Exploring characters like Shigaraki opens up a fascinating discussion, particularly regarding his evolution throughout the My Hero Academia series.
His transformation into an embodiment of destruction, driven solely by a desire to sow chaos, delves into a trope prevalent in anime—a trope that may seem predictable at first glance but carries deeper layers upon examination.
In anime, figures akin to Shigaraki abound, particularly in their manifestations within their respective series. These antagonists exhibit a singular obsession with annihilation, displaying a disregard for all that stands in their path.
Their pursuit of destruction transcends mere villainy; it becomes a consuming force, elevating them to formidable adversaries of significant magnitude.
Donquixote Doflamingo From One Piece And 9 Other Anime Characters Similar To Shigaraki
Here are some anime characters that are like Shigaraki from My Hero Academia.
10. Donquixote Doflamingo From One Piece
In anime, the yearning for destruction often defines characters like Shigaraki, particularly as seen in the culmination of the My Hero Academia series. And within One Piece, there’s perhaps no better embodiment of this desire than Donquixote Doflamingo.
What sets Doflamingo apart from several anime characters, including Shigaraki himself, is his tragic backstory. However, this backstory doesn’t paint him as a figure deserving of sympathy. Instead, it serves to underscore his monstrous nature, highlighting his insatiable craving for chaos throughout the seas.
9. Shinobu Sensui From Yu Yu Hakusho
The antagonist Shinobu Sensui from Yu Yu Hakusho shares striking similarities with characters like Shigaraki, particularly in their motivations and origins. Both individuals harbor a desire to annihilate humanity and sow chaos, although Sensui’s approach tends to be more methodical and targeted.
Going into their backgrounds, we find parallels in their exposure to the darkest aspects of humanity. Sensui’s encounters were notably more severe and infamous compared to Shigaraki’s, yet both underwent mental breakdowns that distorted their personalities due to their traumatic experiences.
8. Tesuo Shima From Akira
Another defining aspect of characters akin to Shigaraki is the theme of power falling into the wrong hands, a narrative thread shared by villains such as those in My Hero Academia and Tetsuo Shima from the Akira series. Whether portrayed in manga or on the silver screen, Shima’s characterization remains consistent in this regard.
Tetsuo’s upbringing in a Japan ravaged by World War III and nuclear devastation eventually led to the manifestation of psychic abilities. However, rather than becoming a force for good, this newfound status as an Esper drove him to madness. Consumed by his own deranged desires, Tetsuo transformed into a tyrant hell-bent on annihilating everything in his path.
7. Eren Yeager From Attack on Titan
Eren Yeager, hailing from Attack on Titan, undoubtedly fits the archetype of characters akin to Shigaraki due to their parallel character trajectories. Both individuals follow paths that spiral into darkness as their narratives progress, transforming them into harbingers of destruction with a desire to witness the world’s upheaval.
Admittedly, Eren’s descent into darkness is notably more extreme, culminating in the catastrophic loss of life for the majority of humanity within his story’s realm.
However, the core sentiment driving both characters remains rooted in a sense of madness and an insatiable urge for annihilation, even if Eren attempts to justify his actions under the guise of protecting his friends.
6. The God Hand From Berserk
While the God Hand technically consists of five individual entities, their motivations as malevolent beings are intricately intertwined, often functioning as a unified force. This cohesion contributes significantly to their profound influence within the Berserk and the unfolding events within it.
Originally, humans who ascended to a higher realm, the members of the God Hand, transformed into cosmic and demonic entities. They possess the ability to bestow the gift of transformation into apostles upon others.
Their allegiance lies with evil itself, driven by the desire to see humanity succumb to the darkest aspects of its nature. This parallel with characters like Shigaraki exists, albeit amplified to an even greater degree by the God Hand.
5. Ryomen Sukuna From Jujutsu Kaisen
Ryomen Sukuna, another antagonist from Jujutsu Kaisen, stands as yet another example of an anime character akin to Shigaraki. While Sukuna and Shigaraki differ vastly in personality, abilities, and origins, they both share an insatiable thirst for chaos and destruction.
Sukuna’s motivations don’t revolve around grand ambitions or specific goals; rather, he finds pleasure in seeking out formidable opponents and instigating chaos. His actions during the Shibuya incident exemplify this desire, as he callously massacres thousands simply for his own amusement.
4. Father From Fullmetal Alchemist
Father, the primary antagonist of the Fullmetal Alchemist series, indeed shares similarities with characters like Shigaraki due to his insatiable desire for destruction and control.
While both characters exhibit this trait, there’s a compelling argument to be made that Father demonstrates a higher level of focus and intelligence compared to Shigaraki, albeit influenced by their distinct narrative constructions.
Through absorbing the knowledge of the Eye, Father becomes an entity driven by a relentless pursuit of control and dominance on a global scale. His malevolent nature is evident in his quest to annihilate any who dare to oppose him.
3. Cath From The Seven Deadly Sins
Undoubtedly, Cath stands as one of the most polarizing final villains in The Seven Deadly Sins, largely due to the unexpected twist it brings and its implications for the story’s direction.
However, it’s equally undeniable that Cath shares similarities with characters like Shigaraki, embodying the archetype of an agent of chaos and destruction.
Cath Palug emerges as a manifestation of chaos, born from a fervent desire to both destroy and protect Arthur. Its aim is to elevate Arthur to the position of King of Chaos.
Much like Shigaraki, Cath exhibits an unyielding propensity for wreaking havoc, seeking to disrupt and destabilize everything within its sphere of influence.
2. Mahito From Jujutsu Kaisen
Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, and Kohei Horikoshi, the mind behind My Hero Academia, are renowned for their friendship. Within the anime community, a persistent theory suggests that Mahito from Jujutsu Kaisen is inspired by Tomura Shigaraki. Not only do they share similar appearances, but their powers also necessitate physical contact with their hands, emphasizing their role as agents of destruction.
Mahito embodies the Curse born from human hatred, making chaos and destruction his primary objectives. The Shibuya Incident marked the pinnacle of his character development, resulting in the tragic deaths of Nanami Kento and Nobara Kugisaki.
1. Kid Buu From Dragon Ball Z
A compelling argument can be made that Kid Buu stands as one of the most apt comparisons to characters like Shigaraki within anime. He epitomizes destruction in its purest form, a force of malevolence and chaos.
This essence was vividly portrayed in Dragon Ball Z when he obliterated Earth and all its inhabitants, save for Goku, Vegeta, Mr. Satan, and Fat Majin Buu, who managed to escape to the afterlife.
Similar to Shigaraki, Kid Buu’s sole desire is to annihilate everything in his path, albeit with a more merciless demeanor. His arrival heralded the immediate destruction of Earth, a feat unmatched by any other villain in the Dragon Ball series up to that point.