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Nothing stings more than a knife in the back. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Anime Betrayals.

This list isn’t just dedicated to the bastards who screw people over, but the overall betrayal as a whole. We’re putting emphasis on betrayals the audience wasn’t expecting, over betrayals that we all knew were coming. We are also excluding brainwashing via supernatural powers, as those types of betrayals are unintentional.

#10: Sailor Uranus And Sailor Neptune Join Sailor Galaxia
“Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars” (1996-97)Talk about upping the ante for a series finale. Sailor Uranus and Neptune joining the villainess Galaxia is bad enough, but to watch them pummel the scouts that hadn’t been killed AND kill Pluto and Saturn is heart crushing, not just because they’re allies, but because they’re practically Saturn’s adoptive parents. The betrayal was a failed attempt to catch Galaxia off-guard and, inevitably, leads to the two “betrayers” being killed. Can we go back to the simple days of Sailor Moon crying her villains away, now?

#9: Archer Wants To Kill... Himself?
“Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works” (2014-15)Most characters from an alternate timeline want to change the course of history. Archer is no exception, but his methods, and motivations, are a bit of a doozy. He leaves his master, Rin, because he thinks Caster has a greater chance of winning the Holy Grail War. Then he kills her. Don’t gasp yet, that’s not the most shocking part. Wait for it… Archer wants to kill the main character, Shirou, because... Archer IS Shirou Archer, for lack of better words, wants to kill himself.

#8: An Entire Series Based On Betrayal
“Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo” (2005)Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel is known for being the ultimate tale of revenge. The anime adaptation adds a vivid, sci-fi flair while keeping all of the brutal backstabbing in tact. You want the Count to win. He was imprisoned for false charges while the love of his life unknowingly married one of the men who betrayed him. So, yes, we’re rooting for him... and feel guilty for cheering so loudly. We’re torn between wanting these people to suffer and feeling bad for what they, and their families, go through.

#7: Annie Leonhart Is The Female Titan
“Attack on Titan” (2013-)Surely you can handle a few more WTF moments in this anime, right? The female titan cranked up the intensity in a series that, let’s face it, already has us on edge with every episode. After watching her brutally murder quite a few characters -- including Levi’s squad -- and beat the crap out of Eren’s ) titan form, she’s finally defeated. While there’s clues pointing to her identity and the others pray that they’re wrong, it’s still upsetting to watch Annie’s face as she cuts into her wrist and transforms.

#6: Arashi Betrays The Dragons Of Heaven
“X/1999” (2002-03)It’s hard to alter your fate, but damnit, Arashi gives it a good try. Sorata, the lovable hero that he is, says that it’s his destiny to die for the woman he loves. Arashi ignores him at first, but the two do end up growing closer. Later, Sorata is severely injured, but keeps the smile on his face since Arashi is o.k. This solidifies Arashi’s decision to leave the group and join the opposing side, because if she’s a villain, Sorata has no reason to die for her, right?

#5: Aizen Betrays The Soul Society
“Bleach” (2006-12)Never. Ever. Trust the quiet ones. Especially if those quiet ones wear glasses. A once well-respected captain, no one was expecting the major turn in his character, not just because of that gentle smile, but because he was kinda, well... murdered. His lieutenant, Momo, was overjoyed to see that he was actually alive... only to be stabbed by him and left for dead. At least after his evil reveal, he ditched the glasses and trusting appearance as he spoke of plans to “stand atop of the world.”

#4: Satsuki Betrays Ragyo
“Kill la Kill” (2014)At the start of the series we’re pretty confident that Satsuki -- sorry, Lady Satsuki -- is the main villain, not just from Ryuko’s assumptions, but from the fact that she’s made “resting bitch face” into a way of life. However, as the series progresses, we finally meet its real antagonist: Satsuki’s mother, Ragyo. There’s plenty of reason to despise her, but for the sake of this list, we’ll point to how she’s been taking pleasure in molesting her own daughter for years. Ah, we’ve never been so satisfied with a literal backstabbing.

