Forgotten Heroes In Battle Shonen Anime

Key Takeaways

Shonen anime has iconic heroes, but some underrated protagonists like Kousuke Ueki deserve recognition.
Series like
The Law of Ueki
offer unique heroes with thoughtful approaches to fighting and promoting justice.
Forgotten protagonists from series like
Radiant
and
Beelzebub
bring a mature and comedic balance to battle shonen.

As a long-time fanatic of the anime world, I must say that these four protagonists have left a profound impact on me and countless others who’ve followed their journeys.

As a gamer, I remember my initial foray into the captivating world of anime was through shonen, a widely adored genre that’s often seen as the gateway due to its accessibility. Over the years, this genre has left an indelible mark in pop culture, and it’s not hard to see why with characters like Ichigo from Bleach, Luffy from One Piece, and Naruto from Naruto standing tall among its battle shonen protagonists. These shows have truly redefined what it means to be a fan of anime.

Let’s explore the numerous unsung heroes from various animes who might not be as well-known, but certainly deserve recognition. Our discussion will primarily focus on battle shonen anime that fall into this category, with a twist: we aim to shed light on series whose main characters have largely been overlooked or forgotten. As such, shows like Sket Dance, which is not part of the battle shonen genre, will not be considered in this conversation.

10 Kousuke Ueki (The Law Of Ueki)

One Of The Most Underrated Shonen Protagonists

Back in the mid-2000s, I stumbled upon a hidden gem of a show called “The Law Of Ueki.” This series centers around me, Kousuke Ueki, an ordinary middle school student who found himself thrust into an extraordinary tournament. The victor of this contest would ascend to the throne of the heavenly world!

In a nutshell, Ueki was an exceptionally cool hero, standing out among his peers due to his more human traits. Granted, he possessed impressive powers, yet what truly set him apart was his strategic approach during battles. The anime series Ueki no Housoku, in which Ueki appears, boasts a strong ensemble cast, and it’s delightful to encounter a lead character who strives to uphold justice for the betterment of the world.

9 Seth (Radiant)

A Mature Shonen MC

Released	2019
Number of Episodes	42
Studio	Lerche
Streaming Services	Crunchyroll

In a somewhat modern yet obscure context, “Radiant” premiered in the year 2019, giving off an air of a long-forgotten series and its protagonist, Seth, who is a sorcerer. This unique character has survived an encounter with an adversary known as a ‘Nemeses,’ but not without bearing a curse from them. Generally ostracized by society, Seth aspires to alter this perception. In the narrative, he strives to dismantle prejudices and redefine the role of cursed sorcerers in their world.

Although Radiant may not be the best anime ever made, it effectively portrayed the character Seth and wasn’t shy about exploring darker, less optimistic themes, which added depth to its characters.

8 Oga Tatsumi (Beelzebub)

The Lovable Delinquent

I must admit, there’s something truly entertaining about well-executed “delinquent” anime shows, and “Beelzebub” was one such series that nailed the balance. It’s a comedy genre where the protagonist, Oga, is an intimidating delinquent who happens to be raising the son of a demon lord.

The series skillfully combined humor with conventional elements of battle shonen genres such as training sequences and adversarial groups. Initially, Oga appeared as a monotone character, but as the story progressed and his bond with baby Beelzebub deepened, he developed into a more complex personality.

7 Rekka Hanabishi (Flame Of Recca)

Paying Homage To Another Classic

Released	1997
Number of Episodes	42
Studio	Pierrot
Streaming Services	Crunchyroll

“Recca, an old series from the ’90s, follows the journey of a youthful protagonist who uncovers extraordinary powers. This revelation propels him into a universe teeming with allies and adversaries boasting supernatural prowess. In the end, he engages in a battle-filled tournament.”

Often, people dismissed “Flame of Recca” as just another copy of “YuYu Hakusho,” but this isn’t accurate. Although there are noticeable similarities, Rekka Hanabishi is distinct from Yuusuke Urameshi. Regrettably, many won’t discover this uniqueness, as he has largely been overlooked in the pages of history.

