Top Ten Best Anime Protagonists

Went from angry shounen boi who gets powers, to realizing he wasn't that special. From there, he grows and grows more mature and eventually, in the world where good and bad are not defined, he becomes a monster that you really can't blame him for becoming. Masterful character, I don't think anyone can top him.

Great Protagonist. His character development from S1 - S4 has been superb. Has one of the greatest character development in anime history. His hair in S4 has made my Day :). Turned from a hot headed wannabe, to a psychopathic, reckless tyrant. Will do anything to annihilate the city Marley and get revenge for his mother.

Despite his initial annoying personality, eren grows into one of the greatest characters EVER. The moral complexity of eren is brilliant, his relationship with the other characters is great, and his initial ideals of freedom become something twisted and truly terrifying.

Don't judge a book by its cover; his initial insufferable personality is all a ruse to make you think he's a generic, non-special character, but he's written in a very specific way and develops into one of the most well-written, complicated, entertaining, and humane characters in anime/manga.

Best character of all time in my opinion, he is a smart shounen anime protagonist unlike most other shounen protagonist. What I like about him in both FMA series is how he would sacrifice everything just to getbhis brother's body back. In FMA03 one of the most emotional scene is when Ed sacrifice himself to get his brother back but in expense of him going to the other side of the gate, probably wouldn't meet his brother again. But, that scene is really heartbreaking because at the end we never see a happy ending with two brothers meeting each other again with their wish became granted.

The GOAT. FMA had the perfect style, FMAB had the perfect plot. Fun fact: Ed's door of truth is the 10 sephiroth. Took me 20yrs to find and understand that, but my lazy quest finally found success.

I'm assuming many people here hasn't seen FMA Brotherhood. To make things fair, neither have I. While Eren Jaeger and Rin Okumura make for good protagonists, I know for a fact that Edward Elric might not make for a protagonist with a character seen a lot in real life, but he is truly a special and noble one. Watch the series to see why.

Such an amazing protagonist, one of the GOAT in this list

Loved him in dragon Ball. Love him even more in DBZ. My favourite progranist in anime. Love his personality and dedication to get stronger. Love the eating moments the most.

He showed Vegeta and Frieza mercy! After all they did, all the people they killed, he gave them a second chance! Also, we watch him grow as a person, become a father, become a grandfather, and he saved the planet, what, more than 10 times? He even saved the entire GALAXY! Goku definitely would be at my number 1 favorite anime, no even character in anything.

Inspiring, tough, creative, cheerful, happy, funny, kind, caring, pure-hearted, courageous, strong-willed, friendly, brave,… Simply epic. Goku is the best. He's number one!

The original anime superman. Every shonen hero since is an imitation.

His sense of justice is so twisted and at the same time interesting. His way of talking and living is interesting and his past is a very weird one.

Needs to get some sleep. Mans need therapy as well, I mean have you seen how he sits on a chair? No manners Fam

The Greatest Fictional Character Ever

Cute smile

Just watch code geass. This man is easily the best anime protagonist all time.

"If the king doesn't lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?"

He is a god damn legend and will always be myt most favorite anime character of all time.

Now here's the GOAT, what a character, what a protagonist

One word: Psychopath. Mans on another level. His genius is on par with Tony Stank. Mans is so evil after touching da note book. Kira has taken over light and Light is no longer with us anymore.

Doesn't have the best physical shape but never underestimate his brains

his battle with l is amazing

Freak of nature

should be higher

good ranking

it's so cool how he isn't this "perfect" protagonist.

Ever since he was a child, he had a stubborn personality and people started calling him a 'demon'. He was frustrated about this because he didn't want to believe it. After a few years, he found out that he is indeed a half-demon, the son of Satan. After Satan killed his foster father, Shiro Fujimoto, the strongest Paladin (highest-ranked Exorcist) of all time be killed right infront of his eyes, he swears to kill Satan and gain revenge. A certain Mephisto invites him to True cross Academy where he will be getting lessons on how to be an Exorcist. His powers as the son of Satan is sealed in a certain "Kurikara" sword. Rin can be lazy and funny at times. Okay dude, ALL THE TIME. that's why I like him so much. Not bad for a demon.

