A villain turning into a hero is a classic storyline that most fans love to see unfold. To see one who was utterly sadistic and heartless turn into a person that cares for others adds a little sweetness that was otherwise missing. They might lose their evil ways, but they still retain some of their characteristics.RELATED: Best Shonen Anime For Seinen FansIf anything, the heroes of these series gain a powerful ally to fight by their side. Some of them still have their rivalries with the protagonists, but overall have switched to the good side.

10 Migi From Parasyte-The Maxim-

Migi Parasyte -the maxim-

Migi started the series with the intention of taking over Shinichi Izumi’s body, but it wasn’t able to and settled inside his arm. Their relationship was off to a rocky start since Migi wanted full control of Shinichi’s body and caused havoc in his social life. Luckily for Shinichi, survival is key in Migi’s world.

Considered a failure because he didn’t take over Shinichi’s brain, other parasites like Migi attack them. Migi and Shinichi slowly become a team throughout the series and form a bond. Migi might not be a traditional hero since they really don’t care who is killed. If it means surviving, Migi will kill whoever threatens their and Shinichi’s lives.

9 Seto Kaiba From Yu-Gi-Oh!

Seto Kaiba Yu-Gi-Oh! first season last season

At the beginning of the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, Seto Kaiba was a young man that was horrible to just about everyone around him. After his defeat by Yami Yugi and having this evil taken from him, Kaiba changed.

He became more of an anti-hero, willing to help out Yugi and the others only when it suited him. He is still self-centered and arrogant but has toned it down a little.

8 Sesshomaru From Inuyasha

Sesshomaru demon form Inuyasha

The older brother of Inuyasha, Sesshomaru started off the Inuyasha series wanting to kill him and has fought against him multiple times. The only thing the two brothers have in common besides their father is wanting to put an end to Naraku.

Sesshomaru disliked humans and preferred to stay away from them, but after meeting Rin, he decided they weren’t all bad. Overall, Sesshomaru isn’t a bad person but is still cold and stoic to almost everyone he talks to.

7 Greed From Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Greed Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood death

Greed is a Homunculus created by Father who refused to follow his creator's orders. After being captured by Bradley and given back to Father, Greed laughed as he was killed and cursed at him and the other Homunculi. When he was reborn, he was inserted into Ling Yao’s body with no memories of his previous life. It isn’t until after he kills Bido, a member of his gang, that Greed gains his memories back and fights Father once again.

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Overall, Greed was a man that was looking out only for himself and his gang. Despite his arrogant and narcissistic personality, Greed cared for his gang and Ling Yao. He sacrificed himself to save Ling’s soul and weakened Father to help Edward defeat him.

6 Hiei From Yu Yu Hakusho

Hiei evil Yu Yu Hakusho anime

Hiei might be an ally now, but he is still one of the most ruthless fighters in Yu Yu Hakusho. At the beginning of the series, he lured Yusuke in by attacking Keiko and nearly succeeded in turning her into a demon.

After Yusuke defeats him, Hiei is forced to work for Koenma alongside Kurama. He reluctantly joins forces with Yusuke and Kuwabara during the Maze Castle arc. Hiei continues to fight alongside them for most of the series while still having a rivalry with Yusuke.

5 Hendrickson From Seven Deadly Sins

Hendrickson demon form human form Seven Deadly Sins anime

Hendrickson wasn’t always a bad guy. He started off as an honorable Holy Knight that wanted to protect the Liones Kingdom. The only thing is, there isn’t anything to protect it from. He believed that the Holy Knights had no true purpose and sought to start the Holy War prophesied by King Liones. Hendrickson conspired with Dreyfus and the demon Fraudrin (who had taken over Dreyfus’ body) to kill Zaratras, a high-ranking Holy Knight, and pin it on the Seven Deadly Sins.

After killing Zaratras and experimenting with demon corpses, Hendrickson injected their blood into him and other Holy Knights to boost their powers. He was defeated by Meliodas and returned to being a full human after his Gray Demon form was removed. Hendrickson then pledges to save Dreyfus and help atone for what he’d done.

4 Gajeel Redfox From Fairy Tail

Gajeel Redfox Phantom Lord guild Fairy Tail anime

He spent most of Fairy Tail as a good guy, but Gajeel first appeared as a villain. Part of the Phantom Lord guild, Gajeel attacked the Fairy Tail guildhall and their small group, Team Shadow Gear. After Phantom Lord disbanded, Gajeel was brought into the Fairy Tail guild since Makarov believed there was good in him. Slowly but surely, Gajeel proved his worth to the guild and became one of its strongest mages.

All of the Fairy Tail mages now trust Gajeel and don’t question his loyalty. He and Levy, who is part of Team Shadow Gear, became a couple and are expecting a child.

3 Gaara From Naruto

Gaara evil Naruto Shippuden Kazekage anime

Gaara’s life mirrored Naruto’s at the beginning of the Naruto series. Both were feared and shunned by the villagers because of the tailed beasts they had inside their bodies. Rasa, Gaara’s father, tested Gaara’s control of his tailed beast and ordered Yashamaru, Gaara’s uncle, to attack him. Under Rasa’s orders, Yashamaru broke Gaara’s spirit by telling him he was never loved by him or his sister, Gaara’s mother. This event changed Gaara and he became hateful towards people and mentally unbalanced.

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It wasn’t until his defeat by Naruto that he changed for the better. He started by improving his relationships with his siblings and villagers in Suna. Gaara eventually became the next Kazekage and one of Naruto’s most trusted allies.

2 Ken Ichijouji From Digimon Adventure 02

Ken Ichijouji Digimon Emperor Digimon season 2 anime

Ken was the main villain for the first part of Digimon Adventure 02 and served as the heartless Digimon Emperor. As the Emperor, Ken was sadistic and cruel, enslaving and causing the suffering of many Digimon. It wasn’t until his Digimon partner Wormmon sacrificed himself to give Magnamon more power to defeat Kimeramon, Ken’s uncontrollable Digimon creation, that he realizes what he’s done. After being reunited with Wormmon, Ken sets out to right his wrongs.

For a while he and Wormmon are on their own, knowing that the other DigiDestined don’t trust him. Ken is eventually accepted by them as they see that he is genuine in his efforts. He and DigiDestined Yolei marry when they grow up and have a family.

1 Vegeta From Dragon Ball Series

Vegeta Dragon Ball series evil anime Bulma

Probably the most well-known villain that turned into a hero, Vegeta has destroyed planets, killed tons of people, and was responsible for the deaths of most of the Z-Fighters during the Saiyan Saga. Luckily for him, Goku tells Krillin to spare his life after his defeat. He becomes an ally during the Frieza Saga, though he is still looking out for himself. Vegeta is obsessed with getting stronger to beat Goku, but he is shown to be respectful to very few outside of combat.

One thing that shows Vegeta has softened up (albeit very little) is his relationship with Bulma and Trunks. When he thought Cell killed Future Trunks, he went into a rampage and attacked Cell. The same thing happened when Beerus slapped Bulma. He might be aloof for the most part around them, but Vegeta shows with his actions that he cares deeply about his family.

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