Which Anime Characters have Depression?
By
PsychReel
In this blog, we will talk about anime, the characters of anime who depicted signs of depression, what is depression, and also answer frequently asked questions.
Which Anime Characters have Depression?
A list of anime characters who display symptoms of depression are as follows:
- Kaneki Ken
- Psyduck
- Kousie arima
- Al Elric
- Itachi Uchiha
- Rui
- Lucy
- Kiki
- Dr. Tenma
The above-mentioned characters from anime and the symptoms of their depression are discussed in the further section but first, let us understand what is anime and what is depression as well.
What is Anime?
Anime is one of the most popular genres of tv shows these days. It covers a wide range of emotions from anger to sadness. People of almost all age groups enjoy watching anime.
However, it can get depressing at times because when it comes to expressing your angst, nothing beats Japanese animation. Before we get into details about Anime characters with depression, let’s know in brief about depression.
What is Depression?
The Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM V) classifies depression as a mood disorder. Depression creates sorrow and/or a loss of interest in previously appreciated activities.
It has a negative impact on the way in which one feels, behaves. thinks. It can cause a slew of mental and physical issues, as well as a reduction in your capacity to operate at work and at home.
11 Anime Characters with Depression
- Kaneki Ken (Tokyo Ghoul)
In Tokyo Ghoul, Kaneki was a victim of the Ghoul world. Others ridiculed and harassed him because of his gentle and delicate demeanor. His greatest fear, though, is being alone, as he lost his mother when he was quite young.
This is why Kaneki was so protective of the few small friends he had in his life, so he wouldn’t feel lonely and hopeless. During the early periods of his transformation into a half-ghoul, he suffered from emotional anguish as a result of his inability to control his desire to devour human flesh.
Despite this, he hoped for the best of both worlds, the ghoul and human worlds, and would frequently make judgments that benefited both. Even when things seemed difficult and frightening, he stuck to his ideals and values.
- Psyduck (pokemon)
He has a constant headache and periodically summons tremendous psychic storms that are generally only seen in X-Men comic books. He’s a duck with a lot of different personalities, all of which are sad. He always portrays existential angst.
- Kousie arima (you lie in april)
Kousie suffered the loss of his mother when he was a child. This incident left Kousie traumatized because he was learning to play the piano from his mother and had become a prodigy in the technical elements of the instrument.
For Kousie, the piano and his mother were the two most cherished things of his life. When his mother was severely ill, Kousie isolated himself from his friends and spent the entire time trying to perfect the piano keys. This leads to severe depression.
However, after the death of his mother, he stopped playing the piano entirely and became tone-deaf, unable to hear and analyze his own piano pieces. Some claim he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a stress disorder that develops after a life-altering catastrophic incident.
- Al Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Al faced numerous tragedies in his life. His father left him when he was a kid followed by the death of his mother. He and his older brother then decide to bring them back from the dead.
This goes inevitably wrong. Al has a lot on his plate, and it’s all awful! The kid tries to put on a happy face for his brother, but it doesn’t work all the time. This is why Al is on this list.
- Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)
In the Naruto series, Itachi Uchiha is portrayed as a villain. He was also forced to work as a spy, which put him under a great deal of psychological strain. On top of that, he was responsible for keeping Sasuke safe and secure.
He mercilessly massacred all the Uchihas, as well as his own parents, for the sake of his brother, becoming a terrible person in his own brother’s eyes. After assassinating his own clan, he became a traitor.
- Rui (demon slayer)
Rui is a lower moon in Demon Slayer who has the ability to construct webs that are sharper than a knife. Rui had always suffered from depression as a result of his birth defect, which prevented him from living a normal childhood.
Rui could only stand on the house balcony and watch the other youngsters play and run. His parents were terrified once he became a Demon, and they attempted to murder him while he was sleeping.
Rui murdered both of his parents and began to believe that they did not truly love him. He couldn’t get the agony of “not having a true family” out of his head. That is why he attempted to start a family of his own.
Rui would discipline some members by threatening to expose them to sunlight if they didn’t behave like a family or carry out their responsibilities. Rui only desired a nice, well-behaved family.
- Lucy (elfen lied)
Elfen Lied is a story about Elfen’s love for Kouta. Apart from the horrific horror, bloodshed, and other really unpleasant elements, she is willing to make apologies for her previous transgressions against him.
Kaede’s early violent behavior was affected by her abdication as a baby and her upbringing in an abusive children’s home in Kamakura. She must flee after losing control of her vectors and massacring many youngsters.
