Whether they’re facing personal demons, ethical dilemmas, or the consequences of their actions, these protagonists are testaments to the genre’s narrative depth. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best-written seinen protagonists in anime. So without further ado, let’s get started.

10. Shotaro Kaneda (Akira)

Shotaro Kaneda is a young and rebellious leader of a teenage motorcycle gang that roams the streets of Neo-Tokyo. Although he is not gifted with powers or great intellect, he is committed enough to be willing to fight for the soul of his friend Tetsuo until the bitter end.

Swallowed up in the conflict against anti-government elements to liberate Tokyo from the oppression of greedy politicians, Kaneda's character sees substantial development throughout the story, making him a fitting example of a seinen anime protagonist.

9. Saichi Sugimoto (Golden Kamuy)

Introducing very elderly or older heroes into seinen territory is a common practice and Saichi Sugimoto of Golden Kamuy, in his 20s, makes the cut for his cynical and aggressive demeanor. Being a war veteran, he seeks to find the legendary Ainu gold.

Also known as Sugimoto the Immortal, Saichi is known for his feats in battle and incredible survival instincts. Although he may come across as a rude and intrusive person, Saichi is actually kind and generous on the inside and will do anything to help those in need.

8. Shinichi Izumi (Parasyte)

When faced with adversity, Shinichi Izumi serves as a great example among seinen anime protagonists of facing the situation upfront rather than running away from it. As aliens begin to invade Earth, Shinichi is initially terrified, but not after coming to terms with the parasite residing in his arm.

As Shinichi struggles to prevent the alien parasite from taking over his human body, he also realizes that the parasites are no different from him, as they are simply trying to survive. Seeing Shinichi grow despite his struggles is what makes him a compelling main character.

7. Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)

Kaneki was a well-mannered college student living a normal life until he was transformed into a flesh-eating half-ghoul. Soon after this incident, Kaneki's life takes a 360º turn as he is unsure of how to deal with his new reality, his existence becomes an absolute hell.

Desperately trying to hold on to his humanity while being forced to confront the trauma he has long repressed, Kaneki subdues his emotions and morals in order to become stronger. Even though the series tries to find ways to portray Kaneki as a hero, he is still seen as the predominant problem.

6. Johan Liebert (Monster)

A protagonist doesn’t always have to be a hero, and when it comes to the plot of “Monster,” Johan Liebert takes center stage. He’s arguably the best villain in anime history, appearing to be a calm and polite individual, but behind his pleasant exterior lies the heart of someone who is decidedly evil.

Almost all of his actions stem from his desire to experiment and test people for his own pleasure. He kills without any reason, hatred or anger and influences others to an almost unimaginable degree, turning them into killers as well, which makes him one of the best-written seinen protagonists in anime.

5. Saitama (One Punch Man)

Proudly carrying the series' name, Saitama was initially an ordinary human being until he underwent an intense training regimen that completely transformed him into a superhuman and without a doubt one of the anime's most beloved seinen protagonists.

He doesn't appear to be strong and he's not technically immortal, but nothing he's encountered so far has come close to bothering him. There simply isn't another hero like Saitama who is both domineering and emotionless, yet funny at the same time.

4. Alucard (Hellsing)

Hellsing is home to one of the most ruthless seinen protagonists in the anime universe, Alucard. Alucard didn't become a vampire hunter for moral reasons – he does it because he enjoys ending lives without any sign of remorse or mercy.

A villainous figure in the Hellsing organization, he engages in an all-out war against a war-crazed SS major. Alucard's terrifying charisma combined with his gunslinger and immortal body is why he is such an appealing anti-hero in the eyes of fans.

3. Ginko (Mushishi)

Hailing from an anime based on Japanese mythology, Ginko's nomadic lifestyle revolves primarily around researching mysterious life forms known as Mushi. He continually travels from place to place for his investigations into Mushi and only stays in one area long enough to finish his contracted cases.

He takes pride in his work and diagnoses illnesses and mushi-related phenomena with perfection. Reflecting on what it truly means to be alive and to be, Ginko’s exploration takes the viewer into intimate and spectacular mythological settings that define life at its strangest.

2. Thorfinn (Vinland Saga)

From a cheerful little boy with a taste for adventure to an aggressive warrior and then back to a peaceful life free from violence, Throfinn's journey over the years has gone through several phases that have not only built him up as a phenomenal character, but also one of the best seinen anime protagonists.

As Thorfinn struggles to become self-sufficient and complete his revenge in a violent and unforgiving world, he soon begins to learn the importance of a future free from war rather than stubbornly looking to the past, which makes him stand out as a nuanced character.

1. Guts (Berserk)

In the violent and uncompromising world of Berserk, Guts lives the life of a mercenary whose soul has never found peace since the day he emerged from his mother's corpse. Wielding a massive greatsword and a gruff demeanor, Guts is a man who never backs down from a fight.

Enduring waves of suffering and frequent betrayals since his youth has made Guts a cynical man with a bleak outlook on life. Guts is the courageous emblem of not only all seinen protagonists, but of anime as a whole and one should respect him for that alone.

Which of the following seinen anime protagonists is your favorite? Feel free to comment your thoughts and be sure to recommend some other characters like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your otaku friends.