anime series/light novels with anti-revenge plotlines?

Not even sure if this is a thing. But I want something that subverts the revenge/banished trope that's now way too common. For example, what if the MC got banished only because their comrades actually cared about them and didn't want to put them in harm's way? Or what if the childhood villain that "murdered" the MC's entire family was forced to do so only because the family was actually "evil?" Hopefully you get the idea. I want stories with less linearity and more plot twists/subtlety. If you have any recommendations, let me know!

EDIT: Not an exact match, but rezero does fit the bill a little bit. There's always a twist in each arc which I greatly enjoy

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AutoModerator2026-01-08 23:06

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timpkmn892026-01-08 23:18

>For example, what if the MC got banished only because their comrades actually cared about them and didn't want to put them in harm's way?

Maybe it's just because I read manga, but I feel like that is what's way too common

oxy_moron8132026-01-08 23:24

interesting, manga has never been really my thing but maybe it should be

ghostpickleonastick2026-01-09 02:40

How about Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo? It's a classic revenge story full of twists and plots within plots, but this adaptation is not told from the perspective of the guy out for revenge.

JustOrdinaryUncle2026-01-09 04:01

MAGATSU WAHRHEIT ZUERST...one of the mc kill the other mc brother in self defense, then later layers upon layers of conspiracy unfolds, they do ended up killing each other but not because of revenge, one of the mc were infected and go feral.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ult\_9qo1E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ult_9qo1E)

Djbadj2026-01-09 06:38

The only thing that comes to mind is Let this grieving soul retire. MC is weak as hell and tries to leave the party he founded with his friends which are insanely strong. But they don't let him leave and make him their leader, because they care about him.

It's one of the best fantasy comedies subverting everything about being a strong fantasy MC. He stumbled around by pure luck and chance and is known as one of the greatest strategists.