Top 10 Best Anime Protagonists of All Time

When you think about what makes an anime protagonist truly unforgettable, it's rarely just about flashy powers or epic battles. The best anime leads are the ones who stick with you long after the credits roll, the ones whose struggles, choices, and victories feel personal. They're complex, flawed, and sometimes downright frustrating, but that's exactly what makes them feel real. Whether they're fighting for justice, seeking revenge, or just trying to survive in a world stacked against them, these characters carry the weight of their stories on their shoulders.

This list isn't just about popularity contests or who can shout the loudest in battle. It's about the characters who define their series, push the story forward, and leave you thinking about them long after the final episode. You'll find heroes who challenged the world around them, anti-heroes whose dark paths made their journeys even more gripping, and dreamers who fought tooth and nail for what they believed in.

The Top Ten

Eren Yeager - Attack on Titan

Eren Yeager, spelled Eren Jaeger in the Funimation dub, is a fictional character appearing as the protagonist of the manga series Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama. He is a former member of the Scout Regiment and becomes the inheritor of the Attack Titan power. Throughout the series, Eren plays a central... read more

S1 - He's angry.
S2 - He's betrayed.
S3 - He's lost.
S4 - He's a MONSTER.
And his name is... Eren Jaeger.
Simply being one of the best characters of all time, Eren tops the Shingeki no Kyojin cast, along with many other anime characters, with his superb character development. He might as well be in the top 10 anime characters in history. But does he deserve it? Indeed.
Isayama-sensei knew what he was doing with this character. He made every single one of us think he's just a generic shonen MC with no unique traits and later reveals a masterpiece. Eren is not generic. He's special, since the day he was born.
From an angry and whiny wimp who cried for his mother's death, he developed into a mature person who knows how the world evolves around him. You might think he has similar goals to other protagonists, but you're mistaken, and I'll tell you exactly why.
Other shonen protagonists: I hate how this world has become. I'll change it!
Eren Jaeger: This world has always been the same, and I hate it, but at the same time, I am not someone special to change it. That's why I'll destroy it.
I hope that made you realize how well-written Eren is.
Lelouch Lamperouge - Code Geass

Lelouch Lamperouge is the alias used by Lelouch vi Britannia, the protagonist of the anime series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion created by Sunrise. He is a former prince of the Holy Britannian Empire who seeks to overthrow the oppressive regime using his alter ego, Zero. The series explores themes... read more

Greatest MC ever. Intelligent (classic intelligence and emotional intelligence), motivated, drives the action, yet very emotional and human, compassionate for the people he cares about. Thoroughly enjoyed Lelouch in action.

Easily the best character here. His character development is top-notch, and his character arc ties up perfectly at the end of the show.

A tactical genius, idealist, hero, villain, maniac, big brother, king, and demon all rolled into one. What's not to like?
Ash Ketchum - Pokémon

Ash Ketchum, known as Satoshi in Japan, is the main character in the Pokémon franchise. He is training to become a Pokémon Master and travels across regions to compete in Pokémon battles. Ash frequently thwarts Team Rocket's attempts to steal his partner Pikachu.

Nice to see some appreciation for this character. Now that he's World Champion, maybe the haters will finally quiet down.

Gotta catch 'em all! Or at least gotta catch Pikachu, Charizard, Greninja, Lucario, Infernape, and Sceptile for the win.
Revy - Black Lagoon
Goku - Dragon Ball

Son Goku (Saiyan name Kakarrot) is the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. He possesses many powerful abilities, including super strength, ki control, flight, teleportation, super speed, enhanced reflexes, and Super Saiyan transformations that increase his... read more

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 my number one favorite anime character, not just in anime but in anything.

