The world of Japanese animation is home to some of the best and most compelling protagonists in all of fiction and they really come to life when an exert writer is at the helm. Anyone can invent a self-insert isekai protagonist or a forgettable shonen hero who punches his way to victory, while a well-written character can be so much more.
In any type of fiction, a well-written character is one with a complex and relatable emotional side, interesting and thought-provoking goals or philosophies, a dynamic character arc, memorable dialogue, and far more. Some characters are even commentary on modern society or embody timeless themes in a new and fresh way, all thanks to some expert writing.
10 Thorfinn Karlsefni Learned Some Hard Lessons (Vinland Saga)
Seinen anime boasts some of the best-written characters in all of anime since they are not constrained by the conventions of shonen anime such as the power of friendship and never giving up. Vinland Saga's Thorfinn Karlsefni is a great start, a vicious antihero with a wounded heart and vengeance on his mind.
Thorfinn was an excitable boy with a thirst for adventure, until he lost his father, Thors, in his very first adventure beyond Iceland, which hardened his heart. Thorfinn was bent on revenge until he learned the hard way that revenge is empty and he needed something more meaningful in his life.
9 Edward Elric Also Learned Some Tough Lessons (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's Edward Elric is the youngest state alchemist in history, but he's not exactly proud of that fact. He and his brother, Alphonse, committed a great sin when they arrogantly tried to revive their dead mother, Trisha, and ever since then the brothers have been on a humble quest to restore their bodies.
Edward is compelling because of his optimistic but also grim and realistic view of the world. He is also a charming tsundere and a proactive action star, which is a winning combination. He is wise beyond his years and is committed to helping others however he can. He opposes the cycle of hatred and violence.
8 Ken Kaneki Embraced His Ghoul Side (Tokyo Ghoul)
Tokyo Ghoul's Ken Kaneki was once an ordinary college student until he was attacked and turned into a half-ghoul, which changed his life forever. Ken was in denial at first, but he had to let go of his humanity and embrace his ghoul side without completely giving up on who he is. It was a difficult balancing act, but Ken managed it.
Ken combined his ghoul nature with what remained of his humanity so he could become a man of two worlds and try to lead ghouls and humans into a better future. Ken has many enemies, and he might lose himself to his bloodlust and rage, but no matter how monstrous he becomes, Ken remains a sympathetic and well-written lead character.
7 Subaru Natsuki's Torment Is Palpable (Re:Zero)
While a variety of isekai heroes really are forgettable self-inserts, some of them are the exception, such as the hapless Subaru Natsuki from Re:Zero. He ended up in a fantasy realm with just one ability — to return to life at a checkpoint and resume his quest, as though loading a save in a video game.
Subaru slowly grows into a dependable, proactive, and heartfelt lead despite his many deaths and setbacks. Re:Zero's writing makes Subaru's emotional torment clear for all to see. When he breaks down crying or starts shouting in despair, anime fans can really feel it.
6 Light Yagami Is Complex & Chilling (Death Note)
Anime fans could write an entire book on the philosophy, themes, and actions of the dark antihero Light Yagami, the protagonist of Death Note. Light began the story as a bored but brilliant high schooler who got all kinds of ideas when he picked up the Death Note and his true nature as a brutal antihero was soon evident.
Light quickly blurred the line between hero and villain as he built his Kira kingdom at the cost of criminal blood and he challenged viewers to reassess their ideas of right versus wrong, justice versus crime, and much more. He sank deeper into the darkness until he was hardly recognizable.
5 Naruto Uzumaki Is Surprisingly Deep (Naruto)
At first, Naruto's titular shonen protagonist Naruto Uzumaki was just another excitable kid with a dream. Over the course of many episodes and chapters, Naruto grew up as a person and become wise beyond his years about the cycle of hatred, destiny, hope, and more.
Naruto channeled his pain and misery into something far better and he showed boundless compassion and kindness to other people to change their lives and change the entire world. Naruto used much more than his Rasengan to save the world.
4 Eren Yeager Is The New Light Yagami (Attack On Titan)
Like Naruto, Attack on Titan's Eren Yeager was a hotheaded shonen hero at first and like Light Yagami, Eren slowly morphed into something far darker. Bit by bit, Eren learned of his true role in the world as Grisha's son and Zeke's half-brother and he also learned the eye-opening truth of the world.
Eren later became a wild antihero bent on world destruction and while it's easy to criticize his apocalyptic plan, Attack on Titan fans can't help but understand why Eren acts and thinks the way he does.
3 Guts Has Come A Long Way (Berserk)
In the 1997 Berserk anime, the 2016 anime, and Kentaro Miura's original Berserk manga series, the protagonist Guts has been a compelling and heartfelt mercenary hero who has since become a dark fantasy icon. He may wield a giant dragon-slayer sword, but there's more to him than that.
Guts is defined by many things, from childhood trauma and mercenary experience to his budding relationship with Casca to his bitter feud with the traitorous Griffith and his increasing appreciation of the value of friendship. Guts is like a shonen, seinen, and even shojo hero all rolled into one and his character arc is incredibly dynamic.
2 Izuku Is An Underdog Unlike Any Other (My Hero Academia)
Izuku Midoriya is the star of My Hero Academia and he's yet another anime hero who's more complex than he seems at first. Izuku is one of anime's best underdogs who is deeply relatable to many people for many different reasons. He is wonderfully inspiring with his incredible grit and his determination to make something of himself.
Izuku's quirkless status and his worldview are quite relevant to the struggles of many people today — the underprivileged or invisible people who feel like they don't belong. Izuku is relatable and he becomes an excellent role model with his incredible progress despite the odds.
1 Saitama Is Heroic But Quietly Dark (One-Punch Man)
One-Punch Man's caped baldy, Saitama, is far more than a parody of the superhero genre. Saitama is a relatable seinen hero who expertly blurs the line between a true action star and a darkly compelling and realistic hero who is a bit jaded about the world. It's an odd but effective combination.
Saitama speaks for everyone who wants to become someone great, but might lack the external validation or motivation to do so. Saitama might also be symbolic of depression, a character who has incredible strength but no meaning behind any of it. He must find his true purpose in life somewhere, somehow, and that's a quest any One-Punch Man fan can relate to.