Kirishima Miyama, from Yakuza Fiancé, is not your typical shojo love interest. In a genre often filled with idealized romantic leads, Kirishima stands out as the unhinged bad boy whose obsession with his love interest, Yoshino Somei, adds a disturbing layer of complexity to the story. His masochistic tendencies and shocking actions keep viewers on edge, making him one of the most memorable and controversial characters in recent anime. But Kirishima is far from alone in the world of anime. There are several other characters who, like him, blur the line between love and obsession, proving that some of the most compelling figures in anime are those with a dangerously unhinged side. Here are 10 such characters who share Kirishima’s brand of chaos and passion.
10. Yuno Gasai – Future Diary (2011)
Voiced by Tomosa Murata (Japanese) and Brina Palencia (English)
Yuno Gasai is a defining example of the yandere archetype, a term that has become synonymous with obsessive love in anime. In Future Diary, Yuno participates in a deadly survival game where she competes against other diary holders to determine the next god of time and space. While her affection for Yukiteru Amano is initially endearing, it soon turns dark and violent. Yuno is willing to go to any lengths, including murder, to protect her relationship with Yukiteru, making her a far more dangerous version of Kirishima’s devotion. Her love is consuming, and her unpredictability makes her a constant threat to anyone who stands in her way.
9. Misa Amane – Death Note (2006)
Voiced by Aya Hirano (Japanese) and Shannon Chan Kent (English)
Misa Amane, the second major character in Death Note, is another example of the dangerous lengths some characters will go to for love. Her obsession with Light Yagami is all-consuming; she’s willing to commit murder, ignore moral boundaries, and sacrifice her life for his affection. Like Kirishima’s devotion to Yoshino, Misa’s affection for Light often leads her into morally gray, if not outright villainous, territory. Her unrelenting passion for a man who often treats her as a tool in his own quest for power makes her one of anime’s most tragic and unsettling characters.
8. Shuu Tsukiyama – Tokyo Ghoul (2014)
Voiced by Mamoru Miyano (Japanese) and J. Michael Tatum (English)
Shuu Tsukiyama, the wealthy, eccentric Ghoul from Tokyo Ghoul, shares Kirishima’s obsessive nature, though his fixation is directed at Kaneki, the series’ protagonist. Tsukiyama becomes captivated by Kaneki’s scent after their first encounter, and his obsession grows into a dangerous fixation. Tsukiyama’s twisted love for Kaneki drives him to both protect and torment him, blurring the line between affection and sadism. Like Kirishima, Tsukiyama’s actions are driven by his overwhelming desire to claim what he wants, making him an unpredictable and volatile force within the story.
7. Himiko Toga – My Hero Academia (2016)
Voiced by Misato Fukuen (Japanese) and Leah Clark (English)
Himiko Toga, a member of the League of Villains in My Hero Academia, is a character whose affection is expressed through bizarre and disturbing acts. Toga develops a fascination with Izuku Midoriya and Ochaco Uraraka, but her love is expressed in the most unsettling way—by attempting to wear their blood and impersonate them. Toga’s twisted love for others is akin to Kirishima’s affection for Yoshino, as both characters navigate their relationships through actions that are far from conventional or healthy. Toga’s obsession, though chaotic and dangerous, adds a layer of complexity to her character that makes her impossible to ignore.
6. Megumi Shimizu – Shiki (2010)
Voiced by Haruka Tomatsu (Japanese) and Tia Ballard (English)
In Shiki, Megumi Shimizu is a tragic figure whose love for Natsuno Koide transcends the boundaries of life and death. After becoming a vampire, Megumi’s infatuation grows to a dangerous level, to the point of stalking and manipulating Natsuno. Her obsessive attachment mirrors Kirishima’s single-minded devotion to Yoshino, as both characters exhibit possessive behavior that blinds them to any moral considerations. Megumi’s inability to let go of her love, even in the face of her monstrous transformation, underscores her dangerous and unhinged nature.
5. Toma – Amnesia (2013)
Voiced by Satoshi Hino (Japanese) and Christopher Ayres (English)
Toma from Amnesia is a character who initially appears kind and gentle but quickly reveals a darker side. His obsession with the protagonist leads him to a possessive and controlling behavior that mirrors Kirishima’s intensity toward Yoshino. Though Toma’s actions are less violent, his possessiveness and the lengths he goes to in order to keep the protagonist safe (even at the cost of her freedom) create a deeply unsettling dynamic.
His willingness to keep secrets and manipulate situations in his favor makes hima character whose intentions are never fully clear, much like Kirishima’s more ominous moments.
4. Claire Stanfield – Baccano! (2007)
Voiced by Masakazu Morita (Japanese) and Jerry Jewell (English)
Claire “Vino” Stanfield is a character who presents a charming, polite facade but harbors a truly unhinged nature. In Baccano!, Claire’s obsessive love for Chane Laforet leads him down a violent path. He is willing to murder anyone who stands in his way to win her affections, much like Kirishima’s dangerous loyalty to Yoshino. Claire’s duality as a sophisticated gentleman and a ruthless killer adds a layer of unpredictability to his character that makes him both captivating and terrifying.
3. Shinra Kishitani – Durarara!! (2010)
Voiced by Jun Fukuyama (Japanese) and Yuri Lowenthal (English)
Shinra Kishitani from Durarara!! is another character whose love borders on obsession. Shinra’s infatuation with Celty Sturluson, the headless rider, is central to his character. He becomes fixated on Celty, even though she has no memory of her past and struggles with her identity. Shinra’s obsession with her leads him to keep secrets and manipulate situations, much like Kirishima’s similar behavior toward Yoshino. His devotion to Celty, combined with his eccentric personality, makes him one of the most fascinating and unpredictable characters in the series.
2. Rolo Lamperouge – Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)
Voiced by Daichuu Mizushima (Japanese) and Spike Spencer (English)
Rolo Lamperouge is one of the most tragic and unhinged characters in Code Geass. Initially introduced as an assassin tasked with infiltrating Lelouch’s life, Rolo grows emotionally attached to Lelouch and becomes obsessively protective of him. His jealousy toward Lelouch’s sister, Nunnally, leads him to attempt murder, driven by a deep-seated fear of losing Lelouch’s affection. Rolo’s possessive and violent nature mirrors Kirishima’s blind devotion to Yoshino, highlighting his dangerous and unstable loyalty.
1. Haru Yoshida – My Little Monster (2012)
Voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Japanese)
Haru Yoshida, the protagonist of My Little Monster, is a character who embodies many of the traits that make Kirishima so compelling. Haru is blunt, intense, and fiercely loyal, and his obsession with Shizuku Mizutani, though not as dark, shares similarities with Kirishima’s feelings toward Yoshino. Haru’s unfiltered enthusiasm and lack of social boundaries make him a mini version of Kirishima, making him both endearing and chaotic in equal measure.
These characters all share one thing in common: their unhinged devotion to the objects of their affection. While their actions might be extreme or even dangerous, they provide a fascinating and intense dynamic that fans can’t help but be captivated by. Whether their love is expressed through violence, manipulation, or obsession, these characters remind us that love in anime is often far from simple.