The shonen genre makes up an overwhelmingly large demographic when it comes to Japanese anime and manga. In fact, Weekly Shonen Jump is one of the longest-running and best-selling manga anthologies in print, especially considering it was established in 1968.
Shonen Jump's long-running status is a testament to the shonen genre's popularity among typical anime and manga fans, and there's a plethora of popular shonen series to back that claim. But what exactly does it mean to be a shonen protagonist? There's a long list of traits that are essential for any shonen protagonist, but some of them might be more appealing than others.
10 HARSH REALITY: There's A Lot Of Responsibility To Take On
Whether it's Son Goku from the Dragon Ball franchise or Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen, many shonen protagonists end up in situations where a lot is asked of them. Saving even one person is a huge responsibility to ask of someone, much less saving an entire population (or sometimes even the entire world). Shonen protagonists are expected to step up to the challenge and put their skills to the test. They know that failing means they'll let a lot of people down, so they do what's necessary to make it through.
9 PERK: A One-Of-A-Kind Or Once-In-A-Lifetime Adventure Or Opportunity On The Line
Shonen narratives are frequently action-packed affairs with high stakes and multiple barriers to break through in order to reach the final goal. Monkey D. Luffy's interest in the eponymous One Piece treasure, for example, is a unique adventure that not anyone is willing to take on. After all, with big dreams and ambitions come even bigger challenges and adventures. The potential to go down in history as an important figure is significant to even atypical shonen protagonists like Death Note's Light Yagami.
8 HARSH REALITY: A Lot Of Heavy Expectations To Live Up To
Even the more whimsical shonen adventures typically include protagonists who have a lot of expectations placed upon them. Even though One Piece's Luffy is a pirate who doesn't owe the law or society anything doesn't change the fact that his crew depends on him.
In other words, Luffy is expected to be a good leader and make the best calls for his crew. More conventional examples include Goku's role as one of Earth's strongest warriors in Dragon Ball Z, as he's often expected to protect Earth and keep it safe.
7 PERK: There Are Strong & Reliable Comrades To Befriend During The Journey
Every shonen protagonist needs their faithful band of supporters and even less conventional shonen protagonists, such as Light from Death Note, manage to forge strong bonds. Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto wouldn't have made it far without making several strong friends on his personal mission to become Hokage. Likewise, Goku from the Dragon Ball franchise has managed to win over several of his enemies, including the stubborn Vegeta. The best part is that the protagonist's powerful friends will likely stand up for them when it's needed.
6 HARSH REALITY: There's A Lot Of Training On The Agenda
Action-oriented shonen protagonists are especially susceptible to the reality that they have to consistently hone their skills if they want to make a difference. Dragon Ball Z's Goku is always training and honing his skills, and Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer underwent a hellish training regimen before attempting Final Selection to join the Demon Slayer Corps. Likewise, Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan consistently participates in military drills and exercises to keep his skills sharp. There's not a whole lot of rest for a typical shonen protagonist.
5 PERK: A Distinct Skillset Sets Them Apart From Other Characters
Shonen protagonists often possess a special skill, lineage, or martial art that makes them stand out and attract attention from others. Tanjiro's special skill in Demon Slayer is the Hinokami Kagura, or Dance of the Fire God, a breathing style that's unique to the Kamado family. Luffy from One Piece ate a Devil Fruit in his youth, giving him special stretching abilities. And Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto has a fox demon sealed within him that partially contributes to his ninjutsu prowess.
4 HARSH REALITY: There's No Guarantee That The Protagonist Will Agree With Their Destiny
As a rule of thumb, most shonen protagonists are characters who enjoy challenges and they're up to whatever task demands their immediate attention. In some cases, however, the end goal might not be something the protagonist agrees with.
Eren's plan to initiate the Rumbling and become a villain in Attack on Titan is a more recent example of a shonen protagonist who didn't necessarily want to do what was required of them. But a good protagonist will do what's necessary or find another way regardless of whether they agree with the conflict.
3 PERK: The Protagonist Has Faith That Their Actions Will Make A Difference
Any shonen protagonist needs a healthy dose of confidence, so it's highly likely that they have unshakeable faith in their own skills and using them for the benefit of others. Turning to Eren as an example, he managed to convince himself that it was best to do some truly terrible things in the name of true freedom. A more positive example includes Izuku "Deku" Midoriya from My Hero Academia, who persisted in his quest to become a Pro Hero even though he was once Quirkless.
2 HARSH REALITY: Failure Is A Constant Reminder To Get Stronger & Work On Themselves
Nobody likes failing, but failure is an inevitability for any shonen character who's got a big, important quest they need to get through. Both Tanjiro from Demon Slayer and Deku from My Hero Academia can relate to the reality of failure. Time and time again, both Tanjiro and Deku continue to stand back up after being beaten down and move forward. Shonen protagonists like One Piece's Luffy have also tasted their fair share of defeat, but they always use it as fuel to get better.
1 PERK: There's A Lot Of Strong & Powerful People On Their Side
Even the most timid shonen protagonist has a strong and powerful ally on their side, whether it's a mentor or perhaps a governing entity. Deku from My Hero Academia has the legendary All Might on his team and Eren's ability to become a Titan in Attack on Titan gained him the attention of the military. Goku from the Dragon Ball franchise is famous for winning over some of the most powerful beings in existence, including Universe 7's God of Destruction, Beerus.