Anime Fans: Who's the best Shōnen Protagonist?

[Joshydavid25]

Goku

Naruto Uzumaki

Ichigo Kurosaki

Monkey D Luffy

Izuku Midoriya

Tanjiro Kamado

Other

[7Phoenix7]

Goku is my pick from these... BUT I think Light Yagami from Death Note is one of the most interesting main characters

Lol

[wiltingrosepetal]

Light is my favourite main character in pretty much all of fiction, but he's not part of a shonen 🙃

[7Phoenix7]

@wiltingrosepetal u sure? I thought it was.

[wiltingrosepetal]

Oh nevermind, I googled it- Death Note was posted to Shonen Jump but a lot of people argue about its genre. Found a website that said: 'Death Note was made for an older audience than most Shonen which is why it doesn't have the same feeling' which summarises my thoughts on it.
It does has some of the typical structure: teen guy gets magical powers and becomes the very best like no one ever was. But it doesn't have the aging mentor, clearly evil villain, or 'will they won't they' romance. A very interesting Shonen 🤔

[7Phoenix7]

@wiltingrosepetal yea, definitely not the same feel, its on the darker side. And I agree seems more geared towards an older audience. It's very interesting lol I like L too

[Joshydavid25]

🤔🤔.. You found him interesting... Or inspirational.. 😂😂..

[7Phoenix7]

@Joshydavid25 stop trying to expose me 😆

The answer is YES. Lol

[Joshydavid25]

[Anonymous]

Killua and Gon. Hunter x Hunter started off with being the main character, but the writer wanted to add darker themes into the stories and didn't feel like Gon would work that, so he made Killua and Gon as one character. Hunter X Hunter isn't a planned story; he just improvises for flaws in it, and it's really cool to see what he can come up with on the fly.

They are two characters who act as one. Gon is optimistic and helps bring up Killua's mode when he's down. Killua acts as Gon's voice reasoning when Gon gets too ahead of himself.

[Joshydavid25]

True Killua was like a foil to Gon, which is why they worked.. Hope Togashi puts them back in the game and that their story didn't end yet..

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah, he released the ending just in case he passed away recently. He has multiple endings for it. I want to see the one that he said most people would dissatisfied with. Lol, he only released that happy ending.

But that's how he usually writes. He likes building stuff up and leaving with no payoff, or he gives a payoff with no build-up. I want that dissatisfying ending. That's his best, and that's why he doesn't share it.

[Joshydavid25]

I heard he did that.. Somebody told me that his wife wanted to take other and to the manga for him.. I guess he's so particularly that he probably doesn't trust anybody to at least draw it. But yeah I noticed something like that with Yu Yu Hakusho.. The going against expectations..

[HawkPerception]

Out of these it's a really tough choice. They all had such incredible character growth throughout each of their series, especially Goku, Naruto, and Tanjiro. I'm gonna go with Tanjiro. I think he's had the most character growth, but it's extremely subjective and I'm not saying it's a for sure answer.

[Joshydavid25]

Most definitely.. Super did Goku dirty though.. Regressed his character to a clown who only likes to fight and doesn't know what kissing is.. LOL.. And only has a few moments of his growth in Z.. Tanjiro is a great choice..

[HawkPerception]

I completely agree with you on that point in Super. I was really disappointed. Dragonball, the first part of the series was the best

[Joshydavid25]

Oh, yeah Dragon Ball is definitely the best. There was so much charm, humor, and character growth in the series.. By the end it felt like a complete story you could be satisfied with..

[wiltingrosepetal]

If you consider AOT a Shonen then I'm going with Eren

[Joshydavid25]

I would've put Eren up there, but I think AOT eventually became a Seinen Anime because it got too dark..

[PeachyPie93]

I'm gonna say Renton from Eureka 7. I just really liked him and it was fun watching him go through trials and tribulations while becoming more mature and change. Back when I was a teen I related to him a lot. lol

[Joshydavid25]

That makes sense.. He seemed like a more "realistic" shonen protagonist..

[PeachyPie93]

Yeah I think I always been more into "realistic" characters like Shinji from Eva or Light from Death note.
Though if I was to pick one I thought was pretty cool, I guess I do really like Itadori from Jujitsu Kaisen rn.

[Joshydavid25]

Light is more realistic to you huh? 😨🤔🤔.. JK.. 😂..

