Beyond the stunning visuals and enchanting displays,animeis known primarily for featuring larger-than-life characters. Whether they are heroes or villains, these characters possess an incredible skill set and are basically undefeatable. While they have the responsibility of carrying an entire show with their limitless power, for every rockstar protagonist, there is a side character that is more nuanced than powerful. A character’s weaknesses sometimes allow them to elevate the show in unexpected ways.
A weak character faces shortcomings and makes mistakes, and it is more hilarious than annoying. Theirdependence on others to save the daycreates an opportunity for a more grounded connection between characters. So, even these overlooked characters need to be celebrated. Because, in a way, their weaknesses made them more memorable and their lack of contribution to a show helped the protagonists look just a little bit better. Be prepared to look beyond raw power because these anime weaklings bring a dash of charm, humor and heart to the genre.
20Ciel Phantomhive – ‘Black Butler’
Black Butlerfollows the dark and twisted tale ofCiel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old master of the Phantomhive estate, who suffers thetraumatic loss of his parents. Now the head of the family, he’s tasked with solving crimes and maintaining order in Victorian-era England. But when Ciel enters into a Faustian contract with a demon named Sebastian, who serves as his loyal butler, the young master is able to avenge his family’s death.
Ciel Phantomhive’s inclusion in a list of the weakest anime characters might raise a few eyebrows. He’s cunning, intellectual, has a commanding presence and enormous wealth. But Ciel’s physical frailty and dependence on Sebastian highlights his inherent weakness. He’s almost never able to fend for himself, has limited combat skills, and easily gets overwhelmed by his circumstances, thus becoming an easy target for his enemies.
Black Butler
19Hiyori Iki – ‘Noragami’
Hiyori Ikiis a seeminglyordinary high school studentwho finds herself entwined in the world of gods and spirits after she saves the life of an unknown deity named Yato. The incident is just as much a near-death experience for Hiyori, and it leaves her with a condition where her soul begins to slip out of her physical body frequently, making her neither fully human nor fully spirit.
Hiyori’s newfound ability in Hiyori Iki is that she can interact with the supernatural realm. And while it’s fascinating to watch her ease into a world of gods, it also exposes her as weak. Despite her courage and determination, her condition in the spirit realm often renders her powerless, causing her to be vulnerable to spiritual threats. Her strong bond with Yato does little to protect her, and she becomes just a catalyst for other characters’ development.
18Nunnally Lamperouge – ‘Code Geass’
Incredibly popular with anime fans,Code Geassrevolves around the story of Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled prince who gains unusual power and leads a rebellion against the Holy Britannian Empire that is ruling Japan with an iron fist, much to the dismay of its citizens. The series explores Lelouch’s journey from being an outsider to adopting the masked identity of Zero and toppling the tyrannical regime.
Nunnally Lamperougeis the beloved younger sister of the protagonist. Despite not being responsible for the fight, she finds her peaceful world threatened by it after being intricately woven into the larger narrative of the series. Central to Lelouch’s motivations, Nunnally is weak because she was blinded and paralyzed by trauma. She’s a stark contrast to a character when looking at the intense warfare andhigh-stakes political drama, which is why she faces many threats.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
17Yuki Cross – ‘Vampire Knight’
In the hauntingly beautiful world ofVampire Knight, wherehumans and vampires coexistat the prestigious Cross Academy, we followYuki Cross, a guardian of the academy and adopted daughter of the Headmaster. Yuki’s role is to protect the secret of the vampire society and deal with her own past, but as tensions between humans and vampires rise, Yuki is stuck in a love triangle between her childhood friend Zero, a vampire hunter, and Kaname, a pureblood vampire who once saved her life.
The 10 Most Immortal Characters in Anime
Defying the limitations of mortality, these timeless beings took “don’t want to die young” a little too seriously.
Despite being a central character in the series, Yuki has weaknesses that are glaringly apparent. From her inability to effectively wield the anti-vampire weapon she’s entrusted with to her reliance on others for protection, her overall frailty makes her an ideal choice for this list. She’s both emotionally and physically dependent on Kaname and Zero and her character arc constantly sees her being portrayed as a damsel in distress.
