Anime characters that represent the 7 Deadly Sins

Do you know the 7 deadly sins? A concept incorporated 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 animes and mangas, to represent things and even characters. In this article, we will talk about how animes and other Japanese works utilize these 7 deadly sins which are lust, envy, greed, gluttony, sloth, pride, and wrath.

Animes represent these personalities both indirectly and directly. We can notice that characters tend to be shaped into some type of personality; sometimes we clearly see that it is something like envy or gluttony. Some authors directly use these deadly sins and make the references very clear. Some characters are fat and gluttonous, others are nervous, greedy, or overly envious. These personality clichés can be compared to the use of deredere in animes, 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 animes that represent the deadly sins with clear references are:

• FullMetal Alchemist;
• Nanatsu no taizai (literally 7 deadly sins);
• Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai;
• Inuyasha;
• Bleach;
• Digimon;

Lust – Lust – 色欲 (Shikiyoku)

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

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

Deadly Sin – Sloth – 怠惰 (Taida)

Let’s start by talking about my deadly sin. This sin demonstrates little willingness to work or act. It also involves negligence, idleness, laziness, delay, slowness, and procrastination. Below is a list of characters known for their sloth and who reference this deadly 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

Deadly Sin – Envy – 嫉妬 (Shitto)

Envy involves dislikes, hates, or sorrow for the prosperity or joy of other people. In Japanese, it also involves jealousy, so much so that they use the same ideogram. Envy also involves the desire to possess and enjoy other people’s things, a feeling that provokes desires. Among the characters that well represent this personality are:

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

Deadly Sins – Wrath – 憤怒 (Fundo)

Aggressiveness, anger, rage, fury, lack of patience and self-control, revenge, and stress are just some of the things that can provoke this deadly 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);

Pride or Vanity – 傲慢 (Gouman)

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

• 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 (Boushoku)

Vice or defect of eating and drinking excessively; gluttony. Figuratively involves the 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.

Greed – Greed – 物欲 (Butsuyoku)

Greed involves the desire to have things, not just money or material goods 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 many other characters that represent these deadly sins, but I do not know them all. Do you know some? Leave in the comments!