5 Shonen Protagonists Better Than Ash Ketchum

I absolutely love the original Pokémon anime – it’s a classic action-adventure series, and a huge part of that is thanks to its main characters! We follow Ash Ketchum on his never-ending journey to become a Pokémon Master, and he’s always got his best buddy Pikachu by his side. While Ash isn’t exactly the typical hero you’d find in a shonen anime, he definitely shares a lot of the same awesome qualities!

While Ash Ketchum is a legendary anime hero, many other shōnen protagonists have achieved even greater things. These heroes have often overcome even more difficult and dangerous challenges, always striving to protect their friends and build a brighter future.

Gon’s Character Arc Is One of the Most Infamous

An Aspiring Hunter Seeks Out His Long-Lost Father

Many anime fans love Hunter x Hunter, and it’s easy to understand why. The story follows Gon Freecss, who discovers his father—a famous Hunter thought to be dead—is actually alive and in hiding. Determined to find him, Gon sets out to become a Hunter himself. During his adventure, he makes both strong friendships with characters like Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika, and encounters dangerous enemies.

I’ve always seen Gon as a really cheerful, spontaneous, and somewhat innocent character, much like Ash. But what surprised me – and a lot of fans – was how much he changed during the Chimera Ant arc. While Ash consistently sticks to his principles, Gon was consumed by anger and sadness, and it led to some truly awful and permanent outcomes. He survived that arc, but it left a dark mark on his character – even Killua was shocked by what he was capable of. It’s that contrast – his usual brightness alongside a capacity for real brutality – that makes Gon such a fascinating and complex shōnen hero, in my opinion.

Ichigo Kurosaki Navigates the World of Soul Reapers

A Young Man Forced To Work With His Spirit-Related Powers

Stories featuring people who can see and talk to ghosts are popular, but Bleach, a manga by Tite Kubo, is arguably the most famous example. The story centers on Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who can see spirits, a gift he dislikes but uses to help them. When Ichigo meets Rukia Kuchiki, a powerful spirit guide, he unexpectedly gains her powers and takes on the responsibility of defeating dangerous, corrupted ghosts called Hollows. This allows him to protect both the living and the spirits on their journey to the afterlife.

Unlike Ash, who dreamed of being a Pokémon Trainer, Ichigo didn’t initially want to be a Soul Reaper. But like Ash, he has a strong sense of right and wrong and can’t stand to see people suffer. This makes him a powerful ally to both humans and the Soul Society, and a natural leader. The latest chapter of Ichigo’s story is unfolding in the new anime, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.

Edward Elric Learns That His Fate Is Intertwined With the World’s Own Destiny

The Fullmetal Alchemist Tries To Fix a Devastating Mistake

In a world filled with alchemy, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt a forbidden act: bringing their mother back to life. The experiment fails catastrophically, costing Edward an arm and Alphonse his entire body. Though devastated by the loss of his limb, Edward sacrifices it to save his brother’s soul, binding it to a suit of armor. After recovering, Edward quickly gains recognition in the military, becoming the youngest State Alchemist ever known – earning the nickname “Fullmetal Alchemist” because of his artificial steel arm and leg.

While Ash dreams of excitement, Ed simply wants to return to a quiet life he once knew. But Ed and his brother are compelled to become skilled alchemists – a pursuit they initially took up to please their mother – as they search for a way to regain their lost bodies. Though Ed is fiercely independent and prefers to rely on just his brother and a few close allies, he soon discovers that saving those he cares about, and the world itself, will require him to work with many others. The intricate and well-developed characters, including Ed, are a major reason why Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is considered one of the greatest shōnen anime ever made.

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Luffy Never Lets Go of His Dream

The Straw Hat Pirates’ Captain Has a Strong Sense of Justice

Image via Toei Animation.

When the famous pirate Gol D. Roger was dying, he announced that his incredible treasure, the One Piece, was out there for anyone to claim. However, he didn’t reveal what the treasure was or where to find it. This sparked a massive wave of piracy, as everyone believed whoever found the One Piece would become the next King of the Pirates. Among those searching is Luffy D. Monkey, a relentlessly optimistic teenager who’s building a crew called the Straw Hat Pirates. Unbeknownst to most, Luffy gained special abilities years ago by eating a mysterious Devil Fruit.

Luffy can’t swim, but after an unusual event, his body became like rubber! This means he’s unaffected by electricity and can stretch to incredible lengths. As the story progresses, Luffy develops even more amazing abilities, establishing him as a top hero in the shōnen anime world. His adventures with his friends are popular all over the globe, and One Piece is currently the best-selling manga series. People love Luffy because he’s always positive, fiercely loyal, and determined to secure freedom for everyone – qualities that have made him a fan favorite since he first appeared in the late 1990s.

Naruto Has Inspired Countless Anime Fans Worldwide

A Scorned Ninja Works Towards His Goal of Becoming Hokage

The original Pokémon anime always showed Ash with a supportive group of friends and mentors like Professor Oak helping him along the way. This is quite different from Naruto, where the main character, Naruto Uzumaki, often faced doubt and negativity from those around him. At the beginning of the series, his classmates mostly found him irritating, and many adults deliberately ignored him. What they didn’t know – and Naruto wouldn’t discover until he turned twelve – was that he contained the powerful spirit of the Nine-Tailed Fox, Kurama. Despite being mistreated because of this hidden power, Naruto dreams of becoming Hokage, hoping to finally earn acceptance and a sense of belonging.

Despite doubts from his friends Sakura and Sasuke, Naruto consistently supports those he cares about and never gives up on them. His unwavering optimism and dedication to his goals eventually earn the respect of others, even those who initially disliked or opposed him. Throughout the series, even as friendships are strained and broken, Naruto remains loyal to his loved ones, even when they make mistakes. These qualities, combined with his incredible strength, have made Naruto one of the most famous and beloved anime heroes of all time.

2026-02-12 17:40