo’s guidance to become a devilman and protect people from demons. The truth about Ryo’s identity and motives turns their bond into a devastating betrayal. Akira’s belief in their shared cause collapses as humanity pays the price. The final conflict is shaped by that broken trust.

‘Erased’ (2016)

Satoru travels back to his childhood to stop a killer and save his classmates. He trusts an adult mentor who presents a calm and helpful front. The revelation of the true culprit twists that trust into danger for Satoru and those he protects. His plan must pivot once the mask comes off.

‘The Promised Neverland’ (2019–2021)

Emma and her friends grow up in an idyllic orphanage that hides a grim purpose. Their caretaker appears loving while preparing them for a fate they never suspect. The discovery breaks their sense of safety and pushes them into a high stakes escape. Every step after that reveal is driven by caution and strategy.

‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’ (2011)

Madoka and her friends form contracts that seem to grant simple wishes for heroic work. The familiar behind those deals hides the cost and the true purpose of magical girls. That deception pushes the girls into a cycle they cannot escape without sacrifice. The reveal forces Madoka to confront a system built on broken promises.

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019– )

Thorfinn follows his father, a famed warrior who left the battlefield for peace. A plot against his father turns their journey into a murder that robs Thorfinn of his guide. The boy attaches himself to the killers while seeking a fair duel that never comes. That early betrayal sets the tone for years of struggle and growth.

‘Banana Fish’ (2018)

Ash Lynx survives on street smarts and a tight circle of allies. Powerful figures pretend to support him while exploiting his past and the drug at the center of the plot. Double crosses pull him into traps that threaten everyone close to him. Trust becomes a scarce resource as Ash fights to sever those strings.

‘Monster’ (2004–2005)

Dr. Tenma saves a young boy who later becomes a notorious killer. Institutions turn on Tenma once he pursues the truth behind the murders. Old colleagues and authority figures place their reputations above justice and leave him isolated. The chase becomes a test of his principles against a web of deceit.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Eren trains with a group united by the goal of protecting humanity. When identities inside the ranks are revealed, that unity breaks in a single battle. Friends become enemies and past camaraderie turns into a fight for survival. The secret plan behind the walls reshapes every relationship.

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)

Naruto’s first big crisis hits when Mizuki tricks him into stealing a forbidden scroll. The setup leaves Naruto branded as the culprit while the real thief hides. Iruka’s defense exposes the lie and puts Mizuki’s treachery in the open. That event teaches Naruto how fragile trust can be in his own village.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans’ (2015–2017)

The boys of Tekkadan take dangerous jobs to secure a future they can own. Adult patrons promise protection then pull support when politics shift. Betrayals inside power blocs leave Tekkadan exposed to overwhelming force. Their leaders must gamble everything to keep the group alive.

‘Akame ga Kill!’ (2014)

Tatsumi arrives in the capital and is welcomed by a noble family with kindness. He discovers their hospitality hides cruelty that nearly costs him his life. The truth steers him toward Night Raid and a campaign against systemic abuse. That first betrayal sets his moral compass for the battles ahead.

‘The Rising of the Shield Hero’ (2019– )

Naofumi is summoned with three other heroes and expects fair treatment from the kingdom. A false accusation orchestrated by a princess ruins his reputation and isolates him. Merchants refuse service and knights target him while officials look the other way. He rebuilds by forming his own party and proving his value through results that the crown cannot ignore.

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014–2018)

Kaneki begins as an ordinary student who trusts the people around him. A café network shelters him while rival groups court his allegiance. A brutal ambush exposes hidden agendas and leaves him at the mercy of torturers. The trauma reshapes his outlook and severs ties he once relied on.

‘Fate/Zero’ (2011–2012)

Kiritsugu enters the Holy Grail War with a team that includes a loyal retainer and a proud king. Alliances between masters are temporary and bound by convenience. A supposed partner turns on an agreement once victory seems close. The double cross pushes Kiritsugu into harsher tactics that cost him dearly.

