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Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The dark allure of Anime villains: The psychology of Pain, Aizen, Sukuna and more
Credits: Sportskeeda Anime has a rich tradition of complex villains whose personal stories go beyond simple evil. Characters like Pain (Nagato) from Naruto Shippuden , Aizen from Bleach , and Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen each carry deep backstories – from trauma and loss to grand ambitions. Fans often find these anime villains as compelling as the heroes, sometimes more so. Psychology helps explain why. Research suggests that villains with tragic pasts or human motives can evoke empathy, making them relatable. In fact, when a villain faces defeat, our brain's 'pain matrix' can kick in – we worry about their fate and even root for them. One fan blog notes that viewers may think 'I hate you, but I understand where you're coming from' and may secretly want the villain to win. This empathic response to villains helps explain their popularity: by seeing 'the humanity and underlying struggles' in a foe like Pain or Madara, audiences can feel sympathy and admiration. Complex villains and Anime morality Unlike one-dimensional bad guys, many popular antagonists blur moral lines. For example, Pain Naruto's arc is fueled by real loss: he endured war, witnessed the death of loved ones, and concluded that shared suffering is the only path to peace. His philosophy ('If one does not experience the same pain, they will never truly understand') forces hero and audience alike to question what 'justice' really means. In Bleach , Aizen presents a friendly facade but is actually a manipulative mastermind who wants godlike power. His calm, condescending style (dropping polite pronouns only after revealing his true self) exemplifies narcissistic ambition. In Jujutsu Kaisen , Sukuna is unabashedly evil – he 'lives only to fulfill his own whims and pleasures'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cinnamon: The Greatest Enemy of Blood Sugar Magazine Glyco Learn More Undo Yet fans are enthralled by his charisma and sheer power. Sportskeeda describes Sukuna as 'shrewd and strategic' with an 'extremely charismatic personality' that is 'both awe-inspiring and terrifying'. This mix of brutal power and confidence makes even a cruel character like Sukuna a fan favorite in the psychological anime community. Credits: CBR Trauma, power and redemption Many anime villains begin as victims of their world. Naruto's Pain grew up under war and was orphaned; his turn to villainy is steeped in that trauma. Similarly, One Piece's Doflamingo suffered childhood abuse as a former Celestial Dragon, feeding an extreme worldview. Fans often sympathize once they learn these backstories. As one analysis notes, anime series frequently reveal villains' humanity over time: Pain, Madara, Obito (also from Naruto ) 'initially appeared as detestable foes. However, as their backstories unfold, their humanity and underlying struggles become evident, earning them sympathy and admiration from fans'. Hunter x Hunter's Meruem illustrates this deeply. Born as the ruthless Chimera Ant King, he is utterly heartless at first. But through his bond with Komugi, a blind girl, Meruem begins to understand kindness and mortality. His transformation 'from a cold antagonist to an empathetic being is a storytelling masterclass' that challenges viewers' notions of evil and redemption. Such redemption arcs – often absent in Western villains – are key to anime morality : they show that even the darkest characters can reveal light, and that justice is complicated. Why fans love the villains Credits: CBR So why do complex villains sometimes outshine the heroes? Part of it is sheer charisma. Doflamingo's flamboyant cruelty and Aizen's cold genius make them endlessly entertaining. Part is relatability: many fans see a bit of their own struggles in these characters. Studies even suggest people pay more attention to villains than heroes, wondering if they'll ever get redemption. When Pain narrates the cycle of hatred or Meruem reflects on life, viewers get profound philosophy rarely seen in action shows. The result is a deep connection. Social media and surveys back this up: Sukuna topped many recent character popularity polls, and Meruem remains a fan favorite long after Hunter x Hunter ended. As Sportskeeda notes, fans tend to 'encounter villains whose actions, while unjustifiable, are rooted in circumstances that offer an understanding of their motivations'. This shift from disdain to empathy often makes villains more memorable and beloved. Indeed, timesofindia and other outlets list many anime bad guys (from Team Rocket to Dio Brando to Griffith) among fans' top favorites. These cult followings show that well-written antagonists have a real cultural impact: they spawn memes, inspire fan art, and even spark debates about justice. Conclusion In the end, the psychology of anime villains combines trauma, narcissism, power, and moral ambiguity. Pain Naruto's sorrow, Aizen Bleach's intellect, Sukuna Jujutsu Kaisen's brutality, and others show that villains in anime are rarely 'pure evil.' Instead, they often mirror the heroes' values in twisted ways – revealing deeper questions about empathy and morality. Fans are drawn to them because they are fully human (or superhuman) – flawed, deep, and at times sympathetic. As one analysis puts it, these characters 'transcend the label of 'absolute evil,' becoming more memorable and popular among audiences' who can't help but feel for their causes. By exploring their psychology, anime invites us to reflect on the gray areas of good and bad – and why sometimes the villains' stories leave as strong an impression as the heroes'. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
