Typically, anime worlds are extremely nerve-wracking and rife with conflict. Although some characters have found ways to find peace within themselves through life philosophies or meditation, others are constantly stressed about the current situation and what may happen in the future.

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This apprehension may manifest through their actions, such as increased aggression or lashing out. However, some may occasionally weaponize their stress to their advantage as motivation or in some other form. The impact of stress on an anime character's life cannot be overlooked since it influences their actions and the plot as a whole.

10 Michael Holes Was An Ineffective Warden

Baki

Michael Holes with his bodyguards

Michael Holes was the warden of the Arizona State Prison in Baki. Despite carrying himself with a confident and snide demeanor, he was actually stressed out in most situations. Holes' apprehension was understandable, however.

Between Olivia's immense strength and Baki's determination to challenge him, he struggled for credibility among the inmates under his charge. When Baki abducted Holes and forced the other jailers to stand down, the warden knew that it meant the end of his reputation and possibly even his career.

9 Azula Constantly Jockeyed For Ozai's Approval

Avatar: The Last AIrbender

Azula looking scary in Avatar The Last Airbender

Azula never had a moment's peace in Avatar. Fully leaning into her father's doctrine, she viciously hunted Aang across the nations in hopes of proving herself. Since Azula constantly mocked and took advantage of Zuko's inefficiency, she needed to succeed where he failed.

Azula's stress became evident at a beach party. Maladapted and clearly unable to mingle with her peers, she burnt down an entire house in a fit of rage. After Ozai told her to stay behind during the conquest of the Earth Kingdom, Azula cut her own hair in a fit of feral rage.

8 Kurapika Never Let Go Of The Past

Hunter X Hunter

Kurapika with glowing scarlet eyes in Hunter x Hunter.

Kurapika's story was the most tragic of Hunter X Hunter. He survived the traumatic extinction of the Kurta Clan and vowed to avenge them. To this end, he became a Hunter, learned Nen, and even abducted Chrollo personally.

Although Gon convinced Kurapika not to kill him, he found little solace in forcing the Troupe to disperse. Kurapika continued to live with his past, never able to escape its shadow or the stress it induced. He never visited Gon when the youth was hospitalized, insinuating that he might regret following his advice.

7 Neito Constantly Compared Himself To Class 1-A

My Hero Academia

Neito Monoma Using His Copy Quirk To Copy Harden In My Hero Academia

Neito facilitated the rivalry between Class 1-A and 1-B in My Hero Academia. His inferiority complex constantly pushed him to compare the two, which made him appear unstable to the entire school. Neito's stress was on account of the impossible standards he set for himself.

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Since Class 1-A comprised the most promising heroes who already faced deadly villains, he never should have dwelled on being weaker than them. If he didn't, he could have put more energy into his own betterment.

6 Shinra Struggled With His Past & Nature

Fire Force

Fire Force - Shinra Kusakabe smiling

Shinra Kusakabe had more cause for stress than most Fire Force characters. Forced to endure his mother's death and brother's disappearance, others began to distrust him. This made joining Company Eight more difficult even if he had noble intentions.

Additionally, Shinra was identified as a pillar necessary for the Evangelist's awakening. As a result, he was targeted by numerous White-Clad members. Shinra responded to stress by reflexively smiling, which gave others the impression that he didn't care about how much danger he was in.

5 Eren Refused To Stop Fighting

Attack On Titan

Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan.

Eren's philosophy to "never stop fighting" was a rallying cry and main theme for the characters of Attack On Titan. However, he practiced it so religiously that he could never escape stress or his own demons. In many instances, Eren would lash out as a result of the tension he'd been containing with himself.

This was seen during the second battle for Shigashina when attempting to revive Armin. He proved similarly unconstrained when demanding that Historia eat him as justice for his father's crimes. At the end of the Rumbling, Eren had a complete breakdown in the Paths.

4 Ghiaccio Sweated The Small Stuff

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

GHIACCIO golden wind

Out of any JoJo's Bizarre Adventure characters, Ghiaccio carried the most stress. He constantly dived into tirades over pedantic issues that ultimately didn't matter. Most of La Squadra ignored these episodes since they had come to tolerate them as part of his personality.

Ghiaccio also took great offense when the heroes attempted to attack him despite their roles as explicit enemies. His hypervigilance and eagerness to go overboard suggested how high-strung and stressed the villain actually was. Ironically, Ghiaccio was also overconfident in White Album's protective capacities, which led to his downfall.

3 Nnoitra's Enviousness Made Him Bitter

Bleach

Nnoitra licks his hand in Bleach.

Nnoitra was the most envious character in Bleach. He allowed it to define his personality, which turned him against his own allies. For example, he betrayed Nelliel since he wanted her rank and felt like she didn't deserve it.

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During the shinigami's invasion of Espada territory, Nnoitra was also envious of Kenpachi Zaraki's strength. To this end, he refused to accept defeat and even taunted his opponent into killing him. Nnoitra's constant inferiority complex resulted in an extremely stressful and unsatisfying life where he died without ever finding peace.

2 Usopp Didn't Take To Danger As Well As Other Straw Hats

One Piece

Usopp in shock and fear when he goes over the waterfall in Skypiea - One Piece

Although Usopp shared the Straw Hats' sense of adventure, he ranked among the most skittish characters in One Piece. Whenever the crew faced an even remote amount of danger, Usopp was the quickest to advise that they change course in order to prevent calamity.

To Usopp's credit, there were many points where everyone should have died, such as the fight in Sabaody Archipelago and against the forces of Onigashima. Regardless, Usopp hopes to alleviate his stress by becoming a brave warrior of the sea.

1 Stress Only Makes Re-Destro Stronger

My Hero Academia

Re-Destro from My Hero Academia.

As a high-powered businessman and aspiring criminal, My Hero Academia's Re-Destro had many reasons to be stressed. It directly played into his strength on account of his Quirk. Re-Destro could harness his apprehension, directly converting it into power.

At 150% stress, Re-Destro easily pushed Shigaraki past his limit, which forced him to awaken his "Decay" ability in order to prevail. While stress might make Re-Destro unstable, he was more than willing to pay the price in order to become one of the most dangerous threats in the antagonists' arsenal.

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