Is there any “loser” animes?

I recently finished welcome to nhk and I realized something; I like when the mc hits rock bottom or is a loser in the beginning and gradually improves as time passes.The only other anime I know that follows this is master kuroawa so I was wondering if there’s anymore like there.

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a48406392025-12-30 04:40

Watamote (FYI, it took me literally months to go through one of the episodes)

Laraso_2025-12-30 05:15

Although if you want to see the improvement, you've gotta read the manga

Fools_Requiem2025-12-30 05:20

Which is unfortunate. I heard she pretty much gets a harem of girls, but for almost everything I've watched from the show, she is mostly by herself.

DefNotTyn2025-12-30 05:45

When it comes to watamote anime is it mostly a comedy while the manga is more focused on improvement?

KerberosPanzerCop2025-12-30 06:06

The anime is a cringe comedy series that follows the early chapters of the manga, which the main character Tomoko is a loser at the time.

LibrarianOk38642025-12-30 14:42

each episode was like 3 hours for me, I had to take breaks, so unbearably well done

Yotsubato2025-12-30 15:53

Watamote is so peak.

StanleyBaccano2025-12-30 04:40

March Comes Like A Lion MC starts off feeling very isolated from society.

RPO7772025-12-30 18:42

I meannnnnn... while the MC deals with a ton of issues (including crippling depression and loneliness) at the start, he IS the youngest ever Shogi Pro and a highly promising one, I think it's a bit much to call him a loser?

I do love that anime with a passion though, I just am not sure if that's what the OP is looking for. I do generally think everyone should give that series a try because it's so. so good (and also recommend the manga which is headed towards a conclusion right now).

Some shows I think hit on the OP's themes:

* Welcome to the NHK
* Bocchi the Rock
* Oblivion Battery

Purposelygentle2025-12-30 04:43

Negative Positive Angler from last year? Maybe Arakawa Under the Bridge? You also can’t go wrong with Watamote, except the MC absolutely never gets better (in the anime).

gothicgirl5552025-12-30 04:47

Evangelion

CRtwenty2025-12-30 06:06

Shinji doesnt get better over the course of EVA. He gets worse as the PTSD kicks in. Unless you're talking about the Rebuild films.

Ekyou2025-12-30 18:22

The last 2 episodes are basically "Shinji learns to love himself (or at least be okay with himself)".

\*Technically\*, End of Evangelion ends with the same message, it just uh, expresses it a little less optimistically.

AguyinaRPG2025-12-30 04:47

[deleted]

myherpsarederps2025-12-30 05:25

Read the post lol

Phd_Pepper-2025-12-30 04:50

Takemichi from tokyo revengers

droson87122025-12-30 06:12

I think it's a good watch but I wish he actually improved in the way of fighting

BJGreenDream2025-12-30 08:43

I completely agree. Love the show, but it always annoyed me that the rest of the guys never made him work out or learn how to fight, like at all.

Tomitraykov2025-12-30 04:53

Erased

A Silent Voice

Highschool DxD

TheUltimateGamerCJ2025-12-30 07:09

Nah dxd is insane 💀💀💀

TranquilSniper2025-12-30 07:48

never did I ever think I'd see A Silent Voice and High School DxD in the same sentence.

Nonreality_2025-12-30 04:53

literally every shonen anime that has power scaling, deku, asta, tanjiro, naruto. all losers at the beginning

DefNotTyn2025-12-30 04:57

I guess I summarized it too easily in my post but when I mean like loser I mean as in like a incel. Like in both of the anime’s I listed they both start of with the mcs suffering from an addiction and a corrupted mindset they slowly improve on. I’m not the best when it comes with media literacy but I’m kind of going for that

SnooWoofers1862025-12-30 05:38

Berserk

Konosuba

Redo of healer

BJGreenDream2025-12-30 08:45

What is Berserk doing here?

SnooWoofers1862025-12-30 10:08

Loser at the beginning as what OP described

BJGreenDream2025-12-30 16:42

Guts is a loser for having massive balls and killing a guy all the adults were scared of? Lol

SnooWoofers1862025-12-30 17:08

Well, look into this perspective. Between him and Griffith, Guts lost everything when Griffith decided to sacrifice their whole band. He is strong still, no doubt about it. But he was emotionally broken at that moment when he lost everything. And that is the beginning I am referring to. Griffith is still left untouched in the latest manga chapter as far as I know.