5 saddest moments in the history of anime shows
5 saddest moments in the history of anime shows (Image Source: Netflix) Anime lovers know how emotionally traumatic an anime can be. The sweet-looking characters can make a deep scar that will take years to heal. From tons of saddest moments in the world of anime, here's a list of the most emotional moments that every anime fan will shed tears to, only by thinking of it. Grave of the Fireflies ending One of the saddest anime movies, Grave of the Fireflies, still churns an anime-lover's heart. This Studio Ghibli movie, showcases the after effects of war through Seita and Setsuko's eyes. Both Seita and Setsuko try to sustain in the war-effected world, by trying to search for food and a roof. The most traumatic part happens when Setsuko dies due to lack of nutrition just when Seita was able to find some food. Like the twisted irony was not enough, even Seita dies at the end of the movie due to malnutrition. The sad ending is enough to make any grown adult break down into tears. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood : Realizing truth behind Chimera One of the most famous anime series, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood had some of the most exciting and emotional moments throughout. However, one of the most emotional moment was when the Elric brothers realized the truth behind the Chimera that Tucker had created. For context, the Elric brothers met Nina, the daughter of Tucker, and her pet dog, while trying to find how to get their bodies back. The characters grew close during the investigation. However, after some time, both Nina and her dog went missing. During that time, Tucker went on to become famous after creating a Chimera, which also helped him renew his licence. The real shock came when anime fans realized that Tucker fused Nina and her pet dog's bodies to create the Chimera. A father killing his own daughter for profit is not only twisted but also heartbreaking. Naruto Shippuden: When Naruto met Kushina While talking about the saddest moments in anime history, one cannot forget the moment when Naruto met his mother Kushina for the first time. When Naruto was trying to control the nine-tailed fox, the Kyuubi went out of control, due to which Naruto was able to meet Kushina. At first Naruto thought it was the nine tales true form but later realized that it is Kushina, his mother. Naruto never got to know who his parents were as they died right after he was born. He also had no idea how his mother looked like up until this moment. Kushina and Naruto had a mother to son conversation where Kushina explained that Minato (naruto's father) had sealed a bit of her chakra inside him so that she can help him when he wants to take control of the nine tail. However, the most emotional part of the conversation was how Naruto was telling all about his life to Kushina, his habits, what he's doing now, and how he's trying to become better. Even if it was for some minutes, the entire scenario was emotional for fans. One Piece: Death of Ace One piece introduced us to one of the saddest moment in anime with the demise of Portgas D. Ace, son of Gol D. Roger, and the soul-brother of Luffy. The Marineford arc brought sorrow to the fans when Ace died while saving his brother Luffy. The scene broke fans' hearts. However, what hurt more was Luffy, who is known for his carefree and cheerful nature, cried holding his brother. The bond between Ace and Luffy is extremely heartwarming which is why Ace's death is one of the saddest in one piece. Besides, when Ace's execution was taking place, his conversation with Garp is also considered as one of the saddest moments. As Garp was from the Marines, he couldn't do anything but watch his grandson die in front of his eyes. Attack on Titan: Armin and Eren conversation The final season of Attack on Titan should be watched with a box of tissues, as one won't stop crying during it. Besides, the final season features one of the craziest plot twist. Once the battle was over and the heroes stop the rumbling, Armin had a heart to heart with Eren. Here, Eren explains his plan, and the vision he had, for which he had to take such drastic measures. Armin and Eren were interacting like two old friends, which fans saw after a long time. What made the scene emotional was that this was the last conversation that both friends were going to have. Though, it was a sad moment, it gives proper closure and explanation regarding all the turn of events that took place. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Converse and Naruto collaboration is here with exciting characters, incredible details, and hidden features
