Summary
-
Some anime defies the norm by showing the main characters who are constantly falling defeat but rises resilient.
-
Losses in these anime form the arches of the characters, which makes rare victories feel monumental.
-
The stories of these heroes highlight their willingness to continue fighting despite continuous setbacks.
In the world of AnimeHeroes are usually on the winning side. Triumph defines them, or the viewers are led to believing. This popular story fits many iconic anime series and draws a large number of fans. Some anime, however, breaks the form with Stories where protagonists do not always win. In order to express it more clearly, They are constantly losing. This is perfectly depicted in how these heroes are regularly surpassed by opponents, surpassed in battle and abused over and over again.

Family
12 Best Spring 2025 Anime, ranked (so far)
Fire power, Lazarus, MHA and windbreaker are just some of the best anime in the spring of 2025.
However, these anime does not illustrate the weaknesses of these characters; Instead, they celebrate their will to continue fighting. Whether the heroes fall with their face down in battle, bleed or even die sometimes, they rise again with greater resistance. Losses form the story and deepen the arches of character. In this unconventional world of anime, defeat is not a dead end – this is what makes the efforts of heroism look more brave and the rare victors feel monumental.
8
Gantz
Never Squally Peace

Gantz
- Release date
-
2004 – 2004
- Network
-
Fuji TV, at-X
- Board members
-
Atsushi nigorikawa, hirotaka endo
This anime series balances two seemingly independent concepts – life's trials after death and being under the control of a strange force, in the most captivating way that might be conceived. It centers on the main character Kei KunoroA confused teenager who is demolished by a train with his best friend while trying to save a homeless person on the tracks. But something unexpected happens: instead of dying, kei kunoro Is in a strange room with other people, all under the control of a mysterious sphere called Gantz.