BJGreenDream2025-12-30 20:53

I understand where you're trying to come from, but making a mistake or being at an extremely low point is not the same as being an incel or hikikomori loser like OP was talking about.

mianghuei2025-12-30 04:54

Is Bocchi the rock considered?

DefNotTyn2025-12-30 05:28

I can’t tell if I’m judging a book off its cover but it looks the complete opposite 😭 idk tho

Xenostarz2025-12-30 05:42

I think you’re judging the book by the cover on this one. Lots of character growth.

0rangy2025-12-30 05:43

At least check out the first episode, it grabs you right away as to what it is

Wiles_2025-12-30 06:03

Also the other Bocchi, Hitoribocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu.

atropicalpenguin2025-12-30 14:11

[Huh, who?](https://youtu.be/LdYdmMWoEGg)

PM_ME_UR_DRAG_CURVE2026-01-02 09:32

That scene aged very differently after Bocc the rock overtook that name.

jetteauloin_20802025-12-30 08:26

Is she really a loser? She is socially very awkward high schooler (ok completely inept) but let's not forget she is a very talented musician pretty succesful on internet even before the show begins.

She is not a NEET who spends her day watching anime.

Zesauruss2025-12-30 10:26

She (was) a loser bc

^((NGL, I didn’t finish this show. I dropped it around episode 5 or 6. I don’t rate it very highly....probably on the lower end of Kirara anime. I don’t really get why people hype it so much. Kinda annoying, but I’ll keep that tucked away and locked in my own little jewel box. Even so, I’ll try to be candid and judge Bocchi fairly, with zero grudge or hate. This is my honest take, based on the tiny slice I saw from those five episodes))

Before Bocchi/Hitori meets the other three, she’s clearly struggling. Her extreme low self-esteem makes it easy to speculate that, in her own shoes, she feels like a loser. Even if, from an outside perspective, she objectively isn’t.

Some people don’t need others, but Hitori isn’t like that. She tries to reach out because she craves connection, in a cringy way, feels insecure, and experiences loneliness. Her life isn't just about musical talent. It’s about facing her fears and self-doubt, and experiencing how even a slight shift in perspective, helped by Niji, Kita, Yamada (and the club owner, the red drunk, and others), can change everything.

AdWhich73552025-12-30 04:56

Re zero he loses every episode basically lmao

Helpful-Book15292025-12-31 01:46

Yes, this one is actually really good. It has the perfect feeling of "How is he gonna get out of this one now."

ripmyselfapart2025-12-30 04:57

well, not exactly like NHK but some similar that include "losers"

A silent voice

princess jellyfish

Watamote

No_Cockroach24672025-12-30 04:57

The Dangers in My Heart.

TheUltimateGamerCJ2025-12-30 07:10

I love this one

Isekai_Dreamer2025-12-30 04:59

mushoku tensei....

Mrjuicyaf2025-12-30 07:02

It's a loser anime but the loser doesn't improve, instead of improving mc just gets reborn with everything gifted to him lmfao.

TheUltimateGamerCJ2025-12-30 07:12

Maybe ur just the loser for hating on isekais

crispy_doggo12025-12-30 07:16

Did you even watch it?

Mrjuicyaf2025-12-30 07:21

[removed]

crispy_doggo12025-12-30 07:29

Nobody argues that it's not a power fantasy, and you're right to criticize the author and the story for writing the protagonist in that way. Nonetheless, the protagonist does go through a lot of shit and he does become a much better person in the end. It's exactly what OP is looking for.

Whendfield1232025-12-30 12:42

This doesnt make sense. Rudy goes from not caring about anyone in his family, lazing around his entire life, have no friends at the end and dies alone, to loving his family, doing everything in his power to protect his family, helping his friends out in major ways and them risking their lives for him [Mushoku tensei volum 25 spoiler] >!dies among his friends and family and loved by all of them!<

He is literally the exact opposite of a loser.

thelittlemugatu2025-12-30 04:59

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki

AriaShachou-2025-12-30 04:59

jaku-chara tomozaki-kun perfectly fits your criteria i think, if you're looking for a non-fantasy loser MC that improves themselves somewhat organically

DefNotTyn2025-12-30 05:43

Based off the description it matches it perfectly but it looks a lil romancey but either way I’ll watch

RegularGuyStuff20252025-12-30 05:00

Kaiji

SonOfYossarian2025-12-30 05:00

[deleted]

DefNotTyn2025-12-30 05:41

I said I watched it already in the post and is the reason y I’m asking this question

SonOfYossarian2025-12-30 05:42

Ah, missed that. Sorry!

