Stars of the shounen game

What it takes to ace an anime protagonist

KARACHI:

Most of us have grown up watching Pokémon and living vicariously through the great adventures of Ash Ketchum. But as kids, we never stopped to wonder what it was about this character that we loved so much. As tastes get refined, that mentality develops into a stronger regard for characters we enjoy as adults. We watch their layers unfold, sift through the cracks and find gold.

Here are four times modern anime shows struck gold with their main characters. Let's see who they are and investigate why we adore them so much.

Tanjiro Kamado from 'Demon Slayer'

When you think of a stupendously kind anime protagonist, this is at least among the names that come to mind, if not the first of them. If you who are unfamiliar with the benevolence of this sword carrier, you might feel deterred. Who wants an abundance of kindness in a show about demons? But take it from someone who enjoys morally grey characters better, Tanjiro isn't someone you'd want to miss.

Dare I say, he is the best big brother ever. Seriously, that's the whole premise. Upon discovering the bodies of his family in a demonic massacre with his surviving younger sister being turned into a demon against her will, Tanjiro sets out on a journey to cure her and become a professional demon slayer.

You'd think that someone who has been wronged by supernatural beings would let hate fester in this heart, but no. In fact, Tanjiro prays for peace for every demon he puts down. The idea of a prayer succeeding a kill is ironic, though in this case, it's well-earned because he doesn't kill demons for the sake of the craft; he does it to free them and allow them to embrace eternal peace after a lifetime of bloodthirst. What's more noble than it?

Despite having to grow up prematurely, Tanjiro spreads the warmth of his youth to those marred by tragic circumstances similar to his own. He loves his sister Nezuko enough to carry her on foot in a box to protect her half-demonic body from sunlight. The lack of like-minded companions in his life influences him to soften up to new people easily hence recruiting loyal friends along the way. The boy is the ball of flame that the other characters easily fall into orbit for.

All this softness, yet he never once considers it a weakness that puts his efforts on hold. Tanjiro remins us that kindness is not a trait dispensed to be exploited, rather it determines discipline and perseverance despite what life puts you through.

Edward Elric from 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'

The perfect blend between a headstrong resolve and a generously expressive personality with a sprinkle of palatable altruism takes the form of this metal-sporting alchemist.

Driven by the loss of his mother, Edward Elric embarks on a risky magical endeavor that costs him an arm and the body of his brother, Alphonse Elric. As compensation, Ed dedicates his life to reverting his tragic mistake. Sure, that's a tricky start for someone you're meant to root for, but it's a promising one nonetheless, and the quest that follows redeems Ed through many noble acts.

Flawed yet realistic, emotionally inept yet caring, Ed is the full package of what it means to be a human being, especially one who is truly apologetic after a grievous error. As someone who falls prey to an episode of anger after immense sorrow, I deeply relate to Ed's struggles with complicated emotions, especially ones that are meant to reinforce an emotional barrier in order to keep his battles to himself.

In his search for the cure, Ed eventually understands his increasing reliance on magic, an allegorical journey which culminates in a profound lesson regarding mental health. We find the truth as Ed does, and the truth is, we can't always solve our problems with magic. Sometimes, it's better to take a step back and reassess all that is near and dear.

Light Yagami from 'Death Note'

I see that scrunch on your face. You're probably thinking, "Light Yagami is not a hero." And I would wholeheartedly agree with you. But could a hero ever recite a dialogue as outrageous as "I'm the god of the ideal world" and make you question why chills are pricking down your spine? Could a hero ever make you question everything you think you know about the world? I bet not.

At times when we consume a piece of media that's different from conventional tastes, we're riddled with existential questions about our own morality and the essence of human nature itself. That is what Death Note is about, and the force that breathes this power into it is none other than Light Yagami.

It isn't just Light's philosophical intrigue or ominous presence that make him the subject of narrative quandary; it is also the suspense he commands by seeing himself to a dead-end yet still digging a way out of it. The heart of the show is his cold and calculating mind, seeing as the audience is compelled to experience the plot through it.

We live in his mind enough to understand it, but that shouldn't mean that we sympathise with it, and that's what makes the character so brilliant. You admire him for all that he can do; you feel the power emanating from him when he topples systems of authority in pursuit of his grand plan; you love to hate him.

Eren Jaeger from 'Attack

on Titan'

No better placement than the end of this list to discuss the boy who sought freedom. Here, we tread muddy territory as we struggle to pin this protagonist to a definite category. Eren has reigned over our hearts for more than a decade on screen, and this climactic history deserves praise that can only be dissected at a surface level in this article, though why am I here if not to offer an eager attempt?

Eren's plight centres the human-eating titans that plague his world. The concept of humanity versus titans is as simple as good versus evil for him, but when he is met with reasons that challenge these ideals, he can't fully cope with the drastic change in perspective, and that's what leads to an earth-shattering character development later on.