ReelRedemption arcs done right
Not a last-minute change of heart — these are earned, slow, and actually paid for.
01Three seasons of genuine, earned change make his turn one of TV's most-referenced redemption arcs.
02From Earth-conquering villain to reluctant hero, stretched across the Saiyan, Namek, and Cell sagas.
03The "Always" reveal recontextualizes seven books' worth of a character everyone thought they understood.
04Turns on the Emperor to save his son in the trilogy's final act — the redemption the whole saga was building to.
05Loses a hand, gains a conscience, and spends several seasons genuinely earning Brienne's respect.
06The show doesn't let him off easy for the abusive father he was, which is exactly why the arc works.
07Turns from Kylo Ren back to Ben Solo just in time to save Rey, at the cost of his own life.
08A long, controversial road, but his eventual return to the Leaf closes out one of shonen's biggest arcs.
09From Avengers villain to the god who holds the entire multiverse together, willingly, alone.
10A genuinely messy, well-earned turn from antagonist to Adora's closest ally by the series finale.