Shōnen is among one of the most, if not the most, popular anime genresof all time. And it’s clear to see why. The genre of Japanese comics and animated films aimed primarily at a young male audience and typically consisting of high-stakes action pieces has all the staples of great works of fiction.
Especially with their main characters. Nothing inspires young men more than seeing another young man with all the power in the world strive for grand goals. That’s what you get with shōnen protagonists that makes them so popular. But even the most popular of them have their controversies, or a subset of fans that dislike them and their actions. Here are 5 of the most polarizing shōnen protagonists.
5Ichigo
The Red-Headed Reaper
Ichigo Kurosaki, the red-headed, stoic, former delinquentprotagonist of Bleach, is known within the anime community for many reasons. One of these reasons is the fact that he is one of the three protagonists of the ‘Big Three’ anime.
One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach, gained the title of the Big Three when they became the most popular and booming manga and anime series during the 2000s, which boosted the popularity of Shōnen Jump. Due to this, Ichigo is always compared to the other Big Three protagonists. His actions are constantly compared to the hyperactive and strong-willed Luffy, and the passionate, hot-blooded, and warm-hearted Naruto. In comparison, Ichigo’s character seems quite tame for a Big Three shōnen protagonist. Whilst Naruto wants to become the next Hokage, and Luffy wants to become the king of the pirates, Ichigo’s goal is very simple in comparison - he just wants to protect those who may find themselves in danger, especially his friends.
Ichigo goes through the series as a soul reaper, putting his life on the line to protect others from hollows and otherworldly entities. His simple nature, stoic resolve, and straightforward goal of simplygetting stronger and protecting more peoplehave often been criticized as being boring for a Big Three protagonist.
4Takemichi
Our Crybaby Hero
A humorous aspect of Tokyo Revengers, is how Takemichi is often affectionately named the “Crybaby Hero” by those both in and out of his universe, by both his comrades and real-world fans. But his status as the Crybaby Hero is what makes him so polarizing. Whilst many fans love him, many others consider him to be a weak protagonist in multiple senses of the word.
Whilst quite a few of those whowatched the Tokyo Revengers animethought it was quite interesting to have a typically ‘cowardly’ protagonist, who pushes past it to fight for what’s right, quite a few more were frustrated with his crying and fretting antics.
As he travels back and forth through time in an effort to save his true love and prevent the gang from tearing apart,Takemichi goes through many tribulations.
Yet despite this, according to many fans, it seems that Takemichi barely ever gets used to what he has to do. It seems at times that Takemichi does not learn to be brave, or how to fight well, or how to stand up for himself in general, at the pace that audiences would prefer.
3Deku
All Might’s Successor
Another shōnen protagonist with the title of “Crybaby Hero” could also fit. Izuku Midoriya or ‘Deku’ as he’s often known, is the main character of the most popular superhero manga and anime of all time - My Hero Academia. In a world where the majority of people have superpowers and chaos ensues as a result of it, incredibly heroic personalities are needed and throughout the series, Deku proves himself to be just the type of person required, despite having been born without a quirk.
Deku is intelligent, resourceful, kindhearted, uplifting, and most of all,insatiable in his determination to fightfor what’s right and save the people around him, and the world. But even with all of these attributes, those familiar with My Hero have a lot to criticize him about. Some think Deku is too wimpy and anxious. Some have gone as far as to find him pathetic, especially due to how much love he seems to hold for Bakugo, who at one point was a horrible bully towards him. Some don’t think he deserved to be All Might’s successor and inherit his power, with a common in and out of universe belief being that someone like Mirio should have been given it.
Deku is a character who inspires a lot of love, but almost as much ire, depending on the type of fan talking about him.
2Light Yagami
The God Of The New World
Death Note is not a series that comes to mind when thinking about the shōnen genre within anime. Regardless, the series was published in Shōnen Jump. But despite these shōnen traits, it’s the fact that Light seems to have the will and energy of one of these protagonists, but is in practice much darker, that makes him such a polarizing figure. Readers and viewers worldwide could not decide whether they supported Kira’s actions for sure, or were disgusted by them.
General audiences were conflicted about whether they truly wanted to see him win in the end, or whether they believed he truly got what he deserved when it was all said and done. Initially, Light seemed like an easy protagonist to root for. He is a sheltered genius, bored with his mundane life, and with a deep desire to see the world change for the better. The type of character that many could see themselves relate to. But as the series goes on,Light becomes more accustomed to his power of using a pen and a notebook to kill criminals and mold the world. Thus, he becomes more narcissistic and willing to kill anyone who gets in his way of creating a better world.
To this day, audiences are still split on whether he was righteous or evil all along.
1Eren Yeager
The Attack Titan
From the moment Eren Yeager was introduced to the public as a character, he has been drenched in controversy. As the Attack on Titan series slowly progressed, this controversy only stepped up further, with him proving to be one of the most compelling, well-written, but utterly polarizing characters in any piece of fiction, never mind anime or shōnen specifically.
At the start of the series,Eren was a dark take on the typical shōnen protagonist, being highly ambitious and ready to fight, but having a much more bloodthirsty and rage-fueled edge to him than the likes of more typical shōnen main character archetypes like Goku and Luffy. Back then, many fans hated him for how impulsive, whiny, and violent he came across, but they could recognize the point behind his character. As Eren’s character developed, his popularity grew and so did his complexity.
Once he learned the truth behind the Titans and how most of humanity was against his people, he became more quiet and brooding and calculating in his brutality. He would end the series having enacted a plan to wipe out most of humanity, yet simultaneously ensure his friends live good lives, in an act of great horror yet slight sweetness. Thoughts on Eren’s actions range from him being seen as having ‘done nothing wrong’ and being potentially one of the most evil characters.
