Top 10 Anime Characters with the Saddest Pasts

Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Naruto Uzumaki is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the anime and manga series Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He first appeared in 1999 in Weekly Shōnen Jump and has since become one of the most iconic characters in anime and manga. Naruto's journey from a mischievous outcast to... read more

Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rukia_Kuchiki?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Rukia has a sad past. She never got to meet her sister, then lost her own mentor to a hollow. She had it rough.

Gaara (Naruto)

Gaara is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is the jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Shukaku and possesses the ability to manipulate sand, which he stores in a large gourd carried on his back. Gaara later becomes the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure.

Sure, his backstory was similar to Naruto's, but it's the differences that set him apart. Gaara was considered a monster by not only his village but his family as well. His uncle tried to kill him on orders from Gaara's own father.
I think the fact that he had a family but was treated as he was is more tragic than Naruto's situation. Gaara was even led to believe by his father that his mother had hated him and that he was responsible for her death. Think about all that verbal abuse coming from the family who is supposed to love you. No wonder Gaara was so messed up and unstable.

His past is similar to Naruto's.

Alphonse and Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)

Sasuke Uchiha is a fictional character from the Naruto manga and anime franchise, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a member of the Uchiha clan and one of the main characters in the series. Sasuke is portrayed as Naruto Uzumaki's rival and follows a complex path throughout the storyline.

I honestly feel like if I were to choose, I'd say Itachi had a sadder backstory. Sure, Sasuke saw the dead bodies of his clan, but Itachi had to actually kill them and his parents, all for the sake of the village. Everyone always says poor Sasuke, but I feel that Itachi is the one that had it more rough. Forced to make an impossible decision between his village or clan, then he had to leave his village and join a cult to spy on for his village, all while he was still a teen. Finally, he dies without his village knowing of his sacrifice for them.
At least Sasuke found out about Itachi after he died, but Sasuke was a bystander for his clan's murder, while Itachi was forced to be an active participant. Itachi was a hero to his village, but no one knew or acknowledged this while he was alive. He was treated as a traitor for following orders and putting the lives of the entire village before his own clan or emotions. He was like the shadow Hokage.

Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)

Erza Scarlet is an S-Class Mage from the infamous magic guild Fairy Tail. She starts off as a lone wolf who strictly follows the rules. As the story develops, Erza changes into a loving, strong, and independent mage.

Her terrible past haunts her, and she initially ignores her nakama's calls for... read more

Gray Fullbuster (Fairy Tail)

Gray Fullbuster is a wizard in the Fairy Tail series who is known for being kind, sensitive, and emotionally complex. He frequently finds himself in his underwear due to a habit of stripping, which he developed while training under his now-deceased master, Ur. Gray is an Ice-Make Mage with deep insecurities... read more

Nico Robin (One Piece)

"Devil Child" Nico Robin is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. She is an archaeologist and a member of the Straw Hat Pirates, known for her calm demeanor and intelligence. Robin has the ability to sprout body parts from any surface using the powers of the Hana... read more

Nami (One Piece)

Nami is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. She is the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates and is known for her skills in cartography, navigation, and theft. Her character was based on Ann and Silk, two characters from Oda's earlier work Romance Dawn.

Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)

Ken Kaneki is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Tokyo Ghoul, created by Sui Ishida. He is a human who becomes a half-ghoul after receiving organ transplants from a ghoul. His journey explores themes of identity, morality, and survival in a world divided between humans and ghouls.

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Nia Teppelin (Gurren Lagann)

Nia Teppelin is a fictional character in the anime series Gurren Lagann, known in Japan as Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and Konami. The series was directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by veteran playwright Kazuki Nakashima. Nia plays a pivotal role in... read more

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Simon (Gurren Lagann)

Simon is a fictional character in the anime series Gurren Lagann, known in Japan as Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. The series was animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and Konami. It was directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by veteran playwright Kazuki Nakashima... read more

Jellal Fernandes (Fairy Tail)

Jellal Fernandes is a childhood friend of Erza Scarlet. He became a Dark Mage determined to resurrect Zeref using the R-System and later lost his memory. He was the primary antagonist of the Tower of Heaven arc and later became a co-founder and member of the independent guild Crime Sorcière.

