Not all anime characters begin their journey knowing the truth about who they are and where they come from. For some, character growth involves more than just a series of physical training arcs—it involves the discovery of truth. The truth about who they are.

RELATED: 10 Lies In Anime That Had Serious Consequences

These revelations allow the character to fill the void that’s been hindering their advancement. Moreover, the mystery of a character's lineage makes accomplishing their goals severely arduous. As frustrating as this is for the character, fans not only are able to enjoy amazing character development, but they also witness an exciting climactic reveal once the characters learn the truth about who they are, the intentions of the people around them, and their family history.

10 Darling In The Franxx: For The Biochemically Created Children, Learning About Themselves Or The Outside World Is Strictly Forbidden

Darling in the Franxx Memory Implantation

The children created to protect the world from Klaxosaurs are extremely sheltered. Everything that surrounds them serves the purpose of grooming them to operate Franxx, a robotic weapon used to battle Klaxosaurs. The children known as parasites are completely isolated from the outside world and are denied the opportunity to become self-aware. The parasites have no knowledge of the world that surrounds them and are kept in areas known as “bird cages.”

The adults in charge of overseeing the parasites and government organization known as the APE, ensure that the only focus of all parasites is piloting Franxx. The children are lied to about how they were made. Their overseers have even resorted to wiping their memory when they feel the parasites have acquired any knowledge that isn’t authorized.

9 Attack On Titan: Levi Never Knew The Man That Trained Him Was His Family

kenny and levi

Levi Ackerman is one of the strongest characters in the Attack on Titan series. For someone who didn’t know much about his past, he was very sure of himself and set in his ways. Levi is known as a neat freak with incredible speed and strength. He maintains a calm nature and is a leader that earns the respect of everyone he encounters.

Even with these impressive qualities, Levi still didn’t know much about his family history. After his mother died, he was taken in by Kenny Ackerman who taught him how to survive in the city. It wasn’t until Levi was kneeling over him as he took his last breath that Kenny told him about their connection: Kenny was his uncle. 

8 Naruto: For Most Of His Youth, Garaa Believed His Mother Never Loved Him

Garaa's mother's sand protection

Gaara was a terrifying individual during the earlier part of his youth. He maintained a thirst for blood that he could never satisfy. His murderous personality developed from the pain of rejection. It wasn’t the hatred of his fellow villagers, nor the cruelty of his father that pushed Gaara over the edge. It was the assassination attempt on his life by his beloved uncle, and being told that his mother hated him.

Gaara was eventually able to free himself from his anger and become Kazegake. It wasn’t until Gaara fought in the Fourth Shinobi War and faced his resurrected father that he learned the truth. His mother never hated him, and the sand that surrounded him his whole life wasn’t a demon but his mother’s love and protection.

7 The Promised Neverland: Grace Field House Wasn't The Safe Haven For Children It Appeared To Be

Emma and Norman overhear Isabella talking to demon

When viewers meet the children inhabiting Grace Field House, they see a group of sweet and brilliant orphans eager to be chosen for adoption. They spent their days taking tests that assessed their intellect and playing games with one another. Their happy home's façade was shattered the night their six-year-old friend, Conny, was “adopted.” When Conny left, Emma and Norman noticed she left her favorite stuffed bunny behind. They left shortly after to return it to her.

RELATED: The Promised Neverland: 10 Plot Twits Fans Never Saw Coming

When they caught up to Conny, they happened upon a gruesome scene. They discovered Conny’s dead body. As they remained there paralyzed with fear, they overheard a conversation between the Demons that murdered Conny and Isabella, their house mother. This conversation detailed the truth about Grace Field House, it was a farm for humans to be groomed for harvesting. After humans were deemed suitable for a harvest, they were shipped out and had their brains eaten by Demons. Their world was nothing like they believed it to be.

6 One Piece: The Events Of Wano's Most Recent History Was Warped By The Country's Usurpers

Sarahebi joking with her students

The people of Wano, mainly those who reside in the Flower Capital, were lied to about the past 20 years of their country’s history. Kozuki Oden and the Akazaya Nine brought peace to one of the most dangerous cities in Wano, Kuri. They also fought to maintain justice and order in the land of Wano. Oden dreamt of becoming a Shogun and opening Wano’s borders. Unfortunately, Kurozumi Orochi had not only become shogun while he was away at sea, but also joined forces with Kaido. Oden made deals with Kaido trying to protect the citizens he and Orochi tortured.

