Summary
In the world ofanime, heroes are usually on the winning side. Triumph defines them, or so viewers are led to believe. This popular narrative fuels many iconic anime series, drawing a large number of fans. However, some anime break the mold withstorylines where protagonists aren’t always victorious.To put it more plainly,they lose constantly.This is perfectly depicted in how these heroes are regularly outmatched by opponents, outwitted in combat, and battered over and over again.
However, these anime do not highlightthese characters’ weaknesses; instead, they celebrate their will to keep fighting. Whether the heroes fall face down in combat, bleed, or even die at times, they rise again with greater resilience. Losses shape the story and deepen the character arcs. In this unconventional world of anime, defeat isn’t a dead end—it is what makes the efforts of heroism look more valiant and the rare victories feel monumental.
This anime series balances two seemingly unrelated concepts—the ordeals oflife after death, and being under the control of a strange force, in the most captivating manner imaginable. It centers on protagonistKei Kunoro, a disenchanted teenager who is torn apart by a train alongside his best friend while trying to save a homeless person on the tracks. However, something unexpected happens: instead of dying, Kei Kunorofinds himself in a strange room with other people, all under the control of a mysterious sphere called the Gantz.
With no experience and little information, Kei Kunoro, his childhood friendMasaru Katou,and others are teleported to another location and suddenly forced into dreadful missions fighting against alien beings that outclass them in strength and cunning. Kei and Masaru team up with a woman named Reika Shimohira toform a trio, but they soon realize their chances of survival are less than they had expected. Suffering gruesome losses and repeated failures, they get up and fight their way through despair every time to protect their lives and those of others. Riddled with brutal violence,Gantzexplores resilience and willpower their bloodiest forms.
Takemichi Hanagakiis a 26-year-old freeter living a mundane 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 isn’t enough, Takemichi suffers another huge woe when he is pushed into an oncoming train, resigning to the icy fate of death. However, Takemichi ends up surviving, but he finds himself12 years in the past.
This shift presents Takemichi with an opportunity to alter the chain of events over the years and save Hinata from being murderedby the Tokyo Manji Gang in the future. However, his plan is more challenging than he thinks. Takemichi is physically weak, inexperienced, and pretty much a crybaby. Yet, despite his overly emotional reactions and the brutal beatings he faces, Takemichi continues to fight for his goals, indirectly inspiring two other characters.Tokyo Revengersis not the story of a traditional hero; rather, it is the story of a flawed protagonist who is determined to win no matter what.
The world of the time-travel isekai animeRe:Zero -Starting Life In Another World-stands out, focusing on the central character,Natsuki Subaru, a teenage shut-in who deals with losses over and over again. Having just stepped out of a convenience store, Subaru’s life changes completely, as he suddenly finds himselfin a fantasy worldwhere metaphysical phenomena like magic are the norm.
In this new world, Subaru soon finds out two important things that shape his life significantly. Firstly,when he dies, he returnsto a specific point in the past while retaining all his memories. Secondly, he is being controlled by a mysterious force behind the scenes. Clearly overpowered, Subaru goes through strings of losses while trying to save others, particularly Emilia, a half-elf girl he meets early on.
Yasutora “Chad” Sado, despitehis physique and powers, is a protagonist who always suffers defeat inBleach. He has a track record of ending up brutally injured and unconscious in battles. The thing is, Chad trains and pushes to be better, but he is always dealt bad cards in this series, as the narrative never favors him.
He isdefeated during the Soul Society arcand outclassed by his opposition time and time again. Beyond that, he remains static, his efforts fading to the background as his friends Ichigo and Uryū sharpen their abilities and skills, becoming way better than him. Yasutora “Chad” Sado remains stuck in the bubble of failures and unrealized potential. Sidelined in battles, he is the epitome of effort with no reward to show—a hero who tries, but it’s never enough.
In this chaotic anime about a heart-breaking descent,Akira Fudo, a tender teenager, merges with the demon Amon during a Sabbath ritual, becoming Devilman—a hybrid form that combines potent demonic powerwith human feelings. Akira’s whole plan is to use this power to protect humanity, but affairs do not go as planned. In such a brutal world where ideals are buried deep under blood, tragedy, and loss, Akira loses time and time again—in battles and in his purpose.
He fails to save his friend, Miki Makimura, from a violent, dreadful mob. His strength is not enough. He then fails to prevent a demon apocalypse and then reconciles with Ryo Asuka, his best friend, who is then revealed to be Satan, and the one responsible for the downfall of Earth. These brutal losses help shape the trajectory of Akira’s story inDevilman Crybaby—a hero whofights until a devastating end.
Dragon Ball Zdoesn’t center onYamcha, a skilled martial arts championwho becomes a Z Fighter, but he is always a part of the main plot. Originally a bandit looking to steal the Dragon Balls to wish away his fear of women, Yamchareforms and trains under the legendary martial artist Master Roshi, and later sides with Goku. In the early battles, Yamcha demonstrates remarkable bravery, but as the series progresses, his fortunes take a downturn as his opponents increasingly outmatch him. During the Saiyan Saga,Yamchais killed by a Saibaman.
Resurrected using the Dragon Balls, his losses and failures do not end. He trains under King Kai, a deity and powerful martial arts master overseeing the North Quadrant, but he never matches the rising power levels of his peers. He is injured in theAndroid Saga and sidelined in other major battles. Even though Yamcha is brave and loyal, he represents a failure—a hero who never reaches his full potential.
Genos, a cyborg hero, wants revenge because an unknown cyborg destroyed his town and family. He becomes Saitama’s understudy with ambitions of becoming strong.Saitama is the man who can finish every battlewith one single punch. Despite several upgrades and pure willpower, Genos loses in battle repeatedly. Against foes such as the Deep Sea King, Mosquito Girl, as well as the best fighters of the Monster Association, Genos often battles bravely but is devastated or severely injured.
As opposed to Saitama, Genos' defeats highlight the brutal gap in their abilities. Saitama stays invincible and bored; Genos battles with strength and dedication, yet still falls short. His defeats are not from a lack of heart, but from the overwhelming brute force of his adversaries. Yet at no time does he give up. InOne Punch Man, Genos' adventure is defined by a cycle of defeat and recovery. He is a hero with such resolve thathe keeps rising no matterhow often he gets knocked down.
Attack on Titanis not a tale of a hero who can rise over and over without difficulty. It is not about someone breezing through their victories. Rather, it is a brutal tale where there exists no victor, nor vanquished. In this anime series, the Titans represent the greatest nemesis to humans, devouring not only people but also hope. However, hope is the one thingEren Yeager, the protagonist, holds dearly despite the harsh reality.
Eren’s life comes to an abrupt halt as he watches his mom get eaten alive, in addition to his city being destroyed by Titans. Vengeful, he joins up with theSurvey Corps, a military divisiontasked with of eliminating the Titans. However, each time Eren charges straight into battles with those Titans, he loses so brutally. Still, these losses never truly affected him. He uses them in place as motivation to bolster his will and resilience.
