A staple in most shonen anime or manga series would be overpowered protagonists. From having spectacular powers to just nerves of massive steel, these protagonists all share one unique trait: that even against all odds, they can win!
And in as so much we’d want to include more in this list (there are tons of anime to watch and manga to read), we’re limiting this list down to just a few popular ones! And we’re doing an-all male bunch now – it’s just that many!
But without further ado, let’s check out this list of some of the best male shonen fighters out there!
Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
Multiple powerups and a hazy origin won’t stop this quincy from beating up some of worst foes out there. Naturally inclined to be a physical combatant, and having access to some of the best weapons that the Shinigami world has ever seen, Ichigo’s ace would be, simply, his fast way to learn. He is just that talented!
More About Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach) on Wikipedia
Kenshin Himura (Rurouni Kenshin)
Don’t be fooled with this swordman’s looks. Also known as Hitokiri Battōsai, Kenshin is the definitive master of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū style. Restraining himself to not kill anymore, his will to keep his skills in check is a feat to behold.
More About Kenshin Himura (Rurouni Kenshin) on Wikipedia
Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Let this guy be a great example that being the strongest comes from hard work – you need to want it to become it! Izuku (more popularly known as Deku), was actually just a kid with an intense aspiration of being a superhero. The problem is, he wasn’t born with a quirk (essentially, a superpower).
Through a series of bizarre circumstances, the premier hero, All Might, caught notice of the young boy’s desire to simply help out.
Long story short, All Might took Deku under his wing – he even bestowed the young hero his quirk! But more than the power he acquired, what makes Deku a top contender is his keen knowledge on superhero (and supervillain) powers!
More About My Hero Academia on Wikipedia
Meliodas (The Seven Deadly Sins)
As the leader of a powerful (and sadistic) group of knights, The Seven Deadly Sins, Meliodas definitely has skills that makes him a threat for humans and demons alike.
There is more than meets the eye with this cheerful person – behind his childish appearance, Meliodas is of demonic blood! He is a master fighter on his own, but what makes him a powerful fighter is his leadership – aside from being a captain of a motley crew of warriors, he was also a leader of a premier demonic group, The Ten Commandments!
More About The Seven Deadly Sins on Wikipedia
Never give up. This is probably the best way to describe Natsu’s countless battles againt all sorts of enemies. Even if the odds are stacked against him, this young mage fully knows that he can overcome anything, just as long as he wills it. A dragon, Natsu blazes a path – but more than his immense and burning powers, what makes this hero strong is his strong bonds with his guild mates!
More About Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail) on Wikipedia
What makes Attack on Titan such a treat to read/watch is its focus on characters. And one of the most satisfying – and powerful – characters from this series is none other than Eren Jaeger. Instead of letting despair seep into his very soul (after all, he lives in a world where gigantic beasts seem to only take pleasure in ripping people apart), Eren pushes himself to the limit in trying to beat monsters.
A beast himself, Eren continues to defy expectations – he can now command an entire line of Titans because of his unique and bizarre lineage!
More About Eren Jaeger (Attack on Titan) on Wikipedia
It’s always the underdog you should be afraid of. Morally just, the ninja Naruto was once the laughing stock of his village. But through many trials, and his drive to be the Hokage, Naruto proved that power can be attained by working really hard for it.
But unlike others, he makes sure not be consumed with this tinge of greatness. In fact, in the current Boruto narrative, Naruto instills a nice message of sticking to the basics (rather than simply overpowering anyone against him).
More About Naruto Uzumaki (Fairy Tail) on Wikipedia
An epic journey that seems to have no end, One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy is a good example of a hero’s journey towards power. Who would have known that this goofball of a pirate would soon amass a terrifying crew of roughnecks? Or that he would soon lead an armada that can match up even the largest troops of pirates and government officials alike?
But more than his really impressive fighting skills, what makes is his charisma. Able to sway even the most powerful fleets to be part of his group (even unintentionally), his drive to simply be the Pirate King makes him an all-powerful hero.
More About Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece) on Wikipedia
A mainstay in probably every shonen fighter list out there, Goku may just very well be the best definition of a hero for this particular genre should be. From being a cute and innocent boy with a talent in the martial arts to a universal contender of beating some of the strongest beings in the cosmos, Goku never loses a beat!
But when it comes to both beating down foes to simply hanging out with his buddies, Goku’s optimism is a light so bright – and this simple trait of his trumps any sort of special move he has up his sleeve!
More About Son Goku (Dragon Ball) on Wikipedia
If you were raised as a human, but found out you have probably the strongest demon’s blood in you, would you conquer the world? Yusuke can actually do this – but he didn’t. Even with impressive training under a really strict master and his natural way of fighting, he still chose the human way.
It’s quirky, in a way, but Yusuke’s greatest power goes way beyond his massive strength or his Spirit Gun. It’s how he addresses issues – a war is upon everyone, so he organized a tournament instead! This kind of weird and simple thinking is definitely hard to beat – instead of conquering foes with force, he conquers them with human kindness.
More About Yusuke Urameshi (Yu Yu Hakusho) on Wikipedia
Is it because of his strenuous exercise routine that makes Saitama the strongest? Is it his nonchalant approach on fighting? He is truly the strongest – physically and philosophically! What we have here is a man who just wants to be a hero. And in his journey to be one, he always maintains to keep it simple and just. He’s just out there to help!
More About Saitama (One Punch Man) on Wikipedia
Who are your top picks for the strongest shonen fighter? Let us know below!
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