From Tanjiro to Light, our favourite protagonists from the anime world

Most of us have grown up watching Pokémon and living vicariously through the great adventures of Ash Ketchum. But as kids, we never stopped to wonder what it was about this character that we loved so much. As tastes get refined, that mentality develops into a stronger regard for characters we enjoy as adults. We watch their layers unfold, sift through the cracks and find gold.

Here are four times modern anime shows struck gold with their main characters. Let’s see who they are and investigate why we adore them so much.

Tanjiro Kamado from ‘Demon Slayer’

When you think of a stupendously kind anime protagonist, this is at least among the names that come to mind, if not the first of them. If you are unfamiliar with the benevolence of this sword carrier, you might feel deterred. Who wants an abundance of kindness in a show about demons? But take it from someone who enjoys morally grey characters better, Tanjiro isn’t someone you’d want to miss.

Dare I say, he is the best big brother ever. Seriously, that’s the whole premise. Upon discovering the bodies of his family in a demonic massacre with his surviving younger sister being turned into a demon against her will, Tanjiro sets out on a journey to cure her and become a professional demon slayer.

You’d think that someone who has been wronged by supernatural beings would let hate fester in this heart, but no. In fact, Tanjiro prays for peace for every demon he puts down. The idea of a prayer succeeding a kill is ironic, though in this case, it’s well-earned because he doesn’t kill demons for the sake of the craft; he does it to free them and allow them to embrace eternal peace after a lifetime of bloodthirst. What’s more noble than that?

Despite having to grow up prematurely, Tanjiro spreads the warmth of his youth to those marred by tragic circumstances similar to his own. He loves his sister Nezuko enough to carry her on foot in a box to protect her half-demonic body from sunlight. The lack of like-minded companions in his life influences him to soften up to new people easily hence recruiting loyal friends along the way. The boy is the ball of flame that the other characters easily fall into orbit for

All this softness, yet he never once considers it a weakness that puts his efforts on hold. Tanjiro reminds us that kindness is not a trait dispensed to be exploited, rather it determines discipline and perseverance despite what life puts you through.

Edward Elric from ‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’