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While many anime suffer from uneven animation or lackluster storylines, some otherwise promising series are undermined by their own lead characters. In certain cases, protagonists are intentionally crafted to be exasperating, while in others, their ineffectiveness simply fails to captivate viewers. Occasionally, even standout supporting characters can outshine the main character, drawing attention away from the intended star.
There are numerous anime with commendable plots that falter because of underwhelming protagonists, prompting audiences to abandon the series before it truly hits its stride. When main characters lack complexity and charisma, even the most carefully constructed anime narratives can lose their allure.
Take, for example, the horror anime Another, which boasts a compelling premise and skillful execution, creating an atmosphere of suspense as the audience is left guessing who might be the next victim. Despite its potential to be a standout in the horror genre, the series is hampered by its protagonist, Kouichi. His timid nature leaves him struggling to leave a lasting impact, diminishing the overall effect of the story.
Another Destroys Its Unique Horror Story With a Forgettable Protagonist
Another is a horror anime with an intriguing concept and excellent execution. It creates a sense of dread because no one knows who is going to drop dead next. Another had the potential to be one of the best horror anime, if not for its protagonist, Kouichi. As a rather timid character, Kouichi fails to make an impression.
Kouichi is also a very forgettable protagonist, not being able to hold the attention of viewers. Another’s protagonist is someone who passively observes everything, and ends up with next to no development. With a protagonist who is more solution-oriented and active, Another might have truly made an impact.
Shinji’s Loneliness Hurts Everyone in Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a classic anime, but its protagonist, Shinji Ikari, often outrages viewers. Shinji’s character is driven by his trauma and the abuse he has faced. However, he is so broken at times that he refuses to take any action, and his need for validation overshadows everything else.
Shinji is a very realistic character who shows how different people process trauma differently, yet he seems too passive at times. Shinji’s loneliness hurts the people around him, which makes many viewers demand a protagonist who can make better decisions without getting weighed down.
Sword Art Online’s Kirito Is the Classic Trope of a Bland Anime MC
When it comes to unimpressive protagonists, Sword Art Online’s Kirito suits the requirement perfectly. Despite being a popular series, SAO is let down by Kirito’s bland personality. From the very beginning, Sword Art Online‘s protagonist is an overpowered character who keeps getting more and more broken abilities. Since he’s practically untouchable, Kirito has little character development to speak of.
Kirito also receives harem-style affection from several female characters, but ends up showing a lack of understanding regarding romance. SAO tries too hard to make Kirito seem like an edgy and nonchalant character, but it ultimately does not work. A character who understood their surroundings and grew with the rest of the characters might have worked better for Sword Art Online.
Bungo Stray Dogs’ Atsushi Feels Like a Side Character
Bungo Stray Dogs’ Atsushi is a character who was slowly supposed to mature and captivate fans, but Osamu Dazai stole the show without ever giving Atsushi a chance. Atsushi is a character built on a traumatizing past, but too many flashbacks to his past make him feel rather annoying.
Atsushi is the kind of guy who simply goes with the flow and reacts to situations rather than influence them directly. Instead of being a driving force of Bungo Stray Dogs, Atsushi ends up getting driven by the plot and other side characters, which isn’t what most fans are looking for in a protagonist.
Demon Slayer’s Tanjiro Is Too Nice For Emotional Depth
No one can deny Demon Slayer’s 10/10 animation execution, but when it comes to Tanjiro, it leaves much to be desired. The main criticism against Tanjiro is the fact that he is simply too nice, to the point that he sheds tears over a villain’s backstory. Tanjiro rarely ever shows any flaws and has the most generic personality for a shonen anime protagonist.
Tanjiro is so perfectly kind and righteous that there is no complexity behind his character. As a result, the plot becomes very predictable because Tanjiro does not have any internal conflicts. Demon Slayer’s flashy storytelling might have used a protagonist with more range and complexity.
Natsu Dragneel Never Matures in Fairy Tail
Natsu Dragneel is the character around whom hundreds of Fairy Tail episodes are built. However, Natsu’s lack of emotional development makes the anime feel lackluster. Natsu remained an unserious character throughout the anime, while also showing zero respect for personal boundaries as he recklessly intrudes on Lucy’s privacy.
Fairy Tail could have benefited from a protagonist with more emotional growth as well as internal struggles. Natsu is such a clichéd shonen anime protagonist that, outside his battles and fighting skills, very few of his interests were revealed. Of course, Natsu is a fun and light-hearted character, but his improvement could have pushed Fairy Tail to perfection.
Rent-A-Girlfriend’s Kazuya Is Too Cringy and Clueless
Rent-A-Girlfriend is actually an anime with an intriguing plot, but Kazuya’s lack of character development limits its potential. Kazuya is nowhere near a likable hero, as he has a manipulative persona and maintains a string of lies at all times. Kazuya’s character seems very immature, on top of being spineless. Instead of solving problems, Kazuya opts to lie and make them even more complex.
At the same time, Kazuya, like many other generic harem protagonists, lacks character development. The way he ignores any genuine emotional connection with the women in the show makes Kazuya feel deplorable at times. A more kind-hearted and responsive hero would have suited Rent-A-Girlfriend better.
Catarina Is Numb to Romantic Advances in My Next Life as a Villainess
Catarina Claes, the protagonist of My Next Life as a Villainess, has been dubbed by fans as “Bakarina” for her incredibly stupid choices. Catarina is a powerful catalyst for the plot, but she is denser than iron when it comes to anyone expressing their romantic feelings for her. At times, Catarina seems similar to the harem heroes who remain oblivious to any romantic approaches.
Catarina is otherwise an adorable protagonist, but her errors in judgment make it hard to keep supporting her. Had Catarina actually realized the consequences of her actions, the plot could have been much smoother, instead of dragging on the misunderstanding trope.
Asta’s Loud Personality Divides Black Clover Fans
Instead of being the protagonist who captivates viewers, Black Clover’s Asta is good at driving people away from the anime. As soon as he debuts, Asta is introduced as the loud, chaotic, dim, and often irritatingly optimistic protagonist. Asta was constantly screaming in his high-pitched voice in early Black Clover episodes, which made the anime hard to watch.
The plot of Black Clover is well-crafted, but Asta is a typical shonen anime protagonist who is a blend of a number of clichéd tropes. He is an underdog, an orphan, and has no magic in a world where magic means power. A more level-headed protagonist might not have scared away so many potential Black Clover fans.
Mushoku Tensei’s Rudeus Is an Unapologetic Pervert
Rudeus’ lecherous behavior has always been problematic in Mushoku Tensei. Despite reincarnation, Rudeus retains the behavior and mindset of a 40-year-old. Even though Mushoku Tensei is supposed to be Rudeus’ redemption arc, he keeps sexually harassing other characters, making it hard to sympathize with him.
Another problem is Rudeus’ mental age. Since he is a full-fledged adult in the body of a kid, his romantic pursuits with young women make viewers uncomfortable. The anime tries to pass his creepiness off as gag moments, but a more well-adjusted protagonist might have made Mushoku Tensei easier to digest.