Whether they be big or small, all people have some kind of life-long dream. Dreams are proverbial food for the soul. They serve as far-off beacons representing a coveted achievement or state of being that helps guide people to do something meaningful with their lives.
And when it comes to anime characters and the series they hail from, dreams serve as motivations to get the story moving and keep it moving. Some characters have vague or easily reachable dreams that drive them on. Other characters, however, have dreams so clear but distant that they might as well be literal stars in the night sky.
10 Becoming A Popular Idol & Making Others Smile Is Nico's Life Goal (Love Live! School Idol Project)
Besides the potential for her idol career to help her family financially, Nico Yazawa also has a pure desire to make people smile in Love Live! School Idol Project. In fact, her name, "Nico," is phonetically the same as the Japanese word for "smile," so making others smile is essentially baked right into her soul. Becoming a top idol is one of Nico's biggest priorities, and she intends to stick with it even after her work as a school idol.
9 Ash Ketchum Wants To Catch 'Em All & Become A Pokémon Master (Pokémon)
Even though he's been on his Pokémon Master journey for what seems like an eternity, Ash Ketchum has a pure-hearted goal to master everything Pokémon in the Pokémon anime. He's journeyed to several different regions and caught scores of Pokémon as well as completed several different regional challenges along the way. Fans might not be sure when Ash's travels will finally come to an end, but they might never stop. After all, being a Pokémon Master suggests Ash needs to consistently keep up to date with the latest Pokémon that are constantly added to the franchise.
8 Being An Undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girl Consumed Tokai Teio (Uma Musume: Pretty Derby)
Just like her real-life racing horse counterpart, Tokai Teio was almost an undefeated Triple Crown horse girl in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. But, also just like the real-life Tokai Teio, Uma Musume's Tokai Teio broke her leg and couldn't remain undefeated in racing.
Losing out on her dream and failing to be just like her horse girl hero, Symboli Rudolf, damaged Tokai Teio's self-esteem for quite some time, and she almost gave up racing. But, by the end of the series, Tokai Teio realizes she really loves racing and refuses to give up.
7 Atsuko Admires Shiny Chariot & Wants To Make People Smile With Her Magic (Little Witch Academia)
Despite having a low tolerance for studying and a propensity to make novice mistakes, Atsuko Kagari harbors a pure passion for magic and making people smile in Little Witch Academia. After seeing the witch Shiny Chariot perform fun magic for crowds, Atsuko (Akko, for short) began dreaming of the day that she, too, could make audiences smile with magic. And Akko's potential for magic is definitely there, as she demonstrated she can use the Shiny Rod that once belonged to Shiny Chariot herself. She just needs to study.
6 Becoming Hokage & Changing Ninja Society For The Better Drives Naruto (Naruto)
Originally wanting to make others acknowledge him in Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki eventually tailored his goal to focus on the betterment of his village and ninja society in general. Becoming Hokage is no easy feat, and only the best ninja are able to lead their villages effectively, which is exactly why Naruto poured all his energy into mastering ninjutsu. Despite having little talent for it at first, Naruto kept working hard, and he managed to gain the skill, confidence, and respect that earned him the title of Seventh Hokage.
5 Deku's Eager To Become An Unstoppable Pro Hero Like His Idol, All Might (My Hero Academia)
Even though he was born Quirkless in My Hero Academia, Izuku "Deku" Midoriya continued to dream of being a Pro Hero. He made up for his Quirklessness by studying the strategies of other Pro Heroes in hopes it would give him an edge in battle. Luckily, Deku manages to capture his hero All Might's attention, who passed his own Quirk on to Deku. Armed with One For All, Deku bravely steps forward into the world of heroes with the intention of becoming the next Symbol of Peace.
4 Becoming A Prince Is What Motivates Utena To Be Noble & Kind (Revolutionary Girl Utena)
Traditionally speaking, "prince" is a title only for men, but Utena Tenjou didn't let that stop her in Revolutionary Girl Utena. Instead, Utena held fast onto her childhood dream that she, too, could become a prince just like the one who saved her from drowning.
Sticking to this dream despite the world telling her it's impossible is what Revolutionary Girl Utena is all about, and Utena does finally succeed at becoming the kind and noble prince she always wanted to be.
3 Mitsuki Dreams Of Being A Professional Singer Despite Her Deadly Illness (Full Moon Wo Sagashite)
Wanting to become a singer is one thing, but wanting to become a singer while suffering from throat cancer is an entirely different thing altogether. That's Mitsuki Koyama's exact dilemma in Full Moon wo Sagashite - she dreams of becoming a famous singer to reunite with her childhood love, but cancerous tumors on her vocal cords prevent her from singing safely. After meeting the Shinigami duo Negi Ramen, however, Mitsuki is given one year to fulfill her dream before having to pass on to the afterlife.
2 Dethroning The King Of Pirates Is What Motivates Luffy On His Grand Adventure (One Piece)
Gol D. Roger is the legendary Pirate King in One Piece, a pirate so renowned that he started the Golden Age of Pirates when he claimed that anyone who unearthed his treasure could keep it. While an ordinary pirate would think only of money, Monkey D. Luffy dreams of ultimate freedom to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, wherever he wants. Only the Roger Pirates have successfully navigated the Grand Line, so Luffy has his work cut out for him.
1 Riko's Goal To Reach The Bottom Of The Abyss Is The Ultimate Dream (Made In Abyss)
A 12-year-old orphan from the town of Orth, Riko has only had one dream for as long as she can remember in Made In Abyss - become a White Whistle Delver like her mother, Lyza the Annihilator, and make it to the bottom of the Abyss. Becoming a White Whistle is already a Herculean task that only the strongest, bravest Delvers have managed... but reaching the bottom of the Abyss practically requires Delvers to forfeit their lives. None have reached the bottom and returned to tell the tale.