Anime adores inspiring underdog stories, often centering protagonists who, despite starting with nothing, tear through trials and tribulations to reach greatness. Within their stories, no one usually has much faith in the underdog, and seeing them reach their full potential despite the unfavorable circumstances and scoffs of others makes fans uniquely attached to this “zero to hero” archetype.
Many underdog heroes are also initially underestimated by the viewers. An underdog’s arc is centered on self-betterment and perseverance in the face of seemingly impossible challenges, and just how far a character can go on this journey often comes as a surprise to fans, despite them already knowing to root for the underdog. However, this sense of awe at seeing an initially undervalued hero succeed is exactly what makes well-executed underdog stories so mesmerizing.
Baby Steps Stars Eiichirou Maruo on the Path to Mastering Tennis
Anime Baby StepsImage via Pierrot
Underdog stories are particularly popular in sports anime, yet Baby Steps’ Eiichirou Maruo stands out as a unique protagonist even among the genre. Nicknamed “Ei-chan” for his academic brilliance, Maruo is a hardworking honor student who initially joins the Tennis Club as a way to get some exercise.
However, falling in love with the sport, he has to compete with much more experienced and talented athletes, relying on his wits and excellent strategic thinking. Baby Steps is praised as an exceptionally realistic sports anime where every character, even those blessed with athletic talents, has to put in the work and make the best of their strengths, as well as their opponents’ weaknesses, and that applies especially to Maruo.
Naruto Uzumaki Is a Classic Example of an Underdog Hero
Naruto Uzumaki looks determined as he introduces himself to Kakashi in the original Naruto anime.Image via Studio Pierrot
There is hardly a more iconic underdog hero in anime than Naruto’s titular protagonist. However, his popularity doesn’t detract from the quality of Naruto’s character arc in the slightest. Naruto might not be an underdog in terms of strength, which becomes progressively more evident, yet there’s no denying that his story is one of exceeding expectations despite starting with very little.
As a series, Naruto emphasizes themes of resilience and belief in oneself, with its hero’s journey encapsulating these core ideas. Naruto’s desire to rise to greatness stems from his childhood spent isolated and ridiculed by the people of the Hidden Leaf Village, and he manages to overcome these setbacks not just through proving his strength but by growing psychologically.
Ranking of Kings’ Bojji Has More to Overcome Than Any Underdog Hero
Bojji and Kage hiding together in Ranking of Kings: Treasure Chest of Courage Episode 1.Image via Wit Studio
Despite coming from a royal family, Ranking of Kings’ Bojji isn’t expected to go far in life, even less to one day inherit the title of King. Unable to hear or speak, as well as not blessed with the strength and stature of his father, Bojji is seen as useless by the entire kingdom, with no one recognizing his kindness and intelligence.
Bojji’s story of learning to turn his presumed flaws into strengths is exceptionally inspirational and well-written. His character development centers primarily on learning his self-worth, proving his doubters wrong while still remaining true to himself and never turning malicious or cruel as a result of the suffering he had to endure.
Gon Freecss Has to Fight in a Vast World Filled with Overwhelmingly Strong Opponents in Hunter x Hunter
Gon Freecss smiles after winning a fight during the Hunter Exam in Hunter X Hunter.Image via Madhouse
Hunter x Hunter’s story begins like many other shonen narratives – with an ordinary, if gifted in his own ways, hero embarking on an ambitious journey to become a Hunter and find his father. However, Gon Freecss soon comes to realize that the world of Hunters is as expansive as it is dangerous.
Despite being talented, hard-working, and outstandingly adaptive, Gon is rarely the strongest person in any given arc, and he has to overcome multiple excruciating losses to grow as a fighter and as a person. Gon’s role as an underdog makes Hunter x Hunter’s world feel uniquely massive and complex, giving additional weight to his arc of growth within such a challenging universe.
Monkey D. Luffy Grows from an Unknown Pirate to One of the Pillars of the New World in One Piece
Monkey D. Luffy shouts that he’s going to be King of the Pirates while jumping on the Thousand Sunny’s head in One Piece.Image via Toei Animation
Monkey D. Luffy begins his journey to become the Pirate King with little to his name aside from ambition and unorthodox, if seemingly underpowered, Devil Fruit power. Nonetheless, Luffy’s contagious attitude, boundless kindness, and awe-inspiring perseverance in the face of unfair odds allow him to become one of the most powerful pirates on the Grand Line.
