The following article contains major spoilers!
One of the hardest things to get right in a story is betrayal. Done wrong, it becomes cheap or unnatural. When justice is done, it leaves the characters permanently scarred, changes the entire direction of the story, and leaves viewers speechless long after the episode is over. Betrayal isn't just shocking twists; they are well-deserved emotional moments that redefine everything that has happened so far.
In the last ten years, anime has become the source of some of the most devastating betrayals, not necessarily for shock value, but because of the cumulative nature and psychology of the characters and the resulting consequences. These scenes not only changed the course of the story, but also redefined relationships, identities and, in certain cases, worlds. These are seven betrayals written with precision, agony and unforgettable impact.
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8
Hawks works with the League of Villains
My Hero Academia
Hawks first presents himself as the ideal hero: charismatic, powerful and naturally cold. The betrayal becomes all the more effective when it is discovered that he has been working in the shadows with the League of Villains, and as such immediately raises suspicion. Hawks is very deliberately positioned in the story as one who may have crossed an intolerable line, creating tension not only among the audience but also among the heroes who now question his true loyalty.
What makes this betrayal so brilliant is the revelation that it wasn't a betrayal in the first place, at least not as it seemed. Hawks was a double agent and risked his reputation, morale and emotional well-being to provide intelligence inside enemy lines. The fact that he kills Twice after giving him several opportunities to relent further adds a tragic dimension to the scene, as it shows that betrayal is sometimes about choosing the lesser of two evils, even if it permanently breaks something in one.
7
Rachel pushes Bam
Tower of God
One of the most emotionally inhumane scenes in modern anime is Rachel's betrayal. At first, she is presented as docile, warm and seemingly weak, which later turns out to be the emotional counterpoint to Bam's entire journey. Her presence symbolizes hope, meaning and reason to continue climbing the tower. Her entire story suggests that she is someone to trust and rely on.
The illusion is completely shattered when Rachel pushes Bam to his supposed death. What is so great about this betrayal is not only the act, but the cold-blooded justification of the act. Rachel is ready to betray anyone, even the person who loved her, without any conditions to achieve her goal. The series doesn't try to redeem her or mitigate her actions in any way, but offers betrayal as an expression of desperation, jealousy, and raw human selfishness.
6
Aoyama is revealed as a traitor to the UA
My Hero Academia
Aoyama has forever been portrayed as quirky, awkward, and strangely attractive. The feeling of insecurity made him feel safe, almost unseen by the other, much stronger students in the class. When the reality dawns on them that he and his family have been reporting to All For One all along, the betrayal hits too close to the hearts of the audience, not just Class 1-A, but the audience as well.
The story of this betrayal makes it even greater. Aoyama was never mean or willing to take it, he was scared. Born a Quirkless and forced into submission for the sake of his family, his betrayal is a tragedy of strength, not hatred. His subsequent choice to betray All For One, fully aware of the consequences, turns his betrayal into one of the series' more emotionally complicated storylines.
5
Nagi Betrays Reo
Blue lock
What makes Nagi's betrayal so devastating was how random it was, it was a sudden event. During the Second Selection, Nagi decides to leave Reo and join Isagi on his team, not out of a desire to be evil or betray Reo, but because he is curious and wants to learn more, as it was the first time he ever enjoyed playing soccer, rather than just for Reo. This choice seems rational to Nagi. Isagi is a new obstacle, a pressure that forces him to leave the comfort zone of leading Reem.
However, it felt like a massive betrayal to Reo, and no matter how Nagi worded it, it was a blow to his back. The dream they had together – to become the best in the world together – is shattered in an instant. Nagi had no intention of ever seeing Reo again. In his mind, this separation was only temporary, a step that had to be taken before he grew stronger to return. It's one of the most emotionally charged betrayals of the entire series, a point where Blue Lock constantly reinforces the idea that sometimes the greatest betrayals aren't committed by opponents, but by the very people who should never turn their backs.
4
Kanjuro betrays the red scabbards
One piece
Betrayal of the Kanjur is a long-running masterpiece. All these years, he stood with the Kozuki guards, suffered with them, fought with them, and appeared as a true comrade in the struggle to rebuild Wan. This betrayal was so well crafted and written that most fans are able to guess when the betrayal is coming, but there was no overt posturing of the villain, no melodramatic cues – just a quiet, steady companionship that ended in betrayal.
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Finding out that Kanjuro was Kurozuni's spy from the very beginning changes everything. His lack of drawing skills, his ability to remain emotionally aloof, and his survival in unimaginable situations all take on a terrifying new definition. Unlike betrayals that were impulsive, Kanjur's betrayal was a decades-long show fueled by identity erasure and revenge-driven clan allegiance. It is not a betrayal based on hatred, but on emptiness.
3
Eren and Zeke In The Paths
Attack on Titan
The Journey sequence first introduces Eren and Zeke as two tragic brothers who share a mission to end suffering with the Euthanasia Plan. It's only a moment, but it seems that Eren has finally chosen a different path that doesn't involve mass murder, giving some credence to Zeke's twisted but earnest ideology. Zeke thinks that he finally freed Eren from their father's clutches and that it was Grisha who turned him into a weapon of hatred and violence.
This belief is broken when Eren comes out and tells the truth – Grisha wasn't the one pulling the strings. Eren was. In one of the most amazing plot twists and betrayals in recent anime, Eren reveals that he has already manipulated the future, causing his father to murder the royal family and take possession of the Founding Titan. Betrayal happened not only between brothers, but divides time. Zeke understands that he was in no way leading Eren, but merely following the desire of a man who chose the path of destruction. The discovery makes it more of a betrayal, making it one of the most shocking and well-written plot twists of the past decade.
2
Eclipse
Berserk 2016
Decades later, Griffith's betrayal is nothing short of horrific. Even though the initial reveal was shown well before the last decade, current versions have returned to this scene, reminding fans time and time again of the horrific events that took place there, reminding readers why and what makes it one of the most devastating, yet brilliantly written betrayals in any anime.
Griffith kills the Band of the Hawk, his closest to the only family he had, his men, his friends, to fulfill his dream. The brutality and violence inflicted on Guts and Casca is not only physical, but also existential. In a single moment, trust, love and ambition are destroyed. The reason this betrayal is unbearable is that it is committed by someone to whom one could unquestioningly become loyal and turn dreams into instruments of cruelty.
1
Revelation of the Titans
Attack on Titan
The reveal of Reiner and Bertholdt was one of the few moments in anime history that completely destroyed trust. Instead of opening with dramatic context or explosive music, the scene unfolds almost casually, as if the truth itself is too heavy to properly communicate. Bertholdt's confirmation that he was a Colossal Titan and Reiner's silent admission that he was an Armored Titan immediately put everything into perspective. They weren't distant adversaries lurking in the shadows; rather, they were allies who trained, fought, and endured hardships with Eren, acting as emotional support systems and protectors when the world was already crumbling.
In addition to being one of the most shocking and tragic human revelations of the decade, the story portrays betrayal as a result of war, brainwashing, and difficult choices rather than hatred. The way AOT handles and writes each story arc feels like no one is in the wrong. It's all about perspective. It may have been the most shocking and well-written betrayal in the eyes of fans and Eren, but for Reiner and Bertholdt, it was a path to redemption and freedom.
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