Summary
Battle shōnen animeare some of the most popular stories because it’s always fun when two characters duke it out, even more sowhen superpowers are involved. It’s always interesting to see different abilities clash and the way characters interact. Action-oriented anime likeNarutoandOne Pieceare some of the most well-known and recognizable of these series.
Unfortunately, most of them are in the shōnen category and have male protagonists to cater to an audience of young and teenage boys. In general,female characters in shōnenare often pretty bland or simple compared to their male counterparts. It’s only when these women are given a leading role that they are meaningfully fleshed out and developed.
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Shōnen protagonists have some very specific traits, andMedaka Kurokamihas all of them. Not only is she bold, charismatic, and a natural leader, but she’s also a superhuman with incredible abilities. Like other main characters, her special powers are incredibly versatile, allowing her to use and master the powers of others just by experiencing them once.
Of course, it’s not just her strength that makes her a great protagonist. Medaka sees the best in people and believes that everyone has a chance at redemption if they’re willing to try. Her overwhelming personality and bold way of thinking attract followers of her ideals. She always does what she believes to be the best for everyone.
She may seem like an ordinary middle schooler, butMisakais actually one of the strongest people in her story.Of the seven Level 5 espers, she’s the third strongest with her ability to control electricity to the highest degree. She’s nicknamed the “Railgun” because of her signature move that shoots an electromagnetic cannon at her enemies.
Mikoto has an upright attitude and a clear sense of justice, providing aid to crime-fighting organizations around the city. Despite being heralded as a genius, she actually started off as a Level 1 esper and gained her current rank through sheer hard work. She’s a much more grounded protagonist, but one who still has problems in her daily life.
On the surface,Clareseems calm and collected, but underneath her frosty exterior is the fire and passion most would expect of a main character. The story ofClaymorerevolves around her quest for revenge, and to achieve her goals, she constantly acts recklessly while taking assignments and fighting monsters. She’s incredibly focused and determined.
Clare is one of the best female protagonists written in the shōnen category. The growth and progression of her character are incredibly well-written. She goes from being a loner to being a leader and from theweakest to one of the strongest. She’s incredibly fierce and loyal, while also being sympathetic to enemies who were made villains due to unfortunate circumstances.
Undead Unluck
Unlikely heroes are some of the best protagonists because it’s fun to see their journey from timid bystander to their own savior.Fuuko Izumois similar.Due to her poor luck, she decided to die once her favorite manga ended, but with the help of Andy, she’s able to overcome her insecurities and become a stronger person.
Despite the number of terrible things that have happened in her life, Fuuko remains optimistic and hopeful. Later in the story, she becomes a great leader and undergoes one of the greatest trials a human can face for the sake of saving the world. Her development from a naive and downtrodden girl to a capable and powerful leader is one of the best in anime.
After many years of nice protagonists who want the best for everyone,Tanyais a huge splash in the anime pool. She is a calculating, cold-hearted person who only works for her own benefit. Her standoffish nature and psychopathic behavior often alienate her from her fellow soldiers, but she truly doesn’t care.
Of course, her skills in combat are the biggest strength in her character. Tanya is capable of defeating entire platoons on her own using advanced flying techniques, along with magic and weaponry, very effectively. Her best moments by far are the ones on the front lines of a battlefield. Although she’d like to retire from the war, it’s her battle prowess that many fans love.
With the release of theDandadananime, many viewers are falling in love withMomo Ayase. For many, she is a breath of fresh air, especially in a category that doesn’t always represent women well. She acts like a normal person and doesn’t have any huge personality quirks that often come with anime. Instead, Momo is an incredibly well-rounded character.
Given the nature ofDandadan’sstory, battles often come in different shapes and sizes. Momo’spsychic powers allow for great versatility, and she can quickly adapt to most situations. From making things float to controlling mechas, she’s able to find a creative solution to any problem. As such, she rightly has great confidence in her skills and abilities.
When it comes to anime,JoJo’s Bizarre Adventurestands out as one of the most bombastic series ever, featuring some of the most unique and stylized characters to exist.Jolyne Cujohis said to be one of the best protagonists to come from the series due to her incredible character growth and her differences from other Joestars. Her journey from common delinquent to proud warrior is amazing to behold.
Many also call her one of the cleverest and smartest Joestars, using her Stand in new, creative ways in each fight. Stone Free wasn’tas strong as other Stands, but its flexibility allowed Jolyne to show her real potential. Many believeStone Oceandidn’t provide a substantial platform for her to really shine as much as she should have.
Makais one of the most iconic anime characters from the 2000s, especially as one of the few female shōnen protagonists at the time. She’s determined, confident, and very smart, and these traits are seen in both her grades in school and in her confrontations with villains. Despite her abilities, she isn’t infallible. A large part of the story is about her insecurities creating conflicts.
As a meister and fighter, she’s incredibly skilled at using scythes of all types, not just her partner, Soul Eater. She’s recognized by teachers at Death Weapon Meister Academy asone of the best of her age, and she’s capable of fighting high-profile enemies like witches. As a shōnen protagonist, Maka also has rare, unique features like her anti-demon wavelength and a Grigori Soul.
