8 Anime Characters Similar to Garou from One Punch Man

Fans were thrilled to see the special announcement video for One Punch Man season 3, giving them a sneak peek at the upcoming anime. In this new season, the self-proclaimed "Hero Hunter" Garou will play a significant role. Fans have eagerly anticipated seeing more of Garou after his appearance in the second season. Luckily, Garou's characteristics are not entirely unique.

In the world of anime, there have been several characters with stories and mindsets similar to Garou's. Garou's fascination with monsters led him to leave his master Bang and take on the title of "Hero Hunter." Through this, Garou sought to embody fear itself and became consumed by a thirst for power.

He lost to Saitama despite having powers granted from God. As a result, he returned to the heroes' side and started his recovery with his former master Bang.

Sasuke and 7 other anime characters like Garou from One Punch Man

1) Crocodile (One Piece)

Crocodile as seen in One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation) - 1) Crocodile (One Piece) - Sasuke and 7 other anime characters like Garou from One Punch Man

Crocodile as seen in One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Crocodile from One Piece and One Punch Man's Garou share similarities as characters who gained their powers from external sources. Garou received his powers from God, while Crocodile, the former Warlord of the Sea, obtained his powers from the Logia Devil Fruit - Suna Suna no Mi.

Similarly, like Garou, who switched sides after being defeated by Saitama, Crocodile also changed his allegiance after being defeated by Monkey D. Luffy. He became an ally to Luffy in both the Impel Down Arc and the Marineford Arc.

2) Vegeta (Dragon Ball franchise)

Vegeta as seen in Dragon Ball Super (Image via Toei Animation) - 2) Vegeta (Dragon Ball franchise)

Vegeta, like Garou from One Punch Man, is a character driven by the desire for power. Initially, he thought he was unbeatable but was defeated by Son Goku. This loss led him to seek even greater strength, ultimately achieving the legendary Super Saiyan transformation.

Gaara (Naruto franchise)

Gaara is a character from the Naruto franchise. He initially started as a villain but later transformed into a heroic figure. His journey involved overcoming his dark past and finding redemption through friendship and understanding. Gaara eventually becomes a key ally in protecting the ninja world and maintaining peace.

Gaara as seen in Naruto Shippuden (Image via Studio Pierrot) - 3) Gaara (Naruto franchise)

Gaara as seen in Naruto Shippuden (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Gaara, like One Punch Man's Garou, changed sides to the good side after being defeated by the protagonist. As a child, he became the Jinchuriki of the One-Tailed Beast Shukaku, similar to Garou receiving his powers from a higher power. Gaara's immense power came from Shukaku, an external source.

Despite wielding the power of Shukaku, Gaara suffered defeat at the hands of Naruto during an attack by the Hidden Sand Village on the Hidden Leaf Village. This defeat led Gaara to transform into a good person and a valuable ally to Naruto.

4) Suguru Geto (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Suguru Geto as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (Image via MAPPA) - 4) Suguru Geto (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Suguru Geto from Jujutsu Kaisen shares similarities with Garou from One Punch Man. At first, both were on the side of good. However, Geto's journey as a sorcerer turned him against non-sorcerers, leading him to disdainfully call them "monkeys."

Stain, a character from My Hero Academia, left Jujutsu Tech to start his mission of eliminating all non-sorcerers. He began by massacring over a hundred civilians in one night. Additionally, Geto gained powers from an external source by consuming curses.

Stain as seen in My Hero Academia (Image via Bones) - 5) Stain (My Hero Academia)

Stain as seen in My Hero Academia (Image via Bones)

Stain and Garou have a lot in common. Both characters come from series, My Hero Academia and One Punch Man, that revolve around a world where being a hero is a job.

In both shows, Stain and Garou share a similar attitude towards heroes. They both show a strong dislike for heroes and actively work towards defeating them. This has led to them being known as the "Hero Killer" (Stain) and "Hero Hunter" (Garou).

It is also to be noted that, after his defeat at the hands of Deku, Ida, and Todoroki, Stain sided with the heroes to fight All For One in the final arc.

6) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez (Bleach)

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez as seen in the Bleach anime (Image via Studio Pierrot) - 6) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez (Bleach)

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez as seen in the Bleach anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez from Bleach shares some similarities with One Punch Man's Garou. As an Espada, he harbored a strong dislike for Shinigami and actively pursued them. However, it's important to note that he wasn't driven by a thirst for power.

In reality, Grimmjow was more of a character who sought out battles. This desire for combat mirrors Garou's own enjoyment of fighting, showcasing a common trait between Grimmjow and Garou.

Sasuke Uchiha, a character from the Naruto franchise, is another example of a rival turned ally. In the series, Sasuke initially harbors a deep grudge against the protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki, seeking power and revenge. However, as the story progresses, Sasuke undergoes a change of heart and ultimately becomes a valuable ally to Naruto and his friends in their battles against various enemies.

Sasuke Uchiha as seen in Naruto Shippuden (Image via Studio Pierrot) - 7) Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto franchise)

Sasuke Uchiha as seen in Naruto Shippuden (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto shares a similar story to Garou from One Punch Man. Like Garou leaving Bang, Sasuke also left the Hidden Leaf Village to seek power. He trained under Orochimaru and grew stronger during this time.

Although their goals differed, Sasuke was also labeled as a villain and became a target for the "good side." Despite numerous attempts to defeat him, it was ultimately Naruto who was able to reach him and bring him back to the right path.

Following that, Sasuke returned to the Hidden Leaf Village and became an important aid to Naruto when he became the Hokage.

8) Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)

Sosuke Aizen as seen in the Bleach anime (Image via Studio Pierrot) - 8) Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)

Sosuke Aizen as seen in the Bleach anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Sosuke Aizen from Bleach shares similarities with One Punch Man's Garou because both characters have a thirst for power. Initially, Aizen was on the side of the "good guys," specifically the Gotei 13. However, as he pursued his goal of obtaining the Hogyoku, he eventually betrayed the Gotei 13 and joined forces with the Arrancars.

Similarly to Garou, Aizen also gained his powers from an external source, in his case, the Hogyoku. Despite his strength, he was ultimately defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki and imprisoned. Years later, during the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, he was released and briefly teamed up with the Shinigami in an attempt to defeat Yhwach.

These are the anime characters we believe are like Garou from One Punch Man. If we have missed out on any, do comment below

Editor's P/S:

The article explores the similarities between Garou from "One Punch Man" and several other anime characters. It highlights their shared characteristics, such as a desire for power, a thirst for battle, and a journey that leads them to switch sides. I found the analysis insightful, as it offers a broader perspective on the complexities of these characters and the nuances of their development.

The article also provides a comprehensive list of characters with similar traits to Garou, ranging from Crocodile in "One Piece" to Sasuke Uchiha in "Naruto." This comparison allows readers to draw parallels between different anime series and appreciate the diversity of characters within the genre. Overall, the article offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of anime characters and the themes that connect them across different series.