Summary
Main characters with great development can make or break an anime series, as they are the ambassadors of the show and take up the majority of screen time. The development of the main characters’ life perspectives enhances the viewer’s experience and adds depth to the story. Some main characters continually develop throughout the story, while others retain their ideals but become less naive and more nuanced.
The unmistakably best anime are also always there a main character with remarkable development. As ambassadors of the show, the main characters can make or break an anime series. While there can be many reasons why anime fail, bad or stagnant main characters are a big reason because most of the screen time is devoted to them.
Some of the best anime have main characters that gradually or sometimes immediately develop their outlook on life. They learn more when they experience the world as it is and adjust their ideals accordingly. Other incredible characters like Naruto and Luffy become even more steadfast in their opinions after facing adversity. Having a main character with great character development greatly increases the viewer’s experience.
10 Hinata Shoyo leveled up when he became a player
Haikyuu!!
One thing that Haikyuu!! did excellently the gradual improvement of Hinata Shoyo. At first he was not highly skilled but he had great potential. Facing many strong opponents made him realize how inferior he was and that he would be no one on the field without his teammate Kageyama. Through many different practices, matches, and experiences, Hinata has become the type of player he always wanted to be. He eventually became an important part of the team, and together they achieved something they didn’t think was possible thanks in part to Hinata’s explosive growth as a volleyball player. .
9 Midoriya becomes a model hero
My Hero Academy
The Midoriya who appeared in episode #1 of My Hero Academia is completely different from the Midoriya who appeared in the most recent episode of the anime. From the weak and weak boy who aspired to be a hero to the strong candidate for All Might’s position, Midoriya’s ideals more or less remained the same, but he was much less naive. He witnessed the deaths of many innocent civilians and friends, so the tragedy made him more aware of the realities of being a hero. His biggest change was in the Dark Hero arc, where he became a lone wolf, but his great friends helped him overcome his depression.
8 Hikigaya Hachiman breaks out of his shell
My teen romantic comedy SNAFU
Starting the series as an introverted and bitter high school boy, Hikigaya is forced by his teacher to join the Volunteer Club. The only thing is that the club only has one other member: Yukinoshita is also introverted and sharp-tongued. Together, they take requests from other students to help them and each grows as a person. Hikigaya’s journey from an obnoxious outcast to someone who cares for his friends is incredibly refreshing. He is even able to convey his true feelings afterwards and thus develops love between him and Yukino. From an unbearable narcissist to a trustworthy person, Hachiman’s growth is truly inspiring.
7 Ken Kaneki had a tragic end
The vampire in Tokyo
Kaneki has one of the sadder stories in anime and an even sadder ending. A naive and trusting college student, his life changes for the worse when he becomes a half-vampire after being attacked by Rize, the murderous vampire. He couldn’t eat normal food, couldn’t continue going to school, and encountered many violent vampires. Even though he found a sense of belonging with other vampires and learned that vampires are as different as humans, he still met a terrible end.
Tokyo Ghoul has a different ending in the anime than in the manga.
6 Shinichi conquers his fear
Parasite: Maxim
When disaster struck Earth and killer aliens took possession of humans, the neural wreck named Shinichi was lucky enough to capture the alien before it completely took over his body. However, it is now in his hands and gives him extraordinary power. Shinichi’s character development is one of the most notable in all of anime, becoming someone who is extremely brave and risks his life for others. Even though he went through many disappointments and heartbreaks, in the end he still loved and had a quite heartwarming ending.
5 Gon succumbs to his rage
Hunter X Hunter
While character development usually lasts throughout the series, Gon’s development skyrockets in the Chimera Ant arc. He finally tasted the dark side of battle, even though he faced off against the Phantom Troupe. His anger grew and became almost unrecognizable from the cheerful boy he once was, especially after accepting that Kite was dead. Brutally killing Neferpitou, Gon gave up his dark desires and temporarily became the strongest character in the series, even if it came at a heavy cost. Then, his best friend Killua must rescue Gon and help him return to health.
4 Eren Yeager became a serial killer
Attack the giant
Character development is often attributed to changes for the better, but Eren’s case is the exact opposite. He’s always been a bit twisted, but viewers can justify that with his harsh surroundings and seeing his friends die in battle. However, no one could have expected that he would become a genocidal maniac who wiped billions of people off the face of the Earth. His main goal is to ensure peace for Paradis, but ultimately, as his friends told him, there are better ways to do this. Eren’s big change is still one of the most controversial decisions in manga and anime history.
3 Shigeo Kageyama learns to accept his emotions
Crowd psychology
Considered one of the best anime of all time, Mob Psycho focuses on kind-hearted esper Shigeo as he balances the life of an ordinary student with his incredibly powerful abilities. He works as an exorcist under the command of the money-hungry Reigen, who seems to take advantage of his powers but truly cares for him. Meeting haunted people, fighting against powerful espers, and joining the Self-Improvement Club will aid Shigeo in navigating life. Starting out as an introvert, repressing his emotions and having difficulty integrating into society, Shigeo’s journey is a metaphor for his growth into an adult who learns to accept accept everything that happens to people.
2 Shoya Ishida atones for his sins
A silent voice
Although still a child, Shoya is a terrible bully who makes Shoko’s life a living hell, no matter how well she treats him. Heartbroken over the crime of bullying a deaf girl who was nothing but sweet to him, Shoya tried his best to rectify his actions. Although it took a lot of time to gain her trust and most importantly make peace with himself, Shoya succeeded in gaining forgiveness and even saved Shoko when she tried to commit suicide. death. His character’s redemption is one of the best despite the simple premise, and he has solidified himself as an inspirational figure.
1 Thorfinn renounces violence
Vinland Saga
Thorfinn grew up on the battlefield trying to get revenge on Askellad for killing his father. He killed hundreds of people and helped plunder villages. Haunted by his sins, he gave up on life and was later enslaved. Thorfinn’s life changes dramatically when he meets his new slave Einar and learns that he can atone for what he has done. His arc of redemption is what makes Vinland Saga season 2 a contender for anime of the year. Thorfinn becomes one of the few true pacifists in the anime, despite the fact that he has to survive in the cruel world of the Vikings. Few character arcs feel as real and human as what Vinland Saga does with Thorfinn.
From evil to good and vice versa, the sky is the limit for the number of directions an author can take in developing his main character. The most memorable characters are those who continually grow as they experience more, while others remain idealistically unchanged but become less naive as they experience the nuances of the world. Having The main character has outstanding development can be the difference between a normal anime and a special anime.