#3: Do Not Sign Kyubey's Contract
“Madoka Magica” (2012)Isn’t Kyubey the cutest? And he’ll grant any wish you want... as long as you sign his contract and become a magical girl. Who wouldn’t want to be a magical girl? Who wouldn’t want to have their wish granted? Us. Us and anyone who has seen this series. Kyubey is a sadistic, unfeeling creature who tortures these girls while rolling around like a kitty and eating his own remains. The worst part is that, technically, he did give everyone what they wanted... he just failed to mention the soul-sucking torment.

#2: Anthy ) Stabs Utena In The Back – Literally
“Revolutionary Girl Utena” (1998)Utena wants to be a prince. Anthy is treated like a tool -- even by her own brother. Together, these two young women form a bond that goes beyond the connection between a prince and his princess. It’s not just a matter of friendship, it’s a matter of Utena being the only one who’s ever treated Anthy as a living, breathing person. And after we finally feel like Anthy has made some progress... she stabs Utena, the only person who cares about her, in the back. Literally.

Before we reveal the number one betrayer of our trust, let’s look at a few honorable mentions:
Itachi Kills His Own Clan
“Naruto” (2005-09)
Villetta Nu Shoots Her Lover
“Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion” (2008-09)
Grell Betrays Madame Red
“Black Butler” (2010)
Yui Hates Miaka
“Fushigi Yuugi” (1995)
Rossiu Overthrows Simon
“Gurren Lagaan” (2008)

#1: Griffith Becomes Femto
“Berserk” (2003)After Griffith’s dreams are shattered by a King who loves his daughter in a way that… well… nobody could have expected, Griffith is left to rot away in the deepest, darkest dungeon. When his loyal Band, led by Casca ) and Guts risk everything to rescue him Griffith is finally given the opportunity to fulfill his destiny. However, offers from a demon don’t come cheap, and Griffith agrees to sacrifice his lifelong friends and companions to transform himself into a demon king. Probably the most tragic part is that the Band, unaware of what is really happening, are still trying to protect Griffith, even as they are being torn apart. Oh and this is how the anime ENDS. That’s it, bad guy wins.

Do you agree with our list? Which anime do you think we betrayed by leaving it off our list? For more trustworthy top tens published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.

Description

Nothing stings more than a knife in the back. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Anime Betrayals.

This list isn’t just dedicated to the bastards who screw people over, but the overall betrayal as a whole. We’re putting emphasis on betrayals the audience wasn’t expecting, over betrayals that we all knew were coming. We are also excluding brainwashing via supernatural powers, as those types of betrayals are unintentional.

#10: Sailor Uranus And Sailor Neptune Join Sailor Galaxia
“Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars” (1996-97)Talk about upping the ante for a series finale. Sailor Uranus and Neptune joining the villainess Galaxia is bad enough, but to watch them pummel the scouts that hadn’t been killed AND kill Pluto and Saturn is heart crushing, not just because they’re allies, but because they’re practically Saturn’s adoptive parents. The betrayal was a failed attempt to catch Galaxia off-guard and, inevitably, leads to the two “betrayers” being killed. Can we go back to the simple days of Sailor Moon crying her villains away, now?

#9: Archer Wants To Kill... Himself?
“Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works” (2014-15)Most characters from an alternate timeline want to change the course of history. Archer is no exception, but his methods, and motivations, are a bit of a doozy. He leaves his master, Rin, because he thinks Caster has a greater chance of winning the Holy Grail War. Then he kills her. Don’t gasp yet, that’s not the most shocking part. Wait for it… Archer wants to kill the main character, Shirou, because... Archer IS Shirou Archer, for lack of better words, wants to kill himself.

#8: An Entire Series Based On Betrayal
“Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo” (2005)Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel is known for being the ultimate tale of revenge. The anime adaptation adds a vivid, sci-fi flair while keeping all of the brutal backstabbing in tact. You want the Count to win. He was imprisoned for false charges while the love of his life unknowingly married one of the men who betrayed him. So, yes, we’re rooting for him... and feel guilty for cheering so loudly. We’re torn between wanting these people to suffer and feeling bad for what they, and their families, go through.

