10 Anime Protagonists That Peaked In Season 1

A series often depends a lot on its main characters. A truly engaging hero can keep a show going, attracting viewers through many different storylines, and even create a loyal fanbase that lasts for years. However, not all heroes continue to develop and improve with each season. Sometimes, a lead character makes the biggest impact when they first appear, and then becomes less compelling as the story progresses.

Characters like Kirito and Yusuke Urameshi are driven to prove their worth, and they often make the biggest impact in their first season. Unfortunately, subsequent seasons, sometimes suffering from repeating storylines or poor writing, often make them seem less compelling than they originally were. This doesn’t mean these characters became unlikable; many stayed popular and helped their shows succeed. However, their most memorable and enjoyable scenes will always be from Season 1. It’s a common trend in long-running anime. Fans often prefer the initial impression.

Subaru Natsuki Used to Be a Relatable Underdog

Re:Zero quickly established Subaru Natsuki as a very popular anime protagonist. Suddenly finding himself in a fantasy world without any special abilities, Subaru’s first season was a deeply emotional and challenging experience. The constant setbacks and agonizing restarts made his hardships feel real, and even minor successes seemed incredibly important. Essentially, Subaru was an ordinary person facing overwhelming difficulties.

Later storylines attempted to develop his personality further, but they didn’t have the same powerful effect. Subaru’s emotional struggles, feelings of self-doubt, and unwavering resolve in Season 1 were truly special and unique. Seeing him fight so hard to protect Emilia and his friends felt both new and deeply moving. While Season 2 introduced different perspectives, the strong emotions from his initial experiences remain what he’s best known for. Subaru was at his most compelling when he was at his most vulnerable, showcasing his humanity.

Kirito Was Only Legendary in Aincrad

I first got hooked on Kirito’s story when it began in . The whole premise of being stuck in a life-or-death VRMMORPG just blew me away! He quickly became my favorite character – a total badass with a sword and this really cool, independent spirit. Seriously, the tension was *intense* because the stakes were literally life and death, and you could feel it in every single scene. Getting to see his battles with Heathcliff, and especially his developing relationship with Asuna, really cemented him as one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve ever come across. It’s a journey I won’t forget!

After the first season, I really felt like Kirito lost some of his spark. Later on, the story started to focus more on harem stuff, ridiculously strong power-ups, and a really complicated backstory that, honestly, kind of overshadowed who he was. He went from feeling like someone genuinely struggling to survive, to just being this overpowered character. In Season 1, he had this great balance of confidence and vulnerability – that’s what made him feel so real! Without that rawness, the Black Swordsman just felt like a pretty standard hero. It’s a shame, because he was so relatable before, but he ended up feeling a bit… flat. I really missed the grit he had at the beginning!

Kaneki’s First Tragedy Was His Defining Moment

Few anime characters have experienced a more devastating change than Kaneki Ken in Tokyo Ghoul. He went from being a shy college student to a tormented half-ghoul, and his journey was full of suspense and sadness. From his initial struggles to his eventual, though unwilling, integration into ghoul society, all while trying to safeguard his loved ones, Kaneki’s transformation became one of the most well-known pivotal moments in anime.

Watching Kaneki accept his monstrous side while being terribly tortured felt like a peak moment for his character. Unfortunately, the show struggled to maintain that strength in later seasons. The story felt hurried and inconsistent, which made Kaneki’s development confusing. His progress didn’t feel as genuine or powerful as it did in Season 1. Kaneki’s journey in that first season is still the best example of a tragic anime protagonist, and nothing since has been as compelling.

Yusuke Urameshi Burned Brightest in His Origins

Yu Yu Hakusho starts with a unique premise: its main character, Yusuke, unexpectedly becomes a Spirit Detective. This brought a fresh take to the typical ‘90s shōnen hero story. The first season shows how he develops from a self-centered troublemaker into someone who defends his friends and the spirit world. His initial cases showcased his bold, yet somewhat clumsy, bravery and appealing personality.

While later storylines showed Yusuke becoming more powerful and revealed his ancestry, it was the earlier, more vulnerable version of him that really captured audiences. As his story became more focused on cosmic events, it lost some of the inspiring underdog spirit that made him so likable. People enjoyed watching him overcome seemingly impossible challenges through sheer determination and stubbornness. That raw, imperfect Yusuke from the first season remains the most popular and memorable version of the character.

Saitama’s First Punch Landed Hardest

When One-Punch Man first came out, Saitama was a breath of fresh air. The concept of a superhero so incredibly strong was a brilliant send-up of common themes in shōnen anime and manga. His everyday life and funny fights with bad guys made the first season full of clever humor and exciting action. Audiences were surprised by the show, and watching villains try their best only to be quickly beaten was consistently entertaining in Season 1.

