Summary
Depending on the genre,animeportrays loneliness and isolation in different ways. A good deal of anime tackle these two complex issues and express them through their protagonists. Because each anime’s main character is vastly different from the other, their ability to cope with loneliness or even overcome it can vary greatly.
Depending on future goals and the severity of the loneliness, some characters may even crumble under such a burden, while others seek validation or prefer the silence altogether. Regardless, there is certainly something charming about seeing these characters battle through loneliness in their own ways.
8Wakana Gojo
My Dress-Up Darling
Gojo was a loner who kept to himself because a girl once called him creepy for playing with dolls. This had a surprisingly big impact on Gojo’s entire life leading up to high school, making him isolate himself and hide his passion for the Hina Dolls. This changed when he met Marin.
If it wasn’t for Marin, Gojo would’ve likely stayed a loner throughout his high school life while being ashamed of his passion. He is a great character who shows the importance of staying true to the things you love, regardless of what others may think.
7Kaguya Shinomiya
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
Kaguya Shinomiya was born into the prestigious Shinomiya family, but her father neglected and isolated her. Even in an elite school, Kaguya was expected to outperform most students. From childhood, she endured an intense education and strict discipline that left her with no friends.
The only person Kaguya could talk to was Hayasaka, her caretaker maid, who was around the same age as her. Kaguya eventually became very cold towards most people until she joined the student council, and made true friends while alsofinding love. Kaguya’s character shows that even the most successful students might be hurting due to problems many people are unable to see.
6Kiyotaka Ayanokoji
Classroom Of The Elite
Ayanokoji tries to stay as average as possible despite being one of the smartest and strongest students in an elite school. He is also a master manipulator who is always controlling everyone behind the scenes. While he does have people to talk to and hang out with, he never considers them friends.
Ayanokoji sees his friends as simple tools that help him achieve his goals. Despite all of his talents, Ayanokoji can be slightly awkward in social interactions. He is a fascinating character who doesn’t seem to mind being alone.
5Komi Shouko
Komi Can’t Communicate
Komi has trouble talking to other people because of her social awkwardness and general shyness. She spent most of her childhood without friends, until she met Tadano in high school. Komi appears to be a stern and cold person from the outside, which intimidates other students from directly approaching her.
Komi’s social anxiety got so bad that she is unable to talk to other people entirely. Even with Tadano, she mainly communicates with facial expressions or signs. Komi’s character is a great take on social anxiety, mixing in subtle humor without making it feel trivial.
4L
Death Note
L is anextremely smart individualwho started working on being a detective when he was only eight years old. He dedicated his life to being the best detective he could become, leading to no friends and a lack of social life. However, L is not particularly worried about being alone. He seems to be a major introvert who enjoys his own company.
L even comments on how Light is the first real friend L has made. This could be attributed to L playing mind games with Light, but his expression and history show that he was telling the truth while still trying to throw Light off.
3Hitori Gotoh
Bocchi The Rock!
Hitori is a socially awkward and very anxious person who failed to make any friends throughout her childhood. She also loves music, which eventually led her to the Kessoku band. Considering Hitori’s first name quite literally means ‘alone,’ you can only imagine the life she lived up until now.
Thankfully, she decided to better herself and started participating in social activities, like a part-time job and events at her school festival. Hitori is also a relatable character who often lets her imagination run wild. The exaggerated scenarios she thinks up will never fail to make you laugh.
2Saitama
One-Punch Man
Saitama wasn’t always thestrongest heroto ever exist. He was once a normal salary man who had the dream of becoming a hero. He spent his days alone, doing his job and training himself to become stronger. It wasn’t until he met Genos that he started socializing with other people.
Saitama may seem like a simple gag character, but he is a much more complex and well-written character, with many inner struggles. Fortunately, he starts finding meaning in life once he makes more friends, like Bang or Fubuki. It’s a very subtle development that is rarely shown, but it’s fascinating to see in a character like Saitama.
1Naruto Uzumaki
Naruto
As you may already know, Naruto’s entire story is of loneliness and acceptance. He spent the majority of his childhood being rejected by those around him. Even as a toddler, Naruto has to face the villagers hating him, with many of them warning their children to stay away from him. This forces Naruto to spend his entire childhood in isolation, forcing him to act out and prank others in return for their attention.
It’s a sad reality that many have experienced in real life, only slightly more exaggerated with supernatural elements. Fortunately, Naruto worked hard and was acknowledged by his village and the whole ninja world. If Iruka hadn’t believed in Naruto early on, he might have given in to loneliness and sought revenge on the villagers.
