For many fans, Game of Thrones was a binge-worthy show from the start. While the first episode is relatively low stakes and free of intense, climactic drama, fans got a taste of villainy through Jaime Lannister. Jaime was a blond-haired Prince Charming with a reputation for impeccable swordsmanship. Beyond his villainous first impression, fans loved him for his deep character arc throughout the series.
Anime has no shortage of characters that are just like Jaime Lannister in one way or another. Whether that be a knack for wielding swords or a disarming smile that could swoon a Kingdom.
10 Bakugo Went From Hated To Beloved (My Hero Academia)
When it came to Game of Thrones’ first season, Jaime Lannister was one of the most unlikeable characters in the show. By the end of the first episode, Jaime attempted to kill 7-year-old Brandon Stark. When Game of Thrones ended, Jaime charmed his way into fans’ hearts.
An anime character with a similar trajectory is Bakugo in My Hero Academia. Bakugo was introduced as Midoriya’s bully, causing fans to hate him. But according to popularity polls, Bakugo has become a fan favorite.
9 Suzaku Became A Kingslayer (Code Geass)
Jaime Lannister will always be the King Slayer. No matter how successful a guard he became or the numerous deeds he accomplished, the average Game of Thrones citizen knew him as the man who betrayed his King and became a key figure in a coup.
While the motives are entirely different, Suzaku from Code Geass knows a thing or two about being a King Slayer. The White Knight himself was tasked with wielding the blade that plunged through Zero’s heart at the end of Code Geass.
8 Itachi Can Understand The Love For One’s Brother (Naruto)
Despite how evil and villainous Jaime Lannister would appear in Game of Thrones’ first episode, it wasn’t long before fans saw depth behind the Lannister’s golden smile. Jaime was more than just a charming soldier with a knack for swordsmanship. He was also a caring brother who would do almost anything to protect his younger brother, Tyrion Lannister. Though the two weren’t always on the same side, fans could count on Jaime for coming through in small ways.
Matching that villainous aura with a heart of gold, is Itachi Uchiha. Itachi may have been evil and killed lots of people, but it was all for the love and protection of his younger brother.
7 Naofumi Iwatani Is A Hero Perceived As A Villain (The Rising Of The Shield Hero)
No matter what Jaime Lannister did by the end of the series, he was always plagued with his past sins. Despite his heroic deeds for Game of Thrones’ main characters and the sacrifices he made for the good of the Kingdom, civilians would always paint him with the brush of evil for what he did as the King Slayer and as a Lannister.
Naofumi Iwatani from The Rising of the Shield Hero has a similar reputation. Naofumi set out to do good but always got perceived as a villain. Eventually, he gave in to the evil image but never gave up being a hero.
6 Kakashi Failed To Protect His Loved Ones (Naruto)
One of Jaime Lannister’s biggest regrets was letting Rhaegar Targaryen’s wife and kids die. Despite his implicit involvement with the coup and a desire to overthrow the ruling family, he promised to protect innocent Targaryens. His failure to do so haunted him for the rest of his life.
Kakashi Hatake from Naruto had the same regrets. Kakashi let one of his best friends die during the war, and failed to protect the other shortly later. His failure to protect them would haunt him for years to come.
5 Levi May Be Mean, But Deep Down He Cares (Attack on Titan)
Jaime Lannister presented the illusion of a mean and villainous figure to many characters in Game of Thrones. But fans know at the core of Jaime’s character is someone who loves, cares, and wants to do good.
That personality is similar to Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan. Levi has always been a figure of cruel words, but when push came to shove fans knew that Levi could be counted on to help out the heroes and be a kind individual.
4 Zoro Is A Master Swordsman (One Piece)
Jaime Lannister is a skilled swordsman. It’s a skill that earned him a rightful spot as one of the most prominent King’s guards in Game of Thrones history.
That fame and renown as a swordsman are what many fans love about Jaime Lannister and can be seen in a character like Zoro from One Piece. Like Jaime, Zoro also uses his swords as a way to bolster his leader, as Luffy’s right-hand man.
3 Sasuke Lost His Arm To Atone (Naruto)
When it comes to character design, Jaime Lannister has a few key details. He has his iconic blonde hair, a pretty face, but most importantly, one hand. Defined by his skills with a blade, losing his hand served as narrative punishment for all of Jaime’s misdeeds throughout the show.
Sasuke Uchiha underwent a similar punishment. After being a villain in Naruto for years, Sasuke’s final clash with the titular character results in each of them losing an arm. While Naruto went on to get his arm replaced, Sasuke remained without it as a reminder of all of his crimes and poor choices.
2 Oikawa Is An Ally Everyone Wants (Haikyuu)
Due to his skills with a sword, Jaime Lannister was a soldier other men would be ecstatic to have on their side. To be a soldier in Game of Thrones is to die a miserable death, but with Jaime on your side, the odds were slightly better. Those ace-like qualities translate perfectly to a sports anime.
Oikawa from Haikyuu best resembles Jaime in this regard. Despite being an enemy, Oikawa used his charisma to become a fan favorite and demonstrated his reliable skills on the court multiple times.
1 Junpei Yoshino Knows The Cost Of Betrayal (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Fans can’t think about Jaime Lannister without thinking of betrayal. From the moment fans met him, Jaime’s betrayal was hammered in time and time again. Jaime Lannister was a King Slayer who betrayed those he swore to protect. That betrayal is a key part of who Jaime Lannister is.
Junpei Yoshino’s betrayal in Jujutsu Kaisen is more impactful than others. Junpei was a boy struggling with bullies who was taken in by the welcoming arms of Jujutsu Kaisen‘s main character, Itadori. The two were set to be great friends and powerful allies. But Junpei’s betrayal marks a dark moment in Jujutsu Kaisen which ultimately led to the character’s death.