Which Anime Dads Have Tragic Backstories On Screen?

2025-08-26 09:52:54 81

4 Answers

Zane
Zane
2025-08-30 22:06:03
Late-night feels here: I get strangely protective over characters, so dads with tragic backstories really stick with me. One that always comes up in conversations with friends is Grisha Yeager from 'Attack on Titan' — his life was full of impossible choices, betrayals, and the terrible burden of secrets he passed down to Eren. It’s not a tidy tragedy; it’s a chain of consequences.

Another dad who wrecks me is Kiritsugu Emiya from 'Fate/Zero'. He’s a father in the most twisted, sacrificial way — his ideals break him and scar his adopted son. Watching him prioritize a grim version of the greater good over personal bonds makes his story both bleak and haunting. These fathers aren’t simply sad; their pasts ripple outward and change everything around them, which is why I keep rewatching certain arcs.
Cassidy
Cassidy
2025-08-31 02:44:20
I like to think about themes, so when I watch an anime and a father’s backstory unfolds, I try to trace how that trauma shapes a whole world. For example, Naoyuki Okazaki in 'Clannad' starts as almost a caricature of a broken parent — abusive, distant — but the show peels layers away and reveals loss, regret, and eventual redemption. That slow reveal is what makes his arc so painful and honest.

Another one that I find brutal is Thors from 'Vinland Saga'. His past as a legendary warrior turned pacifist and the consequences of his choices haunt his son Thorfinn’s entire life. It’s tragic because Thors sacrifices himself trying to be better, only to have that sacrifice spawn a cycle of violence. Then there’s Minato Namikaze from 'Naruto' — the hero-father who gives everything for his child, a quiet sorrow baked into the world of the series. The variety of paternal tragedy in these shows — from guilt and sacrifice to betrayal and loss — is what keeps me analyzing scenes late into the night.
Zara
Zara
2025-08-31 08:32:49
Some dads in anime hit me like a gut-punch when their pasts are revealed. Nighttime binges have me tearing up more than once because these fathers aren't just background — their histories shape entire stories.

Take Van Hohenheim from 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'. Watching his centuries of isolation and the slow reveal of how he became both miracle and monster is heartbreaking. He’s the long-suffering dad who tries to atone for mistakes made before his children were even born. Then there’s Maes Hughes — he doesn’t get an ancient backstory, but his death and the way he cherished his family in even tiny scenes make his loss feel devastating. I still find myself clutching a pillow during his funeral scene.

Gendo Ikari from 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' is a different kind of tragic: manipulative, obsessed, and broken by loss. His refusal to connect is itself a product of grief, and that makes his cruelty sting harder. These shows make parenthood feel heavy and human; sometimes you just want to hug the TV screen.
Jack
Jack
2025-09-01 14:16:43
Quick, personal list from someone who cries during tough scenes: Maes Hughes in 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood' — his devotion and sudden, senseless death hit me straight in the chest. Grisha Yeager in 'Attack on Titan' — a life of resistance and awful decisions that reverberate through generations. Gendo Ikari in 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' — his emotional coldness is born of deep trauma, and it’s unsettling to watch.

