Anti-Hero

An anti-hero is a protagonist that is basically a foil that has the opposite of most of the traditional traits that are associated with traditional heroes.

Why This Trope Makes Bad Look So Good

 * 1) It makes the character relatable and innately human.
 * 2) The anti-hero's story would be more challenging to the viewers, as their actions would be more unpredictable than those of a traditional hero.
 * 3) It highlights the fact that the line between heroism and villainy is extremely thin, producing a large grey area in between them. Whereas villains have redeeming qualities, heroes have personality flaws.
 * 4) People tend to identify with characters who are deeply flawed, as they see themselves in them.
 * 5) They are usually more sympathetic and complex than traditional heroes, as they face more internal conflicts that make them question their own actions and grow as a person.

The Only Bad Quality

 * 1) Some anti-heroes can be unsympathetic and unlikeable.
 * 2) *Also anti-heroes can sometimes be jerks.

Examples of well-written anti-heroes

 * Annie Leonhart (Attack on Titan)
 * Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel)
 * Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
 * Blade (Marvel Comics)
 * Boba Fett (Star Wars)
 * Bruce Wayne/Batman
 * Cassian Andor (Star Wars)
 * Catwoman
 * Coffy (Coffy)
 * Deadpool
 * Dexter Morgan (Dexter)
 * Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald (Cracker)
 * Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)
 * Ethan Edwards (The Searchers)
 * Faith Lehane (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
 * Homura Akemi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
 * Gene Hunt (Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes)
 * Ghost Rider (Marvel comics)
 * Goro Akechi/Crow (Persona 5)
 * Gregory House (House)
 * Han Solo
 * Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry)
 * Herrscher of Sentience/Senti (Honkai Impact 3rd)
 * Hiei
 * Itachi Uchiha
 * Impmon (Digimon Tamers)
 * Jack Bauer (24)
 * Jack Burton (Big Trouble in Little China)
 * Jack Carter (Get Carter)
 * Jack Sparrow
 * James Bond
 * James "Sawyer" Ford (Lost)
 * Jessica Jones
 * Jimmy McNulty (The Wire)
 * John Constantine (Hellblazer)
 * John Luther (Luther)
 * Judge Dredd
 * Kerr Avon (Blake's 7)
 * Kevin 11 (Ben 10)
 * Kyoko Sakura (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
 * Levi Ackerman
 * Mal Reynolds (Firefly)
 * The Man With No Name (The Dollars Trilogy)
 * Marv (Sin City)
 * Nagito Komaeda (Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair)
 * Nozel Silva (Black Clover)
 * Omar Little (The Wire)
 * Osamu Dazai (Bungou Stray Dogs)
 * Peter Jason Quill
 * The Punisher (Marvel Comics)
 * Randle Patrick McMurphy (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
 * Rick Deckard (Blade Runner)
 * Rorscharch (Watchmen)
 * Rocky Sullivan (Angels with Dirty Faces)
 * Raiden Mei (Honkai Impact 3rd)
 * Ryuko Matoi (Kill la Kill)
 * Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon)
 * Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
 * Shadow the Hedgehog
 * Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)
 * Snake Plissken (Escape from New York)
 * Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel)
 * Tony Stark
 * Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver)
 * V (V For Vendetta)
 * Vic Mackay (The Shield)
 * Walter White (Breaking Bad)
 * William Munny (Unforgiven)
 * Wolverine

Examples of poorly-written anti-heroes

 * Yo Mikawa (Angel Cop)