25 Anime Characters With Heartbreaking Backstories You Won’t Be Able To Forget

Summary

A character’s backstory is crucial to shaping their identity, showcasing key life events that influence their actions.
Several anime characters like Todoroki and Hibino suffer from traumatic pasts, which shape their personalities.
From Kakashi to Guts, each character faced intense hardships, affecting their present-day decisions and worldview.

A character’s past experiences greatly influence how they are perceived, providing viewers with a richer understanding of their motivations. This is crucial in any form of media, and even in the realm of anime, with its multitude of diverse characters, it plays an essential role.

Each distinct character background sets them apart as individuals. In various storylines, numerous characters carry the burden of a difficult past, significantly impacting their unique personas. Despite hailing from diverse television series, these characters share compelling backstories that resonate deeply with audiences.

A backstory not only discloses an individual’s lineage, but it also outlines crucial life events that have significantly impacted them. These experiences frequently mold a character’s personality and influence their course in life. This is why many anime characters with particularly heart-wrenching pasts often find themselves treading a path fraught with darkness.

25. Shoto Todoroki

Tormented By His Own Father

In the anime series My Hero Academia, Todoroki is one of the key characters. He’s actually the son of Endeavor, who is renowned as one of the world’s most powerful pro-heroes. From a tender age, Todoroki endured both mental and physical abuse at his father’s hands, in an attempt to mold him into a supreme weapon.

In his youth, Todoroki endured considerable emotional turmoil, which significantly shaped his character. He tended to keep his distance from his peers and was hesitant to trust them. To compound matters, Endeavor did not express regret for his actions towards his son until well into the future.

24. Kafka Hibino

Lost His Parents In A Kaiju Attack

In the captivating world of Kaiju No. 8, I, Kafka Hibino, take center stage as the leading character. On the outside, I’m a beacon of cheerfulness and humor that leaves those around me in stitches. But beneath this jovial facade lies a wellspring of sorrow.

My childhood, alas, is not adorned with many joyous memories. Given the colossal might of the Kaiju, it’s scarcely surprising that my past is shrouded in shadows rather than sunlight.

As a child, Kafka experienced a devastating Kaiju attack in his hometown that took the lives of his parents. In an attempt to join the Defense Forces, he tried numerous times but was unsuccessful each time. Consequently, he lost touch with his longtime friend due to these circumstances.

23. Nagato Uzumaki

Watched His Best Friend Die In Front Of His Eyes

As a proud member of the Uzumaki Clan, I found myself one of the rare survivors, living blissfully with my cherished parents. However, their sudden, brutal slaying at the hands of ninjas shattered this tranquility, leaving me in a state of shock and fury. The trauma from their loss fueled an unquenchable thirst for justice within me, which ultimately led to me seeking vengeance against the perpetrators by meting out the same fate they had dealt my family.

Not long after, Nagato departed from home and wandered through the battle zones. It wasn’t long before he encountered Konan and Yahiko. After spending some time with them, he found joy again. Yet, destiny had different aspirations for him. Before Nagato’s very eyes, Yahiko took his own life in the name of preserving peace. Following this tragic event, the weight of altering the world fell upon Nagato’s shoulders.

22. Escanor

Abandoned By His Parents

Escanor belonged to the Seven Deadly Sins, a band of knights responsible for safeguarding Britannia against various threats. To many, he symbolized arrogance, but those privy to his background understood that he harbored deeper mysteries.

Born as a royal prince in the realm of Castellio, Escanor had an older brother who frequently bullied him, causing him genuine distress. However, when his hidden powers emerged, he unintentionally fractured his brother’s arm. Consequently, he was exiled from his very own kingdom. Regardless of where he went, people harbored resentment towards him and didn’t hesitate to express their negative views. It wasn’t until Escanor became a member of the Seven Deadly Sins that he began to feel more at ease.

21. Gyutaro and Daki

Trodden Upon By Society

In the Entertainment District storyline, Gyutaro and Daki served as the primary adversaries. As part of the Upper Rank Five, they collaborated to create trouble. However, when it came to power, Gyutaro was the more dominant one, taking on most of the challenging tasks.

In their previous lives, Gyutaro and Daki were impoverished humans who suffered greatly. Their mother despised Gyutaro so much that she wished him dead, and after her demise, the siblings struggled to survive on their own. They resorted to eating insects and mice due to lack of resources, a lifestyle that earned them scorn from others who would bully them whenever possible. Similar struggles marked Daki’s life as well, including being brutally burned by a samurai, leaving her close to death.

