10 Other Characters Similar to Guts from Berserk

Guts, the iconic protagonist in Berserk, is widely recognized as one of anime’s most notable anti-heroes. Despite enduring a traumatic early life, marked by being born from a corpse and subjected to abuse as a child soldier, he perseveres. After being recruited into Griffith’s Band of the Hawk mercenaries, he finally discovers a sense of purpose.

Despite Griffith’s sacrifice of the Hawks in the occult Eclipse ritual, he is left once again in a state of despair. Although he manages to survive the sacrificial slaughter and witness his lover Casca’s assault, he is left with the loss of an eye and arm. Driven by his desire for revenge, he obtains the Dragonslayer sword and curses the Berserker Armor to aid him in his quest.

Guts is a character who has a dark and tragic past, a fatalistic outlook on life, and a brutal way of fighting, making him a standout Byronic antihero in the realm of dark fantasy. If you’re in search of more intense and edgy anime shows, this list features 10 similar characters that will satisfy your craving.

This article is the writer’s personal opinion and is not listed in any specific order.

8 Anime Characters Similar to Guts from Berserk

Kenshin Himura’s Character Development in Rurouni Kenshin

Kenshin Himura (Image via Studio Gallop, Studio Deen)

Despite having been a deadly assassin in the Bakumatsu era, Kenshin desires a peaceful existence as a roaming swordsman during the Meiji Restoration in Rurouni Kenshin. Nevertheless, his past resurfaces and he becomes entangled in conflict once again.

Similarly to Guts, violence and trauma shaped Kenshin’s formative years and have left lasting wounds. Despite his current pacifist nature, he still uses his fighting abilities to protect the innocent. With his vibrant red hair, slender frame, and use of a reverse-blade sword to minimize fatalities, he stands out in battle with incredible accuracy and speed.

Kenshin’s inner conflict between his inclination towards violence and his pursuit of peace makes him a captivating Byronic hero. Despite his remorse and longing for a conventional life, he remains a recovering anti-hero, haunted by his past.

2) A Character Analysis of Killua Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter

Despite growing up in a family of highly skilled assassins, Killua chooses to abandon that lifestyle in favor of forming a strong bond with fellow Hunter hopeful, Gon Freecss. However, despite his efforts to leave his violent past behind, Killua is constantly reminded of his upbringing as a lethal weapon. His ruthless reflexes, immunity to poisons, and inhuman strength – all traits acquired through brutal torture – continue to endure.

Despite being just 13 years old, he possesses a deadly skill that leaves a trail of bodies behind him. While he maintains a gentle demeanor around Gon, his response to danger is brutally matter-of-fact. This internal struggle, combined with his lethal abilities, draws comparisons to Guts.

Despite his youth, his expertise gives him an advantage in fights. Although his ruthlessness has diminished due to his friendship with Gon, he still taps into his fierce instincts when his loved ones are in danger.

Kiritsugu Emiya: The Protagonist of Fate/Zero

As the lead Master of Saber in the Fourth Holy Grail War, Kiritsugu’s past serves as the foundation for his mission to alter reality. Despite his success as an assassin and mercenary, he is haunted by the trauma, regret, and despair caused by his violent actions.

In his pursuit of world peace, he is relentless in his quest for the Grail, willing to do whatever it takes, even committing atrocities, for what he sees as a noble cause. His troubled past and resulting stoic yet unpredictable nature closely resemble that of Guts.

Despite his expertise as a guns-and-explosives specialist, his fighting style differs from others. Due to his impressive skills, he often finds himself in intense and violent confrontations. The show also delves into the mental toll and questionable tactics he uses.

Character Profile: Naraku from InuYasha

This demon, capable of transforming into different shapes, plots and manipulates events in the world of InuYasha to gain more power. Originally a human, he is driven to become a malevolent force of evil due to betrayal and rejection. His backstory of vulnerability and malice makes him a complex and multifaceted antagonist.

Despite lacking the physical strength of Guts, his cunning and cruel tactics continue to torment the protagonists relentlessly.

Naraku’s actions, including manipulating others and controlling monstrous extensions of himself, bring about harrowing adversity similar to the Eclipse disaster in Berserk. For those looking for a more sinister and strategic type of villain, Naraku is a perfect fit.

Character Profile: Koko Hekmatyar from Jormungand

Koko, a skilled arms dealer, leads a team of elite bodyguards and manages weapon smuggling operations while deftly dodging constant attacks from adversaries. Her charm and cunning allow her to thrive in a dangerous world filled with assassins and dangerous creatures.

Despite being haunted by a traumatic past of war and violence, she remains committed to her principled mission, even while engaged in trafficking. Koko’s impressive combat skills, as well as her deeper purpose and multi-faceted character growth, share similarities with Guts.

