10 anime characters like Endeavor from My Hero Academia

Anime characters like Endeavor from My Hero Academia can come in many shapes and forms because of the hero's defining traits. He has fire-based abilities, was a world-renowned hero, had a complicated relationship with his family, and went through a redemption arc, going from a man obsessed with strength to a person who cared deeply for his loved ones and wanted to make amends for his mistakes.

There is no denying that there are anime characters like Endeavor, especially considering the element of redemption, but that doesn't stop them from being controversial, mainly because of family issues.

However, there is no denying that it is interesting to see these dynamics unfold and evolve during a story. Therefore, here are, in no particular order, 10 anime characters like Endeavor from My Hero Academia and why they are similar.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for all the series mentioned here. Any opinion expressed here belongs to the author and not Sportskeeda as a whole.

10 anime characters like Endeavor from My Hero Academia

1. Nnoitra Gilga (Bleach)

One of those anime characters like Endeavor (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The main reason Nnoitra is one of those anime characters like Endeavor is that they both have deep-rooted insecurities and they come to the surface through their obsession with strength. Endeavor started the series obsessed with the idea of being the Number 1 Hero above All Might, prioritizing his own strength above anything else, which resulted in a lot of issues with his loved ones.

Nnoitra is an Arrancar and one of Aizen's Espada during the main Bleach story, who also happens to be hellbent on being stronger and can't stand that others, particularly women like Tier Harribel or Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. However, unlike Endeavor, Nnoitra never learned his lesson and died in Hueco Mundo at the hands of Zaraki Kenpachi.

2. Ging Freecss (Hunter X Hunter)

Definitely one of the best examples of anime characters like Endeavor (Image via Madhouse)

There is no denying that when discussing anime characters like Endeavor, Ging Freecss of Hunter X Hunter fame will be mentioned. The reason is quite simple and that is how Ging and Endeavor's roles as fathers have been widely criticized in the anime community.

However, unlike Endeavor, who always had his kids around and was a part of their lives for better or worse, Ging actively neglected Gon and put obstacles between them. It is so extreme that even people within the series have called out Ging's behavior, claiming that he should be a lot more present in his son's life, thus earning him the title of one of the worst fathers in anime history.

3. Jotaro Kujo (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Jotaro is like Endeavor, albeit very different at the same time (Image via David Production)

It would be a bit extreme to claim that Jotaro is one of those anime characters like Endeavor in the sense he was never as damaging to his family as the latter was. However, the sixth part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Stone Ocean, does set up Jotaro as a negligent and emotionally unavailable father to Jolyne, much like Endeavor was.

The truth of the matter is quite different as Jotaro didn't want his family to be in danger because he was constantly hunted by Dio's followers. The one thing that does make him one of those anime characters like Endeavor is their stoic nature and their lack of ability to express what they think and feel, which often leads to them having clashes with other people.

4. Roy Mustang (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Mustang and Endeavor do have some obvious and not-so-obvious similarities (Image via Bones).

It is fair to say that Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist wouldn't be a lot of people's first choice regarding anime characters like Endeavor, but they do have some similarities. Perhaps the most obvious one is that both characters have fire-based powers and need to be careful when using them.

However, the similarity that is not so obvious is that they both have aspirations of reaching higher positions in their respective professions. The major difference is that Mustang wants to do this to create a better country while Endeavor's goal was motivated mainly by ego.

5. Gendo Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Definitely one of those anime characters like Endeavor (Image via Studio Gainax)

The interesting part of Gendo Ikari on this list is that perhaps he is not one of those anime characters like Endeavor, but an outright worse individual than the latter. Endeavor is often described as an awful father and husband, and he has made a lot of mistakes that can justify that claim, but Gendo far surpasses him in that department.

Gendo forces his son, Shinji Ikari, to pilot one of the Evas and makes him go through several extreme circumstances without much care for his wellbeing. Furthermore, he is revealed to be the cause of major threats in the series and does so without any major regret, showing how far gone he is throughout the story.

