Shonen anime have always been a fan favorite for its action-packed storylines, epic battles, and herculean protagonists. Spring 2023 promises to be no different, with a host of new and returning shonen anime featuring some of the strongest and most iconic protagonists in the genre. From seasoned warriors to young ones, these characters embody the classic shonen spirit of determination and courage.
If you’re looking for the next shonen hit, these characters will surely deliver the action and thrilling drama the genre is well known for. These are some of the strongest shonen anime protagonists of spring 2023 and the features that make them stand out from their counterparts.
6 Brian Nightraider - The Marginal Service
Brian Nightraider used to be part of the police force. He was an exceptional yet unconventional detective who did not really care for authority and has always been known for his autonomy. He joined the Marginal Service because he got tied up in a scandal.
With his exceptional athletic talents and his high IQ, bringing beings with humanoid features that are not realistic, called “Borderlanders,” to justice is quite a challenging task. He also possesses a strong sense of justice and cares for others but sometimes tends to get ahead of himself and be reckless in pursuit of justice.
5 Senku - Dr. Stone
After the entire world, and virtually everything in it, gets petrified for many years, Senku Ishigami, once awoken, tasks himself with restoring the world to how it once was. Senku is a well-known genius with a knowledge of many things. His ultra-high intelligence enables him to compete with even the strongest bodies in the series.
He creates tools, machines, and medicines from the little resources available in the stone world. Senku possesses a photographic memory and remembers all the chemical compounds and the working process of every tool and machine ever created. Above all, his tactical intelligence is also second to none in his verse, making him one of the most formidable protagonists in the spring 2023 season.
4 Shiki - Eden’s Zero
Shiki possesses a unique power popularly known as the power of the demon king, which was passed down to him from his adoptive grandfather, and grants him the ability to manipulate gravity. This power, combined with his creativity, makes him a formidable fighter, and he uses it in impressive ways.
With his Ether Gear device, he can use a miniaturized form of Overdrive to enhance his physical and Ether abilities. After unlocking all three forms of his true overdrive, he became so strong that the gravity field around him became a pseudo blackhole, dragging in objects around him and even people’s memories. He can also create portals to move across places quickly.
3 Tanjiro - Demon Slayer
As a demon slayer who later acquired the powers of a demon; Tanjiro is incredibly fast, strong, and extremely skilled with his sword. His Sun breathing techniques are feared by all demons because it is capable of making them feel pain, leaving a burning sensation wherever they are cut. After unlocking the demon slayer mark, Tanjiro gains the ability to predict an attack from an opponent and see the inner workings of people’s bodies.
His sensory perception is extraordinary, particularly his sense of smell. His resilience in the face of overwhelming odds is also very commendable, possessing incredible mental and physical strength that allows him to face even the most challenging of situations and come out on top. He is also highly adaptable, able to think on his feet and come up with creative solutions to problems on the spot.
2 Gabimaru - Hell's Paradise
Different from most of the other protagonists featured, Gabimaru is not so heroic. He is a ninja that has taken countless lives at the behest of the Iwagakure village head. He possesses exceptional combat skills and physical prowess, easily surviving multiple execution methods used on him.
As a ninja, he’s well versed in various martial arts techniques and skilled in both hand-to-hand combat and the use of weapons, he can also use mysterious ninja techniques, also known as ninpo. This makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone who dares to cross him and an interesting character to follow in battle as a viewer.
1 Mashle - Mashle: Magic And Muscles
Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a series that revolves around the adventures of Mash Burnedead, a young man born without magic in a world where magic is imprinted into daily life. Despite that, he trains hard enough to develop physical strength, enabling him to go toe to toe in battles against powerful magical enemies and overcome insurmountable challenges.
His sense of justice and determination to protect his friends and family are some of his main driving forces. He is always willing to put himself at risk to defend others, regardless of the consequences. His incredible strength, speed, agility, and sheer determination and skill are a testament to his hard work and dedication to his training, making him a formidable opponent.