June 2nd is the “Day of Betrayal”.
This day is derived from the “Honnoo-ji no Hen”, when the Sengoku period general Akechi Mitsuhide rebelled against his lord, Oda Nobunaga.
In anime too, the betrayal by a trusted character leaves a strong impact on viewers. Whether they appeared to be an ally on the surface but were actually an enemy agent, changed sides due to unavoidable circumstances, or broke away due to differing beliefs… The presence of traitor characters dramatically spices up the story and gets the plot moving.
Therefore, Anime! Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “Who is your favorite ‘Traitor’ character?” for the second year in a row. Responses were gathered from 389 people during the survey period from May 23rd to May 27th.
The gender ratio was almost equal. The age range was primarily young people, with approximately 50% being under 19 and about 25% in their 20s.
Table of Contents
- ・1st Place
- ・2nd Place
- ・3rd Place
- ・Other Comments!
- ・Ranking Top 10
- 2024 Results: https://animeanime.jp/article/2024/06/02/84681.html
The Moment of Betrayal, When the Story Moves!
1st Place
1st place goes to Kurozumi Kanjuroo from WAN PIISU. With about 9% support, he climbed up from joint 2nd place last year.
Kanjuroo first appeared as a retainer of Kooduki Oden, but partway through the story, he revealed himself to be Kurozumi Kanjuroo, a subordinate of Kurozumi Orochi. Readers shared comments like, “His comedic character design and personality, plus the fact that he spent so long traveling with Rufi and the others, meant I never dreamed he was an enemy spy. Looking back, there were so many betrayal foreshadowing hints laid out, which surprised me twice over!” and “Since he first appeared in the Dressrooza arc and was our ally all along, his betrayal in the Wano Kuni arc was shocking. He was an ally for about 7 years of serialization time…” and “The line ‘That I am the one!!!’ when he confessed being the internal mole sent chills down my spine!” It’s clear his reveal left a big impression on many.
2nd Place
2nd place is Kuon Wataru from BURUUROKKU. With about 6% support, he significantly rose from joint 15th place last year.
Kuon Wataru appeared as a member of Chiimu Zetto in the “BURUUROKKU” project. Readers commented, “At first, I had a good impression of him as the team’s coordinator, but after his betrayal to Chiimu Daburyuu was exposed, he started provoking his former companions, saying things like ‘Glad you were that stupid…’ to Isagi, and waving with a smiling face saying ‘Good job! Chiimu Zetto!’. It genuinely pissed me off (lol).” and “Even though he betrayed them, his team ended up losing after a comeback. Seeing him get beaten up by the members of Chiimu Daburyuu honestly felt satisfying.” His memorable character ranked highly, not just for the betrayal itself, but also for his surprising actions in later matches and the satisfying consequences he faced.
3rd Place
3rd place is Rainaa Buraun from SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN. His support rate is about 6%, a drop from last year’s top spot, but he still holds a strong place in the top 3.
Comments included, “He was like an older brother figure among the Kunren Heidankei 104 Kisei and even became a member of the Chousa Heidankei to exterminate Titans, but it turned out he was actually the Yoroi no Kyojin. Furthermore, he revealed his identity so casually that it was surprising, I remember that well.” and “Traitor characters are often disliked by fans, but I just can’t hate Rainaa. He carried a harsh life, and his struggle with being a spy was carefully depicted.” This suffering character, torn between being an enemy and an ally, ranked high again this year, proving that complex motivations resonate with viewers.
Other Comments!
Looking beyond the top three, many other memorable “traitor” characters were mentioned. Here are some notable examples:
Nezumi Otoko from GEGEGE NO Kitaroo: “He’s a prime example of a traitor character. He betrays Kitaroo many times for money, but somehow always ends up back as a companion. His fair-weather attitude is somehow lovable.” Despite his frequent backstabbing for personal gain, his presence is a staple of the series.
Asagiri Gen from Dr.STONE: “He was an enemy at first, but became an ally, drawn in by Senkuu’s scientific power. He calls himself a ‘flimsy bat-man’ (peragera no koomori otoko), but he’s a ‘righteous traitor’ who seems like he might betray you but doesn’t (lol).” Gen’s cleverness and ambiguity make him a fascinating character who keeps you guessing.
Dazai Osamu from Bungoo Sutoreidoggusu: “Part of the reason is that he used to belong to the Pooto Mafia, but I chose him because he’s a character full of unexpectedness who betrays expectations and predictions in a good way.” Dazai’s mysterious past and unpredictable actions make him a constant source of intrigue.
Shaa Azunaburu from Kidoo Senshi Gandamu: “He won’t spare his father’s enemy, even if they are his best friend. His line ‘Because he’s a boy’ (Booya dakara sa) is one of the greatest lines in Gandamu.” A legendary character whose actions are driven by complex motives, Shaa’s enduring popularity is evident, even receiving votes related to the latest work, KIDOU SENSHI Gundam GQuuuuuuX.
The 2025 edition features a truly diverse range of traitor characters. From those who deceive over many years to those who struggle with their double life, it’s clear that the act of betrayal is a powerful tool for crafting dramatic and memorable anime stories.
Don’t miss the full top 20 ranking on the next page!
Ranking Top 10
[“Traitor” Characters? 2025 Edition]
- 1st Place: Kurozumi Kanjuroo – WAN PIISU
- 2nd Place: Kuon Wataru – BURUUROKKU
- 3rd Place: Rainaa Buraun – SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN
- 4th Place: Asuran Zara – Kidoo Senshi Gandamu SHIIDO
- 5th Place: Dazai Osamu – Bungoo Sutoreidoggusu
- 6th Place: Ichimaru Gin – BUREECHI
- 7th Place: Aoyama Yuuga – BOKU NO Hiroo Akademia
- 8th Place: Asagiri Gen – Dr.STONE
- 9th Place: Aizen Suusuke – BUREECHI
- 9th Place: Kayano Kaede – ANSATSU Kyooshitsu
(Polling Period: May 23, 2025 – May 27, 2025)
Next Page: Ranks up to 20th Place Revealed
※This survey is part of a consciousness survey regarding readers’ “current interest and attention towards anime works and characters”. The results are not intended to determine superiority or inferiority among any characters or works. We hope this article can serve as an opportunity to discover new works or characters, or to deepen understanding and interest further.
Takahashi Katsunori