‘Guilty Crown’ (2011–2012)

Shu is pulled into a resistance movement after gaining a power that draws attention from the state. Friends at school and rebels compete to guide his choices. A trusted figure undercuts his authority during a crisis and fractures the group. The aftermath forces Shu to take control without the support he expected.

‘Made in Abyss’ (2017– )

Riko descends into the Abyss guided by explorers whose records shape every decision. Official rules claim to protect delvers while hiding grim realities. A mentor figure with inside knowledge withholds truths that put her team at risk. The revelations change how Riko views both the journey and the people charting it.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

Edward and Alphonse trust state alchemists and the military for resources and protection. They discover a conspiracy that uses their nation as a tool for a hidden goal. Officers they admired serve plans that disregard human lives. The brothers shift to covert work to uncover the truth and stop the plot.

‘Psycho-Pass’ (2012–2019)

Akane believes the public safety system she serves is fair and precise. Investigations uncover selective enforcement that shields certain crimes. Colleagues act on orders that conflict with justice and leave her team exposed. Akane must choose between keeping her post and confronting the structure behind those choices.

‘Dororo’ (2019)

Hyakkimaru seeks the body parts stolen from him by demons after a pact made by his father. Nobles who should protect their people profit from his suffering. Guardians who claim neutrality abandon him when his quest threatens their power. He continues with Dororo while deciding what to do with the truth about his family.

‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022– )

Denji joins a government unit that promises safety and steady work. A coordinated attack by enemies exploits insiders who feed them information. Team members are targeted in a strike that upends every routine. Denji must fight through uncertainty while figuring out who is still on his side.

‘Aldnoah.Zero’ (2014–2015)

Inaho survives an assault that follows a failed peace mission. Aristocrats from Mars exploit a false narrative to justify war. Human leaders on Earth cannot agree on a response and leave frontline units undermanned. Inaho relies on his own judgment when official support breaks down.

‘Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress’ (2016)

Ikoma designs a weapon to fight the creatures overrunning the land and boards an armored train. A charismatic commander arrives with supplies and a plan that wins trust. His methods turn out to be self serving and put passengers in danger. Ikoma and his friends must retake control before the route is lost.

‘Bungo Stray Dogs’ (2016– )

Atsushi escapes an abusive orphanage and joins a detective agency with unusual talents. Criminal groups lure defectors and seed rumors to fracture teams. A trusted ally plays both sides and sets traps that nearly destroy the agency. Atsushi learns to keep backup plans and cross check every lead.

’91 Days’ (2016)

Avilio infiltrates a mafia family to avenge his parents and uses a forged identity. His handlers promise targets and safe exits while hiding their own schemes. Friends inside the family change loyalties when power shifts. Avilio has to improvise as deals collapse and the cost of his plan rises.

‘Yona of the Dawn’ (2014–2015)

Princess Yona grows up sheltered and believes her court will protect her. A coup led by someone close to her kills the king and seizes the palace. Guards she trusted follow the new ruler and hunt her across the land. She escapes with a single bodyguard and begins gathering allies to reclaim her future.

‘Steins;Gate’ (2011)

Okabe experiments with messages that alter events and attracts the attention of a secret group. A contact who seemed helpful steals a vital device and triggers a crackdown. Friends are captured or threatened as the city tightens around them. Okabe must undo changes while deciding who can still be trusted.

‘Black Lagoon’ (2006)

Rock is abducted by pirates and then chooses to work with them after his company disowns him. Corporate agents treat him as disposable and cut him off from his old life. Negotiations with clients reveal layers of lies that put his crew in crossfire. Rock learns to navigate deals without expecting good faith from anyone.

‘Claymore’ (2007)

Clare serves an organization that creates warriors to fight monsters. The group withholds critical details and uses cruel experiments to maintain control. Comrades who question orders are discarded or silenced. Clare seeks answers outside the chain of command to protect those the group would sacrifice.

‘Btooom!’ (2012)

Ryouta wakes on an island where players use bombs to hunt each other for a twisted game. Sponsors manipulate contestants with promises of rescue. A partner he relies on hoards resources and sells out positions. Ryouta has to rebuild a team while tracking who is playing both sides.