#7: Annie Leonhart Is The Female Titan
“Attack on Titan” (2013-)Surely you can handle a few more WTF moments in this anime, right? The female titan cranked up the intensity in a series that, let’s face it, already has us on edge with every episode. After watching her brutally murder quite a few characters -- including Levi’s squad -- and beat the crap out of Eren’s ) titan form, she’s finally defeated. While there’s clues pointing to her identity and the others pray that they’re wrong, it’s still upsetting to watch Annie’s face as she cuts into her wrist and transforms.

#6: Arashi Betrays The Dragons Of Heaven
“X/1999” (2002-03)It’s hard to alter your fate, but damnit, Arashi gives it a good try. Sorata, the lovable hero that he is, says that it’s his destiny to die for the woman he loves. Arashi ignores him at first, but the two do end up growing closer. Later, Sorata is severely injured, but keeps the smile on his face since Arashi is o.k. This solidifies Arashi’s decision to leave the group and join the opposing side, because if she’s a villain, Sorata has no reason to die for her, right?

#5: Aizen Betrays The Soul Society
“Bleach” (2006-12)Never. Ever. Trust the quiet ones. Especially if those quiet ones wear glasses. A once well-respected captain, no one was expecting the major turn in his character, not just because of that gentle smile, but because he was kinda, well... murdered. His lieutenant, Momo, was overjoyed to see that he was actually alive... only to be stabbed by him and left for dead. At least after his evil reveal, he ditched the glasses and trusting appearance as he spoke of plans to “stand atop of the world.”

#4: Satsuki Betrays Ragyo
“Kill la Kill” (2014)At the start of the series we’re pretty confident that Satsuki -- sorry, Lady Satsuki -- is the main villain, not just from Ryuko’s assumptions, but from the fact that she’s made “resting bitch face” into a way of life. However, as the series progresses, we finally meet its real antagonist: Satsuki’s mother, Ragyo. There’s plenty of reason to despise her, but for the sake of this list, we’ll point to how she’s been taking pleasure in molesting her own daughter for years. Ah, we’ve never been so satisfied with a literal backstabbing.

#3: Do Not Sign Kyubey's Contract
“Madoka Magica” (2012)Isn’t Kyubey the cutest? And he’ll grant any wish you want... as long as you sign his contract and become a magical girl. Who wouldn’t want to be a magical girl? Who wouldn’t want to have their wish granted? Us. Us and anyone who has seen this series. Kyubey is a sadistic, unfeeling creature who tortures these girls while rolling around like a kitty and eating his own remains. The worst part is that, technically, he did give everyone what they wanted... he just failed to mention the soul-sucking torment.

#2: Anthy ) Stabs Utena In The Back – Literally
“Revolutionary Girl Utena” (1998)Utena wants to be a prince. Anthy is treated like a tool -- even by her own brother. Together, these two young women form a bond that goes beyond the connection between a prince and his princess. It’s not just a matter of friendship, it’s a matter of Utena being the only one who’s ever treated Anthy as a living, breathing person. And after we finally feel like Anthy has made some progress... she stabs Utena, the only person who cares about her, in the back. Literally.

Before we reveal the number one betrayer of our trust, let’s look at a few honorable mentions:
Itachi Kills His Own Clan
“Naruto” (2005-09)
Villetta Nu Shoots Her Lover
“Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion” (2008-09)
Grell Betrays Madame Red
“Black Butler” (2010)
Yui Hates Miaka
“Fushigi Yuugi” (1995)
Rossiu Overthrows Simon
“Gurren Lagaan” (2008)

#1: Griffith Becomes Femto
“Berserk” (2003)After Griffith’s dreams are shattered by a King who loves his daughter in a way that… well… nobody could have expected, Griffith is left to rot away in the deepest, darkest dungeon. When his loyal Band, led by Casca ) and Guts risk everything to rescue him Griffith is finally given the opportunity to fulfill his destiny. However, offers from a demon don’t come cheap, and Griffith agrees to sacrifice his lifelong friends and companions to transform himself into a demon king. Probably the most tragic part is that the Band, unaware of what is really happening, are still trying to protect Griffith, even as they are being torn apart. Oh and this is how the anime ENDS. That’s it, bad guy wins.

Do you agree with our list? Which anime do you think we betrayed by leaving it off our list? For more trustworthy top tens published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.