Fans are always happy to see a continuation of a story. It's always great seeing how life turned out for the characters of a beloved series and how they changed throughout the years. Sometimes these characters have stepped down from their previous roles and handed the reigns over to a new cast.
Lately, this has become a big trend in anime. Many series have opened up a new chapter with a whole new generation for the audience to follow. This new generation could be the offspring of the original, but other times, they've been hand-picked by the characters fans know and love to carry on their legacy. Either way, fans new and old follow the journeys of these new generations as they make a mark for themselves in their own stories.
10 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Follows The Konoha Kids
The title says it all with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Years after the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Naruto and the original gang have grown into confident adults. Many of them have even started families of their own. The story has now shifted its attention away from Naruto and placed it on Boruto and the new kids.
While the original cast still plays an important part, the story is now theirs as fans watch these new genin grow and learn from the previous generation. With the support of their parents, the new generation carries on the legacy of the original cast. As their strength grows, they may one day surpass them, just as they had with their predecessors.
9 Fruits Basket Another Returns With A New Generation Of Sohmas
In this sequel to the hit series Fruits Basket, the story picks up long after the curse on the Sohma family has been broken. It introduces a new cast of characters, the kids of the now-grown original main characters. It also focuses on a brand new protagonist. Much like Tohru, she starts as an outsider of the Sohma family.
Sawa Mitoma carries on Tohru's legacy in a chance encounter with the offspring of the original Sohmas. The story follows them as they connect as Sawa fights her demons while the new Sohma generation deals with the fallout of their family's past now that the curse has lifted.
8 Mew Berry Is The New Leader In Tokyo Mew Mew A La Mode
The manga series of Tokyo Mew Mew continued with the short sequel, Tokyo Mew Mew A La Mode. In this story, Berry Shirayuki is the new protagonist. She takes up the leadership role, replacing Ichigo and becoming Mew Berry with powers fused with a rabbit and a cat.
The sequel finds Ichigo leaving with her love interest Masaya for England to study abroad. In her place, Berry is appointed as the new leader and continues on Ichigo's mission with the original Mew Mews. Upon Ichigo's return, she steps down as leader and takes the role of second in command.
7 A New Generation Of DigiDestined Take Over In Digimon Adventure 02
The Digimon franchise continues with the second series, Digimon Adventure 02. A new generation of DigiDestined is introduced, including the two youngest of the original main cast: T.K. and Kari. With the old team now gone, responsibility passes onto these new characters. It is now up to them to protect the Digital World. The first episode even concludes with Tai giving his goggles to Davis, one of the new team members. This exchange symbolizes the transition from the original cast to the new one.
6 Yu-Gi-Oh GX Features The Aspiring Duelist Jaden Yuki
Yu-Gi-Oh GX is the first series of the franchise to focus on a brand new cast of characters. It takes place years after the conclusion of the original series. The new protagonist, Jaden Yuki, aspires to become a great Duelist like his predecessors and attends Duel Academy to fulfill this goal.
The series presents this rise of a new generation to the audience in the first episode when Jaden encounters an older Yugi Muto, who encourages him on his first day at the Academy. Throughout the series, Jaden becomes stronger until a final encounter with Yugi where the two face off in a duel. In the series' close, Jaden has grown and can stand next to one of the greatest Duelists of their time.
5 Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon Is The Journey Of The New Generation
In the sequel to Inuyasha, the children of the main cast have taken the spotlight. The series focuses on the daughters of Sesshomaru as well as the daughter of Inuyasha and Kagome. These three make up the new main cast as the story follows their journey to restore Setsuna's dreams and reunite their families. While the original characters that fans love remain important in this sequel, they've now taken on a supporting role. Yashahime is the story of the new generation and shows the world the original cast has established through their eyes.
4 Each New Generation Strives To Pass On Their Legacy In The Dragon Ball Franchise
There are numerous series that make up the entire franchise of Dragon Ball, each with its themes of passing a legacy on to the next generation. Master Roshi originally passes on his knowledge to the next generation, including Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien Shinhan. Goku attempts several times to do the same with his sons.
Unfortunately, the next generation is not up to the task of carrying on their heritage. Despite his efforts, neither of Goku's sons possesses the same drive. Gohan even outright refuses to follow in his father's footsteps. These attempts made by Goku have grave consequences for the rest of the world, forcing him to step in eventually and set things right himself.
3 The Greatest Heroes Of My Hero Academia Pass On Their Knowledge To Upcoming Heroes
There are many themes of passing the torch to the next generation within My Hero Academia. New generations of heroes come in, taking over for the previous generation. This theme of passing on a legacy can be seen clearly through the struggles of the main protagonist, Izuku Midoriya. He starts weak and powerless in a world of heroes but finds inspiration in All Might, who has new limits to his power. All Might sees potential in him and takes him under his wing. He has high hopes for Midoriya, believing him capable of one day surpassing him and becoming an even greater hero than any had ever seen.
2 Simon Must Take Up The Mantle In Place Of Kamina In Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
At the beginning of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Simon fills more of a supporting role than the role of the main character. He has little confidence in himself and remains very weak. He looks up to his friend Kamina for support and guidance, wishing he could have his same strength.
But after Kamina's untimely death, Simon finds himself left to fill his shoes. He follows in his footsteps, becoming the leader Kamina would have wanted. Throughout the series, Simon carries on Kamina's legacy and honors his contributions to founding Team Dai-Gurren. By the end of the series, Simon fades into obscurity and steps back, leaving the next generation to carry on his work.
1 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Follows A New Protagonist In Every Part
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has a number of story arcs, all told from the point of view of a different lead character. In one, a character will head as the main protagonist. But in the next, that same character will step down to a supporting role. This cycling of protagonists started very early on in the series.
A prime example of this is Joseph Joestar, who held the lead role in Battle Tendency, then shifted to a supporting character in Stardust Crusaders as his grandson Jotaro Kujo took over the lead. With each story arc handing over the spotlight to a new protagonist, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure remains fresh and new for the audience, leaving them to wonder what to expect with each new part.