The realm of anime is packed with thousands of characters of all sizes and shapes, from classic shonen heroes like Son Goku and Yusuke Urameshi to shojo heroines like Usagi and princess Yona, and even grittier leads such as Guts the mercenary. But do they have what it takes to be trained by Batman?
Batman is the Caped Crusader, the vigilante guardian of Gotham who needs a reliable and loyal partner by his side. Various iterations of Robin and Nightwing have assumed this role, such as Jason Todd, but what if Batman had access to the world of anime to train a new Robin? He needs someone who's skilled, disciplined, emotionally stable, and ready to perform vigilante actions across Gotham. Who makes the cut?
10 Could be trained by batman: Captain Levi Ackerman, The Elite Scout
In some regards, Captain Levi Ackerman is like the Batman of his own world. He is a battle-hardened orphan who can navigate high society and the dark underworld equally well, and he is vicious, insightful, and brilliant during combat. He will do whatever it takes to face his foes, and he won't stand for exploitation, either.
Levi is a stern and talented professional who already has experience with combat and 3-D maneuvering, which means he's halfway toward becoming Robin already. Batman would find it easy to finish Levi's training as a true member of the Bat Family.
9 Couldn't be trained by batman: Naruto Uzumaki, The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki
It's true that Naruto Uzumaki became fantastically powerful by the end of his story arc, being able to access various Rasengan techniques, Sage Mode, his inner fox's chakra, and far more. But while Naruto is a ninja, he is not suitable for training under Batman's wing.
Even though Batman is something of a ninja himself, he would have little patience for Naruto, who is reckless and hotheaded. And while Naruto is clever and tricky, he is not exactly subtle, and he'd make a poor detective in Gotham. Naruto will not get an invite to the Bat Cave anytime soon.
8 Could be trained by batman: Yoruichi Shihoin, The Rogue Soul Reaper (Bleach)
A few ninja exist in the world of Bleach, contrasting with typical Soul Reapers who prefer a straightforward sword fight with magic powers. Yoruichi Shihoin was trained in the art of stealth, assassination, and martial arts, and she is at the top of her game, there's no doubt about it.
Yoruichi's expert skills, inquisitive mind, and resourceful ways would make her highly appealing to Batman, even if she's a bit goofy and quirky at times. She is also skilled at defeating her foes without killing them, which only strengthens her case. She'll become the next Batgirl before long.
7 Couldn't be trained by batman: Toph Beifong, The First Metalbender (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
Like Naruto Uzumaki, Toph Beifong the Earthbender is quite talented and powerful, but it takes more than sheer strength to be Batman's apprentice. Toph Beifong is the opposite of subtle, using her bone-crushing earthbending to demolish her foes or reshape the terrain around her. She sure makes a scene.
What is more, Toph can only "see" while standing on the earth or impure metal, and she would have trouble seeing in Gotham City's many urban battlefields or while flying through the air with Batman. She's also not much of a detective. Subtlety is for Airbenders, not Earthbenders.
6 Could be trained by batman: Shota Aizawa, AKA Eraser Head (My Hero Academia)
Just like Levi Ackerman, the pro hero known as Eraser Head is already halfway toward becoming Batman. He is a serious, stern hero who can easily track down a criminal or piece together a mystery to crack the case, just like any proper Batman or Robin should do.
Aizawa, like Batman, can defeat and capture villains without killing them, and his Erasure Quirk and tools make the job easy. On the inside and outside, Aizawa has what it takes to become Batman's new apprentice.
5 Couldn't be trained by batman: Lucy Heartfilia, The Celestial Wizard (Fairy Tail)
In some ways, Lucy Heartfilia has the makings to become the new Batgirl, but her list of qualifications isn't quite long enough. Lucy is a clever and insightful wizard who can think her way out of trouble, and she has a variety of celestial spirits at her disposal to make for a flexible fighting style.
That's not bad, but Lucy doesn't have the stomach to face Gotham City's grimy underworld and fight criminals and supervillains like the Joker, Penguin, and Mr. Freeze. She probably wouldn't enjoy soaring around the city's skyscrapers on wings, either. She likes to keep her feet on the ground and let her spirits do the fighting.
4 Could be trained by batman: Captain Akitaru Obi Of Company 8 (Fire Force)
Captain Akitaru Obi is one of those anime characters who, despite lacking magic powers, can keep pace with the magically talented people around him. He is not a pyrokinetic at all; instead, Akitaru can use his strong body, extensive training, and a variety of equipment to fight his enemies.
That's just what Batman is looking for, and Batman would appreciate Akitaru's physical strength, discipline, strong resolve, and experience with using different kinds of equipment. And Akitaru, while a nice guy overall, would have the stomach to face Gotham's criminal underworld without his spirit being broken.
3 Couldn't be trained by batman: Juzo Suzuya, The Wild Ghoul Hunter (Tokyo Ghoul)
On some levels, Juzo Suzuya would be qualified to become the new Robin or Nightwing, but there are some outstanding issues that Batman can't accept. For one thing, Juzo is a wild and ferocious person who often acts on his own accord, and Batman would quickly lose patience with that.
What is more, Juzo is brutal and bloodthirsty, having no qualms about killing people, animals, and ghouls alike if he feels like it. Batman is famed for his "no killing" rule, and Juzo would break it constantly. He is not fit to watch over Gotham's streets.
2 Could be trained by batman: Tanjiro Kamado, The Kind Swordsman (Demon Slayer)
Tanjiro Kamado might seem like an odd choice as a Batman apprentice at first, but he really does have what it takes. Tanjiro doesn't revel in violence or glory; he fights to protect the innocent and uphold justice, and that's what Batman's crusade is all about. Tanjiro is a highly compassionate fellow, but he won't hesitate in battle because of it. He's not squeamish.
On top of that, Tanjiro proved that he is ready to endure rigorous training to become a hero, and he deftly dodged all kinds of tricks and traps while training on that mountain. And if that weren't enough, Tanjiro has a strong sense of smell, which could help him track down Gotham's worst villains so Batman can finish them off.
1 Couldn't be trained by batman: Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
On some levels, Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye would be ideal for Batman, being a disciplined and no-nonsense person who also has her clever side. But there are a few issues preventing Riza Hawkeye from becoming the next Batgirl.
For one thing, Riza is by-the-book and values the chain of command, and she would balk at the idea of being a rogue vigilante who made her own rules. She is also totally dedicated to firearms, such as pistols and rifles, and Batman has a legendary "no guns" rule. Riza simply won't give up her firearms for the sake of becoming Batgirl.