Converse and Naruto collaboration is here with exciting characters, incredible details, and hidden features (Image via KicksFinder X) The Converse and Naruto Shippuden collab is finally here, and fans cannot contain their excitement. Even after decades, Naruto is still finding its way into the newer generation, thanks to its amazing storyline and incredible characters. As an ode to the series, and its characters, Converse announced an official collaboration, where the most favorite characters from the series meet Chuck Taylor All Star Converse version. Converse officially launched the collection on May 22, 2025 on its official website. Naruto All Star version The first character in the Converse and Naruto collaboration is none other than the protagonist of the show, Naruto. The shoes are in Naruto's signature colors: orange and black. It has the hidden leaf headband symbol at the heel, and the Shuriken (flying star weapon) symbol on one side, both in silver. The shoes also have the iconic curse seal symbol representing Naruto's curse seal through which Kurama was sealed inside him. There's also a Kurama sewed on the inside of the shoes, referencing to the nine-tailed fox's presence in the series. Sasuke's Chuck Taylor version The next in line is Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto's nemesis, who plays an important role in the series. The somehow villain-turned hero, gets a off-white/ lilac color scheme, representing the character's dual nature. It has the crossed-out hidden leaf headband symbol at heel, reminding that Sasuke left the hidden leaf village to join Orochimaru. Speaking of Orochimaru, the shoes also have the curse symbol on one side, and the Shuriken on the other. However, the most amazing part of the shoes are, when taken out in the sunlight, the curse marks appear throughout the body, giving it a unique style. Anbu Kakashi Converse The Copy Cat ninja of the hidden leaf village gets a special place in the collaboration. Just like him, the Anbu Kakashi converse also maintains a subtle theme, with white and blue as the color range. The laces are white, with a hint of blue throughout the body, a shuriken on the side, the hidden leaf village symbol and the black-blue sword reference at the heel. There's also the Anbu tattoo at the heel. However, the Sharingan symbol on the flap takes the cake, as it can be covered with a little cover, a tribute to Kakashi's famous mask that covers the ninja's Sharingan eye. Gaara inspired shoes Gaara from the hidden sand-village also gets a place in the collaboration. The red and cream pair of converse represents Gaara's signature color. Just like Naruto, Gaara is also the host to one of the Jinchuriki, the one-tailed Shukaku, the reference of which can be found in the gourd symbol on the soles. Besides, the famous headmark of Gaara, aka seal mark, is imprinted on one side of the shoes, whereas the other side has the Shuriken. These pair of converses have cream laces, signifying Gaara's sand village. Itachi Converse weapon While other shoes were Converse All Star edition, Itachi gets the Converse Weapon Mid edition, a clear tribute to the character's rogue character in the series. The iconic red and black Akatsuki color theme is maintained throughout the body, with a red Chevron star on the side. The collar is laced with the Akatsuki red cloud symbol and has the famous Mangekyo Sharingan symbol on the flap. The Itachi inspired shoes stand out from the collection, an ode to the character being the rogue hero of the village. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When does Naruto learn sage mode? Explained with what happened next
Naruto could be said to be one of the most powerful characters from the series and why not, he is the protagonist of course. The hero of Konoha had multiple tricks up his sleeve and some of them were immensely powerful. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now One such ability of Naruto was the Sage Mode that we got to see in the Naruto Shippuden. Now, for those who really want to explore how it happened and how it went when the first time our protagonist used the Sage Mode, we are at the right place. Moving forward in this article, we discuss Naruto's Sage Mode in detail/. Naruto's Sage Mode: Beginning and first application It all started after Jiraiya's death in the show which triggered a lot of emotions in Naruto. After that, Naruto visits Mount Myoboku where he learns the art of Senjutsu which is based on natural energy. In this training, Naruto was taught the process of absorbing natural energy and balancing all the energy zones to enter Sage Mode. Once Naruto mastered the full-blown mode, he was ready for a battle. Nonetheless, a battle came knocking on his door when Pain destroyed Konoha village with his 'Almighty Push.' And the Naruto arrives at Konoha to take on Pain and he enters with his Sage Mode in action. Our protagonist takes on different forms of pain showing the whole village that Naruto is not just a regular shinobi anymore. Amidst the fight between Pain and Naruto., Hinata jumps in to protect Naruto in which she gets severely injured. And this triggers his transformation in the six-tailed form of Kurama. Things went south after this incident and only came into control when Minato met Naruto in his sub conscious state of mind and helped him tame Kurama. All in all, this is the summary of all that happened when Naruto used the Sage Mode for the first time.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SE Jumps 35% in a Month: Should Investors Hold On to the Stock?
