Shonen anime series are well-known for their battles, but some anime characters love to fight more than the average cast member. Whether itβs to protect others or the simple thrill of combat, these main characters are eager to engage in battle. They are typically some of the most gifted fighters as well, making it clear why they enjoy it so much.
The best shonen anime protagonists who love to fight have a thirst to exercise their skills. They enjoy the art of their powers (if they have any) and use their battles as a measure of their strength. Some of the best shonen anime protagonists who love to fight are stronger than others, but that doesnβt hold any of them back from pursuing what they enjoy the most.
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10Kafka Hibino Has 1 More Chance to Prove Himself
Stream Kaiju No. 8 on Crunchyroll
Kafka Hibino isnβt the strongest character in his human form, but what he lacks in actual skill, he makes up for desire. Kafka has wanted to be a Defense Force Officer since he was a child. Now that he has reached that goal, he longs to prove himself in the throes of battle.
Kafka may not be the best in a combat situation with his human form, but his Kaiju form is more than ready to take up the slack. With each new Kaiju that comes on land, Kafka shows off unbelievable power. Kafka is a fiercely loyal character, so most of his motivations include not wanting his friends to be hurt. Still, he is also eager to prove to himself that he does belong in the Defense Force, even if it took him a few tries to get in. Kafka enjoys fighting as a way to show his dedication.
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Kaiju No. 8
Action
9.3/10Release DateApril 13, 2024DirectorsShigeyuki Miya, Tomomi Kamiya
Cast
Masaya Fukunishi- Wataru Kato
9Goku Pushes Past His Limits to See How Far He Can Go
Stream Dragon Ball on Crunchyroll
The Dragon Ball franchise has become iconic for its explosive fights. The protagonist, Goku, is a large part of the animeβs staying power in the shonen community. Goku never backs down from a fight. He is keen to prove his strength, and his Super Saiyan form shows heβs willing to push past his boundaries to defeat his enemies.
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Goku doesnβt necessarily go looking for fights, but he relishes his role as one of Earthβs protectors. Whether heβs sparring with his comrades or going up against gods, Goku is always ready to tackle any challenge. Goku’s love of fighting is a way to prove to everyone he is the best.
Dragon Ball
Created byAkira ToriyamaFirst FilmDragon Ball: Curse of the Blood RubiesLatest FilmDragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Summary
Dragon Ball is the labor of writer/illustrator Akira Toriyama, beginning with Dragon Ball back in 1984. The series originally started as a serialized manga back in Weekly Shonen Jump for nearly a decade until it expanded into the anime franchises it is most known for today. Dragon Ball was later adapted into two animes, with one being Dragon Ball Z, the most universally known series in the entire Dragon Ball canon. The franchise has continued to expand lore via films, video games, and additional sequel TV series, such as the more recent Dragon Ball Super and Super Dragon Ball Heroes. Dragon Ball centers mostly around Son Goku, a being known as a Saiyan, and his friends as they face off against intergalactic threats and seek out the titular dragon balls. When all seven of these balls are collected, they can be used to summon a legendary dragon that can grant the wishes of whoever so gathers them. The Dragon Ball franchise continues to be one of the most well-known and beloved animes of all time, with over forty different countries airing it, and has had a tremendous impact on Western culture as a whole.Expand
8Deku Is Eager to Prove Himself
Stream My Hero Academia on Crunchyroll
Izuku Midoriya (aka Deku) has always dreamed of becoming a hero. Now that he is attending a specialized high school, his goal can finally be realized. Deku strives to be the best hero in the world and is constantly working on improvement. Therefore, when he gets a chance to battle, Deku jumps at the opportunity.
Deku isnβt into fighting for the actual sport as much as he is into proving himself. He was bullied all his life, and now he can finally show everyone he is more than capable. Not only is he going to be a hero, but by continuously winning fights, heβs going to be the best hero. Dekuβs passion for heroism drives him to relish every fight heβs in.
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My Hero Academia
Action
Superhero
9.6/10Release DateApril 3, 2016
Cast
- Aoi Yuki
- Ayane Sakura
7Saitama Seeks a Challenge
Stream One Punch Man on Hulu
Ever since Saitama trained and became the most powerful superhero in the world, he has become bored with fighting. Now known as One Punch Man, Saitama is praying he can meet someone who will actually challenge him. However, he has yet to meet anyone who could live up to such a lofty goal.
Although he is currently bored, Saitama loves to fight. He yearns for a challenge that can validate his prolific training. As of now, his one emotion is disinterest, because he lacks the stimulation he needs through fighting. Saitama may be one of the best protagonists who loves to fight if he only had a worthy enough partner to spar with.
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One Punch Man
TV-PG
Action
Comedy
10/10Release DateOctober 5, 2015
Cast
- Makoto Furukawa
- Kaito Ishikawa
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6Natsu Dragneel Was Raised to Be Fierce
Stream Fairy Tail on Crunchyroll
As a part of being raised by a dragon, Natsu Dragneel has a penchant for combative behavior. Natsu already has a bit of an explosive personality, whether heβs goofing around or facing powerful villains. His fire powers predispose him to flashy moves in combat. As an overly outgoing person, this fits right along with Natsuβs personality and contributes to his love of fighting.