6. Monkey D. Dragon (One Piece)

Another prominent example of anime characters like Endeavor (Image via Toei Animation)

It is fair to say that Monkey D. Dragon does have some major differences from other anime characters like Endeavor in the sense he has never been abusive or dismissive toward his family. However, Dragon not being in Luffy's life by his own volition has never bode well with the fandom, and the character is also fully committed to the Revolutionary Army.

In that regard, Endeavor and Dragon are similar in the sense they are both committed to their roles of helping people. Even if their motivations and actions haven't always been the best, there is no denying that they are always trying to help others, although that has led to them being less than stellar parents.

7. Askeladd (Vinland Saga)

Askeladd is an underrated choice in this department (Image via Wit Studio)

When it comes to anime characters like Endeavor, likely, a lot of people wouldn't be thinking of Askeladd from Vinland Saga. It makes sense because he is not a father to anyone, doesn't have fire-based powers, is not obsessed with strength, and doesn't have grand aspirations like Endeavor has of being the Number 1 Hero.

However, the role Askeladd plays as a sort of surrogate father to Thorfinn is fairly similar to the one Endeavor plays with his actual son, Shoto Todoroki. Askeladd is one of those anime characters like Endeavor because they both end up serving as mentor figures and help the very youngsters they have traumatized for most of their lives.

It is fitting that both Shoto and Thorfinn have complicated relationships with these two characters, although the latter is a lot more open regarding his desire to kill Askeladd. However, that degree of complexity is what makes their relationship so interesting to see unfold in both cases.

8. Raoh (Fist of the North Star)

Another one of those anime characters like Endeavor (TMS Entertainment)

The reason why Raoh ranks as one of the most prominent anime characters like Endeavor from My Hero Academia is because they are both obsessed with strength. Raoh wanted to rule the world of Fist of the North Star as the strongest and use his Hokuto Shinken lessons to govern with an iron fist.

In many ways, the relationship Raoh has with his brother and protagonist of the series, Kenshiro, is fairly similar to the one Endeavor had with All Might at the beginning. While Endeavor never was an outright villain like Raoh, he was perceived as a darker and more flawed version of All Might among the top heroes, although the former eventually learned his lesson and tried to make up for his mistakes.

9. Vegeta (Dragon Ball)

Vegeta and Endeavor have had similar character arcs (Image via Toei Animation)

It would be historically inaccurate to claim that Vegeta is one of those anime characters like Endeavor and it would be more fitting to claim that is the other way around. The Saiyan Prince is probably one of the first anime villains to have a clear redemption arc, eventually becoming almost equal to the protagonist, Goku, although that came with a lot of learning and challenges.

Both Vegeta and Endeavor were obsessed with strength and neglected their families, although the former was a much more extreme case because he was slaving planets as well. Vegeta also had a strained relationship with his son, Trunks, from the future, although he grew and learned, eventually becoming a better person and family man.

10. Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)

Bakugo is another one of those anime characters like Endeavor (Image via Bones)

There are anime characters like Endeavor in his series and Katsuki Bakugo might be the best example. Endeavor and Bakugo have always been compared with one another, even if their characters have barely interacted, which is quite ironic given the circumstances.

Throughout the vast majority of the series, Katsuki Bakugo was jealous of Deku and had a lot of insecurities, which often led to him lashing out at others and being rude and aggressive. However, much like Bakugo, he began to realize how wrong he was and tried to make up for his mistakes, even if they were not as extreme as Endeavor's toward his family.

A lot of My Hero Academia fans have claimed that Bakugo is a sort of "mini-Endeavor" and could have gone down that if he hadn't learned his lesson during the main storyline. It makes a lot of sense, hence why he is one of those anime characters like Endeavor.

Final thoughts

There are more anime characters like Endeavor from My Hero Academia, although these are some of the most prominent in the medium. This is because they are part of some of the most popular anime out there and also due to them sharing some key traits with Endeavor, such as personality, roles as father figures, or going through a major redemption arc.

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Edited by Meenakshi Ajith