Also, Kiritsugu Emiya in 'Fate/Zero' is a father whose ideals destroy more than they save, and Thors in 'Vinland Saga' embodies the tragic irony of a man who tried to leave violence behind but whose past doomed his family. These dads aren’t just tragic for shock value; their histories shape entire narratives, and I keep thinking about them long after credits roll.
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Behind the Screen
Behind the Screen
This story is not a typical love story. It contains situations that young people often experience such as being awakened to reality, being overwhelmed with loneliness and being inlove. Meet Kanna, a highschool girl who chooses to distance herself from other people. She can be described as the typical weeb girl who prefer to be friends with fictional characters and spend her day infront of her computer. What if in the middle of her boring journey,she meets a man who awakens her spirit and curiosity? Let’s take a look at the love story of two personalities who met on an unexpected platform and wrong settings.
Not enough ratings
3 Chapters
One Night, Two Dads
One Night, Two Dads
Elena Carter’s world is turned upside down when her divorce is finalized, only to discover that she’s pregnant—and the father could be either her ex-husband, Ethan, or Daniel, the stranger she shared one unforgettable night with. Torn between the two men, Elena is forced to confront a past filled with betrayal and a future she never expected. As Ethan grows determined to fight for his unborn child, his jealousy and obsession threaten to destroy everything, while Daniel remains an elusive presence, caught up in his own life. With emotions running high and the truth slipping further out of reach, Elena must navigate a web of love, lies, and heartache. Will she ever know who the father is? Or will the consequences of her choices haunt her forever?
10
117 Chapters
Against the Tragic Fate
Against the Tragic Fate
Claire Leerstrom, a daughter of a powerful and wealthy duke. The youngest sibling and the only daughter of the Leerstrom family. As being the youngest child and only daughter, Claire is a bit spoiled, no. She really is a spoiled brat. A brat what she wants, she will get. Claire fell in love with the first prince and a lady who is blinded by love she do everything in order for her beloved to be crowned as king. Little she didn’t know that the first prince was only using her in order to succeed the throne. After sitting on the throne, the first prince she loved so dearly found another woman. The first prince reasons out her personality and how her brother was labeled as traitors. He two brothers died as traitors without knowing if they really are. Their social status was slowly going down because of what his two brothers accused of. Her parents dying one after another because of sickness they got for so much pressure and stressful events happening on their family after they loss two of their sons. Her twin brother was imprisoned for some reason and was publicly executed. At that time Claire was divorce by the first prince and thrown her out of the palace. Claire being left out alone and individually sucking up what happening on her family and herself crumbled down. Then decided to end her life once and for all. However, what happened next was unexpected. She saw again the faces she thought she would never see again. The faces who brought her to this world. The faces of her parents and brothers. Is that a dream? Or she was given a second chance to live all over again and change her fate. What will happened to her now?
10
17 Chapters
Tragic Fate Looking So Clear
Tragic Fate Looking So Clear
Fear  Noun 1. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Synonyms: foreboding, apprehension, consternation, dismay, dread, terror, fright, panic, horror, trepidation, qualm. Until that night, Kinsley never knew true fear, never felt terror. She could taste the fear on her tongue, salty with a hint of copper, her throat felt constricted. She wanted to scream but the terror was too thick in her throat, coating it to the point of near suffocation. She was prey and he was the hunter who never failed. Verendus was powerful, a ruthless and cruel Boss, he did not fail and he did not quit. Kinsley Anderson was a woman he coveted, and he would stop at nothing to claim her. He had the means and the manpower to pursue her to the ends of the earth and he would do it, claiming her once and for all.
10
15 Chapters
Dual Marriage:A Friend's Tragic Farewell
Dual Marriage:A Friend's Tragic Farewell
My best friend and I signed up for the Dual Marriage System so the cancer wouldn't kill me. She and I managed to steal the hearts of the Hopkin brothers. Naturally, we became in-laws. Seven years later, my husband's son told me I was dull and useless. Meanwhile, my best friend's husband slammed her behind bars for the sake of his old flame. When she was released, the last thing she told me was, "Live on." Then, she rushed into the oncoming traffic and was crushed into a pulp by a speeding truck.
9 Chapters
The tragic supporting actress in the Duke's household
The tragic supporting actress in the Duke's household
On the mysterious and vast fantasy continent of Estella, magic and miracles coexist, and ancient families and emerging forces intertwine to create a complex and ever-changing power map. Among them, the ducal family, as one of the oldest aristocracies, not only has a long history and endless wealth, but also controls the key power that can shape the fate of the continent. However, behind this glory, there are also countless unknown secrets and simmering disputes.
Not enough ratings
32 Chapters

Related Questions

Which Anime Dads Have The Most Memorable Quotes?

4 Answers2025-08-26 09:43:04
I still get a little teary thinking about the dads who say the simplest, truest things. One that always hits me is Maes Hughes from 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'—his whole vibe is a walking proclamation of family love. Lines like 'I love my wife!' (yes, screamed in the most sincere way possible) are ridiculous and sweet at once, and they remind me of late-night family chats over instant ramen. Another dad who sticks with me is Goku from 'Dragon Ball Z'. He’s goofy and not the most responsible in everyday terms, but when he stands up and declares something like 'I am the hope of the universe,' it becomes surprisingly paternal—protecting your kids with reckless optimism is a kind of dad-heroism. And then there’s Naruto, now a father in 'Boruto': his mantra, essentially 'I won’t go back on my word,' morphs into this reassuring promise to his kids that safety and stubbornness can coexist. These quotes are memorable because they’re short, emotionally loud, and very human—exactly the kind of lines I find myself repeating when I want to sound brave to my friends.

