Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The main protagonists of anime rarely have living or present parental figures, like Eren Yeager’s father, Grisha, or Naruto’s father, Minato. It’s become a noticeable trend that these characters’ tragic stories stem from their parents, either by the loss, abuse, or neglect they faced.
Some of these protagonists go on to become parents themselves and because of the significant lack of parental figures don’t know how to be one. A prime example is Goku. He wasn’t raised by his parents and thus, became a rather absent one for Gohan and Goten.
Despite his absenteeism, he’s not a terrible father. He just had a more passive role in their life since he tends to prioritize fighting and holds the duty of protecting Earth close to him.
American cartoons, on the other hand, cultivate a new breed of terrible fathers who are irredeemable in the eyes of the audience. They’re a combination of neglectful and abusive, all the while holding no love for their children. Here are just a few examples of this.
Fire Lord Ozai fromAvatar: The Last Airbender
Ozai is the main antagonist ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderand the final boss. He is the ultimate obstacle against gaining balance, colonizing the Four Nations, and even instigating an Earth Kingdom genocide.
So, it’s not a surprise this man was a terrible father to Zuko and Azula. He was openly hateful towards his elder son who wasn’t a Firebending prodigy like his sister. Ozai was ready to kill Zuko after Azulon told him to do so.
He challenged the young boy to an Agni Kai at the age of 13 for just speaking up and then exiled him. While the standalone novel,Azula in the Spirit Temple, does show some uncharacteristically doting behavior, he onlyapproved of Azula for her skillsand nothing else.
Peter Griffin fromFamily Guy
For a show calledFamily Guy,Peter Griffin proved he’s anything but that. This man would spend more time at The Drunken Clam with his friends than with his children. He’s immature and rarely acts like a father when he needs to be.
Peter is also incredibly irresponsible, so it’s a surprise he holds a job down. However, most of the household work goes to Lois and surprisingly, their dog, Brian. This still doesn’t stop him from demeaning them all, especially Meg.
“In 20 years, there’s only been this one episode”: Even Joe Swanson Actor Patrick Warburton Found One Line in Family Guy Episode ‘So Horribly Offensive’ He Refused To Say It
His case isn’t helped by the fact that he’s associated with other terrible people.Family Guyis a typical American dark humor show where the humor of being a bad father through Peter Griffin doesn’t really land that well.
Trigon fromTeen Titans
The unloving and distant father only pretended to love Raven fromTeen Titansuntil she was strong enough to join his side. Trigon was a manipulative father who only wanted to make her into a destructive weapon to do his bidding.
Despite Trigon being an excellent villain, it doesn’t make viewers forget that he’s the archnemesis of his own daughter. His main goal is to take over the universe, no matter the cost. He never cared for her and it shows.
Glenn Quagmire fromFamily Guy
Seriously, what’s going on withFamily Guy? You’re now twice on this list. Peter Griffin might be a terrible father but he at least saw his children. Glenn Quagmire, on the other hand, barely qualifies as a father.
“How did Family Guy not get canceled”: One Family Guy Scene is So Damn Dark Seth MacFarlane Narrowly Escaped the Wrath of the Whole United States
The man is deplorable with his daughter, Courtney. He even nicknames her An*l and almost sleeps with her before realizing he’s his daughter. He was absent her entire life and then didn’t know who she was. There’s anOldboyreference somewhere there butSeth MacFarlaneprobably didn’t get the chance.
Homer Simpson fromThe Simpsons
Despite being one of the best-known American cartoon dads, he’s a fairly irresponsible man. Homer Simpson might be more caring and loving than anybody on this list but his stupidity and short temper guarantee him a spot.
His overused gag of choking Bart, his only son, is harsh to watch. It’s a toxic pattern that is entirely too normalized inThe Simpsons.His drunken benders also prove he had a long way until he’s a good dad.
Martin Mertens fromAdventure Time
Martin Mertens is the biological dad of Finn the Human, the main protagonist. He might be the only complicated person on the list whose past justifies his behavior to some extent.
Finn’s story inAdventure Timeis complex. Martin was shown to be a loving parent and husband. He even sacrificed himself for Finn. However, after that, he showed zero interest or care for his son.
The common consensus washe suffered brain damage from the explosionand because he thought Finn was dead, his version of his son was already gone. It’s more complicated than anybody on this list but he’s still a psychotic con artist.
Bidisha Mitra
Articles Published :802
Bidisha is an Anime Content Writer at FandomWire with over 700 published articles. With over 7 years of writing experience, she’s versatile and adept. When she’s not writing, she’s also a voice actor on the side.Bidisha is currently continuing to learn Japanese and gets more fluent everyday. Her expertise is One Piece, Bungo Stray Dogs, and Haikyuu, but has been watching anime for over a decade. She was previously a Content Writer reviewing the latest Kpop music.
More from Bidisha Mitra
Gachiakuta Episode 7: Release Date, Spoilers and What to Expect
‘Gachiakuta’ Is Taking Its Loyalty to the Manga a Little Too Seriously Despite Its One Advantage
One Piece Episode 1141: Release Date, Spoilers, and What to Expect
Recommended
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Season 10 Episode 9: Release Date and What to Expect
NYT Strands July 25, 2025 Hints and Solution
You Can Finally Watch Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Blockbuster at Home: Digital Release Date Revealed - Report
NYT Pips Solution for July 01, 2025
‘Game of Thrones’ Cast Ranked by Net Worth: Who’s the Richest GOT Actor?
Every Makoto Shinkai Main Character Ranked From Worst to Best
Adventure TimeAvatar: The Last AirbenderCartoon charactersCartoon NetworkFamily GuyFire Lord OzaiGokuHomer SimpsonPeter GriffinTeen TitansThe Simpsons