Sleepykidd2025-12-30 05:01

If you are looking for more anime staring hopeless Ronin both Love Hina and Mason Ikkaku start out that way. Kaiji Ultimate Survivor starts from a place of desperation as well and isn't really a romance as far as I know

ihatechoosngusername2025-12-30 05:02

Chainsaw man

Alkafer2025-12-30 19:22

This is my answer too. For the kind of powers they handle, they are all so ordinary it hurts (in a way they feel like real people, real losers)

Unusual_Adeptness3452025-12-30 05:15

I'm wondering what anime doesnt do this because thats like the only thing made. All the other characters talk down on the mc

crispy_doggo12025-12-30 05:17

Mushoku Tensei, definitely.

TheUltimateGamerCJ2025-12-30 07:11

👀 bro u cant just drop that MASTERPIECE in the comments

Chadzuma2025-12-30 05:33

Gurren Lagann my GOAT

Yuusha ga Shinda underrated ecchi comedy

Nagatoro aka Bullying Works: the anime

Meikyuu Black Company he's still a cool guy at the start but he has to work his way up from rock bottom in a dystopian industrial isekai

PsionicKitten2025-12-30 05:40

Not mentioned yet:

Re-life *kinda* fits this.

Kiriyama-Rei2025-12-30 05:41

It's been mentioned before, but Jaku Chara Tomozaki-kun is an excellent example of what you're looking for. A protagonist who starts out as a loser and learns to improve himself.

Another more recent example could be Chiramune, where the protagonist helps another boy achieve this during the first episodes (something like the first arc of the series is dedicated to this).

SonOfYossarian2025-12-30 05:43

Try The Tatami Galaxy. Great companion piece to Welcome to the NHk, and it's only 12 episodes, so you can finish it in an afternoon.

Optimal-Algae-96492025-12-30 05:46

Mushoku Tensei basically.

psychxtics062025-12-30 05:48

uhhh solo leveling

ricypricol2025-12-30 06:02

Watamote, the quintessential loser anime. Please don’t base your personality off Tomoko

porpoiseoflife2025-12-30 19:27

OP wants someone that improves over time. Tomoko does not.

chubbyninja12025-12-30 06:26

[deleted]

EconomyProcedure92025-12-30 06:56

OP said they just finished Welcome to the NHK.

Left-Night-11252025-12-30 06:56

Not sure if it counts, but Gundam Wing has a character that states he wants to be a loser.

darkacez2025-12-30 07:01

That Time I Hit Rock Bottom as a NEET and Became a God lol jk i made that up but it sounds legit tho

grisisiknis2025-12-30 07:01

sayonara zetsubo sensei

fenixspider12025-12-30 07:34

Re zero, Subaru hits rock bottom and has flawed personality and quite selfish at the start but gradually grows in the span of 3 seasons. You can actually see his growth since he is sometimes put in the same condition where he previously handled it poorly just to get a perspective on how much he has grown.

procion13022025-12-30 07:43

probably Chaos Head

ArturiaPendragonFace2025-12-30 07:44

I was going to say rent a girlfriend, but then you wanted improvement... Shame they don't have it there.

Toradora isn't exactly loser level but also has an improving MC.

Fate stay night has also a bit of this.

Mysterious_City90662025-12-30 08:33

Umm actually 🤓☝️Rent a girlfriend does have the MC improving. It's just that he only improves after 400+ chapters.

ArturiaPendragonFace2025-12-30 08:35

Call me in chapter 600 to see if girlfriend is rented again.

Mysterious_City90662025-12-30 08:35

Nah, see you at the 1000 chapter anniversary of kazuya being chucked 😭 it's just straight torture porn atp

Korrailli2025-12-30 07:47

Barakamon. The prequel Handa-san might fit as well, but it's more to see where he starts before Barakamon. It is about a calligrapher who does poorly at a competition and punches a judge, so gets sent to a small island community for the summer.

Yuri on Ice.

Cl4pl3k2025-12-30 07:50

Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki

Chitose in the Ramune bottle

tondech2025-12-30 08:00

Black Lagoon.

