Top 10 Anime Characters Who Develop Over Time

Anime characters who develop either by change or by situation.
The Top Ten
1 Vegeta - Dragon Ball Z Vegeta is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama.

Vegeta. The first anti-hero in anime? A pioneer or an inspiration for characters who either turn evil or become good from evil. He's a villain who developed into a better "person"(not talking about strength) than the hero(Vegeta is better family person than goku by a mile). Not to mention he still maintained his original traits. There was nothing fishy about the transition (like how Sasuke suddenly becomes good in Naruto).

He went from a douchebag killing machine to the most loved character of the series. In a series where dying isn't a big deal his death still makes grown up people cry. I love him so much. He didn't even hold trunks when he was born and now is arguably the best father in the series. Not to mention he has the never give up attitude he will beat that kakarot one day.

Battle of Gods proved how much he progressed, becoming stronger than Goku's normal strength, showing his love for Bulma, or when he blew himself up, he showed love

He's awesome it's funny how he became bad then rude then a good guy in gt he took his daughter shopping how cute is that

2 Edward Elric - Fullmetal Alchemist/Brotherhood Edward Elric, commonly nicknamed Ed, is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Yeah, he really stays epic throughout the whole show. I mean, at the beginning he is a shrimp with a 6-pack, and he is pretty epic, but at the end, he is tall, with huge muscles, and who can't deny that killing God/Father with his own bare hands is awesome?! You go, Edward Elric!

He definitely develops more than any other character I've seen. Both in the 2003 version and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. But no matter what you, and no matter how much he has developed... Do. Not. Call. Him. Short!

Ed developed very much from being someone who is very immature to someone who matures and realizes the flaws of the world. He will always my favorite anime character no matter what.

He really has changed at the end of the series. I'm proud of him!

3 Gohan - Dragon Ball Z Son Gohan is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. Gohan is introduced as the first son of the protagonist Goku, and his wife Chi-Chi, in chapter #196 Kakarrot, first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on October 24, 1988. Chi-Chi is a strict and protective mother to Gohan, forcing him to focus on his studies and forbidding him from practicing martial arts. However, due to the various threats to the Earth, she reluctantly allows him to fight, with him ultimately becoming one of the strongest characters in the series. Gohan has been well received by both fans and critics, the latter usually citing the character's growth from his initial appearance ...read more.

He doesn't do anything anymore so no. He stop developing after Cell.

Only until Cell saga. Buu saga it all went downhill.

Nah. I loved his progress up until adulthood

4 Naruto Uzumaki - Naruto Naruto Uzumaki is a fictional character in the anime and manga franchise Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto.

Just watch the epsiode Hero of the Hidden Leaf. It shows how Naruto transitioned from a troublemaker that EVERYONE hated, except Hinata, to a hero who saved the village from Pain. Seeing everyone cheer for his return was one of the most heartwarming moments in all of anime. But to make things even better, he became the hokage and got the respect from EVERYONE. A perfect example of a zero to hero character!

I am crying right now. Vegeta on No #1 spot. Yeah cool. But Naruto should be #1 and Sasuke should be #2. Sakura should be #3.
Reason being clear. Someone said Sasuke's transition was fishy. It was not.
:')
Naruto Uzumaki for life.

He goes from zero to the most powerful ninja in the world

He is a worthy protagonist.

5 Akito Hayama - Kodocha!

At the start of the series he's an angry and unlikable character who was the leader of a gang of hoodlums who took over the classroom until Sana comes along changed all that.

6 Kaneki Ken - Tokyo Ghoul

This guy was introduced as a pure cinnamon roll then later as a scared one that needed help (he did nothing; he just wanted a date but he got turned into a ghoul like what). He later turned into a bada** sinnamon roll that depended on nobody, and they showed the development in a great way with Jason.(he didn't deserve any of this he just wanted a date poor kaneki) He changed so much in great ways in just 1 season so why isn't Kaneki number 1? (He also got like 10x hotter after the development just saying)

He is by far the character with the most development, both mentally and physically. Even when he is a badass he is always kind though

Should be number 1 has the best character change ever

7 Siena Yamada - Tenchi Muyo GXP
8 Monkey D Luffy - One Piece Monkey D. "Straw Hat" Luffy is a fictional character and the protagonist of the One Piece manga franchise created by Eiichiro Oda.

