Best Fighting Game Anti-Heroes

Even though my thumbs aren't what they used to be, I've thoroughly enjoyed various fighting games over the years. I started with Street Fighter, mastering quarter circle hadokens and flying uppercuts, and then moved on to grappling with King in Tekken. And with that as a baseline, I moved on to more challenging series like Dead or Alive and Soulcalibur, as well as more quirky offerings like Rival Schools and Bloody Roar.

Fighting games provide a great excuse to get rid of a bit of excess negative energy, and what better way to do that than with some broken and messed-up anti-heroes? Sure, it's fun to be a Ryu, but it's a lot more satisfying to devastate your opponent with nasty tricks and sweet moves.

There is a wide range of anti-heroes on this list, and they're not all equally broken or nasty. There's just not a clear-cut good guy in the bunch, and almost all of them have a lot of baggage they're working through. And since it can be almost impossible to make arbitrary decisions in such a list, I've ranked them according to my own personal preference.

10 Raizo Imawano

Old Man Sabertooth

At first blush, Raizo Imawano seems like the mastermind of all the chaos in the Rival Schools games. But eventually you find out that the hulking beast of a man was actually brainwashed by his nephew, Hyo, and that he's actually not responsible for his actions.

Once free from that brainwashing, Ryo proves himself to be an upright citizen. Sure, he's incredibly strict, tough, and no-nonsense, but he cares deeply for his family and allies.

In combat, Raizo is a force of nature, using his sharp, clawed fingers to ravage foes and hurl them about like a rampaging bear. While he may not have the ninja dexterity of Batsu, he's still a force to be reckoned with.

9 Ash Crimson

Androgynous and Vicious

Like many anti-heroes in fighting games, King of Fighters' Ash Crimson could easily be misconstrued as a villain. He's self-righteous, cunning, and always follows his own mysterious agenda. Worse, he loves to use people like pawns, even going so far as to steal the powers of others.

Yet despite all that, Ash is tainted by the power of Orochi, who often uses Ash as their puppet. Much of Ash's actions are aimed at severing the ties between his bloodline and that deity, which might make Ash a bit easier to sympathize with.

As far as how Ash Crimson fights in King of Fighters, this androgynous anti-hero is acrobatic and incredibly powerful. Not only can he seal the powers of others, but he can teleport and even create bouts of fire with the power of the Yasakani Jewel. Maybe not the nicest guy out there, but definitely someone you want on your side in a scuffle.

8 Long Shin

This Tiger Isn't Crouching

Remember Hudson Soft? I certainly do. While they're more often associated with greats like Bomberman, they also tried their hand at fighters in the Bloody Roar series. A series that I loved simply because it allowed you to transform from human form to were-beasts regularly.

One of my absolute favorite characters in Bloody Roar was Long Shin, a man who can transform into a were-tiger. A fast and ferocious fighter in a game full of them, and a man burdened by a past of violent actions.

The good news is, Long Shin is trying to repent for his sins and make the world a better place in the process. He's soft-spoken and good-willed. The bad news? He'll absolutely wreck you in battle, even if you think you're prepared for him.

7 Ayane

Bubblegum Hair, Deadly Style

Sins of the father sounds like a lofty concept, at least until you discover the devastating means of your conception. That's the sad tale of Ayane, a beautiful, pink-haired shinobi whose entire life gets turned upside down with the revelation of her birth. Suddenly, her best friend Kasumi is her half-sister, and Ayane becomes consumed with bitterness and driven to prove her worth.

Now referred to as a Female Tengu thanks to her deadly efficiency, Ayane is a cynical and detached adult. Still, she usually does the right thing when it counts, such as stopping her half-sister from killing herself when trying to save Helena. Definitely not the sort of drama younger me would have associated with the Dead or Alive series, but I'm glad there are stakes to back up the fanservice.

In combat, Ayane is blazing fast and has access to some truly unpredictable attacks. Sure, she may not be able to teleport like some ninja in Dead or Alive, but she hits very hard. Never count this Female Tengu out in battle.

6 Balrog

Definitely Not Mike Tyson

The best way to understand Street Fighter's Balrog is to realize he has a huge chip on his shoulder. He grew up in the ghetto, came from nothing, and literally fought his way to the top. As a result, the end often justifies the means, and he'll do ruthless and violent things to get what he wants.

