10 Anime Characters Similar to Nagato from Naruto

When it comes to anime characters, Nagato from Naruto is known for impressing people with their complex backgrounds, moral grey areas, and tragic narratives. This type of character typically struggles with immense strength and emotional turmoil, resulting in drastic choices that blur the distinction between being a hero or a villain.

Their motivation to reshape the world stems from personal loss, betrayal, or a distorted sense of justice. Despite their dark nature, these characters are all the more captivating due to their complex motivations and philosophical battles. Here are ten anime characters who share these characteristics with Nagato.

Other Anime Characters Similar to Nagato from Naruto

Zeref Dragneel (Fairy Tail)

Zeref Dragneel as seen in anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Zeref Dragneel from Fairy Tail and Nagato from Naruto share similar tragic pasts and a destructive search for peace. They have both experienced significant personal losses and harbor a strong desire to end suffering, causing them to resort to extreme and aggressive methods.

The creation of the Dark Mage by Zeref and his intention to end his existence with the curse parallels Nagato’s transformation from a hopeful child to a destructive force. Both share the desire to reshape the world according to their own ideals, driven by their personal experiences and the belief that their actions, no matter how destructive, are justified. This makes Zeref a character in the anime similar to Nagato.

Character Profile: Shigaraki Tomura from My Hero Academia

Young Shigaraki Tomura as seen in anime (Image via Studio Bones)

Shigaraki Tomura’s upbringing instilled in him a radical mindset, shaped by a traumatic past. Like Nagato, he seeks to tear down the societal norms that have caused them deep-seated pain and create a new world. While Nagato desires to eliminate suffering through destruction, Shigaraki’s disillusionment with society drives his goal to bring about a chaotic era.

Both characters grapple with their beliefs and ethical standards, feeling that radical actions are necessary to achieve a greater purpose. This makes Shigaraki similar to other anime characters such as Nagato.

Griffith (Berserk)

Griffith as seen in anime (Image via GEMBA)

The character of Griffith in Berserk shares many similarities with Nagato, particularly in their profound and drastic personal changes brought on by their suffering and determination. Both of them were initially driven by noble motivations, but as they endured tragic events, their idealistic beliefs became tainted.

Griffith’s dream drove him to betray his closest allies in order to achieve it, while Nagato’s desire for peace was tainted by his suffering. Both of them sacrificed their humanity and caused immense pain in pursuit of their goals. This similarity between Griffith and Nagato makes Griffith comparable to other anime characters, such as Nagato from Naruto.

Obito Uchiha (Naruto)

Obito Uchiha as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Despite initially being a promising young man, Obito Uchiha ultimately became an all-consuming antagonist as a result of experiencing extreme personal loss and trauma. Similar to Nagato, Obito began with noble intentions, but resorted to extreme measures in pursuit of their own interpretations of peace.

Obito’s descent into darkness following the loss of his loved ones mirrors Nagato’s evolution from a compassionate friend to a formidable leader determined to end all conflicts through force. As a result, he shares similarities with Nagato as one of the anime characters like him.

Shirou Kotomine (Fate/Stay Night)

Shirou Kotomine as seen in anime (Image via ufotble)

The character Shirou Kotomine from Fate/Stay Night bears many similarities to Nagato in terms of their intense inner struggles and the extreme actions they took to achieve their objectives. Like Nagato, Shirou was driven by a deep longing to improve the world and eventually grew disillusioned with the traditional methods available to him.

Both Shirou and Nagato struggle with their beliefs of justice and ultimately resort to destructive methods in pursuit of their idea of peace. Shirou’s journey, from being an idealistic hero to embracing morally ambiguous actions, mirrors Nagato’s own experiences, solidifying Shirou Kotomine’s place among anime characters like Nagato.

Makoto Shishio: The Ruthless Villain of Rurouni Kenshin

Makoto Shishio as seen in anime (Image via Studio Deen)

Similarly to Nagato, Makoto Shishio from Rurouni Kenshin also elicits strong feelings of compassion due to the tragic events of his life and his extreme actions taken to seek vengeance against those who wronged him in the name of justice. Both characters have experienced betrayal and endured significant personal hardships, which ultimately drove them to pursue their own versions of justice through violent means.

Both Shishio and Nagato firmly believe in the righteousness of their methods, even if they are extremely cruel, as they both strive to uphold a greater good beyond the limitations of society. This places Makoto among the ranks of anime characters similar to Nagato.

Character Profile: Light Yagami from Death Note

Light Yagami as seen in anime (Image via Madhouse)

Both Light Yagami from Death Note and Nagato share similar traits as anime characters, as they both resort to extreme actions in their pursuit of creating a better world for humanity.

At first, Light’s goal was to use the Death Note to eliminate crime and create a utopia, much like Nagato’s pursuit of justice through his own formidable powers to bring about peace.

Johan Liebert (Monster)

Johan Liebert as seen in anime (Image via Madhouse)

Both Johan Liebert and Nagato share a common experience of being confronted by trauma and feelings of betrayal that have led them down a path of darkness. Johan resorts to manipulative and destructive behavior due to his belief in the inherent corrupt nature of humans, while Nagato firmly believes in the need for drastic measures to eradicate suffering.

Despite their unconventional moral views, both characters serve as catalysts for change, using extreme methods to fulfill their roles as agents of transformation. Their collective power and ability to manipulate others, rooted in their tragic backstories, solidify Johan as a character comparable to Nagato in anime.

Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)

Sosuke Aizen as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Despite coming from different fictional universes, Sosuke Aizen from Bleach and Nagato share a commonality in their transformative journeys. Both characters were driven to reshape the world due to their deep disillusionment and experiences of betrayal and personal trauma. This intense desire to create a new order aligns with Nagato’s ultimate goal of ending suffering.

Both Sosuke Aizen and Nagato possessed immense power and utilized their influence to manipulate those around them in order to achieve their own desires. They justified their destructive actions by convincing themselves that their vision of a better world justified any means necessary, placing them among similar anime characters.

Meruem: The King of the Chimera Ants

Meruem as seen in anime (Image via Madhouse)

Just like Nagato, Meruem from Hunter x Hunter undergoes a profound transformation from a merciless individual to a multi-faceted character. While he was once driven by a desire for power and control, a serendipitous encounter with humanity causes Meruem to reexamine his beliefs and contemplate the purpose of existence.

Nagato’s internal conflict serves as his journey towards becoming a compassionate individual who values peace, despite his inclination towards destructive means. This similarity with Meruem establishes him as one of the anime characters who shares similar character development.

Concluding Thoughts

The intricate backstories of anime characters such as Nagato from Naruto often stem from profound personal suffering and a strong determination to reshape the world. These stories touch upon themes of victimization, betrayal, and a distorted sense of justice, highlighting the blurred boundary between heroism and villainy.

Despite their varying paths and motivations, each character, from Zeref’s heartbreaking journey to end suffering, to Shigaraki’s devastating impact on society, and Griffith’s betrayal in the pursuit of ambition, undergoes a profound transformation due to their deeply-rooted experiences.

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