Characters that Resonate with Me - Extended version

 

Akutagawa Ryunosuke - Bungo Stray Dogs

Like Akutagawa, I'm an approval seeker. It might go against my core values to care so deeply about how one person feels about me, but it's a deeply ingrained trauma that's not so easy to unlearn. On top of that, Akutagawa shows open hostility to the person he perceives is the object of his former boss' affection (Atsushi). I may not always pick a fight with someone I'm jealous of, but I can relate to barely veiled contempt for them. Oh, do I ever. I can learn from him by realizing my own strength and power and not needing someone else's approval before I acknowledge myself.

Akutagawa from Bungo Stray Dogs


Akemi Homura - Puella Magi Madoka Magica

I haven't seen this anime since Thanksgiving 2023, but it was profoundly impactful to me. Akemi is this bad ass who doesn't care how she's perceived (unlike Akutagawa) because her goal of saving Madoka is all that matters. She doesn't care how many times she has to try, she's a loyal friend and loves Madoka deeply. I have always thought my loyalty to my friends and my love for them was one of my strongest traits. If only I could be as cool as Akemi, then we'd really be rockin'.


Akemi from Madoka Magica. SHE HAS A GUN, BRO. AND A LIL SHIELD!


Itoshi Rin - BlueLock

I always know when I'm resonating deeply with a character when I'm morally outraged on behalf of said character, but I'm in the vast minority. In this case, maybe people still understood Rin when it came to him and his brother, but most comments I saw online were explaining away Sae's actions and how he was right, as if there could be a right one in this scenario (there can and it was Rin). His brother is shitty! Rin deserves better! All he wants is his big brother's love and approval! His anger and aloofness can all be traced back to that. I see and validate this one as someone who desperately desire's certain people's love and approval. I'm also someone whose past (trauma or otherwise) affects how I behave, especially in specific scenarios or around specific people. His hostility toward Isagi is weirdly familiar to me.


Rin from BlueLock, kinda looking like Eren Yeager


Sakura Haruka - Windbreaker

Dare I say my favorite tsundere? He blushes all the time because of how embarrassed he is (most likely for never experiencing sentimental or romantic things, but he probably hasn't experienced much love or gentleness in his life). He acts tough and like he needs to be the strongest, when he really can rely on the friends he's made. It's all a shield anyway for the pain he feels. He uses anger and violence to cover up the more vulnerable feelings. Ask me how I know. ;) I'm not a strong fighter like Sakura, but I am a fighter on the inside. That saying, "I'm a lover, not a fighter" never was or will be relatable to me. I'm gonna fight, at least to protect the little girl inside who was hurt.


Sakura from Windbreaker. ts tuff, as they say.


Hinata Shoyo - Haikyuu!

Short. Overly excitable. Too earnest. Total cringey, dork sometimes. Fueled by optimism. Child-like wonder. Curious. Easily offended and bad at comebacks when upset. Insane vertical jump.

This is the most me that a character has ever me'd. Except the vertical jump part. But otherwise, this fresh-faced high schooler is my literal son I gave birth to. It's no wonder we're so alike!

Hinata Shoyo FROM THE CONCRETE MUTHAFUCKA, REPRESENT. Ahem. From the sports anime, Haikyu!!

Bakugo Katsuki - My Hero Academia

Okay, talk about anger issues. They're a thin veil for other feelings though, like an inferiority complex (masked by a god complex), not understanding others, thinking everyone sucks while simultaneously feeling like you're behind everyone else. Full of hate and rage and the desperation to be the greatest. Competitive, prideful, toxic. Yeah, I see you Kacchan, because I've been there. Oh, you don't want me to call you that because I'm not your long-time best friend, whose body you've explored many times? Fair enough.


YOU DAMN NERD. Bakugo to Midoriya in My Hero Academia


Comments

  1. TROLLDOLLDecember 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM

    😭😭😭😭 fuk! Why did reading this hit so hard. Im in literal tears and sobbing. I can relate to some areas and empathize with what I cant. I can tell how this was written from the heart with so much thought and self awareness from years of internalized trauma that you are now exploring and learning to understand by showing these characters the kindness, love, and empathy you so deserved. ❤️ love you and the imperfectly perfect person you are.

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