Despite this and the fact that he's a member of Shadaloo, he isn't entirely evil in Street Fighter. Balrog genuinely cares for Ed and does everything he can to keep him safe. Sure, that's often seen by Ed as demeaning, but it still shows there's a core humanity hidden deep inside the pugilist.

In a fight, you don't want to be contending with Balrog. He might not use his legs often, but his arms are like pistons, weighing you down with murderous blows. And if the fancy strikes him, you'll even be on the losing end of a headbutt.

5 Jin Kazama

Golden Devil Boy

You might be surprised to find the main character of a series like Tekken on this list of anti-heroes. But while Jin Kazama is heroic at times, his family absolutely weighs him down. Not only does he have to worry about the threat posed by Ogre, but his own grandfather, Heihachi, ruthlessly tries to kill him early on.

Thankfully for Jin, he's not entirely an angel, and his Devil Gene prevents the killing blow from working. Instead, Jin grows devil wings and kicks butt, showing this character is a bit more nuanced than we'd expect initially. He's powerful, and trust doesn't come easily as a result of his screwed-up family.

All that means that Jin Kazama is a force to be reckoned with in the Tekken series and is one of my favorite characters. He's a bit like Ryu; easy to learn and fun to master, with fast and powerful moves that are simple to chain together. And that's before his Devil Gene takes over, and he fights more ruthlessly than ever.

4 Ivy

Whip it Up

The short version is that Ivy looks like a dream and fights like a nightmare in Soulcalibur. I mean, she's dressed like a dominatrix and fights with a whip, which doesn't scream "good guy." That said, like the others on this list, first appearances don't give the full extent of her story.

Ivy is determined to sever her link with the parasitic Soul Edge, and god help everyone in her way. She may not kill for fun, but she's not averse to ending any threat against her. Despite this fervor, Ivy is a sophisticated and confident woman, and not just a simplistic villain.

In Soulcalibur, Ivy is a true force. Not only does her whip give her amazing range, but it can transform into a sword for close combat. Meaning she's incredibly adaptable and utterly ruthless.

3 Wario

Greed is Good

Long before he joined the roster of the Smash Bros. series, Wario was an absurd character all his own. He started as the bad guy in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, but then became the main man in his own series of games. And as time has gone on, he's shown that he's less villain and more delightful weirdo.

Yes, Wario is obsessed with money, has a gross diet, and frequently clears the room with bouts of gas. But he's also not a straight-up villain like Gannondorf. No, this chunky anti-hero is more of what would happen if you put Mario in a blender with a sociopath, and we love him for it.

In the Smash Bros. series, he fights very unexpectedly. Not only can he transform into Wario-Man, but he can pull his motorcycle out to ride, or to eat. He's the epitome of a zany fighter, and that can make him a real threat in the hands of a master.

2 Scorpion

Stinging Resurrection

I know what you're thinking. Scorpion on this list? But bear with me for a moment. There aren't really any completely good guys in the Mortal Kombat series. Every one of them is a bloodthirsty psychopath ready to treat you to a horrifying fatality. And in that context, Scorpion might actually be more of an anti-hero.

Scorpion was once known as Hanzo Hasashi, but became the monstrous Scorpion upon his untimely resurrection. That, in turn, led to him being full of rage and confusion, which resulted in him starting the series as more of an antagonist. As the series proceeds, he recovers his humanity and finds ways to make peace with his past.

In Mortal Kombat battles, Scorpion is completely unhinged, yelling, "Get over here!" as he drags you closer with his spear, spewing flames from his face, and being completely immune to Hellfire. He's a strong opponent who can keep you on the ropes from a distance, which makes every battle a challenge.

1 Morrigan Aensland

Succumb to the Succubi

As a creature of the Makai kingdom, Morrigan might look demonic. But despite being a powerful, confident, and beautiful succubus, Morrigan Aensland isn't actually evil. If anything, she's a woman who follows her hunger out of necessity. Sometimes that means she'll go on a shopping spree, other times it means she'll fuse with her "sister" Lilith, and get a more cheerful perspective on life.

She's an unpredictable free spirit, meaning she'll often team up with more traditional good guys in her pursuit of happiness. And because she's proven to be such a popular character, she even shows up in many, many crossover games, even though we've been waiting a decade plus for an official new Darkstalkers adventure.

In combat, Morrigan proves she's more than just a pretty face. She'll grow wings, hurl mystical projectiles, and even suck the life right out of opponents with an unforgettable kiss. This underworld princess is the woman of your dreams, if you survive her advances.