Anime's 7 Deadly Sins - References and Characters

Do you know the 7 deadly sins? A built-in concept to classify human conditions as vices? Today these 7 sins are heavily emphasized by the Catholic Church, but even Japan, a Buddhist and Shinto country, uses these 7 sins in various works such as anime and manga, to represent things and even characters. In this article, we are going to talk about how anime and other Japanese works use these 7 deadly sins which are lust, envy, greed, gluttony, laziness, pride and anger.

Animes represent these personalities both indirectly and directly. We can notice that characters are often shaped into some type of personality, and sometimes we clearly see that it is something like envy or gluttony. Some authors directly use these seven deadly sins and make the references clear. Some characters are fat and greedy, others are nervous, greedy, or too envious. These personality clichés can be compared to the use of Nabiki (Ranma 1/2); in anime, like the famous tsundere.

In Japanese the 7 deadly sins are called 大罪 (taizai) which can be literally translated as great sins.

Among the anime that represent the deadly sins making clear references are:

  • FullMetal Alchemist;
  • Nanatsu no taizai (literalmente 7 pecados capitais);
  • Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai;
  • Inuyasha;
  • Bleach;
  • Digimon;

7 deadly sins in anime - references and characters

Lust - Lust - 色欲 (Shikiyoku)

Lust is an emotion of intense desire for the body. It consists of attachment to carnal pleasures, corruption of customs, extreme sexuality, lasciviousness and sensuality.

  • Lust (Fullmetal Alchemist);
  • Gowther (Nanatsu no Taizai);
  • Mukotsu (Inuyasha);
  • Szayel Aporro Granz (Bleach);
  • Asmodeus (Angel Sanctuary);
  • Lussuria (Katekyo Hitman Reborn);
  • Laylamon (Digimon);

7 deadly sins in anime - references and characters

Pecado Capital - Preguiça - Laziness - 怠惰 (Taida)

Let's start by talking about my cardinal sin. This sin shows little willingness to work or act. It also involves negligence, indolence, idleness, delay, sluggishness and procrastination. Below is a list of characters who are known for their laziness and who make reference to this cardinal sin:

  • Sloth - (Fullmetal Alchemist);
  • King (Nanatsu no Taizai);
  • Suikotsu (Inuyasha);
  • Coyote Starrk (Bleach);
  • Astharote & Astarte (Angel Sanctuary);
  • Belphegor (Katekyo Hitman Reborn);
  • Belphemon (Digimon);
  • Shikamaru (Naruto);
  • Gintoki (Gintama);
  • Shunsui (Bleach);
  • Tanaka-kun

7 deadly sins in anime - references and characters

Capital Sin - Envy - 嫉妬 (Shitto)

Envy involves displeasure, hatred, or grief for other people's prosperity or joy. In Japanese it also involves jealousy, so much so that they use the same ideogram. Envy also involves the desire to own and enjoy other people's things, a feeling that provokes desires. Among the characters that represent this personality well are:

  • Envy (Fullmetal Alchemist);
  • Diane (Nanatsu no Taizai);
  • Jakotsu (Inuyasha);
  • Nnoitra Giruga (Bleach);
  • Leviathan (Katekyo Hitman Reborn);
  • Leviathan (Angel Sanctuary);
  • Leviamon (Digimon);

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Deadly Sins - Wrath - 憤怒 (Background)

Aggression, anger, rage, fury, lack of patience and self-control, revenge and stress are just some of the things that can trigger this cardinal sin.

  • Wrath (Fullmetal Alchemist);
  • Meliodas (Nanatsu no Taizai);
  • Ginkotsu (Inuyasha);
  • Yammy Llargo (Bleach);
  • Xanxus (Katekyo Hitman Reborn);
  • Barbelo (Angel Sanctuary);
  • Daemon (Digimon);
  • Bakugou (Boku no Hero);

7 deadly sins in anime - references and characters

Pride or Vanity - 傲慢 (Gouman)

Pride involves arrogance, insolence, haughtiness, arrogance, vanity, dignity and excess of self-love. It means the exaggerated concept of oneself. Vanity involves the immoderate and unfounded desire to earn the admiration of others. The famous ostentation or boasting.

  • Pride (Fullmetal Alchemist);
  • Escanor (Nanatsu no Taizai);
  • Bankotsu (Inuyasha);
  • Baraggan Louisenbarn (Bleach);
  • Belial (Angel Sanctuary);
  • Superbi Squalo (Katekyo Hitman Reborn)
  • Lucemon (Digimon);

Gluttony - Gluttony - 暴食 (Bushoku)

Addiction or defect in eating and drinking too much; gluttony. Figuratively, it involves burning desire and greed.

  • Gluttony (Fullmetal Alchemist);
  • Merlin (Nanatsu no Taizai);
  • Kyokotsu (Inuyasha);
  • Aaroniero Arruruerie (Bleach);
  • Gola Mosca (Katekyo Hitman Reborn)
  • Beelzemon (Digimon);
  • Beelzebub (Angel Sanctuary);
  • Riza (Tokyo Ghoul);

Some other characters are quite gluttonous and deserve to be mentioned such as: Luffy from One Piece, Goku (Dragon Ball), Natsu (Fairy Tail), Usagi from Sailor moon and even L from Death Note.

7 deadly sins in anime - references and characters

Greed - Greed - 物欲 (Butsuyoku)

Greed involves the desire to have things, not just money or material possessions but anything.

  • Greed (Fullmetal Alchemist);
  • Ban (Nanatsu no Taizai);
  • Renkotsu (Inuyasha);
  • Grimmjow Jeagerjaques (Bleach);
  • Mammon (Katekyo Hitman Reborn);
  • Barbamon (Digimon);
  • Mammon (Angel Sanctuary);
  • Nabiki(Ranma 1/2);

There are several other characters that represent these deadly sins, but I don't know them all. Do you know some? Leave it in the comments!

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