Anime really knows how to tug on heartstrings. When it comes to backstories, that's when tears are shed the most. Backstories are a great way to understand more about a character. It answers questions as to why they act the way they do in the present. There are too many examples of characters who are left broken from their horrific pasts.
However, there are a few exceptions where characters are still able to show kindness and optimism despite their unfortunate deal of life. If anything, the trauma these characters have faced made them stronger versions of themselves, and they are still able to see the good that life gives.
10 Tanjiro Keeps His Humanity Even After Losing Everything (Demon Slayer)
In Demon Slayer's first episode, Tanjiro's life was struck with tragedy, as he discovered that his entire family had been attacked by a demon. Such an event would be enough to break many characters, but somehow Tanjiro is still able to hold it together, mainly due to his new mission to find a way to turn his sister back into a human.
Tanjiro has so much kindness and humanity in a world of despair and devastation. His compassion is so admirable, even though he has every right to despise the world he lives in due to all the pain that it has caused him and the ones he cares for most.
9 Meliodas Remains Carefree Despite His Ongoing Tragedy (Seven Deadly Sins)
Meliodas is the most powerful character in Seven Deadly Sins, and will not hesitate to fight for the ones he cares about. Although he's dubbed the Sin of Wrath, Meliodas for the most part has a very laidback personality. He's a jokester, a flirt, and very nonchalant, yet his backstory is a huge contradiction to his current way of life.
He used a demon until he fell in love with a goddess named Elizabeth. Due to this outrageous and unconventional relationship, the two were cursed with a fate worse than death. Meliodas is given immortal life whilst Elizabeth dies in Meliodas' arms each time she's reincarnated. Meliodas has seen Elizabeth die a total of 106 times.
8 Koro-Sensei's Past Is Why He Cares About His Students (Assassination Classroom)
Considering the fact that he was one of the most dangerous assassins in the world, Koro-sensei seems to have a big heart. He grew up in a country where no one could be trusted, and this is what led him down a path of assassination. Koro-sensei is eventually captured and forced to endure an experiment that fuses anti-matter with his own cells. He soon develops a mutual relationship with a woman at the facility, Aguri Yukimura.
UponAguri's death, he promised to protect and take care of her class. His carefree approach to life and his treatment of class 1-E was a way for him to honor his promise to Aguri.
7 Might Guy Had To Work Hard For Success (Naruto)
Might Guy is one of the most genuine characters in Naruto. He radiates nothing but positive vibes and is all-around a very likable person. Growing up, his father was his biggest supporter, and always encouraged him to never give up. Guy was able to enter the Ninja Academy as an alternate due to pushing himself beyond his limits and working hard every day.
After his father's death, Guy remembered when his father said that victory is achieved when giving your life to protect what's important. This is a philosophy that Guy follows throughout his life, and the encouragement his father gave him is echoed in his teaching and training with Rock Lee.
6 Shoko Shows Kindness To Her Bullies (A Silent Voice)
Shoko is a sweet and kind girl, all she wanted to do was make friends in her new school, yet she only received hate and torment, made even worse when it stemmed from her being deaf. The fact that she couldn't even hear what her bullies said about her made the whole situation even more devastating.
She somehow managed to keep smiling and trying to befriend others. When she meets Shoya again during high school, it opens old wounds and she suddenly finds herself facing her childhood memories once again. Overall, it's surprising how Shoko was able to stay so positive when such terrible things were happening to her.
5 Eri Finally Smiles After Being Rescued (My Hero Academia)
Eri is still a child, yet her backstory proves why seeing her smile during a concert is such a big feat. With her Quirk, Eri accidentally rewound time to a moment when her father no longer existed. She soon finds herself in the "care" of Overhaul who treats her as nothing more than an experiment for his own twisted ambition.
When she's finally saved by heroes and breaks free from Overhaul's reign, she's able to experience everything wonderful about being a normal seven-year-old girl. Eri now loves life and the happiness it brings, which is exactly the outcome deserved after such a sad beginning to her childhood.
4 Yui Is Full Of Life Even In The Afterlife (Angel Beats)
Since Angel Beats' characters are living in a version of the afterlife, they all have tragic backstories of their previous lives. However, Yui's harsh reality whilst alive hasn't stopped her from being cheery in the afterlife. Her bright and boisterous personality is most likely a reflection of the fact that she spent most of her life quadriplegic after being involved in a serious car crash.
Yui spent her life bedridden, and her mother tended to her every need. Her upbeat personality is her way of living the full life she was never able to actually live, and it's great to see her be able to truly appreciate the things that she loves.
3 Naruto Fights For His Dreams During A Childhood Of Loneliness (Naruto)
It's a miracle that Naruto became the hero after the childhood he faced. Due to the Nine-Tails inside of him, everyone in the village immediately painted him as a threat, despite Naruto being innocent. His parents sacrificed their lives to save him, which just made him even more lonely and feared.
He was meant to be protected and cared for but in the end, he had no one. Despite this lonely childhood, Naruto still had big dreams to one day become the Hokage of the village that hated him. This dream is what gave him the strength to keep going and prove everyone wrong by becoming the most powerful person in the world.
2 Kirishima Wants To Be Courageous Due To His Lack Of Confidence Growing Up (My Hero Academia)
Kirishima is one of the most positive characters in My Hero Academia, so when his backstory was revealed, it was surprising that he was never always this way. He had dreams of becoming a Pro Hero, but when he witnessed some classmates being interrogated by a mysterious figure, he froze in place and couldn't step in to save them.
He gets frustrated at himself, questioning why he couldn't just run into the situation without thinking twice, and saying that he'll never be a Pro Hero if he's too scared to save someone. When he watches an interview with Crimson Riot on TV, it inspires him to become the courageous person he is now. This ambition is reflected in his journey to becoming a brave Pro Hero.
1 Brook Always Sees The Funny Side Regardless Of His Tragic Past (One Piece)
Brook has a carefree spirit, a heart of gold, and is larger than life. However, this outlook may come as a surprise when considering his backstory. Brook's previous captain and half his crew died of a mysterious illness, and he becomes the new captain of the surviving crewmates. Before long, the remaining crew is attacked by enemy pirates who used poisonous weapons. One by one, all of Brook's crewmates died until only Brook is left. Thanks to his Devil Fruit, Brook's soul is returned to his body.
Unfortunately, the ship's rudder is damaged, and Brook is left to drift across the sea completely alone. It's remarkable that he's still able to see the humorous side of life after decades of solitude.