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The 20 Best Anime Where Mc Has a Dark Past

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The List of The Darkest Anime Where the Mc as A Dark Past

Here is a list of The 20 good anime where the mc has a dark past, some of these main characters go through hellish experiences in their past. Be it a human experiment, living in loneliness, or just a tragedy, those issues will make anyone goes crazy, becomes nervous/constantly scared, and gets dark, and depressed. While some other characters success to switch their darkness and their path of misery lives into happiness.

So, let’s kick off our list of 20 darkest anime where the Mc has a dark past:

20. Classroom of the Elite (Dub)

anime with dark mc

  • Genres:  Drama, Psychological, School, Slice of Life
  • Studios:  Lerche
  • Episodes: 12

Kicking off the list of the best anime where mc has a dark past with Classroom of The Elite. This is a school dark anime set at Koudo Ikusei Senior High School, which is a leading prestigious school with state-of-the-art facilities where nearly 100% of students go on to university or find employment. The students there have the freedom to wear any hairstyle and bring any personal effects they desire. Koudo Ikusei is a paradise-like school, but the truth is that only the most superior of students receive favorable treatment.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is a student of D-class, which is where the school dumps its “inferior” students in order to ridicule them. For a certain reason, Kiyotaka was careless on his entrance examination and was put in D-class. After meeting Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyou, two other students in his class, Kiyotaka’s situation begins to change.

19. Chrno Crusade (Dub)

dark anime mc

  • Genres:   Action, Historical, Demons, Supernatural, Romance
  • Studios:  Gonzo
  • Episodes: 24

The 1920s was a decade of great change and upheaval, with monstrous demons appearing across America. To combat this menace, the holy organization known as the Order of Magdalene was established. The organization’s New York branch is home to the young and reckless Sister Rosette Christopher, as well as her partner Chrno. seems like they are Tasked with the extermination of demonic threats, the renowned team is excellent at their job, despite causing extensive collateral damage on their missions. However, both Rosette and Chrno are driven by their dark pasts.

Through exterminating demons, Rosette hopes to find her lost brother Joshua who was taken by the sinner and demon, Aion, with whom Chrno also shares a bloody history. Chrno Crusade is an anime with a dark main character that follows them, as they must fight off the increasingly dangerous demonic menace and discover its source while continuing to search for the truth behind Joshua’s disappearance.

18. Utawarerumono (Dub)

anime dark past

  • Genres:  Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Fantasy
  • Studios:  OLM
  • Episodes:  51 / Two Seasons

Utawarerumono is another good anime with a dark mc that depicts that everything about him is shrouded in mystery, his mask that he can’t remove, the dark past he can’t unravel. And the very survival of the people who have chosen him as their leader.

But what Hakuoro does know is this: he was gravely injured and left for dead in a forest. A kind young girl named Eruruu found him and nursed him back to health. He was welcomed into a barren land where strange creatures roam, an angry god seeks vengeance, an oppressive government slaughters the innocent, and a bloody war looms on the horizon.

So, will the masked hero liberate the people who saved him? Can he unlock the memories that elude him? Or will he remain a stranger even to himself?

17. Trickster (Dub)

anime where mc has dark past

  • Genres:  Sci-Fi, Mystery, Psychological, Drama
  • Studios:  TMS Entertainment
  • Episodes: 24

First of all, the time period is the 2030s. Before the mysterious detective Kogorou Akechi, the Boys’ Detective Team is assembled. Their actions have led to the resolution of various small and large incidents. One day, team member Kensuke Hanasaki meets a mysterious boy named Yoshio Kobayashi. Kobayashi, who has an undying body because of an “unidentified fog,” wishes for his own death and refuses contact with others.

However, Hanasaki takes an interest in Kobayashi and invites him to join the Boys’ Detective Team. As a result, The encounter eventually leads them to the connection between the criminal nicknamed the “Fiend with Twenty Faces” and Kogorou Akechi. This dark anime series follows and highlights The fate of the two begins to move…

16. Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records (Dub)

dark animes

  • Genres:   Action, Magic, Fantasy, School
  • Studios:   LIDENFILMS
  • Episodes: 12

The Alzano Empire is home to one of the most distinguished magic schools in the world: the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy. Here, ambitious young students undergo training to become competent magicians.

Sistine Fibel, a stern noble girl, and her bright-eyed best friend Rumia Tingel attend the Academy, determined to cultivate their magical skills. However, their world is thrown for a loop when their favorite teacher suddenly retires and the enigmatic Glenn Radars replaces him. His lazy and indifferent attitude toward life and magic quickly puts him at odds with his class. What’s more, nefarious forces hidden within the empire’s walls start to become active, and Sistine, Rumia, and Glenn find themselves caught up in their schemes.

Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records is an anime where mc has a dark past named Sistine, who is captivated by a mysterious floating Sky Castle; Rumia, who is haunted by a troubled dark past; and Glenn, who may be more than meets the eye. Though completely different on the surface, they are inexplicably bound together by a thread of fate.

15. Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasu ka? (Dub)

dark anime

  • Genres:  Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance, Fantasy
  • Studios:  Satelight
  • Episodes: 12

The story of this fantasy anime with dark mc depicts that Five hundred years have passed since humans went extinct at the hands of the fearsome and mysterious ‘Beasts.’

The surviving races now make their homes up on floating islands in the sky, out of reach of all but the most mobile of Beasts. Only a small group of young girls, the Leprechauns, can wield the ancient weapons needed to fend off invasions from these creatures. Into the girls’ unstable and fleeting lives, where a call to certain death could come at any moment, enters an unlikely character: a young man who lost everything in his final battle five hundred years ago, the last living human awakened from a long, icy slumber.

Unable to fight any longer, Willem becomes the father that the girls never had, caring for and nurturing them even as he struggles to come to terms with his new life, in which he feels the pain of helplessly waiting for his loved ones to return home from a battle that his ‘Daughter’ once felt for him so long ago. Together, Willem and the girls gradually come to understand what family means and what is truly worth protecting.

14. Trigun (Dub)

anime where mc has dark past

  • Genres:   Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Shounen
  • Studios:   Madhouse
  • Episodes: 26

Among the top anime where mc has a dark past is Trigun, a series that takes place in the distant future on a deserted planet, where Vash the Stampede is a gunfighter with a legend so ruthless that he has a $$60,000,000,000 bounty on his head.

Entire towns are evacuated upon hearing rumors of his arrival. However, the real Vash the Stampede is not the same man that rumor portrays him to be. This enigmatic and conflicted lead character in the Trigun anime series is with a dark past and actually more heroic in nature and at times a complete and utter idiot.

13. Black Bullet (Dub)

dark anime

  • Genres:  Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Seinen
  • Studios:  Kinema Citrus
  • Episodes: 12

In the year 2021, a parasitic virus known as “Gastrea” infects humans and turns them into monsters. What is left of mankind now lives within the Monolith walls, walls that are made of Varanium, the only material that can hurt Gastrea.

To counter the threat that the Gastrea pose, “Cursed Children”—female children whose bodies contain trace amounts of the virus which grant them superhuman abilities—officially called Initiators by the Tendo Civil Security, are given partners called Promoters, people who work to guide and protect the young Initiators. These teams of two are sent out on missions to fight the monsters created by the Gastrea virus and keep them at bay.

Black Bullet is a good mystery anime where mc has a dark past that revolves around the team of Enju Aihara, an Initiator, and Satomi Rentaro, a Promoter, as they go on missions to fight the growing threat of Gastrea in their hometown of Tokyo.

12. Unlimited Psychic Squad 

psychic squad

  • Genres:  Action, Super Power, Supernatural, Shounen
  • Studios:  Manglobe
  • Episodes: 12

This is among the best anime with a dark main character named Kyousuke Hyoubu, who is an ESPer with a dark past, as was betrayed many years ago, and is now one of the most powerful ESPers—and also a fugitive.

However, behind that glare lies a kind heart. Therefore, His main mission is to save ESPers who are mistreated by humans, even if that be by force.

Through his methods, he has saved many ESPer lives and gained the loyalty of those he has saved. The name of his group: P.A.N.D.R.A.

11. Kaze no Stigma (Dub)

darkest animes

  • Genres: Action, Magic, Romance, Fantasy, Shounen
  • Studios: Gonzo
  • Episodes: 24

Summary:

Kazuma Yagami is a user of “Fuujutsu,” the ability to control the wind. He returns to his old home, the noble Kannagi household, after being banished four years ago for his inability to control fire and his subsequent defeat in a duel at the hands of his younger cousin, Ayano Kannagi.

Returning after such a brutal exile already gives rise to many conflicts, but to make matters worse, several Kannagi family members have recently been murdered with Fuujutsu. This leads the Kannagi family, including the hot-headed Ayano, to suspect Kazuma as the culprit.

The anime follows the mc Kazuma as he must not only clear his name, but also aid the family he shares a dark past with, in order to discover the true identity of the killer.

