The idea of an underdog going against all the odds to come out victorious is a common yet enjoyable trope that has been utilized across a host of entertainment mediums time and time again. Anime is no exception to this rule, with some of the most enjoyable shows using characters who generally partake in delinquency to reach insurmountable heights of power and fight against tough foes using sheer force of will.Of course, delinquents come in all shapes and forms, but the one common thread joining all these anime is that people absolutely love these underdogs and what they can bring to the table. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the best anime about delinquents and how they manage to succeed by finding strength and bolstering it with their willpower.
10 Naruto
Naruto is one of the most legendary shonen anime of all time, featuring an underdog protagonist that would fight against all the odds to make people notice him. This behavior leads to its fair share of delinquency before Naruto matures as a character.
Watching the demon child turn into the hero of Konoha is a brilliant moment of redemption that makes this character arc extremely worthwhile. Naruto might be a long show, but people who stick through the initial episodes will find themselves enjoying one of the greatest shonen anime of all time.
9 Bleach
Given the dip in quality this series experienced after the Arrancar arc, most people consider Bleach to be a series that started out great before fizzling out later on. That being said, the Soul Society arc is so amazing that it is worth the price of admission.
Ichigo might not be the greatest shonen protagonist around, but he definitely has his perks that make him a decent central point for the plot to revolve around. His initial moments of delinquency fade away once he gets stronger and starts taking responsibility for his actions.
8 Yu Yu Hakusho
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Yu Yu Hakusho is a legendary shonen series that most people absolutely adore. It might've ended on an extremely sour note, but don't let that take away from the amazing quality of this show that oozed in its previous arcs.
Yusuke Urameshi is a great protagonist who deserves due credit for making the series all the more enjoyable. It's just a shame that this character and the rest of the cast didn't get the send-off they deserved.
7 Dragon Ball
While Goku never really attended any type of school, his goofy behavior and general disregard of all responsibilities in favor of fighting make him the perfect candidate for a delinquent. Thankfully, the Saiyan boasted a massive power level and a zeal to get stronger that helped him fight against even the most overwhelming odds.
The fandom for this series is incredible, and most people are glad to see that Dragon Ball Super is still continuing the legacy of this manga. Most people can't wait to see how the anime will adopt the latest developments in the show.
6 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
While only Diamond is Unbreakable really hammered in the school setting for its protagonist, Josuke Higashikata, most people can argue that the majority of JoJo protagonists could be delinquents in their own right. Even Jotaro Kujo himself wasn't exactly the picture-perfect student in school either!
Regardless, there's no denying the fact that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is one of the greatest anime of all time. With Stone Ocean being right around the corner, most people can't wait to see how David Production will do justice to this adaptation.
5 Great Teacher Onizuka
Onizuka is easily one of the most hilarious protagonists in any anime. The idea of an ex-biker becoming a schoolteacher in the hopes that he would get to date a girl sounds ridiculous, but Onizuka manages to shake off this perversion by genuinely showing a heart of gold at times.
The class of delinquents that he's left in charge of can be quite a handful, at times. However, there's no better candidate to straighten them out than a tough teacher who knows exactly how to communicate with such students.
4 Beelzebub
The idea of a delinquent babysitting the devil's child sounds like an absolutely ridiculous series. However, it's the manner in which Beelzebub builds upon this unique premise that makes it such a brilliant show.
Beelzebub is a hilarious show that fans of comedy anime will adore. The baby featured in the show is extremely cute and is easily the highlight of this series.
3 Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk is another show featuring a delinquent who realizes that he has a talent for something. In the context of the show, this talent is — obviously enough — basketball.
Hanamichi Sakuragi might have had poor motivations when joining the Shohoku High School basketball team early on, but he later realizes that he actually likes the sport. This leads to him and his teammates striving to elevate the status of this once-unknown basketball team to unprecedented heights.
2 The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.
While Saiki is not a delinquent per se, his zeal to remain completely ordinary and a penchant for getting into trouble time and time again certainly qualifies him for this list. His problems might seem mundane at times, but it's how Saiki deals with these issues that makes him such a riveting character.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is a unique show that deserves all its plaudits. The psychic powers in this show are pretty riveting and will engage viewers for quite some time.
1 Mob Psycho 100
Shigeo Kageyama is another riveting character who has extremely potent psychic powers. However, he doesn't want to rely on these powers and tries to live out a normal life as much as he can.
His delinquency arises mainly because of his inherent laziness, something that — to his credit — he tries working on time and time again. He's a great character and a major reason why so many people love Mob Psycho 100.