Overview
- A character’s backstory plays a pivotal role in shaping their identity and informs the audience about significant life experiences that motivate their actions.
- Many anime characters, such as Todoroki and Hibino, grapple with traumatic histories that profoundly influence their personalities.
- From Kakashi to Guts, these characters encounter formidable challenges that shape their present-day choices and perspectives.
The background of a character is integral to their existence, providing depth and understanding for the audience. This concept is especially true in the realm of anime, which boasts a plethora of diverse characters and narratives. A well-crafted backstory allows characters to resonate with viewers, creating a more engaging and emotional connection.
Each character’s unique history not only differentiates them but also often encompasses struggles that evoke empathy from the audience. Numerous characters across various anime series share tragic pasts that significantly contribute to their development, allowing viewers to see the human side of their experiences.
Updated on March 28, 2025, by Suzail Ahmad: In recent years, the emphasis on characters having rich backstories has intensified. Once, creators could skirt around these narratives; now, well-established character arcs are a narrative necessity.
Backstories serve more than just an introduction to a character’s origins; they delineate the pivotal events that have sculpted their personalities, steering them toward particular life paths. It’s common for anime characters with the most heartbreaking histories to gravitate towards malevolent choices, illustrating how past pain influences current decisions.
25 Shoto Todoroki
Haunted by a Father’s Expectations
As one of the pivotal characters in My Hero Academia, Shoto Todoroki is the offspring of Endeavor, the strongest pro-hero. From a tender age, he endured both mental and physical abuse, driven by his father’s ambition to cultivate him into a perfect weapon.
This abuse left lasting emotional scars, fostering a distrustful nature among his peers and a preference for isolation. Endeavor’s eventual acknowledgment of his son’s suffering comes far too late for it to mend the damage done.
24 Kafka Hibino
Orphaned by a Kaiju Assault
The protagonist of Kaiju No. 8, Kafka Hibino, presents a cheerful exterior but carries the weight of profound sadness. His childhood is marred by tragic memories, including the devastating Kaiju attack that claimed his parents’ lives.
The trauma from this event drives him to join the Defense Forces, although repeated failures lead him to lose touch with a childhood friend, adding to his burdens.
23 Nagato Uzumaki
Befriended by Loss
Nagato, a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan, enjoyed a peaceful life until the brutal murder of his parents shattered his world. Consumed by grief and rage, he sought revenge by killing his parents’ assassins.
His misfortunes continued, as tragedy struck again when he witnessed his friend Yahiko sacrifice himself for peace, forcing Nagato into a harrowing quest to change a broken world.
22 Escanor
The Weight of Abandonment
Escanor, a key member of the Seven Deadly Sins, is portrayed as the embodiment of pride, but hidden beneath this facade lies his painful past as a prince of Castellio. Bullied by his older brother, Escanor faced exacerbated adversity when he accidentally injured him, leading to his banishment.
His journey with the Seven Deadly Sins ultimately provided him solace, granting him the acceptance he had long sought.
21 Gyutaro and Daki
Victims of Society
Gyutaro and Daki, the central antagonists of the Entertainment District arc, present a compelling narrative of hardship and societal rejection. Before their transformation into demons, they were impoverished humans subjected to merciless treatment from their mother and society.
Gyutaro was forced to scavenge to survive, while Daki endured horrifying abuse and near-fatal injuries, which ultimately shaped their demonic existence.
20 Bartholomew Kuma
Sacrificed for Family
Once a powerful officer in the Revolutionary Army, Bartholomew Kuma sacrificed everything for the sake of protecting his daughter, Bonney. He surrendered his consciousness, succumbing to the whims of the World Government’s cruel experiments.
Kuma’s tragic backstory includes the horrific treatment of his family as criminals, a loss that led to a cycle of despair as he witnessed the death of loved ones at the hands of tyranny.
19 Amane Suou
Tragedy and Bullying
Amane Suou, a seemingly cheerful student at Mihama Academy, harbors a painful past. At age 13, she survived a horrific accident that took the lives of many, leading to intense survivor’s guilt and subsequent bullying.
Misunderstood and ostracized, Amane dealt with the heavy toll of her past, which significantly impacted her mental health and emotional well-being.
18 Sakura Matou
Endured Unthinkable Abuse
Sakura Matou’s life has been plagued by tragedy and abuse. Abandoned by her biological family, she was subjected to manipulation and torment by her foster family, specifically by her foster brother Shinji.
Her suffering was compounded when she underwent inhumane treatment, transforming her into an emotionally scarred individual struggling to find her place in the world.
