In the realm of anime, there are endless possibilities for struggle and suffering as the protagonists face daunting challenges both within and without. Any good story regardless of genre involves overcoming challenges, but for some anime characters, the challenges are overwhelming, and they might pile onto the character all at once.

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A character might experience grief or loss early in the story, for example, or they even get in trouble with the law or suffer serious injuries. Fortunately, these characters are brave and tough enough to survive these hardships and come out the other end in one piece, but even then, their experiences aren't exactly enviable. So much went wrong for them.

10 Naofumi Iwatani Was Summoned, Framed For A Crime, & Banished (The Rising Of The Shield Hero)

Naofumi Thinks About Life Shield Hero

Most isekai heroes get it rough when they arrive in a new world, at least at first, when they have to suddenly start their lives completely over in an unfamiliar realm. Naofumi Iwatani got himself summoned to a fantasy realm with three other Japanese people, but he suffered much more than they did.

Naofumi barely got his bearings when he was set up by the scheming princess Malty, who accused him of a horrible crime and got him banished. Now, Naofumi must fight the monstrous Waves alone, without the support of the other isekai heroes or the kingdom of Melromarc.

9 Lucy/Nyu Never Found A World That Accepted Her (Elfen Lied)

Lucy from Elfen Lied

The murderous Diclonius Lucy and her human friend Kouta roughly share the role of protagonist in Elfen Lied, but Lucy suffered much more than Kouta did. She does not belong anywhere in the world due to being a Diclonius, and she tried in vain to find anyone who would accept her until she met Kouta.

Even then, Lucy couldn't just settle down and have her happily ever after. She was being hunted, and her own inner nature demanded yet more human blood be shed. Lucy continued to struggle, run and fight right until her death. At least she had Kouta by her side.

8 Eren Yeager Lost His Mother & Home, Then Nearly Got Eaten (Attack On Titan)

eren yeager attack on titan

Early on, Eren Yeager simply couldn't catch a break. As a boy, he dreamed of seeing the world beyond the walls, but he also kept picking fights that he couldn't win until his good friend Mikasa Ackerman helped him. He was there when Bertholdt's Colossal Titan attacked Shiganshina.

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Eren's home was destroyed, and his father, Grisha, was nowhere in sight. Then, the pure Titan of Dina Fritz picked through the rubble and ate Eren's beloved mother right before his eyes. The rest is history. Eren endured tough training to become a soldier, only to be eaten. Good thing he had the Attack Titan's powers to help.

7 Ken Kaneki Was Tricked & Attacked, Then Became A Ghoul (Tokyo Ghoul)

Tokyo Ghoul Ken Kaneki

Ken Kaneki was just an ordinary college student who loved books until he crossed paths with the vicious ghoul Rize Kamishiro, who agreed to date Ken one night. She turned on him and bit his shoulder, revealing her true ghoul nature when they were alone together.

Ken was overwhelmed, and he was only saved when some I-beams fell and crushed Rize. But Ken's problems weren't yet over. He had Rize's organs transplanted into him, and he became a confused ghoul who didn't belong anywhere. He was doomed. That was until Mr. Yoshimura took him in. Now he serves coffee.

6 Thorfinn Karlsefni Lost His Father, His Purpose, & His Freedom (Vinland Saga)

vinland saga

For the first few years of his life, Thorfinn was fairly happy living with his family on the peaceful coast of Iceland, dreaming of becoming a great Viking warrior. He soon got his first taste of battle and did not like it. He lost his father Thors to Askeladd's treachery, and Thorfinn swore revenge.

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The miserable, grieving Thorfinn spent years getting ready to kill Askeladd in return, until prince Canute beat him there, robbing Thorfinn of his purpose. Utterly defeated, Thorfinn didn't resist as he was sold into slavery, and he ended up working as a farmhand in Denmark.

5 Guts The Mercenary Was Used, Abused, & Betrayed (Berserk)

Guts holding his dragon slayer sword Berserk.

Guts the mercenary knows what Thorfinn is going through. He grew up with mercenaries rather than a loving family, and he was sometimes used or abused in unspeakable ways. At one point, he finally found some happiness and purpose with the Band of the Hawk, but that didn't last too long.

Guts was horrified when Griffith betrayed the Band for his own ambitions, and now Guts has sworn revenge. He lost a hand and an eye, and his lover, Casca, was broken in mind and spirit. Guts has nothing left but his rage.

4 Tohru Honda Lost Both Parents But Never Stopped Smiling (Fruits Basket)

tohru honda fruits basket

The ever-cheerful Tohru Honda has endured heartbreaking loss, but she never lost faith in herself or the future. She is positive that tomorrow will always bring joy, and she has learned to see the best in everything and everyone. Her spirit is strong.

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Tohru lost her doting father, Katsuya, when she was young. Years later, she also lost her beloved single mother Kyoko, and Tohru actually ended up homeless, living in a tent on the grounds of the Sohma estate. Fortunately, things soon got better when the Sohmas welcomed her as a long-term guest, but Tohru did have to face the threat of Akito Sohma. Nothing is ever that easy.

3 Natsuki Subaru Has Died Many Painful Deaths (Re:Zero)

Subaru is surprised in re:zero

Natsuki Subaru, like Naofumi, also has it rough as an unwitting isekai hero. He was a NEET in a tracksuit who soon became a NEET in a fantasy realm that resembled a magical version of storybook Europe. The place looks nice, but it is deadly, and Natsuki swiftly lost his life.

But that was not the end. Natsuki returned to life at a checkpoint, and he has died again and again since then. He remembers all his previous lives and deaths, and by now, the emotional strain is becoming serious. It's doubtful that he can take much more of this.

2 Iruma Suzuki Got Sold & Forced To Attend A School For Demons (Welcome To Demon School, Iruma-Kun!)

Uncomfortable Iruma

On paper, Iruma Suzuki's life sounds brutal, but Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-Kun! is a fun comedy, so his dark character arc is sanitized a great deal. Still, there is no denying that everything went wrong for him all at once. First, he was worked endlessly for his parents' sake, including dangerous fishing work.

Then, Iruma's parents sold him to the demon lord Sullivan, something that their son did not ask for. Iruma was then told to attend Babyls, a demon-only school whose students all savor the thought of eating human flesh like Iruma's. The lone prey in a school of predators must watch his step, since one slip may spell his doom.

1 Shinra Kusakabe Lost His Mother, His Home, & His Little Brother All In One Night (Fire Force)

shinra kusakabe fire force

Shinra Kusakabe had a cozy life early in his boyhood, but one night, it all came crashing down, and that was a lot for one young boy to endure. His beloved mother became a monstrous Infernal, and Shinra's infant brother, Sho, was kidnapped. Shinra initially thought that Sho had died.

The family home burned down, and Captain Leonard Burns of company 1 withheld the truth from Shinra at the time. Now Shinra knows the truth, and he is determined to bring back his villainous little brother at all costs. The Kusakabe family won't be easily reunited, however.

Next: 10 Shonen Protagonists Who Don't Have a Tragic Backstory