Summary
Main characters with great development can make or break an anime as they are the ambassadors of the show and take up most of the screen time. The development of the main characters’ perspectives in life enhances the viewer’s experience and adds depth to the narrative. Some of the main characters evolve continuously throughout the story, while others retain the same ideals but become a little gentler and more intelligent.
The best anime inexplicably always has a main character with great development. As the show’s ambassadors, the main characters can make or break an anime. Although there can be many reasons why an anime fails, a bad or stagnant main character is a big reason since most of the screen time is on them.
Some of the best anime have main characters who develop their attitudes slowly or at some point in their lives. They learn more when they experience the world for what it is and adjust their thoughts accordingly. Other amazing characters like Naruto and Luffy become more steadfast in their opinions after facing adversity. Having a main character with a great personality adds a lot to the viewer’s experience.
10 Hinata Shoyo has risen through the ranks as a player.
Haiku!!
Something haiku!! Hinata Shoyo’s slow progress was done brilliantly. He wasn’t very skilled at first, but he had great potential. Facing so many strong opponents made him realize how outclassed he is and that no one else on the court would be better than his teammate Kageyama. Through various training sessions, matches, and experiences, Hinata became the type of player he always wanted. In the end, he was a key part of the team and they achieved what they never thought possible due in part to Hinata’s explosive growth as a volleyball player.
In the year
9 Midoriya became a model hero
My Hero Academy
The Midoriya seen in My Hero Academia Episode #1 is completely different from the one seen in the latest episodes of the anime. From a weak and talented boy who aspires to be a hero to a serious contender to replace Almain, Midoriya’s ideals have more or less remained the same, but he’s a little more gentle. He witnessed the death of many innocent citizens and friends, so this tragedy made him realize even more the fact that he is a hero. His biggest change was being a lone wolf in the dark hero arc, but his best friends helped him recover from depression.
8 Hikigaya Hachiman came out of the shell
My young love comedy SNAFU
Hikigaya, who begins the series as an introverted and bitter high school boy, is forced by his teacher to join the volunteer club. Only thing was, the club only had one other member: the equally intelligent and sharp Yukinoshita. Together, they take on questions from other students to help them and each grow as a person. Hikigaya’s journey from hateful outcast to someone who cares about his friends is incredibly refreshing. In fact, he was later able to convey his true feelings and blossomed into a romance between him and Yukino. From insufferable narcissists to one man, Hachiman’s progression is truly inspiring.
7 Ken Kaneki has a sad ending.
Tokyo Ghoul
Kaneki in the anime had a sad story and even a sad ending. A mild-mannered and trusting college student, his life takes a turn for the worse when he becomes half-Gogol after being attacked by the murderous Raiz. He couldn’t eat normal food, he couldn’t keep up with his studies, and he faced many bullies. Even though he gains a sense of being with other spirits and learns that ghouls are different just like humans, he still meets a terrible end.
Tokyo Ghoul has a different ending in the anime compared to the manga.
6 Shinichi overcomes his fear
Parasite: Maxim
When disaster strikes on Earth and deadly aliens take over humans, a neurotic threat called Shinichi is lucky to be caught before they can completely take over his body. However, it now resided in his hand and gave him extraordinary power. Shinichi’s character development is one of the most amazing in all of anime, becoming a very brave person and giving his life for others. Although he goes through his fair share of despair and heartbreak, he eventually falls in love and has a heartwarming conclusion.
5 Gon succumbed to his anger
Hunter X Hunter
Although character development usually spans the entirety of the series, side development is heightened in the Chimera Ant arc. Although he had already faced the Phantom team, he finally got a taste of the dark side of fighting. His anger was slowly rising and he was unrecognizable from the happy boy, especially after accepting that Keith was dead. When he brutally killed Neferpito, Gon gave in to his dark desires and was the most powerful character in the series for a while, though it came at a terrible price. It was up to his best friend Killua to save Gon and make him healthy again.
4 Eren Yeager became a mass murderer
Attack on Titan
Character development is often the result of a change for the better, but Eren’s case is the complete opposite. He’s always been a bit twisted, but viewers can explain that by the extreme environment around him and seeing his friends die in battle. However, no one could have expected that a genocide that wiped billions of people off the face of the earth would be devastating. His main goal was to ensure peace for Paradis, but as his friends finally told him, there were better ways to do it. Eren’s big transformation remains one of the most controversial decisions in manga and anime history.
3 Shigeo Kageyama learned to accept his feelings
Mob Psycho
Considered one of the best anime of all time, Mob Psycho focuses on Shigeo, a kind-hearted esper who balances the life of an average student with his incredibly powerful abilities. He works as an extortionist under the money-grubbing Reagan, who obviously uses his power but really cares for him. Meeting other ghosts, battling powerful espers, and joining a self-improvement club help Shigeo navigate his life. Shige’s journey from being an introvert who bottled up his emotions and struggled with social interaction is an example of blossoming into an adult who knows how to accept whatever comes his way as a person.
2 Shoya Ishida apologizes for his sins
A quiet voice
Even though he was just a child, Showa was a horrible bully who made Shoko’s life hell no matter how kind she was to him. Haunted by the guilt of humiliating a deaf girl that was nothing but sweet to him, Shaw does his best to make amends. Although it takes a lot to gain her trust and most importantly make peace with himself, Showa succeeds in gaining her forgiveness and even saves Shoko from trying to kill herself. His character Redemption is one of the best, despite his simple premise, and has cemented himself as an inspirational character.
1 Torphine removed violence
Vineland Saga
Torfin grew up on the battlefield trying to get revenge for Askelad killing his father. He killed hundreds and looted villages. He was kidnapped by his sin, he gave up life, and later he was enslaved. Torfin’s life changes drastically when he meets his new slave Einar, and he realizes that he can atone for what he has done. His redemption arc is what makes Vinland Saga season 2 an anime of the year contender. Despite having to live in the brutal world of the Vikings, Torfin becomes one of the few true pacifists in the anime. Few character arcs feel as real and human as the Vinland Saga does with Torfin.
From bad to good and vice versa, the sky is how many directions an author can take to develop their main character. The most memorable characters are those who constantly evolve with experience, while others remain steadfast in their outlook but become meek as they experience the complexities of the world. Having main characters with great development can be what separates an average anime from a great one.