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Additionally, Natsu loves to show off. He is always sparring with his guildmate, Grey Fullbuster, to prove which of them is stronger. Natsu is very proud, and he shows his dominance throughout any battle. He is a kind and lovable character at his core, but his joy of fighting is unmatched by practically anything else in his life.
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Fairy Tail
TV-14
Action
9/10Release Date2009 – 2018DirectorsShinji Ishihira
Cast
- Cherami Leigh
- Todd Haberkorn
5Yuji Itadori Is Quick to Show Off His Athleticism
Stream Jujutsu Kaisen on Crunchyroll
Yuji Itadori has always been athletic, but he puts his muscles where his mind is when he faces a Cursed Spirit for the first time. Driven by the need to protect his friends (and, later, anyone he can) Yuji thrives in a combat situation. Though he has never had any real combat training, fighting comes naturally to him. It is for this reason and because he swallowed an evil entityβs finger that he is chosen to be a part of Jujutsu High.
Yuji can be rather brash by blindly heading into fights he might not be ready for, but he always survives in the end. This is helped by his increased power and knowledge of his Cursed Energy Technique. Yuji is compelled to fight for everyone, which is what draws him to the activity in the first place.
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Jujutsu Kaisen
TV-MA
Action
9/10Release DateOctober 3, 2020DirectorsSunghoo Park, ShΕta Goshozono
Cast
- Junya Enoki
- Yuma Uchida
4Ryuko Matoi Takes Her Aggression Out on Others
Stream Kill la Kill On Crunchyroll
Ryuko Matoi enjoys fighting because itβs the one time sheβs allowed to be aggressive and productive at the same time. After her fatherβs death, Ryuko vows to avenge him in the only way she knows how: extreme force. She wields a scissor blade she found with ease and makes her way to the local academy. There, she handily defeats everyone Satsuki Kiryuin throws at her.
Ryuko enjoys showing off her combat prowess. She is a little rough around the edges, so her favorite way to express herself is through her incredible fighting. Ryuko does have some setbacks in a few battles, but she always gets right back up, ready to fight once more. Ryuko loves the rush of energy she gets in combat so much, she seems to purposefully pick fights just to get the thrill of it all once again.
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Kill la Kill
TV-14
Action
ComedyRelease Date2013 – 2014DirectorsAkira Amemiya, Masahiko Otsuka, Hiroyuki Imaishi
Cast
- Eric Mendez
- Matthew Mercer
- David Vincent
- Christine Marie Cabanos
3Kamina Has the Ultimate Fighting Spirit
Stream Gurren Lagann on Crunchyroll
Kamina has always believed humans deserved more than to live underground. Thankfully, he has the fighting spirit to change his situation. With the help of his friend, Simon, Kamina claws his way to the surface where heβs ready to engage in battle with anyone who tells him humans arenβt allowed on the surface.
Kamina is a fiercely loyal character who simultaneously enjoys the thrill of battle. He happily throws punches and drills with his dual mech. Although he ultimately meets an untimely fate during a skirmish, Kamina leaves the world doing what he loved: fighting for justice for humans in an unjust world.
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Gurren Lagann
TV-14
Action
Sci-Fi
8.2/10Release Date2007 – 2007
Cast
- Takako HondaLeite Jokin
- Tetsuya KakiharaSimon
2Eren Yeager Is Fueled By Immense Anger
Stream Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll
Eren Yeager is one of the angriest shonen anime protagonists. Even before the Titans come to destroy the Shiganshina district, Eren feels an immense sense of righteous fury about being forced to live behind walls. He is so fight-prone that he even takes on two adults as a child without any hesitation.
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After his motherβs death, Eren is constantly spoiling for a fight. His greatest goal (at the beginning) is to face every single Titan he can and take them down, single-handedly. This is a naive desire, but it proves just how passionate he is about battle. Things only go downhill for Eren as his desire to destroy Titans turns into a desire to eradicate the worldβs people. But, his need to fight remains ever-present throughout Attack on Titan.
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Attack On Titan
TV-MA
Action
9/10Release Date2013 – 2023
Cast
- Matthew Mercer
- Josh Grelle
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1Haruka Sakura Appreciates the Artistry of Brawling
Stream Wind Breaker on Crunchyroll
Haruka Sakura believes the only value people see in him is his skill as a fighter. While this might seem depressing to some, Haruka delights in getting changes to fight. He is an incredible strategist as well. Others may think his affinity for fighting is strange, but he sees it as a sign of respect. If someone isnβt willing to put their whole heart into fighting him, he becomes infuriated.
Haruka hasnβt had the greatest life β he even began attending Furin High School to fight through the ranks and prove to others that he was a βsomebodyβ. Thankfully, his worldview has changed since attending school, and he now hopes that others can find the thrill in fighting as much as he does.
