Fans love gloomy characters for typically standing in contrast to the often boisterous shonen protagonists and acting as the voices of reason.

Shonen anime is known for its action-packed storylines and wide variety of characters. Yet, some of these beloved characters have gloomy personalities. Whether they are grumpy by nature or just world-weary, these downtrodden characters have cemented themselves as some of the most endearing in shonen anime.

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One of the reasons fans love gloomy characters so much is that they typically stand in contrast to the often boisterous shonen protagonists. Additionally, downcast characters display a certain sense of pragmatism and often act as the voices of reason. With so many shonen to choose from, there are many gloomy characters for fans to love.

Jean Kirstein is one of the original members of the 104th Training Corps in Attack On Titan. Although he initially dreams of being part of the Military Police within the inner wall, Jean decides to join the Survey Corps and learns a lot about the real costs of war.

Jean is by no means the most heroic among his colleagues, but he seems to be one of the most realistic. While he often complains about the fate of their world, he also raises a lot of valid questions about the real reasons for their fighting. He has also been known to temper Eren Yeager's rage from time to time. Jean's realistic look at the Eldians' plight is much appreciated by fans of the series.

White Blood Cell is one of the many cells working hard to keep the body safe in Cells At Work!. Unlike many other cells, White Blood Cell is very somber in his job to rid the body of invading diseases.

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However, White Blood Cell is always up to the task of helping Red Blood Cell navigate the body. More than once, he has saved her from viruses and also aided in directing her to where she needs to be. He may not smile much, but fans love him for his willingness to help out a cell in need.

Zenitsu Agatsuma is an up-and-coming slayer in the anime Demon Slayer. His thunder breathing is quick and powerful. The only caveat is that he can only access his power while he is asleep. Every other time, Zenitsu lets his anxiety get the better of him.

Despite his timid outlook, many fans love Zenitsu. His terrified outbursts are often humorous, and many feel that they would react similarly if they were faced with dastardly demons. Zenitsu may be constantly afraid, but he also has a heart full of love to give and will protect his friends fiercely... as long as he is asleep.

As a carnivore, Legoshi lives in fear of allowing his hunger to get out of control - a task that proves difficult in a world where carnivores and herbivores live side by side. Yet, Legoshi manages his instincts better than most, until he meets a rabbit named Haru who turns his life upside down in the show Beastars.

Even so, Legoshi always has a downtrodden demeanor and rarely smiles unless he is with his close friends. Legoshi is very cautious to appear less threatening. The downside is that the weight of having to make himself more palatable to the public is heavy. Even so, Legoshi is caring and reliable. Fans are happy that Legoshi has started to find happiness and come to peace with the beast inside.

Takehisa Hinawa is a Lieutenant in Fire Force Company 8 in the show Fire Force. Hinawa takes his job as a Fire Soldier seriously, quashing any fire he comes across. Though some would assume his hatred of fire is over-the-top, his dedication to putting them out stems from witnessing his army buddy becoming an Infernal years prior. Since then, Hinawa has vowed to rid the world of flames.

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With his tragic backstory and military background, Hinawa is an incredibly stoic individual. However, his disregard for fashion and incredible Second Generation power that allows him to control bullets make him a favorite among fans. Hinawa is a strong and loyal individual and one of the best soldiers in the Fire Force.

Jujutsu Kaisen is full of powerful sorcerers, yet one of the best is Kento Nanami. Despite attending Jujutsu High as a teen, Nanami left sorcery to become a salaryman. Unfortunately, the high-paying job burnt him out, and he returned to sorcery as it was the only job for which he received any thanks.

Nanami's disillusion with life and his profession resonates with many older anime fans. A lot of people can relate to wanting to do a meaningful job as opposed to a high-paying one. Nanami's cynical look on life and his incredible Cursed Technique make him one of the best Jujutsu Kaisen characters.

Ryuuji Takasu is the son of a criminal. Although he has never met him, Ryuuji spends a lot of time trying to live down his father's legacy. It does not help that his natural expressions scare off most people. However, Ryuuji is a loyal and reliable person who does anything he can for those who are closest to him in the show Toradora!.

Fans are privy to even more of Ryuuji's nice side when he comes across the fiery Taiga Aisaka. While they clash at first, Taiga and Ryuuji come to a mutual understanding and become partners in a shared scheme. Fans love Ryuuji for his willingness to help others and his unwavering loyalty to his friends. Plus, no one else could tame the Palm-Top Tiger.

Yu Ishigami is the Treasurer of the Shuchi'in Academy Student Council in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War. Although he is a year younger than the rest of the council, Ishigami is the most jaded of the group. An incident in middle school led him to become distant and closed off to those around him.

Ironically, this same incident is what endeared him to most fans. In middle school, Ishigami was wrongly accused, even when he was trying to do the right thing. Audiences felt for Ishigami as he was treated unfairly by most around him. Fortunately, it seems like there is a new romance for Ishigami on the horizon, and viewers cannot wait to see it develop.

Horimiya is the story of Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, two teens who fall in love with each other. Kyouko is outgoing and well-liked, while Miyamura always seems gloomy and closed off. However, audiences come to learn that Miyamura is only closed off because he is trying to hide his many piercings and tattoos from his teachers and other classmates.

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Although Miyamura harbors many insecurities stemming from bullying when he was younger, fans the world over are enamored with him. Miyamura's shy personality and love for Hori make him one of the most beloved characters in the show. Plus, his altruistic nature is just what Hori needs.

Shota Aizawa is a U.A. High School homeroom teacher as well as a pro hero in the show My Hero Academia. Although he seems burnt out by his two jobs, Aizawa has always been one to enjoy comfort above all else. He is often seen arriving to class in a full sleeping bag outfit.

While it may seem like he is apathetic, that could not be further from the truth. Aizawa is a careful analyst who monitors his students' progress and addresses all their needs. He also has a keen eye in battle as his Erasure Quirk requires him to make eye contact with his opponents. Aizawa does not smile often and rarely shows emotion, but everyone knows that he would do anything for his students and the betterment of humanity.

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Hi! I am Alexandra Locke. I write for CBR Anime List page.

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