900 chapters and the only development he had is strength. He is the same guy since episode 1.

9 Meruem - Hunter x Hunter
10 Alphonse Elric - Fullmetal Alchemist/Brotherhood Alphonse Elric, commonly called Al, is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.
The Contenders
11 Simon - Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

What?! Why is he not in the top 10? A fourteen year old driller grows to be the damn supreme leader of Earth.

Went from Shinji Ikari 2.0 to the most badass pilot of Team Dai-Gurren.

No image? Just who the hell do you think he is, admin?

12 Ichigo Morino - Please Teacher!
13 Ash - Pokemon Ash Ketchum, known as Satoshi in Japan, is a fictional main character in the Pokémon franchise owned by Nintendo. Ash is training to be a Pokemon Master, with his buddy Pikachu. Ash tries to stop the evil Team Rocket from stealing his Pikachu.

I do kinda agree with this. For some reason, one time when I was watching XY, I had the feeling that Ash was more mature-it was like he knew what he was doing'.

He is so developed over time

14 Tsunayoshi Sawada - Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Tsunayoshi Sawada, commonly known as Tsuna, is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series, Katekyo Hitman Reborn!. He is the only child of Iemitsu Sawada and Nana Sawada, and a descendant of Giotto, the first generation boss of the Vongola Famiglia. He is training to become the Vongola Decimo, ...read more.
15 Sakura Haruno - Naruto Sakura Haruno is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto.

She might still be a somewhat bad character but she did grow up from the original series and her battle with Sasori showed her kicking butt. She also was smart enough to make an antidote for the poison to save Kankuro's life

She was really irritating at the beginning, but she gets better at the Shippuden thankfully.

16 Ganta Igarashi - Deadman Wonderland
17 Coby - One Piece
18 Clare - Claymore
19 Lelouch Vi Britannia - Code Geass Lelouch Lamperouge, whose real name is Lelouch vi Britannia, is the title character and protagonist of the Sunrise anime series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.

The best developed character in all of anime history.

20 Luke - Tales of the abyss

He turned from a spoilt brat with his head up his ass to a total badass

There is a lot of character development for Luke in Abyss...

His development was really strong.

21 Yona - Akatsuki no Yona Yona (ヨナ, Yona) is the titular protagonist of the manga and anime series, Akatsuki no Yona. She is the princess of the Kouka Kingdom, the only heir of Emperor Il, and the reincarnation of the Red Dragon King Hiryuu. On her 16th birthday, she was forced to flee Hiryuu Castle after her father was murdered by Soo-Won.

Went from a spoilt princess to giving the chilliest death glare even though the anime only scratches the tip of the iceberg that is Akatsuki no Yona. Total badas.

Yona, without a doubt, one of the best female leads in harem, shoujo anime. She has very well character development and it’s so fascinating!

22 Johnny Joestar - JoJo Steel Ball Run
23 Erza Scarlet - Fairy Tail Erza Scarlet is an S-Class Mage from the infamous magic guild Fairy Tail. Erza starts off as a lone wolf and stays loyal to following the rules. As the story develops Erza changes into loving mage strong and independent. As her terrible past haunts her she ignores her Nakama's calls that they want help. Erza's past starts with her working to build the dangerous tower called the Tower of Heaven also known as the R-System. Meant to resurrect Lord Zeref the evil Dark Wizard. Erza is taken back to the nightmares that she tried to run away from but failed because of her old friends holding her hostage. Having no choice but to risk her life for her Nakama she tried to fuse her body with a lacrima ...read more.

Erza? Dovelopment? don't lake me laugh and to the dumbass idiot who said erza should be 1st are u an fairytard or erzawanker or mybe both because this list about character dovelopment not skills and her PIS armors desnt count she had no development at all all she does was screaming NAKAMA!

24 InuYasha - InuYasha

Developed from a selfish brat to a selfless idiot - TheDarkOne_221b

25 Natsume Hyuuga - Gakuen Alice
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