20. Bartholomew Kuma

Lost Almost Everyone That He Loved

Previously serving as a member in the Revolutionary Army, Bartholomew Kuma relinquished his position to safeguard Bonney. He didn’t only abandon his aspirations but also surrendered his mental state in the name of paternal love. In order to mend his daughter’s health, Bartholomew Kuma consented to undergo numerous experiments at the hands of the World Government.

In his later years, Kuma had a difficult life, as he was once labeled a criminal due to his association with the Buccaneer race. This made the World Government view him as a danger, leading to him and his family being relocated to Marijoa where they were mistreated worse than animals. This harsh treatment resulted in the loss of his parents. Later, when Kuma found someone he wanted to live for, she was taken away from him. Their next encounter was during her final moments.

19. Amane Suou

Had Her Life Made Miserable

At Mihama Academy, Amane Suou is a third-year student known for her deep caring nature. However, she occasionally cracks dirty jokes, which are merely intended to bring laughter. To an observer, Amane seems to lead an ideal life; however, this couldn’t be more misleading.

At age 13, Amane experienced a severe accident that left only a handful of survivors, including herself. In a desperate situation where aid seemed impossible, the survivors began to turn against one another. Her friends courageously sacrificed themselves to save her, but her ordeal did not end there. Upon rescue, rumors spread that she had cannibalistic tendencies, leading to relentless bullying. This torment caused Amane profound sorrow and left her with survivor’s guilt. As a result, her life took a turn for the worse.

18. Sakura Matou

Abused By Other People

Sakura Matou lived a wretched existence devoid of any comfort. Her biological kin deserted her and handed her over to a confidant of her father, who sought to exploit her for personal advantage. The hardships she endured were immense, leaving her bereft of emotions and resembling more of a shell than a living being.

At a certain point, she was made to feed specific insects, which only worsened her situation. Yet, her misfortunes didn’t end there. Sakura’s foster sibling, Shinji Matou, repeatedly mistreated her physically. It’s not surprising that her life became chaotic, and these incidents significantly impacted her character.

17. Mitty

Was Subjected To Several Experiments

Initially, Mitty was just an ordinary human girl, brimming with a sunny outlook on life. Despite the occasional setbacks, she persistently maintained a hopeful disposition. At times, this optimism rubbed others the wrong way, but her infectious good humor ultimately endeared her to them all.

Unfortunately, Bondrewd was responsible for the devastating transformation in Mitty’s life. He forced her, along with other children, to descend to the fifth level. There, Bondrewd conducted cruel experiments on Mitty that resulted in a terrible curse. As a result, Mitty underwent a drastic physical change and lost much of her intellectual abilities. Desperate, Mitty repeatedly implored her closest friend for an end to her suffering, but none of the attempts were successful.

16. Rei Kiriyama

Bullied By People For A Long Time

In the narrative of “March Comes In Like A Lion,” it is Rei Kiriyama who takes center stage. Throughout the story, Rei finds himself at the heart of every event that unfolds. Despite his efforts to fit in with others, his past filled with trauma sometimes causes complications. As a child, he was relentlessly tormented by bullies and struggled to connect with his peers.

In a tragic turn of events, Rei experienced a major setback when his parents and sibling perished in a horrific accident, leaving him all on his own. However, one of his father’s friends stepped in and provided him with a home. After several years, Rei began to feel the weight of the negative environment in his foster home, prompting him to strike out on his own and live independently.

15. Levi Ackerman

Had A Harsh Childhood

In the realm of popular anime figures, Levi Ackerman stands out as one of the most recognized. Notably, he is the strongest human depicted in “Attack on Titan,” but this wasn’t his initial state. Before transforming into the hardened and robust soldier we know today, Levi was once a frail individual.

Raised by a mother who worked in brothels as a means of survival, Levi faced numerous challenges during his early years. Tragically, his mother passed away due to illness when he was quite young. For a brief period, Levi was cared for by his uncle, but ultimately, his uncle abandoned him.

14. Eri

Was Treated As A Mere Tool

Eri possesses a remarkable talent to reverse time and restore things to how they once were. Given its immense power, numerous individuals sought to control it. Regrettably, Eri’s father vanished mysteriously, leading to her mother disavowing her.

Afterward, the girl moved in with her grandpa, but unfortunately, Chisaki induced a coma in him. Subsequently, Chisaki exploited his unique ability to inflict regular torment upon Eri, resulting in physical scars that would remain on her forever.

