There are some anime heroes who fans universally root for. Fans can't help but respect their ambitiousness and lofty goals even if they aren't the most likable on paper. Some anime characters have just been through so many awful things and endured so much trauma that fans have no choice but to root for them.
Other characters may have darker ambitions in mind, but fans still cheer them on because of the reasoning behind them. Whatever the case may be, fans can't help but love these anime heroes and cheer them on in whatever goals they set their minds toward.
10 Tanjiro Wants To Avenge His Family & Heal Nezuko
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer's Tanjiro Kamado had his entire family slaughtered by a vicious demon. His sister, the only survivor, became a demon as a result. Wrecked with rage and survivor's guilt, Tanjiro joined the Demon Slayer Corps to eventually kill Muzan and turn Nezuko back into a human.
Despite all the cruelty and bloodshed he's witnessed, Tanjiro's compassion never subsided. He'll even apologize to demons and cry alongside them after killing them. It's hard not to root for someone as kindhearted as Tanjiro.
9 Nico Robin Wants To Uncover The World's History
One Piece
Nico Robin is the Straw Hats' backbone in One Piece. Arguably, she's the crew's most essential member since she's so knowledgeable about everything, and her knowledge of poneglyphs will help them find the titular One Piece.
Nami's another hero with a tragic backstory who fans cannot help but root for. Her down-to-earth personality balances out the rest of the Straw Hats' chaos, but that's not the only reason why fans love her. Nami's story resonated with many One Piece fans since she just wanted a place to belong with people who validated her existence.
8 Nanami Wants To Prove That She's Worthy Of Being The Land God
Kamisama Kiss
Nanami Momozono didn't have an easy upbringing in Kamisama Kiss. Her mother died of a terminal illness when she was a kid, leaving her with a deadbeat father with no sense of financial responsibility. Eventually, her father's ridiculous spending problem left her homeless before suddenly becoming the Mikage shrine's new land god.
Nanami faced several trials and tribulations after becoming the new land god. Tomoe didn't recognize her as a legitimate god because she was just a human teenager, and many other gods felt the same way about her. Still, Nanami always tried her best to prove herself to everyone else.
7 Aki Wants To Defeat The Gun Devil
Chainsaw Man
Aki Hayakawa from Chainsaw Man had his life turned upside down when he was a young boy after the Gun Devil swept through and killed millions of people in a few seconds. His younger brother was killed in the Gun Devil's unexpected sweep.
Ever since then, Aki's been after the Gun Devil, like most other Devil Hunters. Despite everything he's experienced, Aki's never shut his emotions off, yet he has a pretty stoic personality compared to some of his more eccentric coworkers. On top of that, Aki treats Power and Denji like family, always advising them about the dangers of devil hunting.
6 Yoruichi Wants To Defend Justice & Peace
Bleach
Yoruichi from Bleach is one of the series' most beloved characters. Yoruichi was exiled from the Soul Society because she helped Kisuke escape and remained in hiding for a hundred years. She came out of hiding with a vengeance and a penchant for defending justice.
Yoruichi immediately became one of Ichigo's closest allies and has fought by his side ever since they met. Yoruichi's battle record is virtually flawless, so there's no one better for Ichigo to place his trust in as an ally. Plus, it's just hard to dislike Yoruichi, hence why so many fans love her.
5 Shoto Wants To Become A Great Hero & Distance Himself From Endeavor's Chaotic Legacy
My Hero Academia
Shoto's journey in My Hero Academia is relatable to many fans. He was raised by an abusive father and strives to unlearn a cycle of generational trauma. All the while, Shoto is trying to prove himself to the world as a potential pro-hero and let go of his lifelong grudge against his father since it's hindering his potential.
Fans were already rooting for him from the jump since, despite having a wickedly overpowered ability, there's something so innately realistic about Shoto that fans see themselves in him. Shoto still has lots of growing to do, but he's laid a pretty steady foundation for the rest of his healing.
4 Kyoka Wants To Use Her Powers For Good
Bungou Stray Dogs
In Bungou Stray Dogs, Kyoka Izumi was raised in the Port Mafia as a killing machine because of her ability, Demon Snow. Having killed 35 people for the Port Mafia, Kyoka is riddled with guilt and felt worthless for a long time, often questioning whether she deserved to be alive.
Since joining the Armed Detective Agency, Kyoka's been more mindful of her ability and always tries to minimize potential casualties or collateral damage when she's out on a mission. Ultimately, Kyoka wants to prove that Demon Snow is more than just a killing ability and that she's more than an assassin.
3 Rock Lee Wants To Show The World That Hard Work Always Triumphs Over Natural Talent
Naruto
Unlike all of his ninja peers, Rock Lee could only use taijutsu in Naruto. This never held him back, though. Rock Lee set out to prove to the world that anybody could become a great ninja if they just understood the fundamentals of taijutsu.
By extension, Rock Lee's very existence and all of his accolades are a testament to the idea that hard work will always triumph over anybody's innate talent. With a great work ethic and relatable ambitions, it's not surprising that Rock Lee has consistently been one of Naruto's most popular characters.
2 Jonathan Joestar Just Wanted To Protect The World From Dio's Madness
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Joseph Joestar was the first protagonist of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Jonathan's life was made a living hell throughout Phantom Blood after his father took Dio Brando into their mansion. Dio was driven by his selfish desire to rob the Joestars of everything they were worth.
Jonathan was led by a sense of righteousness and innate heroism. It's clear why fans rallied behind Jonathan instead of the immature, despicable vampire who set out to ruin his life. Jonathan didn't last long in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, but his legacy lives on throughout every generation of Joestars who followed.
1 Maki Zenin Wants To Prove Everyone Who Doubted Her Wrong
Jujutsu Kaisen
Maki from Jujutsu Kaisen didn't have it easy growing up in the Zenin clan. Painfully adherent to outdated traditions, the Zenin clan is terribly sexist and only sees someone as worthy if they have the potential to be a jujutsu sorcerer. Maki can't see cursed spirits, so she was an outcast.
One day, Maki grew fed up with the treatment and left the clan to enroll at Tokyo Jujutsu High. Since then, she's trained tirelessly with cursed tools to prove that she can become a great jujutsu sorcerer and destroy the Zenin clan.