Anime has a way of tugging at our heartstrings like no other medium. One of the most gut-wrenching tropes that repeatedly keeps us on the edge of our seats is the good old-fashioned betrayal. Nothing quite rips our emotions apart like watching a beloved character we thought we knew stab their friends in the back. 2024 has been a particularly eventful year in the world of anime, with several notable betrayals that left us speechless and questioning the true intentions of our favorite characters. Here are the most heart-wrenching anime betrayals of 2024 that will leave you reeling.
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Akira’s Sudden Change of Heart in ‘Futari no Kizuna’
At first glance, ‘Futari no Kizuna’ appears to be a beautiful coming-of-age romance between two young girls, but beneath the surface lies a complex web of relationships that slowly begin to unravel. Akira’s seemingly loving relationship with her childhood friend Hitomi takes a shocking turn when she begins to manipulate and betray her, leaving both viewers and Hitomi stunned and heartbroken.
Maestro’s Treachery in ‘Echoes of Silence’
Maestro’s charismatic presence in ‘Echoes of Silence’ makes his shocking betrayal all the more devastating. As the supposed leader of a rebellion to overthrow an oppressive regime, Maestro’s actions inspire a sense of hope among his fellow fighters. However, when it’s revealed that Maestro has been secretly working with the enemy all along, we’re left questioning everything we thought we knew.
In ‘Heartstrings,’ the Infidelity Between Masaomi and Yuzuki Yields Unraveling.
One way to write about anime betrayal is to take an objective perspective on stories that make us feel so strongly about ‘true’ love and long-lasting connections. In ‘Heartstrings,’ we’re following Masaomi, the enigmatic lead singer of ‘Wild Fire,’ and in most common fan scenarios, a musician is frequently positioned as ‘tortured’ or carrying a certain weight that makes him and Yuzuki the only couple ‘meant’ to be in each other’s arms. When an affair becomes visible to Yuzuki’s emotional safety, this unraveling of safe, ‘idyllic’ expectation is all the more impactful.
Jiro’s Betrayal of the Organization in ‘Onikiri’
In a surprising twist to ‘Onikiri,’ we see Jiro take drastic action as a desperate attempt to save those they love but ultimately feels cruel and abrupt for fans to enjoy the journey without proper storyline progression. Once being portrayed as such loyal allies to one another, are fans even able to sympathize with Jiro after his huge change in heart, which also compromises the whole organization’s well-being.
While In ‘Hoshizora,’ Tsukasa Betrays Mirai’s Heart.
Having known each other since they were young, Tsukasa and Mirai’s heartwarming friendship is an unforgettable highlight of ‘Hoshizora.’ So, it cuts deep to see Tsukasa and Mirai ultimately become a casualty of their own friendship as soon as Tsukasa starts going behind Mirai’s back, trouncing a trust they’ve built over years to the very core of their heart.
‘Elyria: Beyond Lies,’ the Unfortunate Flip of Arin’s True Nature.
‘Elyria: Beyond Lies’ quickly proves itself to be anything but predictable as the brave warriors protecting the Elyrian continent face betrayal from a most unlikely source. No one expects Arin to have been manipulating events from the shadows, as Elyria’s bravery slowly transitions to tragedy as Elyrians grieve what was lost in their fight for unity.
‘Kage’s Despair,’ Emiko Tears Meki’s World Apart.
In ‘Kage’s Despair,’ Meki enjoys time in the prestigious, beautiful academy, forming strong bonds with the beautiful Emiko. However, she ultimately ruins Meki’s seemingly peaceful life by shattering everything they ever knew by letting her alter ego display an endless grudge within her soul that will finally determine the fate of both characters’ unfruitful or unbreakable relationship.
The most recent drama came from the season finale of ‘Arclight,’ with Lucien Turning His Back on Elara.
There are fewer genuinely heart-shattering moments on television than that time someone deliberately shatters everything we thought we believed about Arclight by twisting Lucien against Elara. From now until the end of the next season, Lucien keeps wondering: how can I fix and recover everything that went downhill for both me and Elara?
The most notable plot twist came when Ren ultimately sacrificed ‘true’ bonds in the Series Finale of ‘Echo: Dusk’.
Ultimately shedding all sense of camaraderie the viewers build attachment to such strong and unwavering ties and, in exchange, we get forced, a more rigid and unfrequented way and bond in anime – heartbreaking.
