Top 10 Anime Characters With The Most Tragic Backstory

Pavas Gagneja
Jul 12
6 min read

Top 10 anime characters with tragic backstories

Some of the most iconic and memorable characters in anime are the ones who’ve suffered the most, and their painful stories are often what shape their personality and growth. Some lost their loved ones, while others have seen nothing but trauma all their lives.

Each of these characters has faced more than their fair share of pain. The tragic backstory of these anime characters made us cry, got us emotionally attached, and gave these characters a special place in anime history.

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10/10 Shoto Todoroki — My Hero Academia

Shoto Todoroki using Fire and Ice Quirks

Shoto Todoroki might look like he has it all — a strong Quirk, a cool personality, and top-class potential. But behind his calm face is a childhood full of pain. His father, Endeavor, was obsessed with surpassing All Might and used Shoto as a tool to achieve that dream. He even arranged a "Quirk marriage" just to produce a powerful child. Shoto was forced to train under harsh conditions from a young age, while also being isolated from his siblings.

To make it worse, Shoto’s mother, who was mentally broken by Endeavor’s abuse, accidentally burned the left side of his face. That incident scarred him both physically and emotionally. Shoto’s tragic past is a constant reminder that even heroes can have broken homes and deep trauma.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
April 2016	7.84	Bones	Adventure, Action	Netflix

9/10 Gaara — Naruto

Gaara was once one of the most feared Ninjas in the Naruto universe, but few knew about the sadness behind his cold eyes. Born as the Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast, Gaara was treated like a monster by the people of his village. Even his own father saw him as a weapon rather than a son, and he was constantly under watch or attack.

The worst part? His only caretaker, his uncle, tried to kill him — on orders from Gaara’s father. This betrayal crushed Gaara’s heart and turned him into someone who believed love didn’t exist. His amazing transformation from a lonely killer to someone who values friendship is what makes his story truly powerful.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2002	8.01	Pierrot	Action, Adventure	Netflix

8/10 Killua Zoldyck — Hunter x Hunter

He is one of the coolest and smartest anime characters, but also with he has a tragic backstory. He was born into the infamous Zoldyck family, a clan of elite assassins. Since childhood, he was trained to kill and was even tortured by his own brother, Illumi, and his parents to make him stronger and obedient.

Despite being just a kid, Killua has experienced things that no child should ever go through. The pressure to become the perfect assassin nearly crushed his sense of self. Luckily, his friendship with Gon gave him a chance to live a more normal life, but the shadows of his past still follow him.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2011	9.03	Madhouse	Action, Adventure	Netflix

7/10 Ray — The Promised Neverland

Ray’s tragic backstory is filled with quiet pain and horrifying knowledge. He was born in a farm that secretly raised children as food for demons, and unlike the other kids, Ray knew the truth all along. What’s even more shocking is that he remembered everything since birth due to his high intelligence.

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Ray spent his entire life pretending to be normal while secretly planning an escape. To make things worse, his mother, Isabella, was actually working for the enemy. Imagine knowing your mom is helping to send you and your friends to your deaths and not being able to do anything about it. Ray’s calm and mature personality hides the immense pain he carries inside.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
January 2019	8.48	CloverWorks	Mystery, Suspense	Crunchyroll

6/10 Kurapika — Hunter x Hunter

Kurapika chasing after the Phantom Troupe

Kurapika's story is full of revenge, loss, and deep sorrow. He is the last surviving member of the Kurta Clan, a group of people known for their beautiful Eyes. His entire clan was murdered by the Phantom Troupe, who stole their eyes and sold them on the black market.

Living with survivor’s guilt, Kurapika dedicates his life to avenging his clan. He becomes a Hunter and risks everything just to get back what was taken from his people. His pain gives him purpose, but it also makes him distant and consumed by rage. His quest for justice is heartbreaking because it’s built on so much blood and loss.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2011	9.03	Madhouse	Action, Adventure	Netflix

5/10 Itachi Uchiha — Naruto

At first, Itachi was seen as a villain who killed his entire clan. But later, we learn that his story is one of the saddest in Naruto. Itachi was forced by the village leaders to wipe out the Uchiha clan to prevent a rebellion and a possible civil war. He carried out this horrible task to protect the village and especially his younger brother, Sasuke.

Living as a criminal, hated by everyone, including his own brother, Itachi carried this burden until the end. He suffered in silence, hiding the truth, and chose to be seen as a monster so his brother could grow stronger. He let his brother kill him to relieve himself of that pain.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2002	8.01	Pierrot	Action, Adventure	Netflix

4/10 Seras Victoria — Hellsing

As a child, she witnessed the brutal murder of her parents right in front of her eyes. This traumatic experience led her to become a police officer, hoping to bring justice to others. Later, during a mission gone wrong, she was turned into a vampire by Alucard.

Her human life ended that night, and she was thrown into a violent, supernatural world. Even as a vampire, she holds on to her humanity and struggles with the pain of her past. Her strength comes from all that she has endured.

Anime	Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Watch On
Hellsing	October 2001	7.49	Gonzo	Netflix

3/10 Ash Lynx — Banana Fish

Ash looks like a cool and tough street gang leader, but his past is filled with horror. He was physically abused as a child and used as a pawn by powerful people. Raised in a violent environment, he had to learn to survive from a young age by using his wits and fighting skills.

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Despite everything, Ash tries to protect those he cares about, especially Eiji, his only real friend. His journey is full of pain, betrayal, and heartbreaking moments. Ash’s tragic story shows how hard it is to find peace when the world around you is full of cruelty.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
July 2018	8.45	MAPPA	Action, Adventure	Prime Video

2/10 Hyakkimaru — Dororo

Hyakkimaru's life is one of the most tragic and unfair in all of anime. He was born without almost any body parts because his father made a deal with demons in exchange for power. Left to die, he was found by a kind doctor who gave him artificial limbs and senses.

As he grows up, Hyakkimaru fights demons to get his body back, one piece at a time. He can't speak, hear, or feel for most of his journey, and he’s constantly attacked by both humans and monsters. His life is a fight for something most people are born with — his own body and identity.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
January 2019	8.25	MAPPA	Action, Adventure	Prime Video

1/10 Guts — Berserk

At the top of the list is Guts, the Black Swordsman from Berserk. He has seen nothing but tragedy all his life. He was born from the corpse of his dead mother and raised by mercenaries who abused him, every which way. As he grew older, he became a skilled fighter but never truly felt safe or loved.

Things got even worse when his best friend Griffith betrayed him and sacrificed their comrades to become a god-like being. Guts lost everything — his friends, his lover's sanity, and even his peace of mind. His whole journey is about surviving a world that constantly tries to break him. Despite all that, Guts keeps going, making him the ultimate symbol of strength through pain.