Sea Limited's SE shares have rallied 35.5% over the past month, significantly outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's return of 15.5% and the 20.5% rise in the Zacks Internet Software has outperformed its industry peers, including HubSpot HUBS, Paylocity Holding PCTY and Atlassian TEAM. Over the same time frame, shares of HubSpot, Paylocity Holding and Atlassian have gained 9.8%, 6.7% and 0.4%, upward momentum in Sea Limited's share price reflects its outstanding first-quarter 2025 results, with revenues rising 30% year over year to $4.8 billion. Growth and profitability gains were evident across all major segments, including e-commerce (Shopee), digital financial services (Monee) and digital entertainment (Garena). Also, an impressive $410.8-million net income marked a striking comeback from a loss in the corresponding period last year, reflecting its operational strength. Despite a year-over-year upsurge of 309.5% to 86 cents per share, Sea Limited's bottom line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.53%. Shopee, Sea Limited's e-commerce platform, reported a significant turnaround in profitability in the first quarter of 2025. The segment achieved revenues of $3.5 billion, marking a 28.3% year-over-year increase. This growth was driven by a 20.5% rise in gross orders and a 21.5% increase in Gross Merchandise Value ('GMV'). Adjusted EBITDA reached $264.4 million from a prior loss of 21.7 million, driven by higher take rates, cost optimization and competitive pricing. The platform remains on track to meet its 20% full-year GMV growth target with improving profitability. Sea Limited Sponsored ADR price-consensus-chart | Sea Limited Sponsored ADR Quote The company's digital financial services division, rebranded as Monee, demonstrated impressive growth in the first quarter of 2025. The segment reported revenues of $787.1 million, up 57.6% year over year. This rally was primarily attributed to the expansion of its consumer and SME credit business, with loans outstanding surging 76.5% to $5.8 billion. Garena, Sea Limited's digital entertainment arm, experienced a resurgence in the first quarter of 2025, driven by the success of its flagship game, Free Fire. Bookings for the segment reached $775.4 million, a 51.4% year-over-year increase. Garena's revenue grew 8.2% year over year to $495.6 million, while adjusted EBITDA rose 56.8% to $458.2 million. The segment also saw a 32.2% increase in quarterly paying users and an 11.3% rise in quarterly active users to 661.8 collaboration with Naruto Shippuden contributed to increased user engagement, bringing average daily activity close to the pandemic-era highs. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SE's second-quarter 2025 revenues is pegged at $5.08 billion, indicating a 29.87% year-over-year consensus mark for second-quarter earnings is pegged at 96 cents per share, which has been unchanged over the past 30 days. The estimate indicates a 108.7% upsurge from the figure reported in the year-ago 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $22.28 billion, suggesting 31.53% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for 2025 earnings is pegged at $3.94 per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. The estimate indicates a 134.52% jump from 2024's reported figure. The launch of TikTok Shop in Brazil in May 2025 introduced a formidable competitor in the e-commerce landscape. Offering integrated shopping experiences and aggressive incentives like zero seller fees and free shipping, TikTok Shop is poised to rapidly capture market share, challenging Shopee's position in the Brazil, Shopee Live faces slow uptake due to early-stage market conditions. Shopee Live is struggling to grow in Brazil due to limited awareness of live shopping and a lack of local content creators. Sea Limited is expected to invest in building this ecosystem, which can affect profitability in the near term. Sea Limited's strong first-quarter performance, marked by solid revenue growth, a return to profitability and robust segment expansion, is encouraging. However, intensifying competition is creating currently carries Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Sea Limited Sponsored ADR (SE) : Free Stock Analysis Report HubSpot, Inc. (HUBS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Atlassian Corporation PLC (TEAM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
