Anime Characters with Nihilistic Traits: When Life Feels Empty and Meaningless

Kapanlagi.com - Anime characters are not always depicted as enthusiastic, friendly, helpful, and having clear goals in life. There are also characters who are trapped in a dark worldview, or what could be termed as nihilism. Although it sounds heavy, this approach makes their stories even more interesting, as it showcases the human struggle against the emptiness of life.

For those who don't know, nihilism is the viewpoint that life actually has no definite meaning. For a nihilist, moral values, life goals, or social rules are merely 'man-made' constructs that lack a solid foundation.

Nihilism does not always mean 'bad' or 'evil'. Sometimes this trait arises from trauma, loneliness, loss, or deep disappointment in life. Some eventually rise above it, while others sink deeper. In anime that often explores character psychology, nihilism appears in many fascinating forms worth discussing.

Now, here are the anime characters known for their nihilistic traits, whether in thought, action, or their life journey..

1. Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Shinji is the most famous example of a teenager immersed in nihilism. He feels useless, his existence is unimportant, and whatever he does changes nothing. Trauma, lack of affection, and the pressures of the world lead him to question the value of life itself.

Moments in his 'inner space' clearly show the inner conflict typical of nihilism: life has no manual, and he himself is not sure why he should keep fighting.

2. Johan Liebert (Monster)

If Shinji represents nihilism due to trauma, Johan represents absolute nihilism. He believes that life has no meaning at all. Moral values? Completely unimportant. For Johan, the world is just an empty place without purpose, and humans are merely creatures wandering aimlessly.

His nihilistic view drives him to commit extreme acts that make him one of the greatest antagonists in anime history.

3. Guts (Berserk)

Guts is not a pure nihilist, but most of his life is filled with darkness, violence, and loss. He grew up with the belief that this world is unfair and indifferent to anyone. In many phases of his life, he goes through days thinking that life is just about surviving endless brutality.

Although Guts eventually rediscovers meaning in his journey and relationships, his nihilistic side remains an important part of this character.

4. Lain Iwakura (Serial Experiments Lain)

Lain questions reality, identity, and the meaning of human existence. The deeper he delves into the digital world of Wired, the more blurred the lines between 'real life' and 'fake life' become. He comes to the conclusion that human existence is either unreal or unimportant.

His way of thinking tends towards philosophical nihilism; when the concept of life itself is considered to have no true core.

5. Revy (Black Lagoon)

Revy grew up in a brutal environment that made her believe the world is rotten, cruel, and fundamentally amoral. Life for Revy is just a series of violence she must endure to stay alive. She smokes, drinks, shoots, and keeps moving without a clear direction.

Her nihilism manifests in an attitude: "life is chaotic, so don't expect anything".

6. Hachiman Hikigaya (Oregairu)

Hachiman is not the extreme type of nihilism, but he has a cynical philosophy of life: social relationships are fake, the purpose of life is to hurt oneself, and it's better not to expect anything from anyone.

He often says things like "hope only leads to disappointment", which clearly points to social nihilism. However, behind that, he is actually just afraid of getting hurt.

7. Makishima Shogo (Psycho-Pass)

Makishima believes that modern life is just a meaningless game. Morality is merely a construct of the system. He does not believe that there are universal values that must be followed. Because of this, he often encourages others to 'liberate themselves ' from the rules and confront the true emptiness of life.

Makishima is a symbol of dangerous intellectual nihilism; calm, intelligent, but believing in nothing.

8. Why Are Nihilistic Characters Interesting?

Because they present inner conflicts that resonate with human reality. We have all felt: life is confusing, there is no progress, or all efforts seem futile.

Anime with nihilistic characters often invite viewers to ponder: Does life have inherent meaning? Or is it up to us to create it? And the journey of these characters, whether they sink or rise, is what ultimately makes their stories very memorable.

Who is your favorite character?

(kpl/jpg)