Itadori is good.. I also like him.. He reminds me of Gon from Hunter X Hunter in a way, except JJK doesn't emphasize Itadori's craziness in a Hunter X Hunter does with Gon.. But Itadori's until recently hardly seemed like the main character.. 😂

[Joshydavid25]

Like Hunter X Hunter does with Gon**

[PeachyPie93]

Yeah I was totally on his side through the whole show, but it was hilarious when Ryuk did him dirty hahaha, I though he got a good ending 🤣

I have yet to watch Hunter x Hunter. But I get what you mean Itadori doesn't seem like the main character LOL I guess that is why they had to put Gojo away to let him have some cool air time too🤣
I kind of wish we could see more of Sukuna tho lol.

[Joshydavid25]

Really? Cause I mean he was basically the villain throughout the show.. I was rooting for L, and think he got what he deserved as well.. Lmao..

Well it's good.. It's a bit slower and more methodical than JJK, but you probably won't even notice.. LOL.. And well, the mangaka didn't even like Gojo.. They thought he was too overpowered.. Lmao.. How authors dislike their own characters so much is beyond me.. And well in the manga they show a lot more of Sukuna. Let's just say that..

[PeachyPie93]

I don't know why but I always like a good villain. NGL I personally was happy when he took L out, I didn't like him at all.
I tend to really like guys like Ramsey Bolton, I sort of relate to them. Plus their evilness is just fun to watch and when they die it isn't sad, because they deserve it🤣

It has been on my plan to watch list for a few years, hopefully I get to it soon.
Gojo is the best, and he is hilarious, I don't know why they wouldn't like him.
Interesting, If I didn't hate reading action in manga I would read it but I feel action doesn't fit the media, since a lot of times its hard to get what is happening. Like I read Naruto and it was hard to process some drawings, much better to watch action anime.

[Joshydavid25]

Aw yeah, I like a good villain too, just to watch them get defeated.. Lmao.. And... You can sort of relate to them? 😨😂.. I've never been into a protagonist being a villain or becoming one.. Which is why for a long time I didn't like Death note.. But that's an interesting perspective.. 😂..

Of course.. When you want to, you'll get to it.. LOL.. Gojo is cool, a bit overrated though.. in my opinion.. I mean I like him, and he's pretty good character, but I mean.. People are just going a bit too crazy over him.. 😂.. And that makes sense.. Action in manga is not always easy to tell.. But I like using my imagination.. You would definitely be more confused with JJKs action in the manga..

[PeachyPie93]

Yeah makes sense, most people don't like villains as protagonists lol. Hahaha And don't worry I am a nice villain 🤣

I like how funny and nonchalant he is. I liked him more in season 1 because you see more of his humor.
And yeah I probably couldn't read it.. but I love reading Shoujo manga tho :D

[Joshydavid25]

Yeah, for good reason too.. Cause villains are villains.. LOL.. I mean I did like Breaking Bad and Dexter though.. Dexter wasn't a villain just a killer, but at least a killer of killers.. LOL.. I rooted for Walt in the beginning, but as the series kept going, I was waiting for his demise.. Lmao.. And aw okay so a type of villain off of those sour then sweet commercials? 😂

Makes sense.. He was very chill, mainly cause no situation was dangerous to him.. LOL.. And of course you would like girly manga... Eeeeww cooties.. Lmao.. JK..

[PeachyPie93]

Yeah both really good shows :D Yeah Walt did get out of hand, by that point I was just getting sick of the show because he got his BIL killed too for no reason hahaha
Aww so mean! im cooler than that 🤣

LOL yeah and when he pulled out his pretty eyes for the first time :P
Of course I do!! I love romance lol :*

[Joshydavid25]

True, at least the first half of Dexter was good.. And totally agree.. Walt was getting too crazy.. LOL.. And, alright, so like one of those villains that never die and even help the heroes out from time to time only to begrudgingly part ways with a mutual respect for each other? 😂

The six eyes are beautiful.. Gojo is basically an overpowered, prettier Kakashi.. 😂.. And well I can't blame you.. I do like a little romance too.. 😜

[PeachyPie93]

Yeah it started going down hill when that Lila girl came lol.
Of course, sounds like a decent villain, or maybe I would be a shitty villain like Sasuke. I just threaten everyone's life but actually don't do anything, then come together at the end to fight with everyone lol

Yes he pretty much is a stronger, better looking Kakashi.
Nice, I think everyone has a little love for romance :P

[Joshydavid25]

Most definitely.. And Sasuke wasn't a nice villain... 😂😂.. He was a little boy trying to be a villain but kept forgetting that he's not the main Character.. Just because he got a little bit of that good old plot armor.. Lmao.. I mean I understood him though.. I would be discombobulated if my brother was forced to murder my clan in front of me too..

True, Kakashi is better written though.. That smile when he told Sasuke that everyone he cared for was already dead hit hard.. Oh, yeah Itazura na kiss is one of my favorites.. Although what's a villain doing like romance? 🤔😂.

