I think Eboshi is actually evil, but she’s charismatically evil so it comes off different.

She allows her own people to be bombed, she abandons the wounded from her caravan, and she’s effectively tricked the lepers into working to death for her. She could have given up on the forest spirit many times, but left irontown under siege so she could have a chance at killing a god.

She only cares about her people so long as they’re empowering her. She listened to Ashitaka talk balance but the minute he went to enforce it, she tried to kill him.

Every time she apologizes and says she will do better, and people forgive her, but she doesn’t actually change her ways.

I think this is why Ashitaka ultimately stays in the town - To basically keep her on the path and to her word. (I don’t recall if he literally says that)