Some anime protagonists face adversity, but then there are those whose lives seem to be nothing but torment and suffering. For these characters, every moment is a battle, whether against external forces, their inner demons or both. Their struggles are intense, shaping their worlds and molding them into figures of pain, resilience and often, tragic heroism.
From early trauma to ongoing suffering, these characters endure hardships that seem almost insurmountable. Their journeys are marked by devastating losses, betrayal and relentless violence, making their quest for survival or vengeance an agonizing trial. Through it all, they show immense strength, though often at the cost of both their humanity and sanity.
10
Nausicaä Carries the Weight of a Dying World on Her Shoulders in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Streaming on Netflix
Few anime protagonists shoulder as much responsibility as Nausicaä. Orphaned at a young age, she carries the weight of an entire kingdom while facing a world teetering on collapse. Toxic wastelands threaten all life, warring factions refuse to coexist, and even the towering Ohmu are misunderstood and exploited. Despite her boundless compassion, she endures immense loss, constantly placing herself in danger as she protects both people and nature.
Her suffering underscores the film’s dire environmental message. The devastated landscape in the Studio Ghibli film isn’t just a backdrop — it’s a warning, and Nausicaä’s hardships reflect the cost of human negligence. She doesn’t just fight against invaders; she struggles against apathy, greed and a world too broken to save itself. Even with her unshakable resolve, she faces tragedy at every turn, proving that heroism often comes with unbearable sacrifice.
9
Tanjiro Loses His Entire Family & Sees His Sister Become a Demon In Demon Slayer Episode 1
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Few anime protagonists endure as much tragedy as Tanjiro Kamado. His entire family is slaughtered in a single night, leaving only his sister, who’s been transformed into a demon. From that moment on, his life is a relentless battle for survival, forcing him to face monstrous, bloodthirsty foes while shouldering the crushing responsibility of protecting Nezuko from those who want her dead.
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Even with unwavering determination and loyal allies, Tanjiro’s path is nothing short of grueling. Every fight against the Twelve Kizuki pushes him past his limits, leaving him battered, broken, and barely alive. His journey doesn’t end in peace, either. The events of Infinity Castle leave him irreversibly changed. For all his skill and resilience, few would willingly trade places with someone who suffers so much just to keep.
8
Denji Is Kept on a Tight Leash After a Lifetime of Abuse
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Denji’s life is a relentless cycle of suffering. Born into poverty and abused by his father, who he’s forced to kill in self-defense, it lands him a crushing, inherited debt to the Yakuza. Struggling to survive, he becomes a Devil Hunter, risking his life daily for scraps. Even after gaining power, he’s little more than a pawn, manipulated by those who see him as disposable.
More than anything, Denji craves love, but his trauma warps his perception of affection. Desperate for connection, he’s exploited time and time again, used by those who feign kindness while pulling him deeper into danger. His experiences with intimacy are often abusive, leaving him emotionally stunted and starved for genuine care. Even with newfound strength, Denji’s life remains bleak, shaped by forces far beyond his control.
7
Seita’s Struggle for Survival in Grave of the Fireflies Ends in One of Anime’s Most Devastating Tragedies
Streaming on Netflix
Seita Yokokawa’s life is a heartbreaking descent into despair. After losing his mother in the Kobe firebombing, he and his little sister Setsuko find temporary shelter with their aunt, only to be met with cruelty instead of comfort. Forced to leave, they struggle to survive in an abandoned bomb shelter, but without access to food rations, their situation rapidly deteriorates, leaving Seita desperate and helpless.
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His suffering embodies the devastating cost of war. Despite his best efforts, Setsuko succumbs to starvation before he can save her, and Japan’s surrender brings only more grief — his father is dead and there’s no home left to return to. Alone and destitute, Seita eventually starves as well, his story serving as a gut-wrenching reminder that war’s true casualties are often the most innocent.
6
Neon Genesis Evangellion’s Shinji Is the Blueprint for Tormented Anime Protagonist
Streaming on Netflix
Shinji Ikari’s life is a psychological nightmare. Thrust into a war he never asked for, he’s forced to pilot an EVA against monstrous Angels, all while battling his own crippling insecurities. His father, Gendo, is emotionally distant and only values him as a tool, leaving Shinji desperate for approval. The weight of humanity’s survival rests on his shoulders, yet he constantly doubts his own worth.
