Pain's arc dropped in the course of Naruto back in 2010. More than a decade may have already passed but, many fans and followers still consider it as one of the best installments in its franchise.
One possible reason behind this is that the public loves Pain's character. Despite him being the infamous antagonist in the lives of Konoha and other Shinobis, avid viewers and manga readers see him as a "hero."
CBR released a report detailing the matter and listing some of the points why Pain is, indeed, one. While others could not consider him as a hero, they appear to believe that he is one of the best villains in Naruto.
Nagato, who took the name "Pain," organized the infamous Akatsuki. While the organization caused Konoha's destruction, as well as the subsequent wars in the world of Shinobis, the founding members had a "noble" purpose originally.
Pain witnessed the aftermath of a war in the past. As a person who experienced and lived through it, he aspired to "mend the wounds it caused."
He decided to push through their group to ensure that no other people would go through the aftermath of wars again. He wanted to stop the wars for good but had a contradicting way to execute them. The group's mission was initially "benevolent," causing many fans and followers to see Pain as a hero.
Naruto and the rest of the leaf clan, later on, defeated Pain. However, the supposed villain's principles and philosophies, which most of the Naruto heroes did not comprehend, were proven correct during the Fourth Shinobi War.
He was correct that the only way to unite the rest of the world is by feeling "mutual suffering." Most of the heroes only understood this after his death amid one of the biggest Shinobi wars.
The publication, then, explained that one of the most obvious reasons why he is a "hero" in Naruto is because of his sacrifice. Upon identifying all of the errors in his ways, including even killing his former master, he decided to reverse it all, even knowing that it would cost him his life.
Here are only some of the top reasons why many people see him as a "hero" instead of a villain in Naruto. While others are not convinced of these arguments, CBR released another list as to why Pain is likely the "best villain" in the course of the series.
Several netizens, also, discussed what makes Pain's character and arc a compelling plot in Naruto. The majority seemingly conceded that it is all because Pain was the main antagonist in Naruto's life, like Itachi to Sasuke.