Family
Saddest anime character death, ranked
Here is a look at some heartbreaking deaths in anime, combined with reasons why fans will never forget them.
Without experience and little information, Kei Kunoro, his childhood friend Masaru KatouThe And others are teleported to another place and are suddenly forced into terrible assignments that fight against foreign creatures that surpass them in strength and cunning. Kei and Masaru collaborate with a woman named Reika Shimohira to form a trio, but they soon realize that their chances of survival are less than they expected. They suffer horrible losses and repeated failures, they stand up and struggle through despair every time to protect their lives and others. Valid with brutal violence, Gantz Explores resilience and willpower their bloodiest forms.
7
Tokyo Revengers
Fists fail, fate remains
TAkemichi Hanagaki is a 26-year-old Freeter who lives an everyday life who discovers that his ex-girlfriend, Hinata Tachibana, the only girl he has loved since high school, has been murdered by the Tokyo Manji gang. As if that is not enough, Tacemichi suffers another huge wheat when he is pushed into an oncoming train and departs to the icy death. But Takemichi stops survival, but he is 12 years earlier.
This shift gives Takemichi an opportunity to change the chain of events over the years and save Hinata from being murdered by Tokyo Manji gang in the future. But his plan is more challenging than he thinks. Takemichi is physically weak, inexperienced and pretty much a weepbab. Despite his overly emotional reactions and the brutal battles he is facing, Tacemichi continues to fight for his goals and indirectly inspires two other characters. Tokyo Revengers is not the story of a traditional hero; Rather, it is the story of an incorrect protagonist who is determined to win no matter what.
6
Re: zero-starting life in another world-
Death is just the beginning
The world of time travel iseki-anime Re: zero-starting life in another world- stands out and focuses on the central character, Natsuki SubaruA teenage slope that handles losses over and over again. After just getting out of a convenience store, Subaru's life changes completely, because he is suddenly in a fantasy world where metaphysical phenomena like magic is the norm.
In this new world, Subaru will soon be given two important things that significantly shape his life. First, when he dies, he returns to a specific point earlier while retaining all his memories. Secondly, he is controlled by a mysterious force behind the scenes. Subaru is clearly overpowered and goes through strings of losses as he tries to save others, especially Emilia, a half-self girl he meets early.
5
Whiten
Effort never enough
Yasutora “Chad” SadoDespite his physique and forces, a protagonist who always suffers defeat in Whiten. He has a track record of getting brutally injured and unconscious in battles. The thing is that Chad trains and drives to get better, but he always gets bad cards in this series, because the story never benefits him.
He is defeated during the Soul Society Bågen and outclassed by his opposition time and time again. In addition, he remains static, his efforts fade to the background when his friends Ichigo and Uryū sharpen their abilities and skills and become much better than him. Yasutora “Chad” Sado remains stuck in the bubble of failure and unrealized potential. On the sidelines, he is the symbol of effort without reward to show – a hero who tries, but that is never enough.
4
Devilman Crybaby
Hope in ashes
In this chaotic anime about a heartbreaking descent, Akira FudoA sore teenager, merged with the demon AMON during a Sabbath ritual and becomes the devil – a hybrid form that combines potent demonic power with human emotions. Akira's entire plan is to use this power to protect humanity, but business does not go as planned. In such a brutal world where ideals are buried deeply under blood, tragedy and loss, Akira loses time and time again – in fighting and for his purpose.
He fails to save his friend, Miki Makimura, from a violent, terrible mob. His strength is not enough. He then fails to prevent a demon apocalypse and is then united with Ryo Asuka, his best friend, who is then revealed to be Satan and the person responsible for the downfall of the earth. These brutal losses help to form the track in Akira's story Devilman Crybaby– A hero who fights for a devastating end.
3
Dragon Ball Z.
Wolf gang fist who could not keep up
Dragon Ball Z. Crings not on YamchaA skilled martial arts master who becomes Z fighter, but he is always part of the main plot. Originally a bandit who wants to steal Dragon Balls to wish his fear of women, yamcha Reforms and trains under the legendary martial arts artist Master Roshi and later pages with Goku. In the early battles, Yamcha shows remarkable courage, but as the series progresses, his wealth takes a decline when his opponents are increasingly surpassing him. During the Saiyan saga, Yamcha killed by a Saibaman.
Resurrection with the dragon balls does not end his losses and failures. He trains during King Kai, a deity and powerful martial art master who monitors the northern quadrant, but he never matches the rising power levels for his comrades. He is injured in the Android saga and sideways in other major battles. Although Yamcha is brave and loyal, he represents a failure – a hero who never reaches his full potential.
2
A punchman
Upgrades are never enough
GenosA cyborg hero, wants to be avenged because an unknown cyborg destroyed his city and family. He becomes Saitama's Understudy with ambitions to be strong. Saitama is the man who can end every battle with a single place. Despite several upgrades and pure willpower, Genos loses in battle repeatedly. Against enemies like Deep Sea King, Mosquito Girl, as well as the best fighters in the Monster Association, Genos often fights bravely but is destroyed or seriously injured.

Family
One Punch Man: Why Metal Bat's Power can fight with Saitamas one day
Metal Bat's often overlooked ability can make him a power player in the future of the One Punch Man series.
Contrary to Saitama, Genos' seizures the brutal gap in their abilities. Saitama remains invincible and bored; Genos struggles with strength and commitment, but still falls short. His defeat is not from a lack of heart, but from the overwhelming brute force from his opponent. But in no time he gives up. IN A punchmanGeno's adventure is defined by a bicycle of defeat and recovery. He is a hero with such determination that he continues to rise no matter how often he is beaten.
1
Attack on titanium
Victory drenched in blood
Attack on titanium Is not a story about a hero who can rise over and over again without difficulty. It is not about someone who breaks through their victories. Rather, it is a brutal story where there is no Victor, nor does it disappear. In this anime series, Titans represent the greatest nemesis for people and devour not only people but also hope. But hope is a thing Eren yeagerThe protagonist, holds expensive despite the harsh reality.
The eren's life stops a sudden when he sees his mother being eaten alive, except his city is destroyed by Titans. Revenge, he joins Survey Corps, a military division whose task is to eliminate the Titans. But every time the eren loads directly in battles with these titans he loses so brutally. Yet these losses never really affected him. He uses them on site as motivation to strengthen his will and resilience.

More
Anime: 20 most iconic male characters with white hair
Unique hair colors are common in many anime series, and white hair is a prominent. Here are the most famous male characters with white hair.