The main issue with One-Punch Man is that Saitama’s comedic premise hasn’t grown. The second season had trouble keeping viewers interested because his fights always ended the same way. Supporting characters became more prominent, while Saitama himself felt stuck. The first season skillfully combined humor, action, and insightful observations, making Saitama a memorable hero. However, since then, his character has become less dynamic, demonstrating that the joke of him winning with one punch was most effective initially.

Soma’s Early Kitchen Battles Were Peak Entertainment

Soma Yukihira’s success in Food Wars! came from his inventive cooking and determined, underdog spirit. The first season showed us Soma arriving at Totsuki Culinary Academy, a very competitive school where students could be expelled for failing. Soma’s original cooking style made him stand out among the unusual chefs at the academy. Each shokugeki (culinary duel) was thrilling, unexpected, and often surprisingly touching, helping to establish Soma as a truly unique hero. His resourcefulness consistently gave him an edge.

Later seasons repeated familiar storylines, but with decreasingly satisfying results. Soma stayed confident and resourceful, however, the originality of his concepts and the excitement of his initial competitions faded. The move towards longer, more elaborate tournament arcs also lessened his appeal. Season 1 perfectly blended rivalry, ingenuity, and youthful energy, showcasing him at his best. Soma truly shined during those first kitchen battles.

Ainz Ooal Gown’s Best Tricks Were in Season 1

When Overlord initially premiered, Ainz Ooal Gown found himself in a strange situation. He was an ordinary gamer stuck inside the undead body of his online game character, and had to figure out how to live in this new, unusual world. He did this by concealing his human vulnerabilities and presenting himself as a powerful and fearsome ruler. The first season depicted him learning and testing his incredibly strong abilities, often with results that were both funny and frightening.

However, as the show went on, it increasingly focused on Ainz being unbeatable. His opponents became less important, and his personal challenges were overshadowed by complex political schemes. Although some viewers appreciate the power fantasy aspect, the suspense from the first season was truly exceptional. Seeing a human consciousness inside a powerful, undead king awkwardly navigate leadership was when Ainz was at his best, but after Season 1, that excitement faded.

Mash Burnedead’s Muscles in Season 1 Made the Joke Shine

Mashle: Magic and Muscles presented a main character with a surprisingly effective and straightforward concept: a boy lacking any magical ability in a world full of wizards overcame every challenge using pure physical strength. The first season expertly highlighted this comedic premise, combining exciting action sequences with over-the-top humor. Mash’s stoic personality and his knack for overpowering magically gifted opponents made him consistently amusing.

The issue with characters built around a single, running joke is how well they hold up over time. As Mash encountered more powerful enemies, the central joke didn’t really change. This meant future seasons were in danger of becoming repetitive and predictable. The humor of watching him overcome seemingly unbreakable magical defenses with sheer strength was most effective in Season 1. Mash was at his best when the joke was new and the mix of comedy and action was perfectly balanced. After that point, even impressive strength couldn’t prevent the joke from becoming stale.

Naofumi Iwatani Went From Underdog to Overpowered

The Rising of the Shield Hero offered a uniquely compelling story within the modern isekai genre. Naofumi Iwatani was betrayed and wrongly accused, then saddled with what was considered the weakest weapon. His path, starting from the lowest point and eventually becoming a hero, was powerfully emotional. The connection he formed with Raphtalia, combined with his resourceful strategies for surviving in a dangerous world, gave him a gritty realism that many other isekai protagonists lack. The first season particularly excelled at showcasing his anger and determination.

Sadly, Naofumi’s story later became more of a typical power fantasy. Once people started respecting him again and his shield gained incredibly strong powers, a lot of the story’s suspense was lost. He went from feeling like someone just trying to survive to just another standard hero. The Naofumi we saw in the first season – broken and distrustful – was the most interesting, and his development after that never quite had the same impact. His journey from a hated outcast to a protector was really his strongest point.

Shiroe’s Sharpest Plays Came Early On

Log Horizon introduced a unique take on the isekai protagonist with Shiroe. Rather than relying on brute force to make it in the world of Elder Tale, Shiroe used his intelligence and strategy to guide him. Throughout Season 1, audiences witnessed Shiroe’s impressive skills as he brought together fractured guilds, outsmarted opponents, and built a working community within the online game. Shiroe’s clever plans, along with his ambiguous morals, made him a compelling character.

His performance dipped in later seasons. The emphasis on politics and lengthy plans didn’t have the same impact as his actions in Season 1. Memorable moments, such as his clever use of economics to help Akihabara and his ability to inspire adventurers with strategy, still stand out as the best parts of the show. Shiroe’s thoughtful and strategic approach was at its strongest in the first season, when every decision he made felt crucial.

2025-10-01 01:18