In shonen anime that include a diverse range of superhuman abilities, fire users are quite common. This makes sense; fire is a strong, versatile and flashy superpower to have. Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Todoroki from My Hero Academia and Sasuke from Naruto are some of the most popular examples of characters with fire-based abilities. Within their own universes, these characters are among the strongest, but that's not the only thing they have in common. Another trait they share lies in their traumatic backstories.

Having a dark backstory is far from a rarity in shonen anime, as that serves as great fodder for storytelling. However, a fire user with a tragic past has definitely become common enough to be considered a consistent trope. These characters are often portrayed with dark hair, a reserved personality and a bland sense of humor. In fact, fire users with a cheerful disposition are almost seen as exceptions.

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Fire as an Element

Shinra Using Pyrokinetic Abilities in Fire Force

In ancient East Asian mythologies, fire has often been seen as the element of power and dynamism. Among the other classical elements, fire is considered the most fickle and unstable. Combustion, which is the foundation of fire, also represents the peak of energy, indicating an expected decline. While fire symbolizes life, it also holds the potential for immense devastation. As vital as it is, it's dangerous and difficult to control.

In Japanese mythology, the god of fire, Kagutsuchi, burned his mother Izanami to death during childbirth. This event marked the end of the creation of the world and initiated its destruction. This inherent duality -- creation on one hand and destruction on the other -- could be a possible inspiration for these complex characters caught at a crossroads in their respective stories, where their choices could determine the course of the entire world.

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Fire Users in Shonen Anime

In most popular anime, these fire users are pivotal to the overall plot. In many ways, Zuko's transformation arc is a large part of what makes Avatar: The Last Airbender among the greatest animated shows ever. Throughout the series, fire as an element is viewed from different angles, and so is Zuko. The viewer's understanding of Zuko's nature is mirrored by their understanding of fire itself. Both are introduced as the immediate antagonists in the series' first season, but throughout its course, it is revealed that they have a major role in creating a happy, safe and balanced world. Redemption is another part of the trope shared by characters such as Endeavor in My Hero Academia and even Ash's Charizard in the early seasons of Pokémon.

Another common thread in their stories is how their respective families and often fire itself played a major role in their trauma. Zuko was burned by his father's fire-based attack, and Todoroki was scalded by his mother pouring boiling water on his face. The latter could be seen as a gesture toward Todoroki's combination of fire and ice-based powers. Sasuke was consumed by hatred when he believed his elder brother Itachi had betrayed and slaughtered their entire clan. Roy Mustang's trauma in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood largely stemmed from his own power and the way he was forced to wield it during the Ishvalan War of Extermination. Later in the story, he came close to losing control over himself as he sought to destroy the Homunculi in order to avenge Hughes.

Of the few fire users who do not fit this trope, many such as Ace in One Piece and Rengoku in Demon Slayer end up dying in ways that serve as motivation for their peers. Even in death, they serve as a fire that ignites and transforms the lives around them. Moreover, even the more cheerful fire users, such as Natsu from Fairy Tail and Rin Okumura from Blue Exorcist, are still motivated by their tragic childhoods, with their origins being a large plot point in the overall story.