Loved him in Dragon Ball. Love him even more in DBZ. My favorite protagonist in anime. Love his personality and dedication to getting stronger. Love the eating moments the most.
Naruto Uzumaki - Naruto

Naruto Uzumaki is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the anime and manga series Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He first appeared in 1999 in Weekly Shōnen Jump and has since become one of the most iconic characters in anime and manga. Naruto's journey from a mischievous outcast to... read more

Naruto is a great protagonist. His character development has been great, as he has shown maturity as the series progresses. He has finally achieved his dream of being a Hokage, but it has not turned out the way he envisioned it. Love him so much.

He is the most inspirational protagonist among all anime characters.

He is the number one anime protagonist in my opinion.
Soul Evans - Soul Eater

Soul Evans (Japanese: ソウル・エヴァンス, Sōru Evansu) is the main male protagonist in the anime and manga series Soul Eater, created by Atsushi Ohkubo. He is a demon weapon born into a family of renowned musicians.
After discovering his ability to transform into a demon scythe, he enrolled in the Death... read more
Monkey D. Luffy - One Piece

Monkey D. "Straw Hat" Luffy is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the One Piece manga and anime franchise. He was created by Eiichiro Oda. Luffy is the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and seeks to find the legendary treasure known as One Piece to become the Pirate King.

Where to start... Luffy is literally the best. He makes you feel so many different emotions. He isn't a hero or anything because he has his own wishes and life. But this boy is literally the most dependable one can be.

You feel emotional as you follow Luffy. He has suffered like many of the protagonists on this list and laughed. He is a very charismatic MC who I genuinely think should be higher up on the list.

I mean, he's gonna become the King of the Pirates!
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. He is a State Alchemist who searches for the Philosopher's Stone to restore his brother's body after a failed alchemical experiment... read more

Best character of all time in my opinion. He is a smart shounen anime protagonist, unlike most other shounen protagonists. What I like about him in both FMA series is how he would sacrifice everything just to get his brother's body back.
In FMA03, one of the most emotional scenes is when Ed sacrifices himself to get his brother back, but at the expense of him going to the other side of the gate, probably never to meet his brother again. That scene is really heartbreaking because, in the end, we never see a happy ending with the two brothers meeting each other again with their wish granted.

I'm assuming many people here haven'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 be a protagonist with a personality often seen in real life, but he's truly a special and noble one. Watch the series to see why.
Dan Kuso - Bakugan Battle Brawlers

The Newcomers

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Ryuko Matoi - Kill la Kill

Ryuko Matoi is the main protagonist of the Japanese anime series Kill la Kill, produced by Studio Trigger. She is a high school student who enrolls at Honnouji Academy to uncover the identity of her father's killer. Ryuko uses a half-scissor blade and wears a sentient uniform named Senketsu, both of... read more
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Yugi Mutou / Atem - Yu-Gi-Oh!

The Contenders

L Lawliet - Death Note

L Lawliet, known exclusively by the mononym L, is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note. He was created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata. L is a highly intelligent and eccentric detective who takes on the challenge of capturing the mysterious killer known as Kira.

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

Needs to get some sleep. Man needs therapy as well. I mean, have you seen how he sits on a chair? No manners, fam.
Light Yagami - Death Note

Light Yagami is a fictional character and the protagonist of the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.e is a high school student who gains the power to kill anyone by writing their name in a supernatural notebook. The story follows his transformation from... read more

One word: Psychopath. Man's on another level. His genius is on par with Tony Stark. He becomes so evil after touching the notebook. Kira has taken over, and Light is no longer with us anymore.

He has a goal and does whatever he needs to obtain it. He plays mind games 24/7 and always has something up his sleeve. Very entertaining to watch.

