top 20 anime protagnists

Introduction

Anime has always been a popular form of entertainment, with its unique storytelling and vibrant characters. One of the main reasons anime is so beloved is because of its protagonists. These characters are often the driving force behind the story, and they are the ones viewers root for from beginning to end. Over the years, there have been countless anime protagonists, but some have stood out above the rest. In this article, we will be discussing the top 20 anime protagonists of all time.

Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Monkey D. Luffy is the protagonist of the popular anime and manga series One Piece. He is a young pirate with the ability to stretch his body like rubber, thanks to eating the Gomu Gomu no Mi Devil Fruit. Luffy is known for his carefree attitude, unwavering determination, and loyalty to his crew. He sets out on a journey to become the Pirate King and find the ultimate treasure known as the One Piece.

Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Naruto Uzumaki is the protagonist of the hit anime and manga series Naruto. He is a young ninja from the hidden leaf village with a dream of becoming Hokage, the leader of his village. Naruto is known for his determination, never-give-up attitude, and kind heart. He has the ability to use chakra to perform powerful jutsu and is always willing to put himself in harm's way to protect his friends and village.

Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Edward Elric is the protagonist of the popular anime and manga series Fullmetal Alchemist. He is a young alchemist with a metal arm and leg after losing his real ones in an attempt to bring his mother back to life. Edward is known for his quick wit, determination, and intelligence. He sets out on a journey with his younger brother, Alphonse, to find the Philosopher's Stone, which will allow them to restore their bodies.

Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

Ichigo Kurosaki is the protagonist of the hit anime and manga series Bleach. He is a high school student with the ability to see ghosts and the power to become a Soul Reaper. Ichigo is known for his courage, loyalty, and sense of justice. He sets out on a journey to protect his friends and the Soul Society from evil forces.

Goku (Dragon Ball)

Goku is the protagonist of the iconic anime and manga series Dragon Ball. He is a Saiyan warrior with the ability to transform into a Super Saiyan and perform powerful attacks like the Kamehameha. Goku is known for his pure heart, love of fighting, and unwavering determination. He sets out on a journey to protect Earth from evil forces and become the strongest warrior in the universe.

Yusuke Urameshi (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Yusuke Urameshi is the protagonist of the classic anime and manga series Yu Yu Hakusho. He is a teenage delinquent with the ability to see supernatural beings and the power to become a Spirit Detective. Yusuke is known for his brash personality, loyalty, and compassion. He sets out on a journey to protect the human world from demons and other supernatural threats.

Gon Freecss (Hunter x Hunter)

Gon Freecss is the protagonist of the popular anime and manga series Hunter x Hunter. He is a young boy with the ability to use Nen, a powerful energy that can be harnessed for various purposes. Gon is known for his kindness, determination, and sense of adventure. He sets out on a journey to become a Hunter like his father and find his dad who left him at a young age.

Light Yagami

Light Yagami is the protagonist of the psychological thriller anime and manga series Death Note. He is a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. Light becomes known as Kira and sets out to rid the world of criminals, believing he is creating a utopia. He is known for his intelligence, cunningness, and strong sense of justice, which becomes twisted as he descends into madness.

Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

Spike Spiegel is the protagonist of the iconic anime series Cowboy Bebop. He is a bounty hunter with a dark past and a mysterious personality. Spike is known for his cool demeanor, skill in martial arts and marksmanship, and his love for jazz music. He sets out on a journey with his crew on the spaceship Bebop to catch criminals and collect bounties.

Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)

Simon is the protagonist of the mecha anime series Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. He is a young boy who lives underground in a world ruled by the Spiral King. Simon is known for his meek personality and lack of confidence at the start of the series, but as he gains power, he becomes a strong and inspiring leader. He sets out on a journey to defeat the Spiral King and take back control of the world.

Saitama (One-Punch Man)

Saitama is the protagonist of the action-comedy anime and manga series One-Punch Man. He is a superhero who can defeat any enemy with a single punch, which has left him bored and unfulfilled. Saitama is known for his deadpan humor, unassuming appearance, and powerful strength. He sets out on a journey to find a worthy opponent and restore his passion for heroism.

Gonzo Okkotsu (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Gonzo Okkotsu is the protagonist of the dark fantasy anime and manga series Jujutsu Kaisen. He is a high school student with a cursed past and the ability to use cursed energy to perform powerful jujutsu. Gonzo is known for his compassion, determination, and willingness to sacrifice himself for his friends. He sets out on a journey to become a jujutsu sorcerer and protect humanity from cursed spirits.

Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Tanjiro Kamado is the protagonist of the action-fantasy anime and manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He is a young boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is killed by demons, leaving his younger sister Nezuko as the only survivor, but as a demon. Tanjiro is known for his kindness, compassion, and fierce determination to protect his sister and eradicate the demons. He sets out on a journey to find a cure for Nezuko and become the strongest demon slayer.

Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)

Senku Ishigami is the protagonist of the science-fiction anime and manga series Dr. Stone. He is a high school student with a genius-level intellect and a passion for science. Senku is known for his logic, wit, and determination to rebuild civilization after a mysterious event turns all of humanity to stone. He sets out on a journey to revive his friends and restore modern technology to the world.

Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)

Eren Yeager is the protagonist of the dark fantasy anime and manga series Attack on Titan. He is a young man who lives in a world where humanity is confined to cities surrounded by walls to protect themselves from man-eating Titans. Eren is known for his strong will, determination, and intense desire for revenge against the Titans who killed his mother. He sets out on a journey to join the military and fight against the Titans, eventually uncovering dark secrets about his world and his own identity.

Kenshin Himura (Rurouni Kenshin)

Kenshin Himura is the protagonist of the historical fiction anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin. He is a former assassin during the Meiji Restoration in Japan, who has since become a wandering samurai seeking to atone for his past sins. Kenshin is known for his swordsmanship skills, humility, and kindness. He sets out on a journey to protect the innocent and live a peaceful life, but is often forced to confront his violent past.

Yuuji Itadori (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Yuuji Itadori is the protagonist of the dark fantasy anime and manga series Jujutsu Kaisen. He is a high school student with exceptional physical abilities and a love for helping others. Yuuji is known for his bravery, optimism, and determination to protect his friends. He sets out on a journey to become a jujutsu sorcerer and fight against cursed spirits, while also trying to save his own life after ingesting a cursed object.

Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Monkey D. Luffy is the protagonist of the long-running adventure anime and manga series One Piece. He is a young pirate with the ability to stretch his body like rubber, obtained through eating a Devil Fruit. Luffy is known for his carefree and energetic personality, his love for adventure, and his determination to become the Pirate King. He sets out on a journey with his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, to find the ultimate treasure, the One Piece.

Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Naruto Uzumaki is the protagonist of the popular anime and manga series Naruto. He is a young ninja with a dream of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village. Naruto is known for his determination, optimism, and never-give-up attitude. He sets out on a journey to become stronger and protect his friends and village, while also uncovering the secrets of his past and his connection to the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)

Izuku Midoriya, also known as Deku, is the protagonist of the superhero anime and manga series My Hero Academia. He is a high school student who was born without a Quirk, a special power that most people in his world possess. Despite this, Izuku has a strong desire to become a hero, inspired by his idol, All Might. He is known for his determination, bravery, and intelligence. Izuku sets out on a journey to attend a prestigious hero school and become a hero himself, using his own wits and resources to overcome challenges and protect others.

Conclusion

The anime genre is known for its diverse range of characters, and the protagonists listed above are no exception. From shonen action heroes to mecha pilots, from high school students to wandering samurai, each of these characters brings a unique perspective and story to their respective series.

While each protagonist has their own strengths and weaknesses, they all share certain qualities that make them compelling and relatable to viewers. Whether it's their determination, their sense of justice, or their willingness to protect others, these characters embody the traits that many people aspire to have in their own lives.

As the anime industry continues to evolve and produce new series, it's certain that there will be many more unforgettable protagonists to come. But for now, these top 20 protagonists stand out as some of the most beloved and iconic characters in anime history.

In addition to their individual qualities, these protagonists also represent larger themes and ideas within their respective series. For example, characters like Goku and Naruto embody the idea of never giving up and always striving to become stronger, while characters like Shinji and Eren explore themes of trauma and survival in the face of unimaginable horrors.

These characters also serve as role models for many viewers, particularly younger audiences. Watching a character overcome challenges and achieve their goals can be inspiring and motivating, and can help viewers develop their own sense of determination and perseverance.

Overall, the top 20 anime protagonists represent a diverse range of characters and stories, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. From action-packed shonen series to introspective character studies, these protagonists have left a lasting impact on the anime industry and continue to be beloved by fans around the world.