As the anime industry has grown, more compelling and enchanting stories have reached audiences around the world. Though these anime are extremely beloved, many of them are lacking where the main characters are concerned. The supporting casts are typically spot on, but their protagonists are poorly written.
Whether they are “Mary-Sue” characters or are simply boring like JJBA's Jonathan Joestar, these protagonists harshly stand out against their stellar stories. Some anime protagonists are even likable and begin with compelling stories. Yet, they run out of steam by the end, leaving the character to feel underdeveloped. No matter the situation, these protagonists suffer due to their poor writing.
10 Simon (Gurren Lagann)
Simon lived a simple life of drilling until his buddy Kamina convinced him to escape their underground town in search of adventures beyond the surface. The two boys become the pilots for the indomitable Gurren Lagann and fight against the oppressive Beastmen and the Anti-Spiral that hopes to keep the humans at bay.
Gurren Lagann is a great story that has a dynamic cast. However, as the main character, Simon is lacking. Though he is a wonderful character, there is such a big time skip in the last season that it feels like the writers did not know what else to do with him. Instead of expanding on his adventures, Simon is instead shoehorned into a battle as an adult that is resolved quickly and ends with his heart getting broken.
9 Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Izuku Midoriya began My Hero Academia as a compelling and lovable character. He was a bright dreamer who had the odds stacked against him. Unfortunately, as time goes on for Midoriya, he begins to get increasingly thicker plot armor that supersedes audiences’ suspension of disbelief.
Though they may have accepted him growing back all of his arm bones after he completely shattered them in the U.A. practical exam, fans are becoming suspicious of his continued evasion of permanent injury. Additionally, Midoriya never seems to lose a fight. No matter what he does, or what happens during the scuffle, he always comes out on top. While viewers want their heroes to win, Midoriya’s victories are becoming absurd to the point that it takes audiences out of the story entirely.
8 Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer)
Tanjiro Kamado is a fierce swordsman from Demon Slayer. He fights for a noble cause and is a great, compassionate brother to his demon sister, Nezuko. Tanjiro has a big heart and strong loyalty to those he trusts. However, all of Tanjiro’s wholesomeness makes him off-putting.
Though he has a few moments here and there, Tanjiro almost always wins any battle he is in. Even when the odds are stacked against him – or if he receives a blow that would kill any other normal person, Tanjiro somehow survives. Plus, Tanjiro never having a single angry thought that is not directed toward a demon makes him an overall unbelievable character.
7 Sailor Moon (Sailor Moon)
Sailor Moon is supposed to be the ultimate defender of the universe. However, more often than not, it is her friends who are saving Usagi Tsukino from herself. She is the de facto leader, but she also finds herself in more trouble than any of the rest of the Sailor Scouts do.
Furthermore, Usagi tends to whine and complain every chance she gets. No matter what is going on around her, Usagi will find something to fret over. Plus, her chemistry with her beloved Mamoru Chiba is fraught with so much infighting that many Sailor Moon fans find their destiny hard to believe.
6 Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
Naruto Uzumaki is the happy-go-lucky titular character of Naruto. Although he is hardworking and always has a smile on his face (despite his village’s disdain), many feel that he is a poorly written character due to his nonsensical talk-no-jutsu.
Additionally, Naruto never seems to face any major consequences. Like many anime heroes, he floats by in every battle he is in and almost always wins. There are a few setbacks strewn throughout the show, but overall, Naruto suffers from a bad case of thick plot armor that makes him not compelling.
5 Eren Yeager (Attack On Titan)
Many love Eren Yeager for his switch to the dark side. However, this change makes audiences forget how Eren used to be before he knew of Marley’s existence. In the earlier seasons of Attack on Titan, Eren is a screamy, whiny cadet who lets his anger get the best of him. Eren acts so rashly, that he ends up being devoured in his first battle.
Fortunately, he becomes a Titan, and all is right in his world. That is until after the hole is plugged and Trost. Following that, Eren does not do much in battle or story-wise until more revelations are made about the Titans. He does grapple with Reiner a handful of times, but nothing more. Eren’s early story is rather lackluster compared to his switch to villainy.
4 Sora (No Game No Life)
Sora from No Game No Life is an energetic character. He loves to strategize and play games with his younger step-sister, but he often lets himself get carried away. He can be perverted and has tried to peek in on the girls more than once.
Sora may be a great strategist and a fantastic gamer, but he lacks self-control. He blindly does whatever his emotions tell him to – regardless of the consequences. If Sora had more restraint, he would have more respect from fans, and every other one of his gags and lines would not be steeped in innuendo.
3 Jonathan Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Jonathan Joestar is the oldest Hamon user and the first Joestar to tangle with DIO Brando in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Despite being the first hero of the series, Jonathan lacks much of the charisma and attitude that his descendants have in spades.
Jonathan is mild and has a righteous sense of justice. However, his lackluster fighting and bland personality make him the most forgettable of the Joestars. He may have given the ultimate sacrifice, but he severely underestimated DIO’s power and succumbed too quickly to his foe.
2 Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Shinji Ikari is one of the three Eva pilots in Neon Genesis Evangelion. Despite his important job, Shinji spends much of the show complaining about his position and actively seeks to leave it. Unfortunately, his dad runs the program.
Shinji would not be nearly as annoying if he was not the main character. Since he is, his constant whining and overall cowardice grates against fans’ nerves. While many agree that piloting an Eva would not be their first career choice, Shinji’s entire attitude throughout the show seems a bit extreme for a hero.
1 Kirito (Sword Art Online)
Kazuto Kirigaya (Kirito) was one of the first uploaded to the game and was forced to become resourceful. Unfortunately, that is where his interest ends, as the rest of Sword Art Online is dedicated to Kirito becoming like a god.
Kirito never loses a fight. Even when he is in a shooting game, he still finds a way to equip himself with swords, so he can do battle with the evil. Kiritio has no personality. He is just a young man trapped in a video game. That is practically all audiences know about him. His overpowered fighting abilities coupled with his lack of development make him an uninteresting and poorly-written character.