10 most jealous Anime characters, ranked

Jealousy is not a transient emotion in anime—instead, it tends to motivate character development, generate conflict, and add depth to stories. Jealous characters can embody the vulnerabilities and aspirations of actual human actions. They are motivated by everything from personal inadequacy and romantic competition to obsession and envy of influence. This emotional energy frequently drives significant plot progression, whether into rivalry, redemption, or downfall. These characters provoke heroes, inspire discord, and even evoke viewer sympathy when used with depth.

Throughout the broad spectrum of anime, a few characters are particularly notable for the strength and significance of their jealousy. For attention, talent, love, or birthright, these ten characters possess some of the most interesting representations of jealousy in anime.

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10. Sakura Matou – Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel

Sakura is illustrated in Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel to be shy and quiet, but in her mind, she is much more agitated. She envies how she is handled concerning her sister Rin. Growing up in cruelty, Sakura holds resentment and longing, particularly about love. Her feelings eventually turn dark, and she becomes one of the more psychologically rich characters who act out of jealousy.

9. Mello – Death Note

In Death Note, Mello is the extreme opposite of his arch-nemesis, Near. Jealous of Near's brains and cool, he embarks on Kira with abandon, unlike the cool and calculated Near. Mello's own strategy is emotional and instinctive, indicative of the psychological strain of always being second best. His jealousy is not evil in nature—rather, it stems from wanting to stand on his own merit and prove he's capable and strong.

8. Tamaki Suoh – Ouran High School Host Club

Ouran High School Host Club presents Tamaki as a dashing and dapper head host, but behind his charm lies the qualities of jealousy and possessiveness. His rivalry with Kyoya and his protection of Haruhi often result in comedic misunderstandings. But his jealousy also makes his emotional journey richer. So, his eventual development is more rewarding.

7. Vegeta – Dragon Ball Z / Dragon Ball Super

Vegeta's jealousy of Goku is one of the longest-running relationships in Dragon Ball. At first driven by pride and envy of Goku's power, Vegeta's character dramatically changes. His jealousy forces him to continue challenging beyond his limits again and again, and this competition ultimately becomes respect.

6. Asuka Langley Soryu – Neon Genesis Evangelion

Asuka constantly compares herself to others, but most notably, to Shinji and Rei. Her jealousy is manifested in word aggression and affective withdrawal. Asuka's need to be the best hides deep-seated insecurities, and her later emotional breakdown is partly due to her identity crisis brought on by envy.

5. Shou Tucker – Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Shou Tucker is a disturbing embodiment of envy taken to its darkest extreme. His jealousy of more capable alchemists and fear of becoming irrelevant led him to commit unforgivable acts. His descent is horrifying precisely because it arises from such a deep human flaw.

4. Ritsuko Akagi – Neon Genesis Evangelion

Ritsuko’s complicated feelings about her mother, Gendo, and Rei form a subtle but deeply jealous triangle. Her desire for validation and resentment toward those who received affection she never did made her actions tragic. Her jealousy, hidden beneath intellect, becomes a destructive force.

3. Griffith – Berserk

Griffith's resentment of Guts' autonomy is a central theme throughout Berserk. Griffith first views Guts as a dedicated underling and then becomes disillusioned when he acts on his own. That action sets into motion a cause and effect, ultimately resulting in one of anime's most remembered betrayals. His jealousy is dressed up as ambition, but eventually reveals his destructive and possessive nature.

2. Light Yagami – Death Note

While Light’s god complex is central, his jealousy toward L cannot be overstated. His need to outshine and destroy L drives much of the series. This battle, filled with intellectual envy and moral disdain, makes Light's character more complicated and drives the tension.

1. Sasuke Uchiha – Naruto / Naruto: Shippuden

Sasuke's jealousy over Naruto is the centerpiece of Naruto. Seeing Naruto growing stronger and loved is in opposition to Sasuke's feeling lonely and mourning. His jealousy drives him away from friends and toward darkness. This rivalry remains one of the most iconic examples of jealousy transforming a character's path entirely.

Jealousy and Redemption in the Manga and Anime Endings

When these anime conclude, jealousy typically gives way to self-realization, forgiveness, or permanent destruction. In Naruto, Sasuke realizes his jealousy and returns to the path to redemption. Death Note ends with Light's jealousy resulting in his death, demonstrating how pride and competition untempered by self can tear a genius apart. In Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta grows up to be a proud warrior, no longer comparing himself to Goku's shadow, demonstrating mature growth.

Berserk's conclusion is still incomplete, but Griffith's transformation suggests that jealousy, combined with ambition, can have an apocalyptic price. In the meantime, anime such as Ouran High School Host Club and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel deliver emotional conclusions wherein characters embrace their jealousies and find peace or purpose.

Most of these tales feature post-epilogue suggestions of continued legacies, like kids continuing ideals or the world changed by the decisions of the envious ones. These stories remind us that jealousy, though often tragic, is a very humane feeling. How characters respond to it defines whether they rise, fall, or find peace.

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In conclusion, jealousy in anime is rarely one-note. The characters on this list embody a spectrum of envy, from the comedic and relatable to the dangerous and tragic. Through these portrayals, anime showcases how powerful and personal the emotion can be. Whether it leads to redemption or ruin, jealousy remains one of the most narratively potent forces in the medium.