13. Lelouch VI Britannia

Lost Almost Everyone That He Cared About

Without a doubt, Lelouch, the lead character from “Code Geass,” is often seen as one of the most intelligent anime personalities. Following the acquisition of the Geass in his eye, Lelouch wreaked havoc on the Kingdom of Britannia, a power he had long sought to undermine due to deep-seated animosity that had grown over an extended period.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Lelouch bore the tragic sight of his own mother’s assassination, followed by his young sister’s disability. To add to his misery, Lelouch was forsaken by his father.

12. Ray

Watched His Friends Die One By One

In the story of “The Promised Neverland,” Ray stands out as one of the prominent characters. Unlike the other children residing in Grace Field House, Ray had knowledge about the secretive events unfolding among the children once they reached a particular age.

Ray had always been aware that he and his companions were destined to be taken away by demons, where they would supposedly have their brains consumed. To add to his sorrow, it was his very own mother who organized the transportation of all the children to these demons.

11. Hatori Chise

Wanted To Take Her Own Life

For quite a while, Chise lived a contented life, nurtured by her loving parents. However, circumstances suddenly worsened. Her father abandoned them, taking their son along. Unfortunately, Chise’s mother was unable to manage the supernatural entities drawn towards Chise alone.

Overwhelmed by rage, I saw her attempting to take Chise’s life, yet finding resolve eluded her. Instead, she chose a different path – ending her own existence. For the remainder of Chise’s days, she wandered from one family member’s home to another. In time, she reached a decision: she would sell herself.

10. Edward and Alphonse Elric

Lost Their Mother At A Young Age

In a chilling endeavor, the renowned siblings from “Fullmetal Alchemist,” Edward and Alphonse, found themselves crippled following an appalling scientific trial. Their shared objective was to resurrect their mother; however, the attempt to revive her ended disastrously.

The brothers found themselves in a disarrayed state. While Edward sustained the loss of both his left arm and leg, Alphonse Elric experienced a more drastic fate – losing his entire body, necessitating the use of steel armor as a replacement. This harrowing experience left profound emotional wounds on them.

9. Kurapika

The Sole Survivor Of A Tragedy

Among the principal characters in “Hunter x Hunter,” Kurapika teamed up with Gon and company during the Hunter Exams. Ever since he made his debut, his purpose has been unmistakable – it was all about seeking retribution for his clan members who were brutally killed by the Phantom Troupe.

Following the tragic event, Kurapika stands as the sole survivor. Ever since, he’s been living with the knowledge that those responsible for his kin’s deaths roam free, unrepentant. It’s hardly surprising that he yearns for retribution.

8. Trafalgar Law

Watched His Entire Town Be Massacred

Trafalgar Law serves as captain for the Heart Pirates and is one of the significant characters in the series “One Piece.” His debut occurred at Sabaody Archipelago during a confrontation with the Marines. Known for his powerful Devil Fruit, which allows him to negate most abilities, Trafalgar Law is widely regarded as a formidable adversary.

Yet, Law’s past is deeply emotional. He lost his parents and younger sibling in the Flevance disaster, and narrowly escaped the country by concealing himself beneath deceased bodies. Later, he found solace when he encountered Corazon, but this brief respite was cut short when Doflamingo took Corazon’s life.

7. Kakashi Hatake

Lost His Father At A Young Age

In the realm of anime fandom, Kakashi is undeniably one of the standout figures. His instructors hailed him as a prodigy, and true to form, he proved them right by developing into a powerful ninja, boasting an array of remarkable skills.

Sadly, Kakashi experienced a difficult upbringing. Tragically, his mother died while he was still quite young, and later, his father took his own life due to being shunned by the community. Yet, he didn’t allow his sorrow to consume him; instead, he channeled it into guiding others towards a brighter future.

6. Sakata Gintoki

Forced To End His Master’s Life

In the realm of anime, Sakata Gintoki stands out as one of the most amusing characters, yet his past wasn’t all about laughter and affection. Originally, Gintoki was a battlefield scavenger, wandering from one combat zone to another.

Gintoki’s life underwent a significant transformation upon encountering Shoyo, who developed an interest in him and requested him as his mentor. Tragically, due to circumstances, Gintoki was compelled to end his master’s life at Naraku, which subsequently led to hostility between him and Takasugi.

2025-03-29 06:57