10. Black Butler (Dub)

anime-where mc-has-a-dark-past

  • Genres: Action, Comedy, Demons, Fantasy, Historical, Shounen, Supernatural
  • Studios: A-1 Pictures
  • Episodes: 51 / Three Seasons

Young Ciel Phantomhive is known as “the Queen’s Guard Dog,” taking care of the many unsettling events that occur in Victorian England for Her Majesty.

Aided by Sebastian Michaelis, his loyal butler with seemingly inhuman abilities, Ciel uses whatever means necessary to get the job done. But is there more to this black-clad butler than meets the eye?

The anime series showcases the mc’s dark past, where lies a mysterious tragedy that enveloped him in perennial darkness—during one of his bleakest moments, he formed a contract with Sebastian, a demon, bargaining his soul in exchange for vengeance upon those who wronged him.

Today, not only is Sebastian one hell of a butler, but he is also the perfect servant to carry out his master’s orders—all the while anticipating the delicious meal he will eventually make of Ciel’s soul. As the two work to unravel the mystery behind Ciel’s chain of misfortunes, a bond forms between them that neither heaven nor hell can tear apart.

9. Bungou Stray Dogs (Dub)

bungou stray dogs

  • Genres:   Action, Mystery, Comedy, Supernatural, Seinen
  • Studios:   Bones
  • Episodes: 24 / Two seasons

Summary:

For weeks, Atsushi Nakajima’s orphanage has been plagued by a mystical tiger that only he seems to be aware of. Suspected to be behind the strange incidents, the 18-year-old is abruptly kicked out of the orphanage and left hungry, homeless, and wandering through the city.

While starving on a riverbank, Atsushi saves a rather eccentric man named Osamu Dazai from drowning. Whimsical suicide enthusiast and supernatural detective, Dazai has been investigating the same tiger that has been terrorizing the boy.

Together with Dazai’s partner Doppo Kunikida, they solve the mystery, but its resolution leaves Atsushi in a tight spot. As various odd events take place, Atsushi is coerced into joining their firm of supernatural investigators, taking on unusual cases the police cannot handle, alongside his numerous enigmatic co-workers.

8. Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu (Dub)

anime main character with dark past

  • Genres:  Action, Adventure, Magic, Fantasy, Shounen
  • Studios:  Zexcs
  • Episodes: 24

Summary:

This Anime follows Ryner Lute, his dark past, and his daily ordinary life at the Roland Empire Royal Magician’s Academy. One day, the Roland Empire goes to war against their neighboring country Estabul, and Ryner loses his classmates in the war. After the war, Ryner sets out on a journey to search for the relics of a “Legendary Hero” at King Sion Astal’s command and finds out that a deadly curse is spreading throughout the continent.

7. Rurouni Kenshin (Dub)

rurouni kenshin

  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Historical, Romance, Samurai
  • Studios: Studio Gallop
  • Episodes: 95

Summary:

Looking for an anime where the mc is with a dark past, well, Himura Kenshin is a vagabond with a dark past and sunny disposition. Not a ronin but a rurouni, he was never a samurai, but an assassin of utmost skill in the Meiji restoration, who in the turning point of the war simply walked away.

His travels lead him to Tokyo in the 11th year of the Meiji era, where he befriends a female Kendo master, a former thief, a brawler, and a doctor all with their own secrets. Together they fight off the enemies surfacing from the dark past that Kenshin cannot escape.

6. Darker than Black (Dub)

darker than black anime

  • Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Super Power
  • Studios: Bones
  • Episodes: 42 / Three Seasons

Summary:

Here is an underrated anime that I like so much, as the title says darker than black is a dark anime that you will really enjoy! the story of this Japanese series is set In Tokyo, where an impenetrable field is known as “Hell’s Gate” appeared ten years ago.

At the same time, psychics who wield paranormal powers at the cost of their conscience also emerged. Hei is one of the most powerful of these psychic agents, and along with his blind associate, Yin, works for one of the many rival agencies vying to unlock the mysteries of Hell’s Gate.

5. Gintama  (Dub)

gintama gintoki

  • Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Historical, Parody, Samurai, Shounen
  • Studios: Sunrise
  • Episodes: 353

Summary:

The Amanto, aliens from outer space, have invaded Earth and taken over feudal Japan. As a result, a prohibition on swords has been established, and the samurai of Japan are treated with disregard as a consequence.

