10 Best Anime Protagonists That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Best Anime Protagonists

It’s difficult to dislike any of these ten anime heroes, even if they’re not all perfect.

The protagonist’s strength is the lifeblood of an anime. This can be stated for any type of image throughout film and television, but in the field of manga and anime, it is nearly a trope in itself. In a magazine like Shonen Jump, the main characters are always front and center, serving as the series’ mascots. Without a likable lead, a series is unlikely to succeed.

Despite the fact that not every manga or anime protagonist is likable—especially those that veer into anti-hero territory—the best anime are those that have protagonists who are impossible not to love.

1. Son Goku — (Almost) Every Anime Fan’s First Protagonist

Son Goku

Fans of Dragon Ball Super have panned the character’s current portrayal, but they will always have a soft spot for Goku.

For many anime fans, Goku was the first anime protagonist they were attached to, whether they learned about anime through Toonami or the Dragon Ball series. To this day, Goku is more popular than any other anime character since so many people grew up with him.

2. Monkey D. Luffy — A Humble Misfit Who Is Also A Glutton

There is nothing better than a story about a group of people who don’t quite fit into their environment. It is a narrative about a group of misfits, lead by the most modest of them all, Monkey D. Luffy, who has a common aim.

Fans were eager to watch Luffy fulfill his childhood dream of becoming the best pirate in the land, even if he came from poor origins as a youngster who just wanted to be something bigger than himself. In addition, his laid-back demeanor makes things easier for him.

3. Yusuke Urameshi — His First Act Was Out Of Kindness

Yusuke Urameshi

That original “Save the Cat” mentality, coined by Blake Snyder and made Christopher Reeve’s Superman instantly endearing in his movie debut, is being revived in this new film. It refers to the point in a film when a hero becomes instantaneously likable, preferably the first time he or she appears on screen.

By risking his own life in order to save a child from being hit by a car, Yusuke learns about Yu Yu Hakusho for the first time. As a result, viewers’ emotions will always be in the hands of the bully with a heart of gold.

4. Dr. Tenma — A Good Man Pushed To His Limits

When it comes to anime and manga, Naoki Urasawa’s Monster has one of the most likable heroes. While he is undoubtedly a nice person, the doctor is framed for murder and pursues the murderer who unintentionally released the evil on the globe.

When faced with a difficult choice, he makes the correct one most of the time. But the more his patience is tried, the more people hope he doesn’t make a decision that permanently taints his naturally kind heart.

5. Naruto Uzumaki — A Character Full Of Bravery And Honor

Naruto Uzumaki

Naruto, on the surface, appears to be an unlikable character. At first, he appears in the series as a child who is arrogant, brash, and a bit of an all-around joker who doesn’t take things too seriously.

Naruto, on the other hand, isn’t a moron. While he can be lighthearted at times, he also knows when it’s time to be more serious and respectful. And if he puts in the effort, he can become the strongest ninja in the series.

6. Spike Spiegel — A Protagonist Who Is Cooler Than Cool

Spike Spiegel, the main character of Cowboy Bebop, remains one of the most recognizable and well-liked anime protagonists despite the show’s short duration (just 26 episodes).

Despite the show’s lack of originality, Spike has remained popular because he’s a cool character. To say that Spike is a cross between a 1940’s film noir character like Bruce Lee and a terrible man like Spike would be an understatement.

7. Ichigo Kurosaki — He Doesn’t Run From A Fight

Ichigo Kurosaki

Animes frequently have a central character who is born with some sort of particular talent or ability, even if they haven’t fully developed it yet (i.e. Goku being born a Saiyan). Alternatively, Ichigo Kurosaki first appeared in Bleach as a normal person who happened to get a job there.

As a normal guy, he refused to back down from a confrontation, leaping into action at the first sight of a monster, even if he didn’t yet have the proper weapons to do so.

8. Ash Ketchum — A Character Filled With Child-Like Wonder

To view the true Pokémon, everyone watches Pokémon. Despite the fact that no one can deny it, Ash Ketchum has remained the central character in all of the franchise’s subsequent spinoffs. When the Pokémon monsters are the main attraction, anyone can play the role of the principal human hero, but Ash is loved by fans.

Children who grew up appreciating the boy’s sense of wonder and resolve to “capture them all,” attributed this to his childlike wonder and determination.

9. Edward Elric — He Changes People For The Better

Edward Elric

Both Edward Elric and Dr. Kenzo Tenma leave a great effect on the people they meet, just like their characters. All of Edward’s acquaintances can witness to his strong character and to having learned something from him that transformed their lives for the better after meeting him.

Seeing how uncommon it is to find someone like Edward, his admirers see him as a unicorn who ought to be cherished.

10. Saitama — From Common Man To One Punch Man

Even if Saitama’s inclusion may be controversial because he has previously been the topic of a great deal of debate and controversy, he is nonetheless a lot of fun to watch. People are drawn to Saitama because they have seen him demonstrate heroic qualities long before he became a superhero.

Even though he was just a regular Joe, he showed heroic courage in his everyday life. Once you’ve achieved the status of hero, all of those attributes have been amplified tenfold.