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The year 2024 introduced some of the most remarkable anime protagonists, all from critically acclaimed series released throughout the year. Newcomers like Dungeon Meshi and Kaiju No 8 had their first seasons, while classics like Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, My Hero Academia, and Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War enjoyed increasing popularity.
Apart from a gripping storyline, these anime captivated its readers with three-dimensional characters. While many are not heroes, some are antiheroes, and these characters stand out to viewers. Here is the list of the 10 best anime main characters of 2024.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinion and may contain spoilers.
10 best anime main characters of 2024
1) Frieren (From Frieren: Beyond Journey's End)
Frieren is the best anime main character of 2024, and for good reason. She is not human(she is an elf), but she reminds readers of the most important thing human beings take for granted: time. Frieren has a long life; the anime shows us how she has lived through flashbacks.
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In each flashback, viewers see Frieren change from loving the mundane to cherishing each moment around her. The most emotional part of the anime comes when Frieren attends Himmel's funeral. At that moment, Frieren wishes she was closer to Himmel, but it is too late, and Himmel is gone.
2) Izuku Midoriya (From My Hero Academia)
The seventh season of My Hero Academia left fans at the edge of their seats. Here, Deku contemplates every decision he has made and extends his hand to his classmate, Aoyama. He reminds him that anyone can be a hero and that the past doesn't matter.
Izuku is one of the best main characters in anime because he lets other characters take the spotlight. Gone is the Deku of previous seasons who only wanted to save the day; now, we see a true hero who believes everyone can save the day.
3) Kafka Hibino (From Kaiju No 8)
Kafka also secures a position among the best anime main characters ever and is the heart and soul of Kaiju No 8. What makes Kafka Hibino such an amazing character is his contentment. When viewers are introduced to Kafka, they see someone with empty dreams and a depressing reality. This doesn't faze Kafka, as he focuses on his every day with due diligence and an unrelenting self-belief that resembles delusion.
If that wasn't enough, Kaiju No 8 introduces another character in Kikoru Shinomiya, who is everything Kafka is not. With that, viewers still believe in Kafka and when he gets an ability. He is cheered on by fans.
4) Laios (From Dungeon Meshi)
Laios was born in the wrong anime world. The world of Dungeon Meshi that he features in is one full of skill and bravado, traits which he lacks. He is clumsy and terrible on the sword, and most especially, he thinks of everything through the lens of food and monsters. What makes Laios succeed as one of the best anime main characters of 2024 is his heart.
Viewers see Laios treat everyone with such care and without prejudice, traits seen in Naruto and Izuku, two shonen characters. Dungeon Meshi is a seinen anime, and seeing a main character without a jaded view of life can be quite refreshing.
5) Ken Usato (From The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic)
Many Isekai anime are released every year, with most focusing solely on the abilities and plot direction. This year, The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic changed that. They introduced one of the finest anime main characters Isekai has ever seen in Ken Usato.
Ken Usato is the average Joe. Even when he teleports to another world, he inherits the weakest ability. What he does with that ability is remarkable. He masters his ability despite its weakness and refuses to look down on himself. All this makes him one of the best main characters in anime.
6) Okarun (From Dandadan)
The beginning of Dandadan shows Okarun as a spineless coward who refuses to stand up for himself, but as the anime progresses, there is a change. He is no longer the bullied character who gets scared easily. Instead, he becomes brave and able to stand up to anyone.
While we still see his character making mistakes, viewers empathize with Okarun. He is a teenage boy, and teenagers make mistakes. Dandadan portrays one of the best anime main characters and the most realistic character this year.
7) Momo (From Dandadan)
Not many anime balance one protagonist and a deuteragonist, talkless of two, but Dandadan handles this masterfully. The two protagonists share the screen and are still able to have interesting lives away from each other. Momo Ayase remains one of the best anime main characters in history and is one of the reasons people clocked in to watch Dandadan.
Momo blends a sky-high level of confidence with vulnerability. She also has a strong sense of justice and will fight for what she thinks is right. She is protective of her loved ones, and her interactions with Okarun and the rest of the Dandadan are proof of that.
8)Haruka Sakura (FromWind Breaker)
It's been a long time since Shonen has seen a character like Haruka. Haruka is similar to Sakuragi Hanamichi, but unlike Hanamichi, he accepts his role as an antihero. This behavior bleeds into his daily life as viewers see Haruka build a wall around him. As the anime progresses, Haruka's past as a constant victim of bullying is exposed to viewers, and his character becomes more understood.
Haruki is protective of what he loves, and that's why he joined Bofurin, a group that protects the town of Makochi. He also starts tearing down his walls and letting people into his life. Haruka Sakura is an unorthodox character who deserves his place among the best anime main characters of 2024.
9) Ichigo Kurosaki (From Bleach: A Thousand Year Blood War)
While Ichigo wasn't as prominent as he used to be in the earlier Bleach. His role in Bleach: A Thousand Year Blood War makes him one of the best anime main characters of 2024. Anime fans are still treated to an adult Ichigo. He is no longer confused or unsure of the action he needs to take.
This leads Ichigo to accept his place as a Hollow and gain new powers. Ichigo also trains with the Royal Guard, an action that will help in his future battle with King Yhwach.
10) Sung Jingwoo (From Solo Levelling)
Sung Jinwoo's character from Solo Leveling is also a part of the list as one of the best anime main characters of 2024, and this is due to how he combines vulnerability with power. Sung Jinwoo starts Solo Leveling as one of the weakest characters, only for an unfortunate incident that leads to his death.
He comes from that incident, and that's when he started growing up. He rids himself of that fake meekness that is an attribute of most shonen main characters and wears pride on his sleeves. He also protects the ones he cares about and goes above and beyond for them.
Final Thoughts
The best anime main characters are usually brave, empathetic, and relatable. If a character doesn't have all of these qualities, fans find it hard to root for that character. Asta is an example of this. While he is brave and relatable, viewers find it hard to relate to his character. Light Yagami also suffers the same fate, as he is neither relatable nor brave.
Among 2024 animes, there were too many amazing main characters. From the trailers shown, 2025 might see better main characters from Sakamoto in Sakamoto Days, Miyo in My Happy Marriage Season 2, and Senku in Dr Stone: Science Future. Right now, 2024 still has the best anime main characters.
Also Read:
- 20 most popular sports anime characters, ranked
- Wind Breaker: Does Endo have romantic feelings for Sakura? Explored
- Is Sung Jin-Woo stronger than Bellion in Solo Leveling? Explained