Dawnwatcher10082025-12-30 08:57

Probably Rent a Girlfriend but I dont think it reached the improvement arc or will ever reach it (dont think the manga even has an improvement arc yet...)

laughoutloud1022025-12-30 08:57

Solo Leveling

paw-enjoyer2025-12-30 09:04

mushoku tensei

DarkConan14122025-12-30 09:52

Steins; Gate

mkluczka2025-12-30 10:51

Loser ranger?

Snoo-587142025-12-30 10:59

Literally Chainsaw Man is probably the best for that vibe. Eureka 7 also has a lot of people go thru similar stuff.

lIllIllIllIllIllIll2025-12-30 12:08

Re:Life

And of course our beloved Watamote

Sahtras19922025-12-30 12:15

i think re:zero counts here right?
subaru doesnt get his magic abilities until much later and even then its not used for every single problem-solving.

dude has to work hard to gain the trust of others due to the nature of his "power" and without that power and his magic hes basically just an average otaku with an elf-fetish.

Zesauruss2025-12-30 12:53

1. Ranking of Kings. Mute, clumsy prince looked down on by everyone, who surprises us all by how much he achieves by the end of his journey. ^(lit. Luffy but handicapped)
2. Overman King Gainer. Shut-in gamer pilots a mecha to guard the train on the great escape from a dystopia
3. Rozen Maiden. Introvert reconnects with the world through living gothic dolls
4. Iruma-Kun. Timid boy discarded by family rises to school leadership…....in hell
5. Let’s Play \~Quest-Darake\~ (american webtoon). Awkward indie game dev girl struggles to balance work, hobbies, and love between 3 guys
6. Shy. Super shy heroine in a revealing hero outfit is forced to fight against the world's darkness and suffering, gradually evolving into the bearer of light she always wanted to be

honorable mention

Marshmello - Alone (Official Music Video)

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALZHF5UqnU4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALZHF5UqnU4)

Derallerechtere2025-12-30 12:59

one piece

moogoo22025-12-30 13:19

Negative Positive Angler

If you don't mind fishing anime. MC starts out losing everything to crippling gambling debt and a new cancer diagnosis.

AdvisorSubstantial172025-12-30 13:35

typically every random braindead chinese novel be like:

Purple-Pound-67592025-12-30 14:14

The Wallflower, World Trigger, My Hero Academia

brundylop2025-12-30 14:41

Negative Positive Angler is about a depressed guy who rediscovers joy in life and gets his act together after meeting some young fishermen

Fruits Basket could also fit the prompt, although I hated how nonchalant the main character reacted to her rock-bottom status (and show’s “she’s just repressing it?” Arc in S2 felt super contrived)

hizashiYEAHmada2025-12-30 15:34

Does Too Many Losing Heroines count?

knightofivalice2025-12-30 15:37

Don’t Toy With Me Miss Nagatoro (not sure if this one counts, but senpai is kind of a loner/loser at the beginning)

Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister (this is a story about a NEET that gets his gender changed by a magic medicine made by his sister and then spends the rest of the story being forced by his sister to come out of his shell, it is a gender bender, which might not be for everyone)

slattyyy2025-12-30 20:36

Solo Leveling

MC is considered “The Weakest Hunter Of Man-Kind” in the beginning

forgivemeisuck2025-12-30 20:46

Accel World

OneSimplyIs2025-12-30 23:56

Chaos;Head. I think it’s in the same verse as Steins;Gate(haven’t seen it but heard it’s great). MC is in Highschool but lives away from his family in a cargo container house on some roof. He plays MMOs and mostly lives off cocoa cola while hallucinating this magical girl from a anime he loves. Idr the plot tbh, but I saw it like ten years ago and I always thought about how much it would suck to be in that room with no AC in the summer lol. It didn’t even have windows

AlphaWolver2025-12-31 00:34

Ijiranaide Nagatoro-san

FaeQueen132025-12-31 02:19

Beast Tamer

Remarkable_Good25712025-12-31 08:41

World trigger sorta kinda

Cupkiller02025-12-31 10:40

SBR

Legate_Invictus2026-01-01 01:36

Just DM me and I'll tell you my life story

tktk772026-01-01 06:45

Negative Positive Angler is exactly what you're looking for!

Erenyeager532026-01-01 08:51

You can find many good manhwa in this genre . Check them if you want

Epic_Assassin_0002026-01-02 14:56

Every shity isekai