However one man, Gintoki Sakata, still possesses the heart of the samurai, although, from his love of sweets and work as a yorozuya, one might not expect it. Accompanying him in his jack-of-all-trades line of work are Shinpachi Shimura, a boy with glasses and a strong heart, Kagura with her umbrella and seemingly bottomless stomach, as well as Sadaharu, their oversized pet dog.

Of course, these odd jobs are not always simple, as they frequently have run-ins with the police, ragtag rebels, and assassins, oftentimes leading to humorous but unfortunate consequences. Who said life as an errand boy was easy?

Gintama manga and anime series depicts the story of Gintoki a samurai who walks with his head held high, in a time when swords are banned, meanwhile the tv shows usually show us his dark past which is the reason why he became ready to protect and save his beloved ones and his city from any harm.

4. Noragami (Dub)

anime where mc has a dark past

  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Supernatural, Shounen
  • Studios: Bones
  • Episodes: 25 / Two Seasons

Summary:

In times of need, if you look in the right place, you just may see a strange telephone number scrawled in red. So, If you call this number, you will hear a young man introduce himself as the Yato God.

Yato is a minor deity and a self-proclaimed “Delivery God,” who dreams of having millions of worshippers. Without a single shrine dedicated to his name. however, his goals are far from being realized. Hence, He spends his days doing odd jobs for five yen apiece, until his weapon partner becomes fed up with her useless master and deserts him.

Just as things seem to be looking grim for the god, his fortune changes when a middle school girl, Hiyori Iki, supposedly saves Yato from a car accident, taking the hit for him. Remarkably, she survives, but the event has caused her soul to become loose and hence able to leave her body. Hiyori demands that Yato return her to normal, but upon learning that he needs a new partner to do so, reluctantly agrees to help him find one.

As a result,  with Hiyori’s help, Yato’s luck may finally be turning around. Although the Noragami anime series is known to be a comedy supernatural-themed, but the MC is not that funny, as he has a dark past where he was an absolute villain, who killed so many people with a cold-blooded personality.

3. Grisaia no Kajitsu ( No Dub)

grisaia

  • Genres:   Drama, Harem, Psychological, Romance, School
  • Studios:  8bit
  • Episodes: 23 / Two Seasons

Summary:

First of all, Mihama Academy is a prison-like school built to preserve “fruit” that has fallen too far from its tree. Moreover, It is home to five female students who each have their own reasons for enrolling in the academy and live their life idly within the walls of Mihama.

One day, Kazami Yuuji—the institute’s first male student—arrives and throws the orderly rhythm of Mihama off balance. So, Is Yuuji what the girls need to grab hold of their lives once more, or will the weight of their pasts prove too steep a wall to overcome?

This is a good anime tv show that tries to answer the question of being a character with a dark past that may even be heavier than any of the others?

2. Owari no Seraph (Dub)

owari no seraph

  • Genres:  Action, Military, Supernatural, Drama, Vampire, Shounen
  • Studios:   Wit Studio
  • Episodes: 24 / Two Seasons

Summary:

This Dark Vampire Anime kicks off its story when One day, a mysterious virus appeared on Earth which killed every infected human over the age of 13. while vampires emerged from the world’s dark recesses and enslaved mankind.

Enter Hyakuya Yuuichirou, a young boy, who along with the rest of the children from his orphanage, are treated as livestock by the vampires. Even in captivity, Yuuichirou dreams big. He dreams of killing vampires. He dreams of killing them all.

1.  Assassination Classroom  (Dub)

anime-dark-past

  • Genres: Action, Comedy, School, Shounen
  • Studios: Lerche
  • Episodes: 47, Two Seasons

Summary:

A humorous and action-packed anime story about a class of misfits who are trying to kill their new teacher – a dark alien character like an octopus with bizarre powers and super strength!

This School Dark anime showcases the story of The teacher’s past, which is thrilling as he has just destroyed the moon and is threatening to destroy the earth – unless his students can destroy him first. Hence, What makes things more complicated is that he’s the best teacher they’ve ever had!

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Written by Mohsin Lag

I'm Mohsin the founder of Bakabuzz.com and Bakabuzz channel on Youtube. We, the BakaBuzz Editorial Team, are true fans of anime, gaming, and manga. We enjoy watching, discussing, and diving into the world of Japanese entertainment. As fellow fans, we share recommendations on what to watch, play, or read. Our goal is to bring our expertise and knowledge to fans like you, creating a space where we can all explore the exciting realms of Japanese anime, manga, and gaming together.
All our topics are carefully reviewed by Mohsin, the owner and author behind Bakabuzz's articles on anime, manga, and gaming, boasting 20 years of experience.

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