25 Best Anime Where Mc Has a Dark Past (2025 List)

The Best Anime Heroes Forged by Darkness (2025 Edition)

We all love an anime main character with a dark past.
You know the type — the one who’s been through hell and still stands tall:

• The lab experiment that escaped

• The orphan trained in the shadows

• The warrior carrying deep pain

What makes these characters unforgettable isn’t just their tragic backstories — it’s how they grow from them. Their trauma fuels their strength, depth, and some of the most powerful moments in anime.

Why we can’t get enough of these main characters:
✓ Their scars make them feel real
✓ Watching them overcome their past is inspiring
✓ Their inner darkness drives the story forward

In this post, we’re compiling a list of the best anime where the MC’s past shapes their path — from legendary classics to must-watch new releases in 2024 and 2025. No filler, just raw emotion and epic comebacks.

25. Honey Lemon Soda (2025) 

• Genres: Romance, Drama, School
• Studios: J.C.Staff
• Release: 2025

While primarily a charming romantic drama, “Honey Lemon Soda” features Uka Ishimori, a quiet high school girl with deep insecurities and a troubled past that has made her timid. Her journey to find inner confidence is heavily influenced by Kai Miura, an outgoing boy who helps her confront her fears. Uka’s past experiences have left her feeling vulnerable and unsure of herself, making her a relatable character whose internal struggles are a significant part of her development. It’s a story about overcoming past hurts and finding the courage to open up and trust others.

24. Yaiba: Samurai Legend 

• Genres: Action, Comedy, Samurai
• Studios: Studio Wit
• Release: 2025

Based on the classic manga by Gosho Aoyama, “Yaiba: Samurai Legend” is getting a new anime adaptation. The story is about a young samurai on a quest to defeat a demonic rival, has a history dating back to 1988. While the original series might not have explicitly focused on a dark past for its MC, the nature of a samurai’s life, especially one on a quest against demonic forces, inherently carries a weight of past battles, losses, and the burden of duty. This new adaptation by Studio Wit (known for its high-quality animation) could delve deeper into the psychological impact of Yaiba’s journey, potentially revealing a more nuanced exploration of his past and the sacrifices he’s made.

23. Classroom of the Elite

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

Next on the list of the best anime where mc has a dark past is 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.

22. Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records

• 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.

21. Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasu ka?

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

The story of this fantasy anime with dark main character 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.

20. Trickster 

• 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. Trickster is a dark anime series that follows and highlights The fate of the two begins to move…

19. Utawarerumono 

• 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?

18. Chrno Crusade

• 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.

17. Kaze no Stigma

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

Kazuma Yagami is a strong magic 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.

16. Unlimited Psychic Squad

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

This is among the best anime with an op 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.

15. Black Bullet

• 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.

14. Trigun

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

Among the top anime where the protaginist is portrayed with a dark past is Trigun, a Madhouse 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. Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu 

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

This underrated 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.

12. Bungou Stray Dogs

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

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.

11. Rurouni Kenshin

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

Looking for an anime where the main character is introduced with a dark backstory? 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.

10. Darker than Black

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

Here is an underrated anime by studio Bones 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.

9. The Summer Hikaru Died

• Genres: Horror, Slice of Life, Psychological
• Studios: CygamesPictures
• Release: Summer 2025

This one is a singular mix of Lovecraftian horror and slice-of-life storytelling that promises to be a truly unsettling experience. “The Summer Hikaru Died” follows two best friends, Yoshiki and Hikaru, who grew up in a small rural town. When a tragic accident ends Hikaru’s life, his body becomes possessed by an otherworldly entity. Yoshiki struggles with his grief, but also attempts to find a way to remain friends with the creature who has replaced Hikaru. The acclaimed manga, which began publication in 2021, has been adapted by director Ryohei Takeshita. This anime is all about the dark past of loss, grief, and the terrifying unknown. Yoshiki’s struggle to reconcile his friend’s death with the new, unsettling reality of his presence is a powerful exploration of trauma and attachment.

8. Zenshu (2025)

• Genres: Fantasy, Drama
• Studios: MAPPA
• Release: 2025

Get ready for something truly unique from the powerhouse studio MAPPA. “Zenshu” is a new isekai anime that introduces us to Natsuko Hirose, a prodigy anime creator who, after a series of unfortunate events, finds herself reborn in the world of her favorite film, “A Tale of Perishing.” But here’s the twist: she can re-animate the story to give its characters a happier ending. This premise hints at a deep struggle with past failures and a desire for redemption, making Natsuko a character whose dark past directly influences her present actions and her quest to change fate. It’s a fascinating concept that explores the weight of creation and the longing for a different outcome.

7. Gintama 

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

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?

6. Black Butler

• 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.

