Why would anyone love Regina?

Villains need love too.

Regina is a complex character with a tragic past. I, for one, am a sucker for those kinds of characters. It doesn't matter if they're good, bad, or in-between, I immediately latch on to them.

Beyond that, Regina is a layered villain. She's not evil because she was "born that way" or because "she just is." She was pushed into being what she became. Which makes her interesting.

Comparing Regina to Hitler is a gross exaggeration. (And just gross in general.)
Hitler killed people because they went against his idea of perfection. Regina killed people because they hurt her.

On the flip side, why are you only focusing on Regina, here? You can't possibly think that Rumple/Gold is a good person? Or King Midas? Grumpy? Snow is a thief. Graham had sex with Regina multiple times (while Henry was only feet away). But, yet, it's only Regina you're wondering about.

It's perfectly fine to be a fan or Regina.

This is not real life, Regina is not a real person. She did not actually ruin anyone's life.

In the land of fictional literature, television, and movies, you are allowed to indulge in topics and characters you would not normally approve of.
I, for example, really enjoy reading about torture and incest, but it's not something I'd ever practice or encourage. It's just a TV show. Regina's not real. She' not comparable to Hitler at all.

Well, in my opinion some people just have a thing for the bad guy. This isnt specific to Regina, but Ive actually seen people feel sorry for a character after they killed someone just because they were upset when they did it.I do have some sympathy for Regina, but in my opinion her actions have gone too far to be justifiable.
That being said though, I have to agree with Cassie. These are just characters, and it is not like they are fans of a real life killer.

Why would anyone love Emma or Snow or Rumple or any of the other characters in the show. We just do! I've always favored the villains. I just don't understand why it's so wrong to like the bad guys. Fans of good guys never get questioned or judged. Any how I wrote an article on the matter because I knew someone would ask this; link

Reasons to love Regina:

1)Lana Parrilla: There are some actors that just have "it" and she is one of them. Her acting is impressive to say the least.

2)She's a badass: I've always liked watching the tough characters. They add interest to the show.

3)She has inner pain: I feel bad for her. She is not only killing others around her, but she is also killing herself (on the inside).

4)She is funny: Some of the best sarcastic lines come out of her mouth. My personal favorite, "Well you've covered this room, I suggest you branch out."

you clearly have not seen the newest episode! can you honestly say you have no feelings for regina after what her mother did?! to me her mother is the real villain here. its like what regina herself said "evil isnt born. its made" she was pushed into what she has done. her mother is to blame! her mother critized her, her mother forced her to accept a proposal to the king for riches, her mother manipluated snow into telling the secret regina asked snow to keep to herself, and her mother killed the "thing regina loved most" the key words here are "her mother cora is the enemy"

Perhaps it's because people like villains? And comparing her to Hitler is a little extreme isn't it? I realize this came out before Regina redeemed herself, but she's a good person at heart, even if she had done some bad things. Yeah, she killed people but so did Snow White and Emma. Snow White did it to get what she wanted and Regina did it because she wanted to be loved. So back then, I would kind of see your problem, but she's a fictional character who killed people because she let her emotions control her like everyone else, and Hitler simply was a dictator who killed people for disagreeing with him.

Many of the major characters from "ONCE UPON A TIME", as a group, could almost be referred to as Murder, Inc. Only Charming, Belle and Henry haven't killed anyone. On the other hand, Charming is guilty of child kidnapping. And Belle once left Anna of Arabelle for dead at the hands of the Snow Queen.