Whether they face 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 anime's best-written seinen protagonists. So, without further ado, let's begin.

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 lacks powers or great intellect, he is committed enough to readily prepare to fight for his friend Tetsuo's soul until the bitter end.

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

Also known as Sugimoto the Immortal, Saichi is known for his prowess in battle and incredible survival instincts. Although he appears rude and intrusive, 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 prime example among seinen anime protagonists of facing the situation head-on rather than running away from it. When aliens begin invading Earth, Shinichi is initially terrified, but not after he comes 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, 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. Immediately after this incident, Kaneki's life takes a 360-degree turn, as he's unsure of how to deal with his new reality and his existence becomes an absolute hell.

Desperately trying to hold on to his humanity while being forced to confront the trauma he's long repressed, Kaneki subdues his emotions and morals to become stronger. Even though the series tries to find ways to portray Kaneki as a hero, he's 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, seemingly 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 a 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 themselves, making 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 regime that completely transformed him into a superhuman and undoubtedly 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 even remotely fazed him. There's simply no other hero like Saitama who's both domineering and emotionless, yet hilarious 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 deeply enjoys ending lives without any sign of remorse or mercy.

A villainous figure in the Hellsing organization, he wages an all-out war against a war-crazed SS major. Alucard's terrifying charisma, combined with his gunslinger and immortal body, is what makes him such a compelling antihero 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 Mushi investigations and only remains in one area long enough to complete his assigned cases.

He takes pride in his work and diagnoses diseases and mushi-related phenomena with perfection. Reflecting on what it truly means to be alive and to be, Ginko's exploration takes the viewer to 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 and violence-free life, Throfinn's journey over the years has gone through several phases that have not only built him into a phenomenal character, but also one of the best seinen protagonists in anime.

As Thorfinn struggles to be 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 not only of all seinen protagonists, but of anime as a whole, and he should be respected for that alone.

Which of the following seinen anime protagonists is your favorite? Feel free to comment with 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.