It is generally said that violence doesn’t solve anything, yet in shōnen anime, violence often tends to be beneficial. The result is that it has created a number of main characters who do not shy away from using violence.
Top 10 Most Violent Main Characters in Shōnen Anime
10. Taro Sakamoto – Sakamoto Days
Violence means being willing to cause harm to others for various reasons. Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary assassin, but everything changed when he met Aoi, who proved to him that living a peaceful life was invaluable.
After that, Taro quit being an assassin to become a sales associate at a convenience store. Even when he is in middle age, there are many opportunities to go back to his old ways, yet he still adheres to the principle of not taking lives. He only engages in violence when absolutely necessary.
9. Kamado Tanjiro – Kimetsu no Yaiba
If Tanjiro’s situation depended solely on him, he might still be able to pursue his family’s legacy. However, after his family was brutally slaughtered, his kind nature became a necessity for revenge, leading him to become a demon slayer.
When confronted by demons, even ordinary people can help, and there are ways to turn the tide. Tanjiro’s determination to protect the innocent shines through. He shows compassion towards those who are lost, and even strives to help them. But for those who are truly evil, like Muzan Kibutsuji, all that he can offer is his own life.
8. Goku – Dragon Ball
In Dragon Ball, Goku can fight in areas without any inhabitants to avoid harming others, yet he always maintains a protective stance. For example, the first time Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan, he could have wiped out the entire Frieza Force when he was younger. His ability to control his Saiyan nature through intelligence and restraint is what keeps him from becoming a mindless killer.
7. Giorno Giovanna – Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure never shies away from violence, even if it’s hard to determine who the most violent main character is among its six parts of shōnen (with parts 7 and 8 being seinen). However, it is rare to see them avoid using violence to achieve their goals.
Giorno Giovanna from Part 5 is a different story. He manipulates Polpo into eating a poisoned meal, ensures that Melone dies from a snake bite, and makes Cioccolata eat a deadly dessert (7 pages in the manga), while ensuring Diavolo meets his demise through brutal means.
6. Akame and Tatsumi – Akame ga Kill!
Akame and Tatsumi are the main characters of Akame ga Kill! Akame was trained from a young age to become an assassin. Therefore, she doesn’t hesitate to wield her Teigu sword, Murasame, against her enemies, as it can take lives in a single strike. Tatsumi, on the other hand, is less inclined to take lives unless absolutely necessary. For instance, when he discovers that his friend is being attacked, Tatsumi tries to stop Akame from acting… just so he can protect himself.
5. Denji – Chainsaw Man
As the main character in Chainsaw Man, Denji can be quite brutal. Pressured by the yakuza to repay debt for his deceased father, Denji makes a pact with the Chainsaw Devil named Pochita to hunt devils. Later on, in order to save Denji, Pochita merges with him, turning him into a hybrid between a human and a devil.
By pulling a chainsaw cord from his chest, Denji can transform into a chainsaw devil and fight off the devils wreaking havoc in Tokyo. Denji has struggled to live a normal life while dealing with those who wish to use him as a violent tool for their own purposes.
4. Kenshiro – Fist of the North Star
Kenshiro in Fist of the North Star is perhaps the most iconic example of a violent main character in shōnen anime. After witnessing the death of his fiancée Yuria, and being betrayed by his best friend Shin, he seeks vengeance in a post-apocalyptic world.
However, those with good intentions don’t need to worry about suffering pain at the hands of Kenshiro. But anyone who is evil will have to face consequences far worse than death if Kenshiro gets his hands on them. He relishes in punishing those who do evil deeds.
3. Akira Fudo – Devilman Crybaby
If Kenshiro is the uncle of violent shōnen protagonists, then Akira Fudo is the uncle of them all, inspiring Kenshiro, Guts from Berserk, and many other shōnen protagonists. His gentle and kind nature struggles against the evil personality of Amon, leading to the creation of Devilman. In this form, he becomes a fierce warrior against other devils, yet he still retains his humanity to keep him grounded.
Nevertheless, this struggle does not prevent him from committing acts of violence, as both humanity and devilry are ultimately erased in the end.
2. Light Yagami – Death Note
When people think of violent main characters, they often overlook those who pull strings from behind the scenes, making others fight and die while they sit back in their office. While Light Yagami may not be a seasoned fighter, he can orchestrate the deaths of many individuals using the Death Note.
After gaining control over life and death through Ryuk’s special notebook, Light begins to use it to determine who gets to live and who dies in order to create his ideal world. Taking on the alias “Kira,” he invokes widespread fear as he eliminates criminals without remorse. However, he must keep a meticulous list of those he has targeted to avoid detection while continuing his violent crusade.
1. Eren Yeager – Attack on Titan
Eren has turned to extreme measures to bring about a global revolution against humanity. With the power of the Founding Titan, Eren used the Rumbling to command the Titans to wipe out 80% of the human population to save Paradis Island. The goal was to prevent any Titan from being created again. However, there are opinions that the Titan curse still exists even after Eren’s demise.
