The original Pokemon anime is one of the most popular action-adventure series ever, especially made famous due to its main protagonists. Ash Ketchum, the constant hero of the anime, is always working towards his goal of becoming a true Pokémon Master alongside his best friend Pikachu. Though Ash is not necessarily a true shonen anime protagonist, he has many similar qualities to one.
Gon’s Character Arc Is One of the Most Infamous
An Aspiring Hunter Seeks Out His Long-Lost Father
Hunter x Hunter is a fan-favorite among many audience members, and it is easy to see why. The journey of Gon Freecss, the son of a legendary yet mysterious Hunter, is one that anime fans worldwide have continued to pay much attention to. Upon learning that his presumed-dead parent was in fact alive but remaining hidden, Gon decides to follow in his Hunter father's footsteps and become a Hunter himself. Along the way, he meets several companions and foes, including lifelong friends Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika.
Like Ash, Gon is usually happy-go-lucky, impulsive, and a bit naive. However, whereas Ash never lets go of his morals, fans were shocked during the shocking Chimera Ant arc when Gon became fueled by rage and grief, leading to devastating, irreversible consequences. Though Gon makes it out of this infamous arc, his legacy is forever tainted by his display of violence, a sight that even leaves Killua in shock. Gon is certainly one of the most complex shōnen anime heroes in history, thanks to his contrasting cheerfulness and capacity for brutality.
Ichigo Kurosaki Navigates the World of Soul Reapers
A Young Man Forced To Work With His Spirit-Related Powers
Stories about individuals with the ability to see and even communicate with ghosts are common, yet Tite Kubo's Bleach is easily the most well-known manga with this theme. Teenager Ichigo Kurosaki was born with the ability to converse with the many spirits wandering his hometown, and though he hates this skill, still feels a need to help them out. When he meets the powerful Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo accidentally gains her abilities and must defeat corrupted ghosts, or Hollows, in her place. By doing this, Ichigo can protect both the living and the innocent souls trying to make their way to the afterlife.
Whereas Ash desired the role of a Pokémon Trainer, Ichigo initially wanted nothing to do with becoming a Soul Reaper. However, Ichigo also possesses a strong sense of justice and is certainly not the type to leave someone in need behind. Thus, Ichigo not only becomes a great ally for those in the human world and the Soul Society, but also a born leader. The final arc of Ichigo's story is currently premiering via the sequel anime Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.
Edward Elric Learns That His Fate Is Intertwined With the World’s Own Destiny
The Fullmetal Alchemist Tries To Fix a Devastating Mistake
In a world where alchemy is a part of daily life for many, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric make the mistake of ignoring the laws of alchemy and try to resurrect their deceased mother. As their experiment goes awry, Ed loses one of his legs while Al's entire physical form disintegrates before his older brother's eyes. Despite the excruciating pain of losing one of his limbs, Ed gives up one of his arms in exchange for saving his brother's soul and binds it to a suit of armor. Once he has recuperated, Ed becomes famous among officers in his country's military as the youngest State Alchemist in history, known via his codename "Fullmetal Alchemist" due to his steel prosthetic limbs.
Unlike Ash, who yearned for a life of adventure, Ed only wishes to go back to his peaceful life from before. However, the Fullmetal Alchemist and his brother are forced to hone in their alchemical skill set (a craft they only practiced to make their mother happy) in order to learn more about the vast sphere of alchemy in hopes of finding a way to restore their original bodies. Ed is a very independent character, preferring to only work alongside his brother and other allies if needed, but soon realizes he will need to work alongside many others in order to save his loved ones and the entire world. Every character in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Edward included, is extraordinarily complex, making it one of the most famous shōnen anime in history.
Luffy Never Lets Go of His Dream
The Straw Hat Pirates’ Captain Has a Strong Sense of Justice
On his deathbed, famed pirate Gol D. Roger states that his legendary treasure, known as the One Piece, is up for the taking, but does not give any details about what the treasure is, nor where it is located. Thus, thousands of pirates take to the seas in order to find the legendary One Piece, as whoever finds it will become the new King of the Pirates. One hopeful is teenager Luffy D. Monkey, an endlessly enthusiastic pirate who is also working on expanding his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates. Though he seems like a relatively normal young man, Luffy has gained supernatural powers from eating a Devil Fruit years ago.
Though he is now unable to swim, Luffy's body now has the same properties as rubber, making him immune to electricity and able to stretch his body in inhuman ways. Over time, Luffy is able to gain even more extraordinary powers, making him one of the most powerful shōnen anime heroes in history. The story of Luffy and his companions is celebrated worldwide, making One Piece the best-selling manga today. Luffy's optimism, loyalty, and drive towards freedom for everyone have made him such a beloved character since his debut in the late nineties.
Naruto Has Inspired Countless Anime Fans Worldwide
A Scorned Ninja Works Towards His Goal of Becoming Hokage
Throughout the narrative of the original Pokémon anime, Ash always has a wide cast of characters, from Professor Oak to his friends, supporting him on his journey. In stark contrast, Naruto Uzumaki's peers often doubted his abilities. At the start of Naruto, the titular protagonist is surrounded by classmates who mostly find him annoying and adults who purposely ignore him. Unbeknownst to the young ninja until the age of twelve, the spirit of the fearsome fox Kurama was sealed within him as a newborn. Though he possesses powers that have made those around him treat him with cruelty, Naruto still wishes to become Hokage in hopes of finally belonging.
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Although his teammates, Sakura and Sasuke, have little faith in his abilities, Naruto nevertheless never gives up on his allies nor his loved ones. His optimism and loyalty to his dream ultimately win over those around him, even those who initially saw him as a nuisance or even an enemy to defeat. As the series goes on and friendships are tested and even destroyed, Naruto never lets go of his devotion towards those he cares about, even if they stray from the hero's path. All of these elements combined, as well as his extraordinary powers, have made Naruto one of the most, if not the most, recognized anime heroes in history.