Luffy has never been a weak character, even if he is commonly underestimated by his opponents. However, the extent of his growth throughout One Piece is truly astounding, even if Luffy never reaches for power or strives to prove himself to anyone, only motivated by his wanderlust and desire for freedom.
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor’s Protagonist Isn’t a Character Fans Initially Want to Root for
Kaiji Ito makes a face of concentration.Image by Madhouse
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor’s unlikely hero is a listless, good-for-nothing loafer who, due to his own faults, ends up finding himself on the Espoir ship, forced to endure a night of life-or-death gambles to pay off his massive debt. Unlike other underdog anime protagonists, Kaiji isn’t particularly aspirational.
However, Kaiji’s outstanding ability to keep his cool under pressure, as well as his desperation to win, gradually endears viewers to him with every high-risk game, the series’ exceptional affinity for building up tension and suspense making Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor one of the most addictively entertaining titles to watch. Kaiji is a complex and flawed underdog protagonist, yet it’s hard not to empathize with him in these extreme circumstances.
Simon Matures Into an Aspirational & Courageous Person in Gurren Lagann
A timid digger from an underground village, Simon becomes the leader of a force that saves humanity from the existential threat of annihilation by overwhelming cosmic powers by the end of Gurren Lagann. However, Simon’s arc of growth isn’t just focused on his external triumph, but has more to do with his inner changes.
Despite its over-the-top, absurdist nature, Gurren Lagann is an extremely nuanced story about maturing, overcoming grief, and the indomitable human spirit that allows people to do the impossible. And Simon’s arc perfectly encapsulates the show’s overarching themes, as he learns to move past loss and proves everyone who doubted humanity wrong.
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple Celebrates the Resilience of Martial Artists
Kenichi martial arts training in Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple.Image via TMS Entertainment.
Kenichi Shirahama from Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple is the perfect representation of the underdog archetype’s basic merits, demonstrating the virtues of resilience and hard work through the transformative journey of a young martial artist. Kenichi initially enters the world of martial arts as a timid victim of bullying, and, expectedly, it takes him a long time to grasp even the fundamentals of fighting.
However, through rigorous training and facing progressively more powerful opponents, he manages to improve and become a capable martial artist. Kenichi’s arc is grounded in realism and, despite not being particularly unique, captures the fundamental appeal of an underdog story exceptionally well.
Haikyuu!!’s Shoyo Hinata Doesn’t Let Anything Deter Him from His Goal
Revered for its masterful emotional development and exceptional character writing, Haikyuu!! features not just one underdog hero, but an entire team of volleyball players no one believes can reach stardom. Shoyo Hinata’s lack of natural talent and short stature disadvantaged him particularly harshly, yet, at the same time, motivated the hero to put even more effort into improving.
Karasuno’s goal of reaching the Nationals might seem like a pipe dream for much of Haikyuu!!’s narrative. From honing his skills to learning how to work with his teammates, Hinata has no shortage of unique challenges to tackle. Nonetheless, he continues to look towards a tomorrow where he can surpass his limitations.
Watching Hajime no Ippo’s Protagonist Improve Is Endlessly Inspiring
Ippo is crouching and looking angry while fighting in a boxing match in Hajime no Ippo: Fighting Spirit.Image via Madhouse
One of the most iconic sports series in anime, Hajime no Ippo follows its titular hero, Ippo Makunouchi, all the way from a timid, novice fighter to a rising star of professional boxing – a strenuous journey filled with losses, frustrations, and an endless drive to improve. Hajime no Ippo maintains an excellent balance of realistic action and powerful emotional storytelling, with every character, not just Ippo, having impactful character arcs.
Ippo’s story is a motivational tale of personal growth that emphasizes not just the value of Ippo’s talent but his determination to exceed both his physical limitations and his personal shortcomings. A brilliant underdog protagonist, Ippo gives fans the push to be better and challenge doubts with grit and hard work.