His past is way worse than Erza's because at least Erza has her friends and Fairy Tail, plus everyone loves and idolizes her. Meanwhile, Jellal had been controlled for most of his life, then had to either go to jail or be relentlessly on the run as a fugitive, facing the risk of being caught all the time.

Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)

Itachi Uchiha is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Naruto, which was created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a member of the Uchiha clan and plays a key role in the series' storyline. Itachi is widely recognized for his complex character and significant influence on the plot.

Kill your own family just for the good of your village, but the village that he saved treats him like a criminal. It's more painful that you killed your own family just for the sake of a village that betrayed you. I think he should be in the top 3 because Sasuke just watched his family die but the village accepted him.

I feel like having to kill your own family is much worse than watching your family get killed. Sasuke shouldn't be so high up.

Ciel Phantomhive (Black Butler)

Earl Ciel Phantomhive (Japanese: シエル・ファントムハイヴ, Shieru Fantomuhaivu) is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series Black Butler. He is the current head of the Phantomhive house, the notorious Queen's Watchdog, the owner of the Funtom Corporation, and an Aristocrat of Evil.... read more

Sanji (One Piece)

Vinsmoke Sanji, commonly known by the nickname "Black Leg" Sanji, is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. He is the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates and previously served as the sous chef at the floating restaurant Baratie... read more

Nagato (Naruto)

Nagato, also known by his alias "Pain," is a fictional character from the Naruto manga and anime franchise. He was created by Masashi Kishimoto and serves as a major antagonist in the series. Through his leadership of the Akatsuki organization, he plays a significant role in several of the series' major... read more

Kikyo (Inuyasha)

Kikyo is a character in the Inuyasha manga series and its anime adaptations created by Rumiko Takahashi. She is a powerful priestess who was originally the guardian of the Shikon Jewel. Kikyo plays a central role in the series' early plot, particularly in her tragic relationship with the half-demon Inuyasha... read more

Her story is filled with so much sadness. Like a soul that's full of sorrow and needs to be put to rest.

Shoto Todoroki (My Hero Academia)

He hasn't had anyone die or anything, but he had an abusive father and his mom poured boiling water on his head.

Zeref Dragneel (Fairy Tail)

Zeref Dragneel is a character from the anime and manga series Fairy Tail, created by Hiro Mashima. He first appears in chapter 200 of the manga and episode 96 of the anime. Zeref is known as the most powerful Dark Wizard in the series and is afflicted with the Curse of Contradiction.... read more

Hmm... Zeref and Jellal have the saddest pasts in my opinion, but Zeref has been enduring pain for 400 years, so... yeah.

Ganta Igarashi (Deadman Wonderland)

Guts (Berserk)

Guts is the main character in the manga series Berserk, created by Kentaro Miura. He is a skilled swordsman known for wielding a massive weapon called the Dragon Slayer. The series follows his journey through a dark fantasy world as he battles demons and struggles with his traumatic past.

Born by a corpse, raised by a group of mercenaries, and hardened by the flames of many battles, Guts learned that in this life, only the powerful survive. Always alone, always in battle, he doesn't have anyone or anything to call his own, only his trusted blade.

Shouko Nishimiya (A Silent Voice)

Kurapika (Hunter × Hunter)

Kurapika (Japanese: クラピカ) is a main character from the anime and manga series Hunter × Hunter, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. Kurapika is the last remaining member of the Kurta Clan (クルタ族, Kuruta-zoku), and wishes to become a Hunter in order to avenge his clan and recover their scarlet-glowing... read more

Future Trunks (Dragon Ball)

Future Trunks is a recurring character in the Dragon Ball universe. He makes his debut appearance during the Android Saga to assist Goku in defeating Cell. He's also the son of Vegeta and Bulma. He's a powerful warrior with unique abilities and is proficient in using his sword to defend himself.... read more

Kyoko Sakura (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

Mami Tomoe (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

Mami Tomoe (Japanese: 巴マミ) is a fictional character and one of the five main magical girls from the 2011 anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica. She is known for her composed demeanor and her ability to summon and wield flintlock rifles in battle. Mami also serves as a protagonist alongside Kyoko... read more