This was short-lived, as Oden soon became fed up with their rule a few years later. Oden and the Akazaya Nine fought against Kaido but were tragically defeated. Though they were all sentenced to death, Oden was able to save his comrades, while he was tragically executed. They were able to escape to the future using Toki’s Devil Fruit power. When they arrived in Wano 20 years later, they discovered the borders of the country had been closed and the citizens had been taught to regard Oden and the Akazaya Nine as criminals who sought to disrupt Wano's peace. The newest generation of Wano doesn’t know the truth about Oden and his heroic deeds.

5 Attack On Titan: The Island Of Paradis Was Created For Torment

Hange learning about trains

The citizens of Paradis only knew of pre-industrial living and man-eating Titans whose origin was unknown. As terrifying and devastating as this life was, they were used to it, it was all they had ever known. After the secrets in Grisha Yeager’s basement were revealed, Eren, the members of the Scout Regiment, and eventually all the citizens of Paradis learned that there was a world outside of the Island of Paradis.

As Armin expressed, they didn’t know about the ocean, other nations, or any form of technology. The world that viewers are familiar with actually exists in the Attack on Titan universe. Marleyans manufactured an isolated dangerous society for Eldians as punishment. The suffering they endured was an unnecessary evil.

4 Naruto: Naruto Was Left To Discover The Truth About His Parentage On His Own

Naruto meets Kushina & Minato

Naruto’s experiences with loneliness and rejection played a vital role in his development. Naruto never knew who his parents were, he was orphaned the day he was born. Though his parents held important positions in the Leaf Village, no one told Naruto who his parents were.

RELATED: 10 Giveaways Minato Was Naruto's Father All Along

This lack of knowledge and acceptance pushed him to train and become one of the strongest Shinobi in the Hidden Villages. Being the jinchūriki that housed the Nine-Tails caused him to be ostracized by his fellow villagers. He never would’ve imagined that he was the son of the Fourth Hokage and a renowned member of the Uzumaki clan. Naruto later learned about his parents' identity through the chakra his parents sealed inside of him.

3 One Piece: The Beloved Queen Of Fishman Island Was Used To Facilitate An Evil Agenda

Queen Otohime Death

The citizens of Fish-Man Island maintained a deep and intense hatred for humans for years. They believed Fishman and humans shouldn’t co-exist. This was because they felt that humans were vicious and heartless. Their hatred for humans derived from a tragedy that devastated their nation. Their mermaid queen Otohime, who was a huge advocate for peaceful harmony between Fishman and humans, was assassinated by a human.

However, it was later revealed that their hatred was misguided. Hody Jones killed Queen Otohime and blamed a human in order to influence all Fishmen and manipulate them into subscribing to his prejudiced way of thinking.

2 Attack On Titan: Grisha Never Told His Son About His Family's History

Grisha injects Eren

Initially, Eren’s father seemed like a skilled doctor and a humble loving father. Soon, fans learned that Grisha Yeager lived a double life. He knew about the history of Titans and life outside the walls. He also had a wife and son before fleeing to Paradis. Eren knew nothing of his family history or his father’s important role in the plot to destroy the nation of Marley.

Eren was the son of an Eldian Restorationist who possessed the Founding Titan. Furthermore, Grisha left Eren to figure out the truth about Eldians on his own. Eren was clueless about Titans, the nine Titan powers, Marleyans, and life off the island. Unlike the rest of the Eldian citizens of Paradis, Eren grew up with someone who knew the truth and chose not to tell him.

1 Naruto: Sasuke Was Led To Believe That His Brother Murdered His Family For Sport

Itachi says goodbye

One of the biggest plot twists in Naruto history is the revelation of Itachi’s heroic sacrifice. Throughout most of the Naruto series, Itachi was depicted as a cruel villain who murdered his entire clan. Sasuke spent his life thirsting for revenge and building enough strength to kill his older brother. Sasuke suffered an emotional breakdown when he learned that the story he believed his entire life was a lie.

Itachi slew his clan to prevent them from executing a secret attack on the Leaf Village. The Third Hokage, along with the other elders of the village, approved Itachi’s attack and shamefully ordered that the truth of that night remain a secret. Itachi was a pacifist and though it pained him, he murdered his clan to avoid war. After his battle with his brother, Obito told Sasuke about his brother’s heroic sacrifice. This caused Sasuke to redirect his rage and wage war against the Leaf Village.

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