Sorry Sung Jinwoo Fans, But Tanjiro is Actually 2025’s Best Anime Protagonist

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2025 has been a fantastic year for anime, with huge hits like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, Solo Leveling, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Blue Lock, Dandadan, and The Apothecary Diaries really shaking things up. With more new shows coming this fall, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the greatest years for anime ever.

Lots of great anime have come out recently, but the biggest discussions have centered around Solo Leveling and Demon Slayer. The main character from Solo Leveling, Sung Jinwoo, has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to his incredible strength and growth. Many people think he’s the best anime protagonist of the year, and that’s understandable. However, while Jinwoo is impressive, he doesn’t quite have the same depth and completeness as Tanjiro from Demon Slayer, and that makes a real difference.

Sung Jinwoo: Humanity’s Weakest Soldier to Korea’s Best

Jinwoo’s Lonely But Transformative Journey is Inspiring

  • Sung is a Great Anime Protagonist Whose Triumphs Feel Personal to Fans
  • Unfortunately, Jinwoo’s Lonely Journey Hinders His Growth Into an Ideal Main Character

At the start of Solo Leveling, Sung Jinwoo is shown as a weak and often ridiculed hunter. He constantly risks his life to earn money for his mother’s medical care, feeling trapped by his circumstances. The strict hunter ranking system offered him little chance to improve his situation, which made his struggles relatable. However, it was his determination and willingness to sacrifice for his family that truly connected him with viewers and made them root for him.

Jinwoo’s second awakening was as remarkable as his career as a hunter had been. He quickly became one of Korea’s top hunters, rising to prominence in just weeks. People who knew him were astonished by his change – he was almost unrecognizable and seemed capable of endless improvement. Even Korea’s most experienced hunters couldn’t understand how he had surpassed them so quickly.

Jinwoo is a compelling anime hero because he consistently puts others before himself, even when he’s weak. This selflessness is a hallmark of great protagonists like Deku from My Hero Academia. What makes Jinwoo particularly interesting, though, is his internal struggle with darkness that seems to grow as he gains power. While his adventures are thrilling, they’re often isolating, and he tends to see those around him as tools rather than true companions, which makes his victories feel somewhat empty.

Tanjiro Kamado: A Special Shonen Protagonist

Kamado’s Kindness For His Arch-Enemies and His Unique Bond With His Friends Make Him a Memorable Hero

I remember when Tanjiro’s life was so simple and happy! His family wasn’t looking for riches or anything fancy – they just wanted a peaceful life selling coal. But everything changed after that terrible attack. Honestly, Tanjiro had been pretty sheltered, didn’t know much about the world beyond his family. But when his sister was turned into a demon, he was determined to find a way to change her back and get revenge on those who hurt them. That’s what led him to join the Demon Slayer Corps, and I knew right away it wasn’t going to be easy for him – it was a path full of incredibly tough challenges!

Similar to Jinwoo, Tanjiro repeatedly risked his life fighting for what was right. Even before becoming a demon slayer, he consistently protected his sister, Nezuko, carefully controlling her and even confronting a powerful Hashira when he worried he might accidentally harm her. Each fight helped Tanjiro improve and grow, much like the main character in Solo Leveling. However, Tanjiro’s journey felt more complete and satisfying because he wasn’t alone – he had connections and support along the way.

While Jinwoo sometimes made morally gray choices, Tanjiro consistently prioritized kindness and understanding, even towards his greatest enemies. He didn’t just defeat opponents; he tried to help them find peace and rediscover their humanity, offering closure even to villains. This allowed Tanjiro to stay true to his values and resist his own inner darkness, a struggle Jinwoo often faced.

One of the things I absolutely love about Tanjiro is how he’ll instantly risk everything for someone else, without a second thought for himself. Now, Jinwoo in Solo Leveling definitely fights for what’s right, but I think the story focuses so much on his power-up and wins that it actually hurts him. We just don’t get to know the other characters well enough, and that makes his sacrifices feel…less impactful. It’s hard to really feel the weight of even his bravest moments when you don’t have a strong connection to the people he’s saving, you know?

Throughout his travels, Tanjiro has formed strong friendships that are essential to who he is. These relationships add layers to the story and help us connect with Tanjiro’s struggles, making his setbacks and sadness feel deeply personal. A prime example is his connection with Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, who played a key role in the fight against Akaza during the Mugen Train arc. Rengoku’s death was heartbreaking for both Tanjiro and the audience. The series intentionally held off on fully resolving that emotional impact for several story arcs, which built tension and made Tanjiro’s growth as a demon slayer all the more powerful.

The fight at the Infinity Castle, marked by Kyojuro’s sacrifice and Tanjiro’s desire for revenge, led to an incredible battle against Akaza. Tanjiro, a classic anime hero, fought bravely against the powerful Upper Rank Three, truly embodying heroic ideals. What was most touching, however, was Tanjiro’s ability to feel sympathy for his enemy even after the fight. While many anime protagonists have impressed in 2025, Tanjiro remains the most memorable, showcasing genuine heroism and strong values. In contrast, despite being well-made, Sung Jinwoo doesn’t quite succeed as a compelling protagonist.

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2025-11-04 20:35