Anime has some of the bravest characters of any series. They stand up for what's right against all odds, wielding whatever strength they can muster. Even when they're afraid, they still press on, determined not to give up. Some characters are born with incredible powers that make them the heroes they become.
Meanwhile, others are just as ordinary as any other regular humans, relying on their courage and willpower alone. No matter their strengths, humans are capable of outstanding feats in anime, facing danger head-on no matter the cost. They prove that even the most unlikely people can do courageous things.
10 Ash Ketchum Faces Countless Dangers On His Pokémon Journey (Pokémon)
The Pokémon anime series follows Ash Ketchum as he journies to become a Pokémon Master. Along his way, he faces many foes and dangers that other trainers have never known before. He risks his life countless times to save those he loves and is willing to do whatever it takes to do the right thing. Throughout his journey, Ash confronts plenty of villains along the way, such as Team Rocket, Hunter J, and even Mewtwo. No matter what challenge comes his way, he never backs down and is ready to even put his life in mortal danger for the good of everyone.
9 Kagome Is Able To Fight Alongside Her Friends (Inuyasha)
Kagome Higurashi is just an ordinary student before she lands in the Feudal Era at the start of Inuyasha. After she is transported five hundred years into the past, she discovers she is the modern-day reincarnation of Priestess Kikyo and joins up with Inuyasha to collect the shards of the Shikon Jewel. Though she starts as a helpless human girl, she continues fearlessly, facing hoards of demons and the villainous Naraku. Kagome gains a better understanding of her spiritual powers throughout the series, becoming a much stronger and more capable fighter. By the end, she can stand proudly alongside her friends and is able to take on the strongest of foes.
8 Subaru Endures Multiple Deaths And Still Fights On (Re: Zero - Starting Life In Another World)
Of all the heroes in the Re: Zero franchise, protagonist Subaru is one of the weakest. Despite this, he displays a great deal of bravery as he faces his untimely death over and over. His most useful ability, the power of Return by Death, allows him to start over no matter how terrible his fate becomes. However, this ability takes a great toll on Subaru emotionally and mentally. He suffers from the trauma of each death, often viewing his ability as more of a curse than anything. Despite his suffering, he holds himself together, knowing he can never reveal the truth. Because of this, he has a lot of inner strength, which is one of his best attributes.
7 Nagisa Chooses Her Daughter's Life Over Her Own (Clannad: After Story)
Nagisa Furukawa from Clannad may be physically weak, but she possesses a great deal of inner strength that becomes more apparent as the series continues. In Clannad: After Story, she and Tomoya are married and expect a child. Almost immediately, complications arise due to Nagisa's strange illness.
The family must make a decision on what to do now that the pregnancy has become a danger to both Nagisa and her unborn daughter Ushio. She knows the risks giving birth will have on her life, but she is determined to bring Ushio into the world. Her love outweighs any fear she may have, and in the end, Nagisa makes the ultimate sacrifice for her daughter.
6 Tohru Does Her Best On Her Own After Her Mother's Death (Fruits Basket)
The death of Tohru's mother, Kyoko Honda, leaves her completely devastated. All her life, her mom was her entire world. Now that she is gone, Tohru has to figure out how to live the best she can without her. At the start of Fruits Basket, she begins camping out on the Sohma Estate, trying to get by without burdening those around her. Even after the Sohmas take her in, Tohru does everything she can to remain self-sufficient and puts others before her own desires. Tohru shows incredible bravery facing the trauma she suffers alone, all while trying her hardest to be the person her mother wants her to be.
5 Emma Fights For The Survival Of All Humans (The Promised Neverland)
After discovering the truth about the Grace Field orphanage, Emma is determined to escape with the rest of the kids and save their lives. The young protagonist of The Promised Neverland fights for the survival of not only herself but all humans. Her ultimate goal is to safely escape with everyone to the Human World, where they can finally live in peace and safety, free from the terror caused by the demons. Though she is still so young, Emma takes on this task bravely, her love for others and strong will driving her to stop at nothing until humans are safe.
4 Levi Ackerman Battles To Put An End To The Horrors Of The Titans (Attack On Titan)
The humans of Attack on Titan suffer at the hands of monstrous beings known as Titans, who prey upon and devour the innocent. Determined to put an end to their terror, Levi Ackerman boldly leads the Special Operations Squad of the Survey Corps to take down any Titans that come their way. After experiencing a life of death and horror, Levi becomes determined to see the fall of the Titans, becoming one of the strongest humans known to man in the process. As with all other members of the Corps, it takes an enormous amount of courage and strength to face off against Titans and Levi has just that.
3 Dororo Survives On Her Own Despite The Odds (Dororo)
After the death of her mother leaves her all alone, Dororo has to learn to survive in a cruel world. She resorts to stealing what she needs to get by, throwing herself in the way of danger. Despite being so young, she is strong and capable, learning how to adapt early on during her travels with her mother.
When she joins Hyakkimaru on his quest to regain his body, she faces greater danger than she's ever known. Nevertheless, she stays faithfully by her "big bro's" side and helps him regain his humanity, never backing down even when things are at their worst.
2 Kaori Doesn't Let Her Illness Stop Her From Living Her Life (Your Lie In April)
Kaori Miyazono is the female lead of the iconic series Your Lie in April and has been sick all of her life. From an early age, she has gone in and out of the hospital, enduring many surgeries. When she is still just a child, she comes to realize that she will likely die young. Despite this, she decides that she will live her life to the fullest, never holding back and doing all the things she's always wanted to do. She bears a heavy burden for someone so young, but even then, she doesn't let it hold her back and fights for her life until the very end.
1 Madoka Gives Up Her Humanity For Those She Loves (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Madoka Kaname watches as her loved ones suffer the shared fate of magical girls everywhere in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, horrified as they succumb one by one and transform into witches. In one of the most unforgettable acts of bravery in anime, Madoka finally makes her wish and contracts to become a magical girl. She erases the existence of witches altogether, reversing the pain and suffering the cycle of magical girls has caused. As a price for this power, she becomes a deity, unable to live as a normal girl ever again. Her selfless act saves the ones she loves as she courageously puts her life aside for them.