Shonen protagonists have become some of the most iconic in anime's history. From the number-one knucklehead ninja Naruto Uzumaki to the lovable volleyball player Shoyo Hinata, shonen protagonists are a phenomenon in and of themselves. While many of them share the same tropes, there are tons of diversity amongst these characters that make them stand out from their contemporaries.
Some shonen protagonists are more likable than others. Whether it's because of their unwavering optimism and inspiring courage or because the audience relates to them on a deeper level, these shonen leads have truly impacted the audience and became universally loved.
10
Mob's Compassion Is Admirable (Mob Psycho 100)
It's a no-brainer that almost every shonen protagonist will have seemingly boundless amounts of compassion, but Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama is a unique case. Because of his powers, he has to keep his emotions under control all the time. He doesn't want to hurt people, even when pushed to the boiling point.
Mob is endlessly forgiving and always tries to understand those who hurt him. While some would argue that this makes him a doormat, it's admirable that he tries to see the other person's perspective. Even when he's fighting evil villains, Mob refrains from using his powers. He'd rather try to talk them down and find common ground instead of engaging in a slugfest.
9 Tanjiro Is The Kindest Demon Slayer
Tanjiro empathizes with his enemies. After decapitating a demon, he'll hold their hand and cry alongside them as they recall their life before disintegrating. While other members of the Corps are more likely to swiftly kill a demon or subject them to brutal torture, Tanjiro understands that many of them didn't choose for their life to pan out as such.
His kindness shouldn't be mistaken for naivety, however. Tanjiro may express sympathy for the demons, but he'll still cut them down for the good of humanity. While he believes everyone could coexist, Tanjiro understands that it'll never happen as long as humans are still the meal of choice for demons.
8 Denji Is Down-To-Earth (Chainsaw Man)
While other shonen protagonists boldly declare that they will save the world from evil, Denji's goals have never been so grandiose. Rather than dreaming about becoming the strongest person in the world and leading humanity to better days, Denji only longs for the essentials like food, shelter, and a girlfriend.
Even though he's never enrolled in formal education, Denji's problem-solving skills prove he's a pretty crafty guy. He may not have the academics to prove it, but Denji has flaunted his practical intelligence during fights by finding clever tricks to take down some of his most formidable enemies. He might be rough around the edges, but he's down-to-earth and can pick up on others' emotions.
7 Ichigo Fights To Protect His Loved Ones (Bleach)
Ichigo might come off as a stereotypical orange-haired punk with an attitude problem, but he has a heart of gold and would do anything to protect his loved ones. Ichigo is the ultimate cool guy. With a sharp tongue and an even sharper blade, Ichigo has cut down several of his enemies and made his mark on the shonen landscape.
He's come to understand the importance of friendship and a solid support system, but his willingness to take on any challenge by himself is admirable and proves his courage.
6 No One Deserves To Be The Pirate King More Than Luffy (One Piece)
Luffy has become one of the most popular anime protagonists of all time, defining not only shonen as a genre, but the medium as a whole. He fits several stereotypes of shonen protagonists, but nobody can work these cliches better than Luffy.
Throughout his journey with the Straw Hats, Luffy has repeatedly proven that no one deserves to be the Pirate King more than him. He takes care of his crew and wouldn't dare use underhanded methods to reach the top. Even though some of his friends might express annoyance at his antics and poke fun at his notoriously huge appetite, nobody can bring themselves to hate Luffy because he's genuinely a good guy who doesn't take life too seriously.
5 Jolyne Cujoh Doesn't Rely On Anyone Else (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean)
Even though Jotaro is the series' flagship protagonist, his daughter Jolyne deserves just as much recognition. She shares several traits with the other Joestars, like her courage and indomitable willpower. However, as the first female Jojo's protagonist, she brings a lot of new material to the table.
Jolyne was thrown in jail and framed for murder by her ex-boyfriend, but instead of wallowing in her situation, she learned how to adapt to prison life while thinking of a way to save her father. As the events of Stone Ocean heated up, Jolyne took all of the obstacles thrown at her and used them to become an unapologetically stronger person in the end. Jolyne isn't afraid to put people in their place, and she always strikes with a vengeance.
4 Gintoki Is A Lovable Oddball (Gintama)
Gintama is one of the best comedic shonen series of all time. By extension, Gintoki is just as top-notch as his series. He's a lovable oddball and a masterful samurai who's notoriously lazy. When he's not picking up odd jobs, he'll get caught crashing on the couch reading Shonen Jump.
Unlike most shonen protagonists who take on earth-shattering challenges with the power of friendship and a gung-ho attitude, Gintoki's main goal was making ends meet. He's an eccentric guy, but many fans can relate to him.
3 Shoyo Hinata Is A Ray Of Sunshine On The Volleyball Court (Haikyuu!)
Shoyo Hinata never let his short height keep him down. His jumps defy gravity and make it look like he's flying across the court. Since he was a kid, Shoyo dreamed of attending Karasuno High and surpassing the infamous Little Giant. He endured many hardships along the way and was subjected to plenty of ridicule, but Shoyo reacted with spunk and never let his opponents keep him down.
When his teammates are struggling to see the bright side during an intense game, Shoyo will be there to offer words of encouragement. Shoyo is an orange-haired ball of energy and an absolute ray of sunshine on the volleyball court.
2 Naruto Is The Number One Knucklehead Ninja
Naruto set the standard for other shonen protagonists. He's loud, excitable, and always ready for a challenge. He's a prankster at heart, but he puts his antics on the backburner when it counts. Even though he doesn't seem like the brightest bulb in the shed, many other shonen protagonists can't compete with Naruto's emotional intelligence.
Since he came from a lonely background, Naruto can connect with all kinds of people, including villains like Gaara and Nagato. Naruto proved that he deserves to be Hokage, not just with his impressive fighting skills but because of his compassion and tolerance for people from all walks of life. He's the symbol of unity that society needed.
1 It's Hard For Anyone To Dislike Yuji Itadori (Jujutsu Kaisen)
The world of jujutsu sorcery is brutal and grim, but Yuji Itadori didn't let the world's darkness consume him. It's hard for anyone to dislike Yuji. He has a great sense of humor, doesn't take himself too seriously, and he's borderline indestructible. Yuji is consistently the bright side in the ever-darkening world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
Yuji realizes he won't get anywhere if he lets his grief and anger fester, so he channels these negative emotions into the battle in front of him. Even after his most traumatic experiences in the series, Yuji never sat there and wallowed in his sorrow.