He was actually making the world a better place by reducing crime rates by 70%. He is an ends-justify-the-means type of character.
Spike Spiegel - Cowboy Bebop

Spike Spiegel is the central protagonist of the 1998 anime series Cowboy Bebop. He is a bounty hunter and former member of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate. The series, known for its blend of science fiction, western, and noir genres, remains critically acclaimed and influential.
Alucard - Hellsing

Alucard is a fictional character who serves as both the protagonist and antihero of the Hellsing manga and anime series created by Kouta Hirano. He is a powerful vampire employed by the Hellsing Organization to combat supernatural threats. Alucard is known for his immortality, his shape-shifting abilities... read more
Gon Freecss - Hunter x Hunter

I love this boy so much. He's different from most shonen protagonists in how he's not necessarily good, and he actually has many qualities other than "he's a small bean" *cough* Deku *cough*.
Ichigo Kurosaki - Bleach

Ichigo Kurosaki is the fictional protagonist of the Bleach manga and anime series created by Tite Kubo. He is a teenager who accidentally obtains Soul Reaper powers and defends the world from ghosts and supernatural threats. The Bleach franchise includes manga, multiple anime adaptations, films, and... read more

I knew he was gonna make the list, but why so low? (Literally placed lower than Deku.) You can't just compare legends to new gens. Yes, they may be goated, but overall old gens are better.

Goku with a brain, personality, and motivation beyond enjoying a challenge. Ichigo is a gentleman and a badass.
Rintarou Okabe - Steins;Gate

Considering the hell he goes through and emerges not only sane but new and improved, he is determined to protect everything and everyone he cares about.

Great personality and spices everything up. Very caring towards friends. Has great chemistry with others. Very enjoyable to watch.

A lovable Chuunibyou character who literally crossed time for the people he cares about, especially the lab members Kurisu and Mayuri.
Ken Kaneki - Tokyo Ghoul

Ken Kaneki is the main character in the manga and anime series Tokyo Ghoul, created by Sui Ishida. He begins as a shy college student who becomes a half-ghoul after a chance encounter with a ghoul named Rize Kamishiro. His transformation and internal struggles form the core narrative of the series.

He's Kaneki. The anime suffers a little in the Re version of it. But in terms of manga, he is top 3 best-developed characters of all time. It's Guts, Kaneki, and Eren Jaeger at this point.
Lucy Heartfilia - Fairy Tail

Lucy Heartfilia is a wizard in the Fairy Tail guild. Her magic, known as Celestial Spirit Magic, allows her to summon spirits from another world. She currently holds fifteen Celestial Keys, which is an extraordinary number for a Celestial Mage.... read more
Maka Albarn - Soul Eater

Maka Albarn (マカ・アルバーン, Maka Arubān) is a Scythe-Meister and the daughter of Spirit Albarn and his ex-wife. After witnessing her father's infidelity, she was inspired by her mother and decided to become a Meister. Maka partnered with the "Demon Scythe" Soul Eater to create a Death Scythe more powerful... read more
Izuku Midoriya - My Hero Academia

Izuku "Deku" Midoriya is a fictional character and the protagonist of My Hero Academia, a manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. The story is set in a world where most people possess superpowers, called Quirks, and follows Midoriya, who is born Quirkless but dreams of becoming a superhero... read more

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.

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.

Deku is a great character. Yes, he may come across as a wimp who cries a lot, but he has matured a lot and now learns the responsibilities of his quirk. He has shown he can get stronger as the series goes on and will succeed in his goal of being the next No. 1 Hero.
Yuzuru Otonashi - Angel Beats!
Touta Konoe - UQ Holder!
Rin Okumura - Blue Exorcist

Rin Okumura is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Blue Exorcist, created by Kazue Kato. He is the son of Satan and is determined to defeat him. Rin is the main protagonist of the series and is known for wielding a sword that unleashes blue flames when he fights.

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, right in front of his eyes, he swears to kill Satan and get 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 are 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.
Joseph Joestar - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Joseph Joestar is a fictional character from the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga series created by Hirohiko Araki. He first appears as the protagonist of Part 2, Battle Tendency, and later appears as a supporting character in Parts 3 and 4. Joseph is known for his cleverness, use of Hamon energy, and... read more

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.