[PeachyPie93]

Well yeah he hated his brother for so long and then to find out the massacre happened because of the village. I defo get his feelings, but I just wanted him to kill Orochimaru, maybe Sakura and some others but he didn't so he kind of disappointed me, he is too nice to be real villain lol

Yeah that is true, he defo has more depth. But an over powered person is just so much more exciting lol. That is one lots of guys liked, I liked it but I felt it was wrapped up a little too perfect.
Maybe I am a villain because of romance 🤣

[Joshydavid25]

"maybe Sakura and some others but he didn't so he kind of disappointed me, he is too nice to be real villain lol"

😂😂😂.. Aw you are cold for that.. You truly are a villain.. Kishimoto wanted some redemption for Sasuke, so going on a killing spree especially of the Konoha 13 wouldn't be possible if he killed people like... Well okay maybe for a lot of people he could have killed Sakura.. So maybe you are like Sasuke..

I mean, yeah I guess it is more exciting with an OP character... Well, at least with Gojo his abilities are uniquely OP.. Got a little science involved..
Hahahaha.. Yeah maybe not enough villains in there to really spice it up For you. 😂.. You know that would make sense.. And that would already make you a better villain than Sasuke. 😂..

[NathanDavis]

I'll have to think about this one... as I usually don't focus on the main character but the secondary ones... lol

[NathanDavis]

well... yes, it has to be Naruto

I really didn't get frustrated with him... and he also has some parts of Kakashi, Jiraya and even Minato...

[Joshydavid25]

You didn't get frustrated by Naruto? Damn... A lot of people would find Naruto the least interesting out of the bunch.. LOL.. Although, I like Naruto..

[NathanDavis]

being frustrated with... and finding someone interesting/not interesting would be two different things, lol...

to me... many main characters are frustrating for any or other reason, lol... but I think Naruto was always consistent, mostly if not always

and you see.. he lost someone before he knew, he lost the one he knew the most, he lost a few who meant a lot to him too, but he never lost himself nor his one genuine goal... so I can relate to a bit of that

[Joshydavid25]

They could be frustrated because they thought he wasn't the most interesting even in his own series.. 😂... It what they say not me.. I agree I love characters that stick to their goals and principles.. Most Shonen protagonist are inspirational in my eyes even if kinda insane..

[NathanDavis]

800 episodes? lmao... there was plenty of developed characters, and even secondary ones who only had highlights and made a quick appearance... many others would be way more interesting that's the thing, lol

[Joshydavid25]

Aw yeah, of course and that's what a lot people are saying.. That the side characters are more interesting than Naruto himself.. I don't necessarily agree.. Or maybe I just prefer the Main characters because the story is about them and their journey primarily..

[aceleon]

naruto, for never giving up on sasuke and be the most trustworthy people you can met.

[Joshydavid25]

That's his Ninja Way..

[Fuentes]

I don't watch animals but dud like dbz so I choose goku

[Joshydavid25]

Hahahaha.. I knew you would pick Goku..

[Fuentes]

Anime*** why u know that? Cause he's the best hahahaha

[strateguy632]

Izuku by far

[Joshydavid25]

Izuku was finally shown some love.. Haha..

[Thestupidusername]

Tanjiro

[Joshydavid25]

The Nichirin King.. LOL..

[Thestupidusername]

👀👀

[OGname2]

Goku always

[Joshydavid25]

Always.. 🫡..

[TheSpaceGnome]

Goku.

[Joshydavid25]

Goku FTW!..

[TheSpaceGnome]

Goku always wins, even when he loses he still finds a way to win.

[Joshydavid25]

You're not wrong about that one.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Thats not why he's better than the others though. His personality is why he's better. If more people had that kind of personality, the world would be a much better place. Flat character arc is best character arc.

[TheSpaceGnome]

[Joshydavid25]

Oh, yeah that's almost Naruto and Luffy's arc too.. But they did have a little character growth as well.. Super messed Goku up though.. They regressed his character..

[TheSpaceGnome]

yeah dbz goku was better in my opinion. the regression technically doesn't count because the japanese dub he was always like that, but I liked the hero mentality the American dub gave him even if it wasn't what the voice actors were supposed to do.

[Joshydavid25]

True.. I think the Japanese made him less like Superman or Superman-ish, and he was more like... Luffy mixed in with Naruto.. In Super he's closer to Luffy without so much of the charm..

[TheSpaceGnome]

Yep, US version in Z is definitely superman brained as an adult. Japanese version he kept his child persona the entire time.