‘Tower of God’ (2020– )

Bam enters a mysterious tower to reunite with the person he cares about most. Trials reward deception and encourage betrayal to climb higher. Allies trade favors that vanish when the next floor begins. Bam keeps moving as he learns the rules were never meant to be fair.

‘No. 6’ (2011)

Shion grows up in a model city that promises safety and opportunity. The government hides outbreaks and eliminates witnesses to keep its image. Former mentors turn him in when he asks the wrong questions. Shion escapes to the outskirts and learns how the city maintains order.

‘Seraph of the End’ (2015– )

Yuichiro vows to destroy the vampires who killed his family and joins an elite unit. Commanders push secret projects that treat soldiers as tools. A friend becomes a weapon for the enemy through forced experiments. Yuichiro has to balance rescue with duty while trust erodes inside his ranks.

‘Blassreiter’ (2008)

Gerd is a champion who loses everything after a crash and accepts an experimental treatment. The organization behind it hides the side effects and spreads the threat. Colleagues frame him as the problem to protect the program. Gerd fights to expose the truth while his body changes.

‘Wolf’s Rain’ (2003–2004)

Kiba follows a legend that promises a path to paradise for wolves disguised among humans. Leaders of powerful sects exploit that legend for their own ends. A companion who seems devoted pursues a separate goal that undercuts the group. Kiba continues despite losses that test the pack’s bond.

‘Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit’ (2007)

Balsa accepts a job to protect a prince marked for death by his own court. Officials spread stories to justify hunting the boy. Allies inside the palace switch sides when pressure rises. Balsa keeps him alive by staying mobile and choosing contacts with care.

‘Appleseed XIII’ (2011–2012)

Deunan works for a city that claims to be a model of peace guided by advanced systems. Security heads run covert missions that contradict their public message. A mole inside her unit leaks operations and endangers civilians. Deunan traces the breach while deciding how much of the city’s plan she can still serve.

‘Darker than Black’ (2007–2009)

Hei completes contracts for a shadow network after a cataclysm changes the world. Employers rewrite deals and erase teams when jobs go wrong. A supposed ally trades sensitive intel that puts him in traps. Hei keeps moving between covers while searching for the people behind those orders.

‘Akudama Drive’ (2020)

A civilian swept into a heist takes on a fake identity to survive among criminals. The mission sponsor hides key details and sets the team up to fail. Partners abandon agreements once the payout shifts. The survivor has to improvise under fire as loyalties break in minutes.

‘Kaiji’ (2007–2011)

Kaiji is thrown into underground gambling where debts decide survival. He relies on temporary teammates who sell him out for small advantages. A partner swaps sides during a critical game and leaves Kaiji exposed to ruin. The setback forces him to devise new strategies without expecting loyalty.

‘Danganronpa: The Animation’ (2013)

Makoto wakes up in a locked school where classmates must uncover a killer among them. Alliances form during trials and then break when evidence points in a new direction. A trusted figure manipulates the group and frames others to keep the game running. Makoto learns to question every confession and motive.

‘Higurashi: When They Cry’ (2006– )

Keiichi moves to a quiet village that hides violent secrets. Friends act supportive while rumors and paranoia twist their behavior. In certain arcs the group turns on him and pushes him toward desperate acts. Each repeat shows how fragile their trust is under pressure.

‘Oshi no Ko’ (2023– )

Aqua enters the entertainment world and follows leads about a hidden mastermind. Industry contacts promise help while steering him toward traps. Friends with insider knowledge keep crucial details from him to protect their own plans. Aqua narrows his suspects after public deals and private favors fall apart.

‘Dr. Stone’ (2019– )

Senku starts rebuilding civilization and shares inventions with early allies. A faction led by a charismatic rival claims to support peace then targets him. Senku survives an assassination attempt that splits the survivors into opposing camps. He rebuilds by recruiting craftsmen and securing resources the rival cannot match.

Share your favorite betrayal driven anime moments in the comments and tell us which twists shocked you the most.