17 Mitty
Victim of Cruel Experiments
Once a bright and hopeful girl, Mitty’s life took a grotesque turn after being subjected to horrific experiments by the sinister Bondrewd. This grim reality transformed her into a Narehate, stripping away her humanity and intelligence.
Despite her suffering, Mitty retained her unwavering optimism, a testament to her resilient spirit until the end.
16 Rei Kiriyama
Struggled Against Loneliness
Rei Kiriyama, the main character of March Comes In Like A Lion, grapples with emotional turmoil stemming from a harrowing childhood marked by bullying and loss. The death of his family left him isolated, clinging to the hope of belonging while constantly battling inner conflicts.
Fostered by a family burdened by challenges, Rei ultimately chose solitude to escape the negativity, reflecting the depths of his struggles.
15 Levi Ackerman
A Survivor’s Grit
Levi Ackerman, renowned for his skill in Attack on Titan, rose from a harsh childhood plagued by loss. His mother’s early death and the neglect from his surroundings forced him to cultivate resilience and combat skills from an early age.
His traumatic upbringing shaped him into the formidable figure he is today, sustained by the memory of the struggles he overcame.
14 Eri
Tool for Exploitation
Eri possesses a unique quirk that allows her to rewind situations to their previous states. However, this power made her the target of exploitation and horrific treatment, leading to her mother disowning her and a life filled with torment at the hands of Chisaki.
Enduring constant fear and suffering, Eri’s story highlights the darker sides of power and exploitation.
13 Lelouch VI Britannia
Freighted By Grief
Lelouch, the brilliant protagonist from Code Geass, bears the weight of loss, having witnessed his mother’s murder and his sister’s paralysis. His tragic history intertwined with betrayal by his father fuels his quest for vengeance against the Kingdom of Britannia.
His emotional scars are a driving force behind his desire to reshape the world, showcasing how loss can catalyze a thirst for justice.
12 Ray
Witness to Horror
In The Promised Neverland, Ray stands out as one of the few who understands the dreadful truth of their existence. Acknowledging the grim fate awaiting the children of Grace Field House led him to witness the unthinkable: the deaths of his friends, orchestrated by his own mother’s betrayal.
This profound knowledge weighs heavily on Ray, shaping his motivations and actions as he strives for freedom.
11 Hatori Chise
Lost in Despair
Once embraced by a caring family, Chise’s world fell apart when her father abandoned her, and her mother was driven mad by the supernatural forces surrounding her. Chise endured immense pain and betrayal, even contemplating suicide due to the burdens of her existence.
Her journey represents the struggle for identity and acceptance against overwhelming odds, showcasing the harsh realities faced by those battling inner demons.
10 Edward and Alphonse Elric
Haunted by a Failed Resurrection
Driven by grief, brothers Edward and Alphonse sought to revive their deceased mother, only to face catastrophic consequences. The disastrous attempt resulted in Edward losing both an arm and a leg, while Alphonse’s soul was bound to armor, forever altering their fates.
The emotional aftermath of their mother’s death continues to fuel their journey, as they navigate the complexities of loss, guilt, and the pursuit of redemption.
9 Kurapika
Burdened by Vengeance
As the only survivor of his clan, Kurapika from Hunter x Hunter carries the weight of vengeance. After witnessing the brutal massacre of his family by the Phantom Troupe, he dedicates his life to avenging their deaths and reclaiming his clan’s honor.
His unending quest for revenge illustrates how grief can transform into a powerful motivator, compelling him to confront both his pain and the foes that walk free.
8 Trafalgar Law
The Survivor of Flevance
Trafalgar Law, the captain of the Heart Pirates from One Piece, carries a heavy burden stemming from his past. The devastating massacre in his hometown of Flevance left Law as one of its few survivors, witnessing the deaths of his family and friends.
His escape through dire circumstances and the tragic loss of Corazon, whom he considered a father figure, deepens the emotional scars that define his character.
7 Kakashi Hatake
Carried the Weight of Loss
Kakashi Hatake, celebrated in Naruto for his prowess, faced a tumultuous childhood marked by significant loss. He endured the grief of losing both his mother at an early age and his father, who succumbed to despair over societal judgment.
These experiences profoundly influenced his development, shaping him into a compassionate mentor while guiding him to utilize his tragedy as a source of strength.
6 Sakata Gintoki
A Life of Contradictions
In stark contrast to his humorous demeanor, Sakata Gintoki’s life is riddled with sorrow and tragedy. As a war scavenger turned student, his life pivots when he meets his master, Shoyo, only to be forced to take his mentor’s life at the hands of the Naraku.
The complexity of his past lays the foundation for Gintoki’s character development, making him a compelling figure in the anime landscape.