Similar to how Guts leads the Hawks Mercenaries, she also confronts dangers with her devoted comrades, forming connections between those who are shunned by society. For those seeking intense gun fights and thought-provoking discussions on the morality of violence, Jormungand certainly delivers.

Character Profile: Akira Fudo/Devilman from Devilman Crybaby

Akira Fudo/Devilman (Image via Science SARU)

Despite the mass attempts of demonic forces to possess humans, Akira’s childhood friend Ryo aids in merging Akira with a demon. This grants Akira the ability to combat the forces while still preserving his human soul. However, this newfound power comes at a steep price, as the demon Amon poses a threat to consume Akira’s very essence.

The physical and emotional trauma that Akira experiences parallels Guts’ suffering following the Eclipse. Akira’s struggle to hold onto his sense of self amidst inner turmoil reflects Guts’ reliance on anger to seek revenge for his own losses.

The correlation between Akira’s literal inner demon and The Beast that resides within Guts is intriguing. As he is consumed by fights, the fragile barrier between his self-restraint and volatile aggression both excites and unsettles him.

7) Character Profile: Ashkeladd from Vinland Saga

As a fighter and tactical mastermind, Askeladd is known for his charisma and brutal leadership as the head of a Viking mercenary group. However, his status and skills hide the fact that he is deeply scarred by past trauma, which fuels his desire for revenge.

During honor duels, his swordsmanship displays a similar level of speed, strength, and deadly accuracy as Guts’ aggressive fighting style. Askeladd’s group operates similarly to the Band of the Hawk, utilizing violence and ruthless tactics to achieve their goals, much like Griffith’s ambitious nature.

Vinland Saga is enriched by his sharp intelligence and complex portrayal of violence and grief, providing thought-provoking depth. For those seeking a blend of Viking-inspired tragedy and intense sword fighting, this is the perfect choice.

8) Character Profile: Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop

Spike’s checkered history as a member of the Red Dragon Syndicate resurfaces to pose a threat to the idiosyncratic team of bounty hunters he currently associates with. This slender fighter adeptly combines firearms and martial arts in intense battles.

Despite his usually relaxed demeanor, there is a sardonic undertone to his personality that hints at the deep pain he carries from losing loved ones. This pain becomes more apparent when he is confronted. The exceptional sword and gunfight sequences, along with his tragic past filled with violence, make Spike a character who can easily be compared to Guts in terms of skills and emotional wounds.

Spike’s slender build may not seem formidable, but it conceals deadly abilities that parallel Guts’ surprising level of strength. As he confronts his former comrades, Spike’s past traumas gradually resurface, adding layers of complexity to his character with each encounter.

Character Profile: Thorfinn from Vinland Saga

Despite initially beginning Vinland Saga with a desire for revenge and a willingness to resort to violence, Thorfinn undergoes a gradual transformation throughout the series. Following a retaliatory act that leaves him without a clear path, he adopts a pacifist mindset and redirects his animosity towards his enemies into a quest for understanding.

Through personal development and the influence of morally upright individuals, Thorfinn gradually moves away from malice and towards the possibility of redemption. For those seeking profound changes in the aftermath of violence, Thorfinn’s journey is impactful.

Despite being an anti-hero, his distinctive choice to prioritize humanitarian goals over seeking revenge sets him apart. Despite his progress in controlling his inner turmoil, the scenes depicting his internal struggle and rage continue to be compelling and intense.

Character Profile: Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen

Despite being a naturally athletic and amiable person, Itadori is thrust into the dangerous world of exorcism when he ingests the decaying finger of the infamous Ryomen Sukuna. This action not only bestows him with immense strength, but also the aggressive urges of Sukuna that Itadori must constantly battle to control.

Just like Guts, Itadori is deeply principled, but he must confront an inner primal force that poses a threat to his identity. Witnessing his friends in danger also triggers his fierce protective instincts, fueled by the power of Sukuna. Jujutsu Kaisen portrays numerous battles that showcase the intense struggle between self-restraint and explosive potential, creating thrilling action scenes.

As Itadori becomes more familiar with the darkness he possesses, he becomes a captivating character who fights to defend the innocent.

Conclusion

Guts has remained an iconic anti-hero over the years due to his compelling backstory, brutal combat skills, and intricate characterization. For enthusiasts drawn to these characteristics, the characters mentioned above provide a variety of fantastical, contemporary, or historical interpretations that embody similar traits across various anime genres.

Exciting shows are created through the common themes that tie them all together, delving into complex discussions about violence, trauma, morality, and the struggle to combat monsters without succumbing to their ways.