Vampire Knight
16Tsukune Aono – ‘Rosario + Vampire’
Tsukune Aono, a human boy, is the quintessential everyman who finds himself thrust into the extraordinary world ofRosario + Vampire. He’s initially an ordinary high school student who enrolls in Yokai Academy, a school for supernatural beings. But after he forms a close relationship with Moka Akashiya,a vampire who becomes his protectorand love interest, Tsukune must not only fit in but also survive in a school where he’s the only human.
It’s quite apparent from the premise ofRosario + Vampirewhy Tsukune Aono is one of the weakest characters in anime. His weakness is rooted in his complete lack of supernatural powers and his over-reliance on the series’ female protagonists – Moka and her friends – to keep him safe. The series has humor, action, and romance, and through it all, Tsukune’s character arc is defined by his constant struggle to find his place in a world that is fundamentally at odds with him.
Rosario + Vampire
15Minoru Mineta – ‘My Hero Academia’
For a show that relies heavily on its characters’ strengths, where teenagers develop superpowers called “Quirks,” it is interesting how a weak link fits just right in.My Hero Academiamay be a story about good vs. evil when you boil it down, butMinoru Minetamakes it fun. His Quirk is called Pop-Off, which allows him to pop round ball-like objects from the top of his head.
Their only usefulness is that they grow back almost instantly and have a high stick consistency. But Minoru’s nature is cowardly, which not only weakens his potential but also breaks up intense moments of action and drama. As a sidekick, he may be of some value, but strength-wise, Minoru is known to freeze up.
My Hero Academia
14Mumen Rider – ‘One Punch Man’
With the title itself,One Punch Manmakes it clear that it’s about a superhero so powerful he can defeat his enemy with one single blow. However standard, the premise mocks anime tropes centered around overpowered characters. Caught in the middle of it all isMumen Rider, a weak cyclist and C-class member of the Heroes Association.
Mumen does indulge in battle and fight crime, but with determination, not physical strength. His traits include a moral compass pointing towards the right side, being inspirational and kind. Regardless of not having any superpowers besides being an ace cyclist, he has cruised through odds that were heavily stacked against him and tried saving lives when he could.
13Mr. Satan – ‘Dragon Ball Z’
A favorite among fans of anime,Dragon Ball Zfollows the spectacular clashes between the Z warriors,led by Goku, and the other threats across the universe.Mr. Satanis a total buffoon. Even though he’s stronger than most earthlings, when compared to the powers, wit, and strengths of the Saiyans, he is dust.
As a frail, aging former martial artist and the Protector of Earth, Mr. Satan often inserts himself into battles and claims credit for all the work that Goku or Gohan do. But all that does is add valuable comic relief, warmth and humor to a series filled with high-stakes fights. The only time his weakness mirrored an untapped potential was when he succeeded in becoming friends with a major antagonist of the show.
Dragon Ball Z
12Honoka Takamiya – ‘Witch Craft Works’
Set against the backdrop of Tongetsu Academy, a workshop for witches,Witch Craft Worksfollows Kagari Ayaka, a seemingly normal girl, the school’s prettiest, who hides immense magical powers. Seated next to her is a second-year student,Takamiya Honoka, who lacks any abilities whatsoever.
In fact, Honoka ends up risking his life every time he even tries to talk to Ayaka because she has an entire fanclub ready to beat up anyone who even takes a whiff. The only reason he even survives amongst fiercely powerful witches is because Anaka secretly protects him. Later in the show, we find out that Honoka carries within himself a power even he’s unaware of.
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Whether it be a tragic backstory or an untimely death, here are the characters who didn’t deserve to go through it!
11Takemichi Hanagaki – ‘Tokyo Revengers’
Main characters in anime are supposed to be far from weak. ButTokyo Revengerssubverts that idea and thrusts into a thick plot of deceit, time travel, andjaw-dropping action, a 26-year-old freeter namedTakemichi Hanagaki. His aim? To save his middle school girlfriend from being killed by traveling back in time and joining a gang.
In the beginning, Takemichi’s weakness and perpetually frightened nature calls nothing but doom upon his half-hearted efforts. But what’s worse is that he does not even possess the mental fortitude or determination to fight. He ends up facing a disturbingly high number of beatings in his quest to change the future. Overall, Takemichi is nowhere close to a strong protagonist – physically or emotionally.