Which Anime Dads Are The Most Protective Of Their Children?

4 Answers2025-08-26 00:50:12
My pick for the most protective anime dads? Man, there are so many flavors of protectiveness and they hit me differently depending on the scene. I adore Maes Hughes from 'Fullmetal Alchemist' — he’s the kind of dad who’ll burst into the office with baby photos and then drop everything if his family’s in danger. That mix of goofy warmth and absolute seriousness when it matters gets me every time. Then there’s Garp from 'One Piece'. He’s gruff and embarrassing in public, but he won’t let anyone harm Luffy; his protection is stubborn pride more than hugs. I’ve also got soft spots for Isshin Kurosaki in 'Bleach', who’s playful until someone threatens Ichigo, and for Daikichi in 'Usagi Drop' — he’s not the biological dad, but his fierce love and daily sacrifices for Rin feel like a masterclass in chosen-family protection. These dads show that being protective can look like laughter, tough love, or quiet sacrifice, and I love how each approach reflects different kinds of love.

What Lessons Do Anime Dads Teach About Fatherhood?

4 Answers2025-08-26 18:16:16
There are so many little moments across shows that have stuck with me about what it means to be a dad. Watching 'Usagi Drop' made me rethink how ordinary gestures—picking up a snack, answering late-night cries, learning to braid hair—become the core of caregiving. I used to scoff at “slice-of-life” parenting scenes, but after seeing Daikichi quietly adapt his life, I started noticing how tiny, steady sacrifices build trust more than big speeches. Then there’s the loud, warm kind of dad like 'Maes Hughes' in 'Fullmetal Alchemist'—the uncle-y figure who’s unabashedly proud and affectionate. He taught me that being visibly supportive and silly can make home feel safe; humor and vulnerability are parenting superpowers. On the flip side, complicated fathers like in 'Clannad' show that messed-up pasts don’t have to set the script for your kids forever. Redemption and patience are slow, not cinematic. So I take from all of them an oddly practical mix: show up consistently, laugh with abandon, apologize when you mess up, and learn things with your kid. I sometimes catch myself humming a goofy theme song while fixing a toy and thinking, yep—this is the dad lesson I stole from anime. It’s less about perfection and more about presence, in tiny everyday ways.

Where Can I Find Anime Dads Ranked By Popularity?

4 Answers2025-08-26 12:05:30
I get a kick out of hunting down those 'best dad' lists — they’re such a cozy, weird corner of fandom. If you want popularity-ranked lists of anime fathers, my go-to starting points are Ranker (they have user-voted lists), YouTube top-10 videos, and community polls on Crunchyroll or Anime News Network. I often open a Ranker page, then cross-check with MyAnimeList character pages and AniList user lists to see who consistently shows up. For Japanese-sourced popularity, look for Oricon or polls on anime news sites like Anime! Anime! — they sometimes run country-wide surveys that differ from English-speaking fans. When I'm on the train I’ll skim Reddit threads (r/anime has frequent polls and threads like “best dads”), and I always peek at CBR or Screen Rant listicles because editorial picks add a different flavor than raw votes. Fandom wikis and character pages help if you want to filter by role (search tags like 'father' or 'parent'). A fun trick: search Google with "best anime dads poll" and then filter by the past year to catch recent popularity spikes tied to reboots or anniversary news. Mixing sources is important because rankings depend on who’s voting — casual viewers, long-time fans, or region-specific communities. Cross-reference a few lists, and you’ll quickly spot the reliably loved characters (think of folks like Maes Hughes from 'Fullmetal Alchemist' or Soichiro Yagami from 'Death Note' who pop up everywhere). If you want, I can point to specific lists or help you make a short comparison of the top 10 from different sites.

Who Are The Strongest Anime Dads In Action Series?

