Oftentimes, an anime hero's pride can be used as a plot device to get them in dangerous and compelling situations. Moreover, it helps the audience have confidence in their ability to overcome staggering adversity, given that they already believe in themselves.
However, there have been dozens of instances where an anime hero's pride turned into arrogance, and consequently, their humiliation was inevitable. By identifying them, we can better appreciate how plot armor may not always protect a story's leads from unprecedented disaster and what might happen if one's ego becomes too inflated.
10 Kiba Mistook Himself To Be On Naruto's Level But Was Sorely Mistaken (Naruto)
Throughout his childhood, Kiba believed himself to be superior to Naruto. The young genin's goofy antics annoyed his canine counterpart, making him relish the chance to fight him in the Chunin Exam.
However, Kiba was completely humiliated in their battle, especially after Naruto used his enhanced sense of smell against him. From that moment forward, he would do everything in his power to catch up with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in skill although never actually succeeding.
9 Leorio Overestimated Himself In The Hunter Exam (Hunter X Hunter)
Leorio significantly overestimated himself in the Hunter Exam, as proven when he confronted Hisoka in an effort to help Gon. This was after the villain had already shredded through the skulls of multiple enemies with a deck of playing cards.
Predictably, the doctor was defeated with ease regardless of the crude weapon he brought to the battle. Still, Hisoka would allow him to live and complete the remainder of the Hunter Exam. Since Killua got himself disqualified from the final tournament, Leorio did not have to suffer a second humiliation.
8 Eren Had To Be Devoured Time & Again Before He Got His Aggression In Check (Attack On Titan)
After the fall of Shiganshina, Eren was absurdly cocky and wanted to fight the monsters who destroyed his home even without the knowledge of his own Attack Titan. The first foray into Trost displayed how poorly prepared he was for such a venture.
Over the next few months, Eren was swallowed by the Bearded Titan, dominated by Annie, and abducted by Reiner. After such brutally recurring defeats, Eren began to realize that he wasn't special and stated as such to his comrades.
7 Joseph Joestar Was Too Careless Around Kars & Paid The Price (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Despite how the Pillar Men had defeated his group in their first encounter, Joseph Joestar approached his fight against Kars with confidence. After all, he was directly responsible for destroying both Wamuu and Esidisi.
However, Kars was much more crafty than his underlings and managed to become the ultimate life form. By slicing off Joseph's arm, he completely demoralized him and nearly rendered the young Hamon user unable to fight back. While Joseph still managed to launch the final Pillar Man into space, he was significantly more sobered and modest from Stardust Crusaders onward.
6 It Took Both Heroes & Villains To Humble Bakugo's Haughty Attitude (My Hero Academia)
With perhaps the biggest ego in the series, Bakugo would not be humbled easily. The villains brought down his pride on two separate occasions: the first was when he was captured by the sludge monster, and the second was when Shigaraki took him prisoner after the Forest Camp attack.
Japan's heroes also had an opportunity to put Bakugo's pride in check. He failed the provisional license exam and lost his first trial against Deku despite his rival's unfamiliarity with the One For All quirk.
5 Zoro's Run-In With Mihawk Demonstrated How Far He Still Had To Go As A Swordsman (One Piece)
Initially, Zoro was extremely confident in his skills as a warrior and sought to prove himself as the world's finest swordsman. When Mihawk arrived near the Baratie, he had a perfect opportunity to do so.
Instead of the victory he had hoped for, Mihawk completely embarrassed him using only a tiny dagger. In addition to being injured for the upcoming Arlong Park arc, Zoro would also bear a scar on his chest from the encounter for the rest of his life.
4 Yami Yugi Let His Pride Get To His Head In His Duel Against Pegasus (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
In order to properly invite Yugi to Duelist Island, Pegasus sent a tape recorder to his home that trapped his grandfather's soul. To get it back, Yugi invoked the Pharaoh and had him challenge his opponent over the television.
Although Yami could have won by running out the recording, he let his ego get to his head and tried to defeat Pegasus properly. Having failed to anticipate the Millennium Eye's ability, Yami lost, thereby forcing the trip to Duelist Island for a prospective rematch.
3 Inosuke Was Brought Down A Peg After His Fight With Rui's Father (Demon Slayer)
Rui's "Father" proved a strong match for Inosuke's insatiable spirit. His body was so durable that the young hero could barely break skin by swinging his serrated blades at full force.
Fortunately, Inosuke survived this harrowing run-in, although the injuries he sustained saw him hospitalized alongside Tanjiro and Zenitsu. Remarkably, he confessed that he had much further to go if he wanted to be a successful demon slayer.
2 Spike Spiegel Was Much Too Nonchalant About Fighting Vicious & Died For It (Cowboy Bebop)
After Julia's death, Spike Spiegel prepared to raid Vicious' compound and destroy the Syndicate. Before he left, Faye Valentine begged him not to go and forced him to reconcile with the fact that he was essentially indulging in a suicide mission.
Spike ignored her and attacked the facility anyway, causing dozens of fatalities and even managing to kill Vicious himself. However, he succumbed to his injuries before he could escape. Despite suffering the ultimate humiliation through his carelessness, Spike died with a smile on his face.
1 Escanor Constantly Fluctuates Between Overconfidence & Cowardice (Seven Deadly Sins)
The nature of Escanor's "Sunshine" ability has him constantly oscillating between heroics and humiliation. For instance, he was able to take Galand by surprise and turn him to stone during their first (and only) encounter at the bar.
However, he was completely unable to live up to the hype associated with his name when fighting against Drole and Gloxinia. Worse yet, Escanor's curse imbues him with a sense of overconfidence, making it even more difficult for him to come to terms with his lack of power at night.