Rin is the best. He gets hated, feared and has to go through a lot of pain and he is still standing throughout it!

The best oddball ever

He looks edgy.

Naruto is a great protagonist. His character development has been great, as he has shown to mature as the series progress. He has finally achieved his dreams if being a hokage, but has not turned out the way he has envisioned it. Love him so much

He helps everyone in his way tries to save people costing his own life maturing from his birth slowly without even us realizing because he had that one thing in his heart he never lost sight of.. he accepting his past self and his love for his people even though they left him all alone and saving them and his journey toward hokage from child to father was worth it and it teached a lot through the show...

Naruto is a very relatable character his childhood 2 is adulthood shows how much he has grown and forgiving enemies is questionable but Naruto tries to show the bigger picture and he sees the bigger picture you can't fight hate with hate Naruto did achieve stopping the cycle of hatred I'm truly proud to say Naruto should be top five

He is the most inspirational protagonist amongst all anime characters.

Never seen the anime, but I don't like it anyway. not interested in a guy who is called a monkey and acts like a fxcking monkey. Might as well call him the next Optimus Primal

Love him! He is funny and so awesome

Mugiwara the best

You crazy if you don’t put him higher

definitely one of the best protagonist of all times his development is awesome and his life story is also so sad :(

Deku is a great character. Yes, he may come across as a wimp who cries a lot, but has matured a lot and now learns the responsibilities of his quirk. He has shown to get stronger as the series goes and will succeed his goal in being the next NO.1 Hero

I can't believe Eren Jaeger got more votes than this fluffy little otaku. Midoriya needs all the hugs and is surprisingly nuanced and interesting for a protagonist who's generally a very nice guy already. I love his growth and how he makes others around him grow.

I love midoriya as a character. A socially awkward, quirkless teen that gets bullied almost his whole life because of his shortcomings but he meets someone who gives him powers so now he can fulfill his lifes dream. Amazing character and plot. 10/10

Mah boi Izuku needs some representation on this list. I’m biased because he reminds me of myself to a T but isn’t that the sign of your favorite protagonist? I don’t know. I just wanted to represent my favorite green headed boy.

What can I say? This guy is hilarious. Mans has had his brain cells clapped the day he was born. Dusty Yute. His humour was fantastic in but, but decreased a lot in SC. Missed his humour before, but is still a funny protagonist and has his moments. My second favourite JOJO in JOJO BA

Joseph Joestar is an amazing character in Battle Tendency. Clumsy, but badass. Goofy, but hyper-intelligent. Comic, but sentimental (I cried at a certain part, and chances are you did too if your heart isn't made of stone). One of the most expressive characters you'll ever see, every moment he is on screen is endless entertainment.

Unlike most anime heroes, Joseph's fights are not won by brute strength. Instead, he takes down enemies massively stronger than him with ingenuity, mind games, and pure luck. The fact that his raw power is relatively modest (in terms of anime) also makes him a more relatable character, and you can almost put yourself in his shoes.

This guy pretty much single-handedly made Battle Tendency the best JJBA. Well, him and Speedwagon.

Respect.

I know what you're going to say next: "Why isn't Joesph higher on this list? "

He is the GOAT change my mind

Love this show I love the moments when he gets motion sickness

He is amazing in all ways

Goku with a brain and personality and motivation beyond enjoying a challenge. Ichigo is a gentleman and a badass.

most underrated anime character

no wont kill you

Greatest Protagonist in the history of fiction

Shinji, please get in the giant robot.

He’s the most realistic and relatable protagonist I’ve ever seen

gay brother

Gotta catch em all! Or at least gotta catch Pikachu, Charizard, Greeninja, Lucario, Infernape, and Sceptile for the win.

Just Yes. Funniest and I identify myself a lot with him

He is the funniest protagonist of all time!