In the world of anime, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. But there’s something undeniably captivating about the ones who save the world. From the mystical powers of a magical girl to the mecha-piloting skills of a Gundam pilot, we’ve got a plethora of heroes who step up to the plate and deliver when the situation gets dire. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 anime heroes who saved the world in their own unique way.
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Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime hero who defines the term "going to great lengths." When Edward and his brother Al’s alchemy experiment goes wrong, Edward loses his left leg and right arm while trying to bring their mother back to life using alchemy. Not only does he regrow his limbs, but he’s also on a mission to restore his brother’s soul to his physical body. This journey takes him on a path of self-discovery and saving the world from impending doom.
Another anime hero who made a lasting impression is Naruto Uzumaki from the iconic series Naruto. Orphaned and ostracized as a child, Naruto doesn’t have the easiest life. But his determination to protect his village, to be accepted, and eventually to become the Hokage sets him on an incredible path that saves not just his village but also the world.
Light Yagami from Death Note is your quintessential anti-hero. Not in the traditional sense, of course โ Light has a skewed perception of justice. After discovering the Death Note notebook, which has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it, Light takes it upon himself to create a utopia without crime. However, his methods raise more questions than answers, especially when a genius detective L is on the case to catch him.
Another name on our list is a symbol of hope in a desperate world: Simon from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Trapped in an underground village where his people are struggling to survive, Simon accidentally stumbles upon a fighting robot called Lagann which sets them on a journey that leads to a full-scale war between humanity and the oppressive Spirals.
Furthermore, we have Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. His epic saga is still ongoing, and it’s undeniable how Monkey D. Luffy will eventually become one of the greatest pirates in the world. He’s faced insurmountable odds, formidable foes, and we know for sure there’s nothing he won’t do for his friends and the people he cares about.
Then, we have Izuku Midoriya, the protagonist from the series My Hero Academia. Izuku idolizes All Might, a legendary hero who has saved the world from an array of villains. After finding out he doesn’t have powers like most people, his world is crushed. Nevertheless, All Might sees something in him that the world doesn’t โ his admiration for saving the world. This sets him on his path to becoming a symbol of hope.
Another intriguing anime hero is Kenshiro, the Fist of the North Star. Kenshiro’s determination for justice stems from the love for Yuria, the woman he longs for. If Kenshiro can defeat his powerful foes, he might just be able to reclaim Yuria from the villainous Jagi.
Spike Spiegel, a bounty hunter with a mysterious past from the series Cowboy Bebop, finds himself juggling saving the world while coming to terms with his true identity. On a mission to hunt down notorious villains, his inner turmoil slowly unravels.
We can’t leave our discussion without mentioning Sailor Moon from the famous magical anime series. This iconic heroine saves the world from Queen Beryl, Queen of the Dark Kingdom who has the capability to engulf Earth. Based on the Japanese anime, Sailor Moon has secured a soft spot in our hearts after millions of fans watched the series across numerous countries worldwide.
Lastly, when referring to our final anime hero who saved the world, we see Shinji Ikari, from the series Neon Genesis Evangelion, bravely standing against his fears in this journey. Caught in a world ravaged by the existence of such monsters known as "Angels", Shinji battles hard โ not only to save the lives of humanity but to win his father’s affection.
These courageous beings who dedicate their lives to saving the world aren’t perfect; they stumble, and they fall. However, it’s the little steps they take each day, driven by the love they have for people they care about and their resilience in the face of adversity that gives them hero status.