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A big part of what makes anime so unforgettable is the amazing characters that shine in their respective shows. This is especially true in the case of anime heroes who can either make or break certain shows. In fact, some of these protagonists are so charming that they can be exceedingly rude yet still be endearing in their own way. Keeping this in mind, here are some popular anime heroes who don’t shy away from speaking their minds.
10 Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Edward Elric is easily one of the most enjoyable protagonists of all time. He managed to be foolhardy and boisterous without losing the true essence of his character — something that many shows struggle to portray.
His outspoken nature is an endearing part of his personality but doesn’t overshadow the serious moments when his true character shows. He’s a great protagonist who adds to the quality of one of the greatest anime of all time.
9 Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
The eponymous protagonist of Naruto didn’t have the greatest childhood. He grew up being hated by everyone in the village, causing him to lash out in a cry for attention.
This led to the child developing a rather headstrong attitude, going so far as to speak out against the Hokage as well! While the character does become mature over time, his brash attitude is still clear for everyone to see.
8 Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
One Piece is one of the grandest and most followed anime of all time. This is in no small part due to the incredible quality of its main cast, with Luffy serving as a great protagonist of this massive tale.
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The character might be incredibly goofy and unknowingly rude, but that’s precisely why so many people love Luffy. It helps that he definitely gets serious when the going gets tough, making him even more likable.
7 Levi Ackerman (Attack On Titan)
The introduction of Levi marked a turning point in Attack on Titan, with the Survey Corps finally being viewed as a competent unit. The cold and calculating attitude of Levi stretches into his daily life as well.
Levi doesn’t shy away from making crass remarks against people, regardless of their status — a remnant of his time in the underground. His in-your-face attitude and brash personality are ultimately what people love about this character.
6 Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
Bleach is a show that started off on an extremely high note, before problems behind the scenes led to the manga reaching a rather premature and disappointing end. Perhaps with the new anime adaptation, the mistakes made by this show could finally be rectified.
The protagonist of Bleach feels like a blank slate at times, but there are times when Ichigo shows his strong morals. Of course, he does end up seeming a bit rude in the process, but that’s a part of his appeal!
5 Vegeta (Dragon Ball)
From mortal enemy to steadfast friend — Vegeta has evolved a lot over the course of Dragon Ball… both literally and figuratively! The family man hasn’t shied away from his training, making him one of the strongest warriors in the universe.
Some important aspects of Vegeta’s strength are his pride and how he constantly looks down on everyone. These traits are befitting of the Prince of all Saiyans and make him the most entertaining part of the Dragon Ball franchise by a country mile.
4 Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia)
There was a time when Bakugo was nothing more than a jealous bully who had a thing against Midoriya for some reason. It takes a while for his character to be explored until viewers realize what this hero is all about.
Bakugo is a complex character who uses a hard exterior to prevent people from knowing more about him. It’s precisely this trait that makes him such a riveting personality, which is a huge compliment given how many great characters the series already has.
3 Joseph Joestar (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Each era in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure focuses on different protagonists with unique personalities. Everyone has their favorite, but even his biggest deniers can’t deny the exceptional charm of Joseph Joestar during Battle Tendency.
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His youthful and energetic personality makes for one of the best parts of this arc. His tendency to humiliate villains and make the improbable come true is what makes him such a great character.
2 Yusuke Urameshi (YuYu Hakusho)
At a glance, Yusuke Urameshi seems like nothing more than a holier-than-thou personality who looks down on everything around him. However, after this first impression, the character ends up performing one of the most selfless acts in anime history.
It’s this combination of a hard exterior and innate goodness for Yusuke that turns him into a powerful Spirit Detective. He’s a great character who serves as a brilliant protagonist for this classic anime.
1 Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
Dr. Stone is one of the more unique shonen anime around, using the concept of science itself to allow for amazing powerups that fans will absolutely adore. At the heart of this show is the brusque and charismatic Senku Ishigami.
This genius ends up using his knowledge of science to full effect in the new Stone Age. It’s great to see this character in his element, and fans can’t wait to find out how this character evolves over the course of the anime in later seasons.
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