6 Yoshimori Sumimura (Kekkaishi)

The Sentimental Hero

Released	2006
Number of Episodes	52
Studio	Sunrise
Streaming Services	Crunchyroll

In simpler terms, Yoshimori hails from the Sumimura family and is responsible for safeguarding his town against malevolent spirits known as Ayakashi. Accompanied by his longtime companion and affectionate interest, Tokine, he fulfills this role diligently.

Instead, Yoshimori prefers to spend his time baking at home instead of battling demons during the night. This character was a refreshing change from the aggressive and boisterous protagonists that were common in battle shonen shows back then, but unfortunately, Kekkaishi didn’t achieve the same level of popularity as those other series did.

5 Rikuo Nura (Nura: Rise Of The Yokai Clan)

A Fine Blend Of Horror And Typical Shonen Fare

Released	2010
Number of Episodes	48
Studio	Deen
Streaming Services	Hulu, AppleTV

The animated series, often referred to as “Nurarihyon No Mago” or “Nura: Rise Of The Yokai Clan,” had an underwhelming adaptation compared to its manga counterpart. The story revolves around a young lad named Rikuo, who is half-yokai and destined to be the head of the yokai clan.

Because the series revolves around Yokai, often perceived as frightening spirits, it incorporated horror elements as Rikuo worked to safeguard his friends, both human and yokai, from sinister adversaries. Rikuo was an engaging protagonist with an intriguing appearance. For those who prefer a slightly darker take on shonen, Nura: Rise Of The Yokai would appeal.

4 Kenichi Shirahama (Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple)

The Weakling Who Became The Strongest

There are numerous series featuring main characters who begin as relatively weak individuals before eventually becoming exceptionally powerful. Shows like “Hajime No Ippo“, “My Hero Academia“, and in the past, “Kenichi” have employed this common theme, with “Kenichi” being particularly successful at it when such ideas might have seemed innovative.

Kenichi is an inspirational main character who looks to grow stronger and use his powers responsibly while also protecting those around him. It was a shame that the series only had 50 episodes and ended on something of a cliffhanger. It would be nice if Kenichi returned, although it is unlikely.

3 Toriko (Toriko)

The Big 3 Pretender

In certain groups, Toriko was often grouped alongside the top three anime (which could also include One Piece, Bleach, Naruto, or Dragon Ball), and it was heavily promoted. The series gained traction in the Western world, but its fanbase shrank in Japan.

To put it simply, the manga of Toriko was exceptional, offering a captivating universe, with the character of Toriko standing out as a strong lead. Unfortunately, the anime adaptation didn’t quite live up to its potential. Despite being one of the top contenders in the shonen genre at the time, Toriko seemed to take a back seat compared to other prominent series that were growing their legends.

2 Tsunayoshi Sawada (Hitman Reborn!)

Tsunayoshi Walked So Midoriya Izuku Could Run

In the world of Shonen manga, characters like Midoriya and Tanjirou have become popular for their combination of sensitivity and strength. However, it was Tsunayoshi who paved the way for this type of protagonist around the end of the 2000s.

As a passionate gamer and anime enthusiast, I’d highly recommend diving into the world of “Hitman Reborn!”, an often overlooked gem that initially presented itself as a humorous anime, but eventually transformed into a thrilling shonen series. What sets it apart is its captivating power system and a cast of characters that are not only intriguing but also well-developed.

1 Yato (Noragami)

The ‘God’ With Different Faces

In terms of characters, Yato from Noragami shares many traits with Kenshin Himura from Rurouni Kenshin. On the surface, both appear light-hearted and jovial, but beneath their playful demeanor lies immense power. They also carry a heavy burden from their past experiences.

In the series “Noragami,” the character Yato, much like him, is a lesser deity striving for numerous devotees. However, since he lacks a dedicated shrine, there’s a risk that he might be overlooked and forgotten. This all shifts when he encounters a young girl named Hiyori and his companion, Yukine. Similar to “Noragami,” though it possesses a great deal of emotion, it runs the danger of being entirely overlooked in today’s bustling anime scene.

2024-08-29 12:35