5. Sakamoto Days (2025)

• Genres: Action, Comedy
• Studios: TBA (Currently streaming on Netflix)
• Release: 2025

From the hilarious and action-packed manga, “Sakamoto Days” brings us Taro Sakamoto, a legendary hitman who fell in love, settled down, and got… well, a bit out of shape. He’s forced to come out of retirement when his past catches up to him, but he’s determined to protect his family and uphold his wife’s strict no-kill rule. Sakamoto’s dark past as a ruthless assassin is a constant shadow, creating a fantastic comedic contrast with his current dad-bod, convenience store clerk life. It’s a story about trying to escape your past, but realizing that sometimes, you have to confront it head-on to protect what you love.

4. Code Geass

• Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha, Military, School, Super Power
• Studios: Sunrise
• Episodes: 50 / Two Seasons

In the year 2010, the Holy Britannian Empire invades Japan using giant robot weapons called Knightmare Frames. Japan, now called Area 11, is stripped of its freedom and its people are forced to live in poverty. Lelouch Lamperouge, a young Britannian, is caught in a crossfire between the Britannian and Japanese forces. He gains a mysterious power called Geass, which allows him to command anyone to do his bidding. With this power, he vows to destroy Britannia and create a new world where his sister can live happily.

Code Geass is an anime where the mc has a dark past, as Lelouch’s past is filled with tragedy and betrayal. His mother was murdered, and his sister was crippled in the same incident. His father, the Emperor of Britannia, disowned him and his sister, sending them to Japan as political hostages. This dark past fuels his desire for revenge and his ambition to change the world.

3. Tokyo Ghoul

• Genres: Action, Mystery, Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Drama
• Studios: Studio Pierrot
• Episodes: 48 / Four Seasons

In Tokyo, flesh-eating creatures called Ghouls live among humans, secretly preying on them. Ken Kaneki, a college student, barely survives a deadly encounter with a Ghoul and is transformed into a half-Ghoul. He struggles to adapt to his new life, caught between the world of humans and Ghouls, and tries to maintain his humanity while dealing with his new hunger.

Tokyo Ghoul is an anime where the mc has a dark past, as Kaneki’s transformation into a Ghoul is a traumatic event that shatters his normal life. He is forced to confront the brutal reality of the Ghoul world and the constant threat of being hunted by both humans and Ghouls. His past as a human constantly clashes with his present as a Ghoul, leading to intense psychological struggles.

2. Berserk

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Demons, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Military, Romance, Supernatural
• Studios: OLM (1997), GEMBA (2016), Liden Films (2022)
• Episodes: 25 (1997), 24 (2016), 13 (2022)

Guts, a lone mercenary, is known as the “Black Swordsman.” He wields a massive sword and hunts Apostles, powerful demonic beings. His life is a constant struggle against the forces of darkness, fueled by a traumatic past and a burning desire for revenge.

Berserk is the ultimate anime where the mc has a dark past. Guts’ childhood was filled with violence, abuse, and betrayal. He was born from a corpse, raised by mercenaries, and suffered unimaginable horrors. His past is a relentless nightmare that continues to haunt him, driving him to fight against his grim fate. The series delves deep into his psychological scars and his struggle to find meaning and purpose in a brutal world.

1. Attack on Titan

• Genres: Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen
• Studios: Wit Studio (Season 1-3), MAPPA (Season 4)
• Episodes: 88 (as of latest season)

Humanity lives within giant walls to protect themselves from man-eating giants called Titans. Eren Yeager, a young boy, dreams of seeing the outside world. His life changes forever when a Colossal Titan breaches the wall, and his mother is eaten by a Titan. He vows to exterminate all Titans and joins the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that fights Titans outside the walls.

Attack on Titan is an anime where the mc has a dark past, as Eren’s past is marked by the trauma of witnessing his mother’s death and the destruction of his hometown. This fuels his intense hatred for Titans and his relentless pursuit of freedom. As the series progresses, more layers of his dark past and the history of the Titans are revealed, making his journey even more complex.

Why These Dark Anime Backstories Stick With Us

What makes these characters so unforgettable isn’t just their cool moves or big fights. It’s what they’ve been through. Watching someone who’s lost everything still stand up and keep going—it hits different.

From Ayanokouji staying calm under pressure, to Guts pushing through every battle, their pasts aren’t just sad stories. They’re what make their journeys so powerful. These characters show us that no matter how bad things get, there’s always a way to keep moving forward.

And it’s not stopping anytime soon. New anime in 2024 and 2025 are still bringing us deep, emotional stories—like Natsuko trying to change her fate, Sakamoto protecting the life he built, or Yoshiki dealing with heartbreaking loss. These shows don’t just entertain us—they connect with something real inside us.

So which of these heroes speaks to you the most? Take a look at their stories. You might just find a piece of yourself in them—and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s always hope.