Isolation and trauma define Shinji’s existence. He struggles to form meaningful relationships, trapped between self-loathing and a fear of rejection. His connection with Asuka is fraught with tension, and every battle chips away at his fragile psyche. As the series unfolds, his mental state deteriorates, leading to constant emotional breakdowns and existential despair. For Shinji, suffering isn’t just a consequence of war — it’s an inescapable part of his reality.
5
The Elric Brothers’ Entire Story Is About Ending Their Tremendous Suffering in Fullmetal Alchemist
Streaming on Crunchyroll
The Elric brothers’ journey is steeped in tragedy. A desperate attempt to bring their mother back through forbidden alchemy literally costs Edward an arm and a leg, while Alphonse loses his entire body. With Al’s soul bound to a suit of armor, they embark on a dangerous quest for the Philosopher’s Stone, enduring constant battles, moral dilemmas, and devastating losses in their pursuit of redemption.
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Their suffering doesn’t end with victory. Edward ultimately sacrifices his alchemy to restore Alphonse, losing the very ability that defined him. Though they reclaim their bodies, the cost is staggering and their past mistakes haunt them. Despite their resilience, their lives are marked by pain, sacrifice and the weight of their choices, showing that even heroes don’t escape suffering unscathed.
4
Eren Jaeger’s Tragic Descent From Hero to Villain Still Haunts Attack on Titan Fans
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Eren’s life in Attack on Titan, one of the darkest shonen anime, is defined by loss and an unrelenting struggle for freedom. As a child, he watched his mother die in a Titan attack, igniting his obsessive hatred for them. His father’s decision to pass down the Attack Titan only forced him deeper into a cycle of violence. Burdened with humanity’s fate, Eren’s once-simple dream of freedom morphs into something far darker.
The weight of his power and knowledge slowly warps Eren’s ideals, pushing him toward ruthless decisions. His mind deteriorates under the pressure, leading to extreme actions that blur the line between hero and villain. He bottles up emotions until they explode, fueling his downward spiral. Though his suffering is immense, his choices leave behind devastation, making him one of anime’s most tragic yet morally complex protagonists.
3
Kaneki Ken Endures a Relentless Cycle of Physical & Psychological Torture in Tokyo Ghoul
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Kaneki’s life takes a horrific turn when he’s forcibly transformed into a half-ghoul, trapping him between two worlds that both reject him. Struggling with his fading humanity, he’s forced into a brutal existence where survival means consuming human flesh. Tragedy shatters his attempts to find peace, as he continuously loses loved ones and faces violence from both humans and ghouls alike.
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Physical and psychological torment define Kaneki’s existence. He endures sadistic torture that warps his mind, leading him to embrace darker instincts just to survive. Even when he tries to protect others, his efforts often bring more suffering, leaving him isolated and drowning in guilt. With every loss and betrayal, he spirals further into despair, making his journey one of relentless agony and existential conflict.
2
Subaru Natsuki Is Hardly Living Even Though He Literally Can’t Die in Re:Zero
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Natuski’s existence is an unending nightmare of suffering and failure. His “Return by Death” ability forces him to relive his own gruesome deaths and those of his loved ones, creating a psychological burden few could endure. Each reset strips him of hope, as he struggles to find the right path while carrying the weight of every horrifying outcome he has witnessed.
Beyond the physical pain, Subaru’s psyche crumbles under the constant pressure of loss and responsibility. He fights to protect those he loves but is powerless to escape the cycle of despair. His repeated failures reinforce his self-loathing, and no one even remembers his sacrifices. Trapped in an existence where he must suffer alone, Subaru’s journey is less about heroism and more about surviving a fate worse than death.
Re: Zero
- Release Date
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April 8, 2016
1
Guts From Berserk Is a Gold Medalist in the Anime Main Character Suffering Olympics
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Guts’ life is a relentless cycle of suffering, forged in blood and betrayal. Born from a corpse and raised by an abusive mercenary, he endured unthinkable trauma from an early age. His only sense of belonging was shattered when Griffith, his closest friend, sacrificed their comrades for power. Forced to watch his lover’s brutal assault, he lost an arm, an eye and any hope of peace.
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Marked for death by the Brand of Sacrifice, Guts is relentlessly hunted by demonic forces, fighting for survival every waking moment. His path is one of vengeance, but it comes at the cost of his humanity. The Berserker Armor amplifies his fury, threatening to consume him entirely. Despite everything, he pushes forward, wielding his massive sword against a cruel world that never granted him a shred of mercy.
