The year 2024 brought a lot of fun for anime fans, with many new anime debuting and some interesting best protagonists becoming favorites. These characters provide an unexpected and entertaining viewing experience, setting the bar high for anime to come.
Protagonists in anime can either succeed or fail in leading the story. They need to be interesting, without demeaning other characters.
Fortunately, the protagonists of the 2024 anime caught the eye thanks to their charisma and story journeys, making fans eagerly anticipate their actions in the following seasons. So, who were some of the best protagonists of the year?
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List of Best Anime Protagonists of 2024
10. Kirie Goshima – Uzumaki
Kirie Goshima is the main character in the 2024 version of Uzumaki. Upon its release, Uzumaki received mixed reviews, especially regarding the quality of animation in the later episodes. Nevertheless, Junji Ito’s work remains in line with Kirie’s character.
Kirie was at the center of many Spiral incidents in the city of Kurozu-Cho, but she always managed to deal with them. Even though the Spiral seemed drawn to her, Kirie struggled to overcome the odds and save others from becoming victims. Together with her boyfriend, Shuichi Saito, Kirie continues to try to live despite all the townspeople being affected by Spiral.
9. Alya Mikhailovna – Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian
Alya Mikhailovna Kujou or Alya, is the main character in the anime Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian. She is very fond of Masachika Kuze, but expresses her feelings only in Russian. The comedy comes when Masachika, unbeknownst to her, is able to understand what Alya is saying.
Alya has Tsundere traits, but still acts like a teenager her age. Her reactions to situations vary, making her a realistic character and one of the best protagonists this year.
8. Dali Delico – Delico’s Nursery
Dali Delico is a man of his word. After his wife passed away, he committed to caring for his two sons with the same love his mother gave him. Dali considers this single father role as important as any other task and successfully combines his work at Vlad Agency with his new responsibilities.
Despite protests from his coworkers, Dali is determined to fulfill a promise to his late wife in order to raise his son. He refuses help even when he needs it and has a stubborn yet intelligent attitude, making him a protagonist who is focused on his mission: to be a good father and defeat the True of Vamp.
7. Yoshino Somei – Yakuza Fiancé
Yoshino Somei is a unique character in anime, falling somewhere between hero and villain. Although more docile than Kirishima Miyama, she has traits that can make her a fearsome character. Her loyalty to her family is strong, and she does not hesitate to attack if her family is threatened.
Yoshino’s character is more intelligent than people think. Her dismissive attitude towards others helps her explore the dark world around her. Despite plotting the same thing as everyone else, he showed great wisdom in his approach.
Yoshino, who was surrounded by villains all her life, adopted some of their tendencies. However, her genuine anger and common sense make her one of the best anime protagonists of 2024.
6. Kiyoshi Adachi – Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
Kiyoshi Adachi is a shy character in 2024 who learns that his boss, Yuichi Kurosawa, has feelings for him through telepathy. Although confused by Kurosawa’s attentions, Adachi begins to realize that his feelings are also developing over time.
Adachi is a cool protagonist with amazing powers, but what makes him more interesting is the changes he undergoes. At first, he was very distrustful of others, but Kurosawa’s kindness helped him open his heart.
Despite her nerves, Adachi shows her good side, especially when Kurosawa is in trouble. Adachi’s strong storyline also supports the development of the romance, making him one of the best protagonists of 2024.
5. Laios Touden – Delicious in Dungeon
Laios Touden is the main character of Delicious in Dungeon and the leader of his group. Although his goal is to save his dragon-eaten sister, he also has a strong desire to find monsters that can be cooked and eaten. Laios is a natural leader who guides his group towards these two goals with passion.
Laios is a strong and brave knight who is obsessed with finding new monsters to cook with his group, including the Dwarven chef, Senshi. While his culinary desires often irritate his colleagues, his playful nature and bravery make him one of the best characters.
4. Yuki Itose – A Sign of Affection
Yuki Itose from the anime A Sign of Affection is one of the best protagonists of 2024. Not only does she want to explore the world, but she also offers a unique new perspective. Despite living in silence, Yuki is determined to expand her horizons beyond her sheltered childhood.
The anime A Sign of Affection features an interesting story of Yuki, a hearing impaired person, who is trying to find her place in the outside world after entering college. Despite the physical obstacles in her life, Yuki shows a sincerity and passion that makes her a very likable character.
3. Kafka Hibino – Kaiju No. 8
Kafka Hibino of Kaiju No. 8 is a unique protagonist in the year 2024, mainly because he is thirty-two years old. Although older than most shonen protagonists, he has just achieved his dream of becoming a Defense Force Officer, showing that it is never too late to pursue a dream.
Kafka is a loyal character who always tries to help his comrades in battle. His goal is self-improvement so that he can fight beside his best friend, Mina Ashiro. Unlike many shonen protagonists who want to prove themselves as the best, Kafka is more focused on keeping promises and overcoming the setbacks he faces.
2. Sung Jin Woo – Solo Leveling
Sung Jin Woo was the weakest Hunter at the beginning of the Solo Leveling story. Despite fighting hard in every battle to pay for his mother’s treatment and his sister’s schooling, he was always seriously injured. Until one day, he almost died and was given a new chance.
Jin Woo’s development from zero to hero has captured the attention of fans. Despite being forced to become stronger, his determination and dedication to his family made him beloved. He was also always considerate of others, understanding defensiveness and trying to help them avoid the injuries he had experienced.
1. Momo dan Okarun – Dandadan
Momo Ayase and Ken ‘Okarun’ Takakura are the main characters of the popular Dandadan anime set in 2024. Their relationship has strong chemistry, making it one of the best in the anime. Although there is a desire for more, they feel shy to express their feelings, especially as teenage students.
Momo and Okarun have a good relationship, shown through their jokes. While some may consider it an argument, many fans feel that their sarcasm makes their characters more convincing.
They are loyal friends who care about each other. Okarun is often too nice, but that makes them great protagonists. Their cooperation helps them shine as characters, and without each other, they wouldn’t be as balanced and special.
