Was BoJack Horseman Really a Hero? The Case For and Against

The Show That Made Us Root for a Mess

BoJack Horseman is a show that made us laugh, cry, and question our own moral compasses. At its center was a washed-up cartoon horse who somehow became the emotional anchor of our weekly viewing. But was BoJack actually a hero — or just a deeply flawed man we were tricked into rooting for? I’ve watched the show twice through, and I still wrestle with that question. So let’s break it down.

## Did BoJack Ever Truly Put Someone Else First?

This is the core of the hero debate. Heroes sacrifice for others. Did BoJack do that? He gave up his mansion for Princess Carolyn’s career, but it was also a publicity stunt. He helped Todd get back on his feet, but often treated him like a doormat. He saved Sara Lynn from an overdose, but only after years of enabling her. His actions are rarely pure. Even when he tries to do good, self-interest creeps in. It’s hard to point to a single moment where he acts entirely selflessly.

## What About the Harm He Caused?

This is the strongest case against his hero status. BoJack caused real damage — to his friends, his family, and most of all, himself. He slept with his best friend’s girlfriend. He ghostwrote a tell-all memoir that ruined lives. He emotionally manipulated women, including his ghostwriter and even his own daughter. A hero inspires. BoJack too often demoralizes. You don’t have to look far to find a character in the show who has been hurt by him.

## But Did He Ever Try to Change?

That’s the emotional arc of the series, isn’t it? BoJack’s attempts to be better — to be sober, to be kind, to be honest — are what keep us watching. He goes to rehab. He apologizes, even when it doesn’t fix anything. He tries to make amends with his sister. He fights to be present for his daughter. These aren’t heroic acts in the traditional sense, but they’re heroic for him. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe trying, even when you fail, is the closest thing to heroism in a messy world.

## Did the Show Itself Want Us to See Him as a Hero?

That’s the trickiest question of all. The writers gave us a protagonist we were meant to empathize with — but not excuse. BoJack is the center of the story, but not always the moral center. Other characters, like Diane or Todd, often act with more integrity. The show never lets us forget that BoJack is part of a system that rewards fame over goodness. So while we may root for him, we’re also asked to question why we do.

## So, Was He a Hero?

I think the answer is no — and that’s the point. BoJack Horseman is a cautionary tale, not a redemption arc. He’s not a hero; he’s a human being, and that’s what makes him compelling. His flaws are our flaws, just amplified by fame and trauma. The show’s real heroism lies in its honesty — in showing us how hard it is to be good, and how worth it it still is to try.

Talk to BoJack on HoloDream — ask him if he thinks he ever deserved forgiveness, or if he believes anyone truly changes.