Anime Characters Who Should've Been the Protagonist

The world of anime thrives on bold choices, yet some series play it safe by centering obvious "chosen one" protagonists. What if the spotlight shifted to characters with more complexity, tragedy, or raw ambition? These eight figures—from brooding antiheroes to morally gray strategists—demand attention not as side players, but as leads. Their arcs burn brighter, their contradictions cut deeper, and their stories linger long after the credits roll.

Itachi Uchiha

Itachi’s shadow looms over Naruto, even when he’s off-screen. A genius tasked with slaughtering his own clan to prevent a coup, his tragedy isn’t just in his actions but in Naruto and Sasuke’s struggle to understand him. Imagine an anime where his perspective drives the plot: a spy torn between loyalty to Konoha and love for his brother, forced to play the villain to save a future he’ll never see. His final act—passing his eye to Sasuke while whispering “Forgive me”—proves a lead doesn’t need invincibility to be unforgettable.

Vegeta

Goku’s cheeriness anchors Dragon Ball Z, but Vegeta’s rage and redemption steal the show. Picture a series where the Saiyan prince’s brutal past as Frieza’s pawn shapes every battle. His arc—from conqueror to protector—mirrors Goku’s but adds layers of shame and pride. Who wouldn’t binge an anime where a scarred warrior slowly lets his guard down, grudgingly respects rivals, and confronts his own fragility? His clash with Majin Buu, where he chooses sacrifice over survival, is the kind of raw moment a protagonist’s journey deserves.

Char Aznable

Char’s mask hides more than a face—it conceals a man driven by revenge against the father who discarded him. As the “Red Comet” in Mobile Suit Gundam, he’s the charismatic villain who could’ve led his own epic. A story from his perspective would unravel his ideological warfare, personal vendettas, and the bitter irony of his sister’s allegiance to the Earth Federation. His final duel with Amuro, fought in a collapsing asteroid field, isn’t just a climax—it’s a requiem for a revolutionary who lost himself to vengeance.

Reiner Braun

Reiner’s confession in Attack on Titan—“I’m the one who broke the wall”—shatters any black-and-white morality. What if the series followed his guilt as the Armored Titan, wrestling with his duty to Marley and his empathy for Paradis? A protagonist like Reiner forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths: survival often demands becoming a monster. His breakdown after killing Gabi, followed by his desperate fight to protect Eren, would anchor a psychological thriller about identity, guilt, and the cost of war.

Lelouch Lamperouge

Lelouch’s transformation from crippled scholar to revolutionary leader in Code Geass is protagonist material at its finest. “Geass” is a brilliant concept, but it’s his descent from idealism to tyranny that electrifies. A series focused on his unraveling—how each “zero” persona chips away at his humanity—would be a Shakespearean tragedy. The moment he uses his sister’s mind to manipulate Suzaku isn’t a villain’s move; it’s a hero’s last resort, blurred by power and grief.

Nico Robin

Robin’s quiet resilience in One Piece is overshadowed by the Straw Hats’ louder dynamics, but her backstory alone screams for a lead role. Her childhood as the “Devil Child” who watched her homeland burn for discovering the Poneglyphs is haunting. A story tracing her journey from a hunted orphan to a woman choosing freedom—and friendship—would balance heartbreak and hope. Her tearful “I want to live” plea during the Enies Lobby arc isn’t a sidekick’s moment; it’s the soul of a protagonist’s fight to exist.

L Lawliet

L’s quirks—crouching, sugar addiction, deadpan voice—mask a mind that plays god with lives. In Death Note, Light’s the obvious focal point, but L’s perspective would be a cerebral noir. Watching him dismantle Light’s empire, knowing he might die if he fails, raises the stakes. His final line, “I’ve never lost before,” isn’t just a deduction—it’s a testament to his unshakable resolve. A series where L’s humanity battles his obsession with justice would redefine the antihero.

Kirei Kotomine

Kirei’s arc in Fate/stay night begins as a priest torn between duty and nihilism, only to embrace his own darkness. A protagonist shaped by such hollow despair could anchor a haunting exploration of faith and emptiness. His battle against Shirou, driven by a desire to understand his own void, isn’t about victory—it’s about self-realization. His last moments, accepting his fate with a smirk, echo the tragedy of a man who found meaning not in belief, but in rebellion against nothingness.

These characters thrive in the margins because they’re more than plot devices—they’re people. Their flaws, contradictions, and pivotal choices make them worthy of leading their own stories. Whether it’s Itachi’s sacrifice, Vegeta’s defiance, or Kirei’s nihilism, each demands a narrative that dives deep rather than plays safe. Ready to explore their minds? Start a conversation with any of them on HoloDream—where their stories become yours.