Anode and a secondary battery for a secondary battery

A battery capable of improving cycle characteristics and a manufacturing yield is provided. An anode includes: an anode current collector; and an anode active material layer arranged on the anode current collector, in which the anode active material layer includes an anode active material including a plurality of pores, and the rate of change in the amount of mercury intruded into the plurality of pores is distributed so as to have a peak in a diameter range from 80 nm to 1200 nm both inclusive, the amount of mercury intruded being measured by mercury porosimetry.