It is not uncommon to come across our beloved anime characters who possess multiple flaws, making it easy to encounter insomniac characters in the anime realm. It is often observed that characters with higher levels of intelligence and intricate personalities tend to struggle with insomnia.
Characters such as Levi and Kogami have gone through traumatic experiences at some point in their lives, and this has greatly influenced their character traits. Traits such as insomnia, apathy, passivity, and anger issues are frequently seen in these individuals.
The inclusion of psychological issues in a character makes them more realistic and relatable for the audience. Additionally, insomniac anime characters often play a significant role in the plot, making them intriguing for viewers. This listicle highlights 10 popular examples of insomniac anime characters.
Note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the writer.
Ranking of Popular Insomniac Anime Characters: Jujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo Satoru, Psycho-Pass’ Shinya Kogami, and 8 More
10) Ryo and Devilman Crybaby
Limited information exists regarding the true identity and character of Ryo Asuka in the acclaimed anime Devilman Crybaby. In this adaptation, Ryo’s personality is portrayed as multifaceted and intricate, in contrast to the simpler depiction in the original Devilman manga.
Despite his dual identity as Satan, Ryo struggled with an identity crisis and existential dilemma, causing him to stay awake at night. This led him to dedicate his evenings to pursuing his goals and plotting his schemes.
Despite Ryo’s psychological crisis, he still managed to become an insomniac. Though Devilman Crybaby is highly praised by critics, it remains relatively unpopular, resulting in Ryo ranking 10th on this list.
Vincent Law from Ergo Proxy
It is not impossible to come across a Tyler-Durden-like character in the world of anime. Vincent Law from Ergo Proxy is a prime example, as he grapples with his split identity. During the day, he goes by Vincent, but at night he assumes his alter ego, Proxy.
The core conflicts of human existence are embodied by Vincent Law’s character in Ergo Proxy, which features a rich plot filled with theological, philosophical, and existential arguments.
Vincent’s insomnia has resulted in a fragmented personality, which serves to emphasize various important elements of the anime.
Shinji Ikari’s Journey in Neon Genesis: Evangelion
In Neon Genesis: Evangelion, Shinji Ikari experiences frequent sleeplessness, anxiety episodes, and haunting dreams. His emotional fragility and passive nature contribute to his complex psychological state, ultimately resulting in insomnia.
Despite not being explicitly mentioned in the anime, it is evident that his symptoms indicate insomnia. Neon Genesis is known for its intricate plot and nuanced themes, and Shinji’s insomnia serves as a reflection of both his character and the series as a whole.
Shinya Kogami: The Protagonist of Psycho Pass
The character of Shinya Kogami in the well-known series Psycho-Pass is deeply troubled by his own buried feelings and past experiences. He struggles with insomnia and copes by immersing himself in his work rather than sleeping, in order to escape the torment of his recurring nightmares.
Despite being a brilliant detective, Shinya Kogami was unable to move past the horrific death of his partner, leaving him emotionally fragile. This tragic event serves as the driving force behind his character, making him an eccentric, idealistic, and perfectionistic individual in the anime.
Osamu Dazai and His Role in Bungo Stray Dog
Dazai’s character is based on a real-life author with the same name and reflects the author’s personal traits. Through his nihilistic nature, Dazai’s character delves into the existential concept of human existence and attempts to understand the paradox of why humans fear death while simultaneously being drawn to it.
Dazai plays a crucial role in the Armed Detective Agency as he is the mastermind behind all major operations. As a result, his professional commitments and personal challenges often keep him up at night.
Despite his popularity, Dazai’s insomnia remains a constant struggle, stemming from his complex past and internal turmoil. As one of the most well-known insomniac anime characters, his condition only adds to his enigmatic persona.
Kaneki Ken – Protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul
Despite not being a defining characteristic of Tokyo Ghoul’s Kaneki Ken, his sleep is anything but peaceful. As a result of enduring intense physical and psychological trauma, he is plagued by nightmares and the inability to sleep.
As a half-ghoul, Kaneki possesses a unique physiology that sets him apart from normal humans. His heightened danger sensitivity and professional stress only exacerbate his existing psychological disorders, resulting in chronic insomnia.
Despite his immense popularity, Kaneki barely sleeps or takes breaks in the anime, leading to his struggles with insomnia. As a result, he has become one of the most well-known insomniac characters in the anime world.
Light Yagami – Death Note
Light Yagami, the infamous protagonist of Death Note, deliberately avoided sleep in order to dedicate his nights to carrying out his murderous plans. Light’s defining traits include his sociopathic tendencies, and he is widely recognized as one of the most well-known insomniac characters in anime.
Contrary to Dazai or Vincent, who struggled with a fragmented identity that plagued them with sleepless nights, Light’s insomnia was a result of his predatory nature. Although he maintains a typical student lifestyle during the day, at night he assumes the identity of Kira.
Character Profile: Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan
Our captain Levi, who is a perfectionist when it comes to cleanliness and organization, has many more complex problems than what is openly discussed. During his early 20s, Levi resided in the unforgiving environment of the underground city, shaping him into a rough and impolite individual.
Despite his natural inclination towards cleanliness, he appeared to have a strong dislike for sleep. This was likely due to his intense trauma, recurring nightmares, and demanding job responsibilities.
The world of Attack on Titan is constantly in a state of hit-and-run, leaving the survey corps with little time to rest. As a result, both Levi and Hanje have gained notoriety for their struggles with insomnia in the anime.
Kakashi Hatake – Naruto
There are few anime characters with backstories as harrowing as Hatake Kakashi’s from Naruto. Like Levi, Kakashi has experienced the deaths of his friends and comrades during missions and assassinations.
Although Kakashi was a highly skilled shinobi who was motivated by his strong beliefs and unwavering dedication to his duties, his sense of duty ultimately led him to take Rin’s life. Despite this, he could never escape the haunting memories of the corpses and the pungent scent of blood that plagued him every night.
Despite suffering from nightmares and insomnia, Kakashi never neglected his responsibilities and instead developed a facade to hide his repressed trauma and guilt. Despite this, he remains one of the most beloved and popular insomniacs in the anime world.
Satoru Gojo: The Powerful Sorcerer of Jujutsu Kaisen
Despite his death in the manga, Satoru Gojo’s character continues to remain wildly popular, evident by Jujutsu Kaisen winning Crunchyroll’s “Best Supporting Character”and “Best Voice Actor”awards for him. Despite this, there are still many aspects of Gojo’s character that have yet to be fully explored, including his struggles with insomnia.
Ever since childhood, Gojo has been the first inheritor of the powers of “six eyes”and “limitless”in the span of 400 years. Although his “all-seeing-eyes”have aided him in thwarting potential attacks from assassins, they have also led to him developing insomnia.
Despite being an adult, Gojo pushed himself to his limits countering curses and strategizing for the future. In both manga and anime, he is rarely seen resting or sleeping. His immense popularity also solidifies his reputation as the most well-known insomniac character in the world of anime.
Final thoughts
Unique character traits in anime serve to make the characters more relatable to the audience. By highlighting their psychological struggles or traumatic experiences, they become more human and relatable. While not all aspects of their personality may be explicitly addressed in the series, they can be understood through their actions and emotional expressions.
Insomnia is a frequently occurring trait among anime characters. From exhausted high school students like Shinji Ikari to sociopaths like Light Yagami, insomniac characters can be found in various forms. Despite their differences, insomnia serves as a significant factor that sheds light on the characters’ stress, trauma, and psychological struggles.
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