4 Answers2025-08-26 02:26:01
I get really hyped when someone asks about the strongest anime dads — it’s one of those topics that mixes punchy fight scenes with surprisingly tender parenting moments. For me, the obvious heavy hitters are Goku and Vegeta from 'Dragon Ball'. They both hit planet-shattering levels, but they bring different flavors: Goku’s raw, unpredictable power and Vegeta’s ruthless, trained precision. Watching them tag-team during key fights makes me cheer like I’m twelve again. A few others I always bring up are Isshin Kurosaki from 'Bleach' (who drops jaw-dropping reveals about his past) and Van Hohenheim from 'Fullmetal Alchemist' (he carries cosmic-level baggage and power). Then there’s Naruto — not just a fighter but someone who grew into leadership and strength in 'Naruto' and beyond. I also adore Ging Freecss from 'Hunter x Hunter' as the enigmatic, insanely capable dad who chose adventure over family but still radiates competence. If I’m ranking by pure combat potential plus the daddy vibes, I’d line them up with Vegeta and Goku near the top, Jotaro from 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' as the stoic powerhouse dad, and Hohenheim for the mystical/moral depth. Watching their fights while snacking on instant ramen on a late night is my comfort ritual — every punch feels like nostalgia and every dad moment lands differently.

Which Anime Dads Are Celebrated For Tough Love Parenting?

4 Answers2025-08-26 19:57:16
If you like gruff, emotionally complicated dads who push their kids hard, you’re in for a treat—there’s a whole gallery of them across anime. My top pick is Enji Todoroki from 'My Hero Academia'. Watching his arc is like watching someone slowly unclench. He’s the textbook case of tough love that starts as cold, even abusive, but gradually shifts toward accountability and attempts at real repair. I actually paused my binge a few times because those moments between him and Shoto hit so raw—like watching a real family try to rewire decades of harm. Vegeta from 'Dragon Ball' is another favorite. He’s brutal with expectations but quietly proud; his relationship with Trunks went from strict drills to those rare, proud smiles. Then there’s Goku—he’s not the most present, but his training style with Gohan is tough-love by design, forcing growth through harsh lessons. For darker shades, Fugaku Uchiha in 'Naruto' and Grisha Yeager in 'Attack on Titan' show how imposing goals and secrets can warp children. And on the kinder-but-stern side, Isshin Kurosaki from 'Bleach' balances goofiness with surprising moments of serious guidance. These dads aren’t perfect, but they’re compelling: they make you debate forgiveness, growth, and whether tough love heals or hurts. I keep rewatching certain scenes when I’m thinking about family dynamics—there’s always something new to notice.

How Do Anime Dads Influence Coming-Of-Age Stories?

4 Answers2025-08-26 07:29:55
Sometimes the quietest scenes stick with me more than the big speeches—especially when a dad character is on screen. I love how fathers in anime can be the soft center or the fracture line in a coming-of-age story. Take 'Clannad' for example: the father-son tension and eventual reconciliation shapes a whole generation of Tomoya’s decisions, and watching that felt like watching someone patch a map of their past. In contrast, the absent or distant dad—seen in shows like 'Fullmetal Alchemist'—becomes a missing piece that the protagonist either chases or rejects. I also notice smaller, subtler dads who ground a series. In 'Usagi Drop' the day-to-day parenting scenes aren’t flashy, but they teach patience, responsibility, and quiet love in a way that’s just as formative for the kid as any dramatic revelation. Those ordinary moments—fixing a bike, making dinner, giving awkward advice—are what make the coming-of-age arc feel lived-in, believable, and oddly comforting. They remind me how real growth often happens in tiny, repeated choices rather than a single grand gesture.

How Are Anime Dads Portrayed In Modern Shonen Shows?

4 Answers2025-08-26 23:17:42
Lately I've been struck by how modern shonen treats fathers as story engines more than background scenery. Sometimes they're the pull that sends the hero out—think of the way an absent figure like the father in 'Hunter x Hunter' (Ging) or the missing parents in older shonen push kids to search for identity. Other times they're the mirror: an overbearing, reputation-driven dad like the early depiction of Endeavor in 'My Hero Academia' forces characters to confront toxic expectations, while later redemption beats let shows explore accountability and change. I love that contemporary series rarely keep dads one-note. There's goofy, lovable cluelessness in the 'Dragon Ball' era of parenting, bureaucratic duty vs. family in 'Boruto' with Naruto trying to be both Hokage and father, and the found-family model where a figure like Whitebeard (from 'One Piece') is more of a patriarchal anchor than a biological parent. That diversity lets writers unpack themes of legacy, trauma, and what it means to actually be present. It makes me think about how these portrayals land with different generations—kids watching now might see a path to vulnerability that older narratives rarely showed.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status