In recent years, the popularity of anime has exploded making them a worldwide phenomenon. The best thing about anime is that it is an art form only limited by the creator's imagination. As such, fans have been introduced to some truly amazing characters and Incredible stories over the years. But with time, the anime media has become more and more saturated, with many shows following the same "good guys always win" trope.

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Although there is nothing inherently bad with heroes always walking away with a victory on their hands, it does not always sit well with anime fans. This is largely due to the fact that a narrative becomes more interesting if the heroes face some kind of loss, instead of always finding a way to win. It keeps the premise of a show from becoming dull, and it makes a hero's eventual win feel more rewarding. Keeping in view of this discussion, here are five anime that subvert the "Good Guys Always Win" trope whilst delivering some truly incredible stories.

5 Naruto Shippuden

Naruto Shippuden; Naruto vs. Sasuke

"You either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain." No show highlights this notion better than Naruto Shippuden. The shinobi world has always been filled with chaos and tyranny, resulting in the fall many good willed shinobi. Time and time again fans have seen their favorite heroes die at the hands of the treacherous villains through the course of this show.

Whether it be the merciless killing of the Toad Sage, Jiraiya, by the Six Paths of Pain, or the gut-wrenching slaughter of Asuma Sarutobi by the Akatsuki, this show has no shortage of moments where the heroes ended up losing in a fight. What makes Naruto Shippuden more interesting is that most of its villains were also noble shinobi at one point, but who eventually turned to the dark side due to the loss of their loved ones.

4 Monster

Monster; Dr. Tenma Facing Johan

There is no show that indulges in the misery of its own protagonist more than Naoki Urasawa's Monster. Monster stars the upright and honest Dr. Kenzo Tenma who has to face the consequence of the decisions he made out of a good heart. Instead of treating a politician, Dr. Tenma proceeded to save the life of a fatally shot young boy.

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Unbeknownst to him, however, the boy would grow up to become a malicious monster wreaking havoc wherever he went. Throughout the show's premise, Dr. Tenma pursues the boy, named Johan, out the guilt of saving him. He ends up losing his fiancee, his status and his life all because of a righteous deed he once did.

3 Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is a show that quickly establishes the fact its heroes will not always walk away unscathed. From the very first episode fans are shown a glimpse of the brutal fate that awaits the protagonists of this show. Although the show starts out from the perspective of a young Eren Yeager, leading fans to believe he is meant to be the saviour of his people, however after a couple of seasons, fans are left bewildered unable to identify which side to root for.

Mysteries and betrayals aside, the true horror in Attack on Titan lies with the might of the Titans. Whenever a Titan has appeared in the show, there was no telling if the good guys were going to make it out alive. From the slaughter of Commander Erwin's entire squad to the demise of the Commander himself, these Titans have been caused the death of countless heroes throughout the show.

2 Vinland Saga

Vinland Saga

Vinland Saga is of the most grounded shows in this list, and yet that does not stop it from being the most thrilling show out there. This show has a remarkable tendency to keep its fans hooked until the very end. Vinland Saga starts off with the focus on Thors Snorresson, a noble and mighty warrior feared throughout the lands.

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By the time the events of Vinland Saga start to unfold, Thors had already left behind his dark past and had in fact become a symbol of peace for his village. Unfortunately when a band of thieves threatened the life of his son Thorfinn, the real protagonist of the show, Thors was left with no choice but to surrender, even though he won the battle against them. Eventually, Thors was assassinated by a bandit named Askeladd, setting his son Thorfinn on a treacherous journey of revenge.

1 Death Note

Light and L

Interestingly enough, Death Note is a very unique anime as its central protagonist is also the main villain of the show. The dynamic between Light Yagami's obsession with power and L's pursuit to uncovering Light's true motives are a thrilling ride which keeps viewers guessing through its entirety.

Ultimately, L falls victim to Light's plan who succeeds in learning L's true name and ends up killing him with his Death Note. The show then shifts its focus to two of L's disciples M and N, tasked with stopping Kira (Name given to Light's identity). It does not get any easier for these new heroes however, as Light is seemingly always one step ahead of them.

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