6 Anime MCs Better Than Tanjiro Kamado

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Tanjiro Kamado is a perfect fit as the main character of Demon Slayer. He’s tough and determined enough to battle powerful demons, but also kind enough to recognize the suffering within them. Viewers love his positive attitude and belief in the importance of friendship. However, some fans feel his character is a bit too typical for a shonen anime hero – a little predictable in his goodness.

Tanjiro is a perfectly fine character, but many anime fans feel there are more compelling protagonists out there. Some are similar to him but more developed, while others stand out by being completely different. Ultimately, a lot of anime heroes are just more interesting, visually striking, or leave a bigger impression than Tanjiro.

Ichigo Kurosaki is the Original Tanjiro

Ichigo Hides His Soft Side More Than Tanjiro Does

Watching Demon Slayer, it’s hard not to see similarities with Bleach, especially when you look at the main characters. Both Tanjiro and Ichigo Kurosaki are strong teenage boys who experienced tragedy when monsters harmed their families, and both ended up becoming skilled swordsmen dedicated to fighting those monsters. A lot of people really appreciate how kind and caring Tanjiro is, though sometimes it feels a little overdone. He can come across as too perfect, while Ichigo feels like a more complex and interesting character.

Ichigo, like Tanjiro, is a kind person, but he’s more guarded with his emotions. The loss of his mother deeply affected him, and he built a tough exterior as a way to cope. He’s gradually opening up and dealing with his grief. This internal struggle feels more compelling than Tanjiro’s family tragedy simply motivating his fight against Muzan’s followers.

Yuji Itadori’s Kindness is Balanced By the Darkness and Horror in His Life

Yuji’s Struggles Feel More Palpable Than Tanjiro’s Own

Image via MAPPA.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a popular new anime that clearly draws inspiration from the classic shonen series like Naruto. It features a group of three students and their teacher, similar to Naruto, and the main character, Yuji Itadori, feels like a successor to characters like Ichigo and Tanjiro. Both Tanjiro and Yuji are strong protagonists, but Yuji is ultimately more engaging. While Yuji is kind, he doesn’t emphasize it as much as Tanjiro does, making him feel more like a relatable, modern teenager who also happens to be a skilled fighter.

Both of these characters have faced terrible hardship, but Yuji’s struggles are particularly intense. He’s constantly battling the powerful and dangerous Ryomen Sukuna within him, which is taking a heavy toll on his mental state. It’s compelling to watch him both depend on and fear Sukuna. Adding to this, Yuji has experienced more devastating losses, including witnessing the death of Kento Nanami and nearly losing Nobara, all while also coping with the absence of his teacher, Satoru Gojo.

Yumeko Jabami’s Selfish Hedonism Contrasts Perfectly With Tanjiro’s Selfless Nature

Yumeko is a Self-Indulgent Hero in the World of Gambling

Image via MAPPA.

When thinking about Tanjiro, it’s helpful to compare him to characters like Ichigo and Yuji. However, it’s also interesting to look at how he differs from other heroes. There are many ways to create a compelling main character in shonen anime and manga. Some, like Yumeko Jabami from Kakegurui, don’t fight to protect others, but simply for their own enjoyment, offering a fresh take on the typical hero’s journey.

Yumeko is a unique and somewhat unconventional main character. She’s fascinated by the excitement of risky gambling, almost losing herself in the experience. What she truly enjoys isn’t winning, but the thrill of the game itself – the uncertainty and challenge of facing unpredictable odds. It’s captivating to see a character like Yumeko prioritize her own pleasure and put on a spectacle, all without resorting to violence. She demonstrates that it’s alright to be a bit self-indulgent and embrace what makes you happy.

Ken Kaneki is the Tanjiro of Seinen Anime

Ken Knows the Entire World is Wrong

Image via Viz.

Many popular anime shows, especially those aimed at young men (‘shonen’), feature powerful heroes protecting humanity from monsters. Series like Demon Slayer, Fire Force, and Attack on Titan all follow this pattern. However, more mature anime (‘seinen’) can explore this concept just as effectively. That’s what makes the story of Ken Kaneki so compelling – he’s a haunted hero similar to Tanjiro from Demon Slayer, but with even more inner turmoil. Like Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen, Ken is forced to take on a dangerous power in a desperate situation.

Ken is a more visually striking character than Tanjiro, and his personality feels more developed. He’s portrayed as a kind, bookish person at times, but also as a troubled individual haunted by past pain. What really stands out is his journey to improve a flawed world – it feels both meaningful and realistically difficult. Unlike Tanjiro, who has a clear enemy in Muzan Kibutsuji, Ken’s challenges in Tokyo Ghoul are far more complicated and lack a simple solution. Tanjiro can fix things by defeating Muzan, but Ken faces a much more complex and nuanced struggle.

Edward Elric’s Personal Losses Hit Harder Than Tanjiro’s

Ed Learned a Lesson in Humility and Restraint

Image via studio Bones.

Edward Elric, the main character of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, is a compelling hero because he feels both relatable and fresh. While he improves his skills and fights to protect others, his development isn’t about sudden, explosive power-ups. Instead, Ed grows steadily in all areas of his life – as an alchemist, a fighter, and as a person – ultimately becoming fully prepared for the challenges ahead. This makes his growth more well-rounded and nuanced than many other heroes, like Tanjiro.

Ed and Al’s experiences carry more emotional weight than Tanjiro’s, not because of how many people they’ve fought, but because of the deeper lessons they’ve learned. While Tanjiro learned to fight to protect his family, Ed and Al discovered a harsh truth about humanity’s place in the natural world. Their attempt at human transmutation – a truly shocking moment in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – is a defining event, and it’s actually why Ed earned the title of Fullmetal Alchemist.

Denji’s Downright Pitiful Nature Earns Him Even More Sympathy Than Tanjiro

Denji Dreams Small and Still Doesn’t Get What He Wants

Image via MAPPA.

Denji, the main character of Chainsaw Man, stands out as one of the best new heroes in shonen anime because he does things his own way, even though he doesn’t seem to gain much from it. He’s a stark contrast to characters like Tanjiro – he’s selfish, rough around the edges, and often irritates those around him. Despite this, viewers find Denji sympathetic and endearing, as he’s a vulnerable teenager who consistently experiences loss. In fact, Denji has suffered more losses than even Tanjiro, and fans have witnessed these hardships firsthand.

Denji is a surprisingly unconventional hero for a typical action story, and while he shares some similarities with characters like Tanjiro Kamado – both are driven by personal, heartfelt goals – their motivations differ significantly. Tanjiro focuses on saving his sister, while Denji simply desires basic comforts like food, a place to live, and a girlfriend. Though his methods are often questionable, viewers still find themselves supporting Denji, perhaps even seeing a bit of themselves in his struggles. This strange but powerful connection is what sets Denji apart and makes him a more compelling anime protagonist than many others.

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2026-01-21 00:09