Because Kaede was a little child, she was not a suspect in the high-profile deaths of family members in Kamakura following the orphanage massacre, and she was assumed to have been taken by the murderer.
- Kiki (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Kiki’s Delivery Service is a beautiful and fantastic film about a young witch who sets out on her own and overcomes difficulties.
Burnout-related melancholy is that foe. Kiki is hardly able to get out of bed and far too miserable to use magic after pushing herself too hard and dealing with the solitude of moving to a new place. Even if you aren’t a witch, anyone who has experienced true depression knows how it feels.
- Tatsuhiro Sato (Welcome to the NHK)
Sato is a hikikomori, a term used in Japan to describe people who do not connect with others and spend their entire lives alone. The entire anime revolves around this character’s existence and how he manages to live it on a daily basis.
Sato, on the other hand, believes that everyone in the world is plotting against him, so he avoids everyone and refuses to leave his room.
If you isolate yourself from others and find reasons not to see them again, as well as live a sedentary and alone lifestyle, your mental health will undoubtedly suffer. How much mental or physical activity can you fit into a tiny space by yourself?
Sato’s mind is under undue strain as a result of living alone without any goals or interaction with the actual world, and he begins to believe that he is useless.
- Reiner Braun (attack on titians)
Reiner Braun is a major character in the Attack on Titan franchise. He is one of the cast members who has suffered from a variety of psychological issues as a result of the series’ unquestionable and untouchable diplomacy from the start.
Reiner was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown when he lost his nerve and declined to fight Eren for Marley’s sake. He deteriorated mentally. And if Eren hadn’t become exhausted, he would have been horribly slain.
- Dr. Tenma (Monster)
Dr. Tenma’s life is comparable to that of Reiner in that both individuals were victims of their own bad decisions. There is, however, a catch. There is no such thing as a good or terrible decision. Because of his humanity, Dr. Tenma opted to save the youngster rather than the high-ranking individual.
He genuinely wanted to do the right thing, which he accomplished. Nobody expected the child to grow up to be a serial killer. Dr. Tenma was trapped in a mental loop of good and wrong since all he wanted was to never injure anyone. His job as a doctor and surgeon is to save the lives of dying patients.
The realization that he had resurrected a ‘monster’ hit Tenma like a truck, and he suffered from extreme melancholy and mental instability at various points throughout the series, blaming himself for the killings.
Conclusion
Depression isn’t the end-all solution. Even if you’re fighting a silent opponent within yourself, there’s always a glimmer of hope and support on the horizon that can help you get out of it.
Despite the emotional toll of their tragic storylines, depressed anime protagonists are often capable of finding a way out and beginning again with a positive mentality and so can you.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs): Which Anime Characters have Depression?
Who is the saddest anime?
Kakashi Hatake, Guts, Hyakkimaru, Nico Robin, Sakata Jinkoki, etc. are known to be among the characters who had really emotional stories.
What are the types of depression?
There are different types of depressive disorders: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, cyclothymic depression, postpartum depression, etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
- Sad, nervous, or “empty” mood that persists
- Pessimism or a sense of hopelessness
- Irritability, frustration, or restlessness are common feelings.
- Guilt, a sense of worthlessness, or a sense of helplessness
- Loss of pleasure or interest in hobbies or activities
- Reduced energy, tiredness, or a feeling of being “slowed down”
- Concentration, memory, or decision-making difficulties
- Sleep disturbances, early morning awakenings, or oversleeping
- Appetite shifts or unintentional weight gain
- Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or suicide
How can you know if you have depression?
An individual must have five depressive symptoms every day, nearly all day, for at least two weeks to be diagnosed with depression. A gloomy mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in practically all activities must be one of the symptoms. Instead of being sad, children and teenagers may feel irritable.
What medications are used to treat depression?
Antidepressants are prescription drugs that are frequently used to treat depression. They take time to work—usually 4 to 8 weeks—and symptoms like insomnia, appetite loss, and attention issues frequently improve before mood improves. Before evaluating whether or not a drug works, it is critical to give it a chance.
How can I assist a depressed loved one?
- If you or someone you know is depressed, encourage them to get treatment from a health care provider or a mental health expert. You can also:
- Inviting them out for walks, outings, and other activities is a great way to get to know them.
- Assist them in sticking to their treatment plan, such as by reminding them to take their medicines.
- Ascertain that they have access to transportation to their therapy appointments.
- Remind them that depression will pass with time and treatment.
How can I look after myself?
- Make an effort to get some exercise. Walking for 30 minutes a day can improve your mood.
- Maintain a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule.
- Consume a variety of nutritious foods on a daily basis.
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