Child protagonists are a rarity in anime. While most shows star high school, or even high school, teens, few focus on younger characters. However, child protagonists are often some of the most interesting and endearing main characters. They offer a more innocent perspective and, at the same time, enriching stories that entertain audiences of all ages.
Some come from series designed specifically with children in mind. However, other child protagonists star in series more suitable for an older audience. In any case, despite their age, these young heroes are well-written and lovable main characters. From classic children’s heroes like Conan Edogawa, from Detective Conanto new young protagonists, such as Anya Forger, from Spy x FamilyThese are some of the best child protagonists in anime.
SCROLL TO CONTINUE CONTENT 10 Sana Kurata (Kodocha)
Sana Kurata is the brave and energetic young heroine of the classic shojo series. Kodomo no Omocha, better known to fans as Kodocha. She is an 11-year-old child actress who tries to manage her extraordinary responsibilities while remaining an ordinary girl.
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Despite her age, Sana is a born leader and takes charge of any situation. She is unable to turn her back on someone in need, and this desire to help others drives her character throughout the series, leading her into all sorts of intense situations. Kodocha Follow Sana’s day-to-day life as she juggles her career and social life, stands up to criminals, and learns more about herself.
9 Ash Ketchum (Pokémon) 
For decades, Ash Ketchum was the face of the anime series. Pokémon. Recognized by fans around the world, he is one of the most famous child protagonists in anime history.
Fans have been with Ash since the very beginning, when he got his Pikachu and began his epic journey to become a Pokémon Master. In 2023, Ash made headlines for the end of his iconic story and, for many, the fact that his character has been removed from Pokémon it’s still surreal. But even though he’s gone, fans will always remember Ash Ketchum as one of anime’s greatest heroes.
8 Sakura Kinomoto (Cardcaptor Sakura) 
Over the years, there have been many iconic magical girls, but few have been as impactful as the titular heroine of Cardcaptor Sakura. To this day, Sakura Kinomoto is a beloved heroine and a favorite of magical girls fans. She is one of the youngest magical girls, with an incredible responsibility for her age.
But despite her important role, Sakura never loses her childish innocence and manages to perfectly balance her life as a heroine with her everyday life. She is an unforgettable icon of the shojo and magical girl genre, and her character continues to influence new heroines today.
7 Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan) 
Shinichi Kudo, the protagonist of Detective Conan, is the victim of a mysterious group that administers a poison that turns him into a small child, so he adopts the pseudonym Conan Edogawa. He begins an endless search for the antidote, as well as for those responsible for his situation.
Although he appears to be no more than six or seven years old, Conan still has the same brilliant mind, which he uses to solve various cases while tracking down his attackers. Conan Edogawa, the protagonist of one of anime’s longest running and most popular series, is undoubtedly one of the most famous child protagonists. Over the years, he has become a well-known face within the anime community, and is praised as one of the best detectives in anime.
6 Kotaro Sato (Kotaro Lives Alone) 
Kotaro lives alone follows the everyday adventures of a strange boy who, as the title suggests, lives completely alone. At only 4 years old, Kotaro Sato is one of the youngest anime protagonists ever. But despite his age, young Kotaro is a lovable, well-written character that audiences can really connect with.
KotaroLives Alone revolves around the life of Kotaro, who faces the world alone at such a young and impressionable age. Luckily, he’s not completely alone, as many of Kotaro’s neighbors have banded together to care for the boy in his missing family’s place. With his endearing personality and his heartbreaking story, Kotaro has won the hearts of everyone around him, including the public.
5 Ciel Phantomive (Black Butler) 
Although he is only 12 years old at the beginning of the series, Ciel Phantomhive, from Black Butler, is the Earl of Phantomhive Manor and the official head of the family. After a horrible incident leaves him an orphan, Ciel’s life changes completely. He forms a contract with a fearsome demon, and with his power on his side, Ciel begins to plot his revenge against those who wronged him.
Despite his young age, Ciel works for the Queen herself, solving various mysteries and taking down criminals with Sebastian’s help, all for the sake of his eventual revenge. He is a unique and very interesting child protagonist, very different from the usual child heroes in anime, and for that he is loved by fans.
4 Dororo 
Dororo is a dark historical series that follows the adventures of the young protagonist and a mysterious young man named Hyakkimaru. Together they roam the land and fight demons while Hyakkimaru searches for his missing body parts. As Hyakkimaru has lost the ability to see and hear, Dororo acts as his eyes and ears, guiding him along the way.
Dororo is only a little boy, but he has already seen the harsh and cruel realities of war. Before Hyakkimaru arrived, Dororo was on his own, fending for himself by stealing what he could to survive. But despite everything, Dororo has always been a cheerful and optimistic child, who has never let tragedy and death overwhelm him.
3 Emma (The Promised Neverland) 
Emma is the brave young heroine of the iconic series The Promised Neverland. Growing up as an orphan, Emma lived her entire life behind the walls of Grace Field House. But after learning the truth about her happy home, she is determined to date all of her siblings and escape her fate.
Being one of the oldest in the group, Emma is seen as a leader among the orphans, and all the little ones look up to her. Her bright and cheerful smile gets them through the toughest of times, and it’s impossible not to adore her jovial nature. Although the anime adaptation of The promised neverland Never having lost much of her popularity, Emma remains a much-loved character and one of the best parts of the series.
2 Anya Forger (Familia Spy X) 
Anya Forger is one of the more recent child protagonists in anime, but she has already become one of the most popular. One of the protagonists of Spy x FamilyAnya is adopted by Loid Forger, an undercover spy looking to start a fake family for his current mission.
Although she is only destined to be a daughter daughter, Anya does not take long to win the hearts of her new parents. With her adorable looks, her unique mind-reading abilities, and her charming quirks, it’s not hard to see why. Anya’s charm is absolutely impossible to ignore, and since the release of Spy x Familyhas earned her place as the darling of modern anime.
1 Chihiro (Spirited Away) 
Many of Studio Ghibli’s iconic films feature the adventures of young protagonists, but none are as memorable as Chihiro, from Spirited Away. Without a doubt, she is one of the most famous and beloved child protagonists in anime history, and fans around the world can’t help but admire her bravery and kindness.
Spirited Away Follow Chihiro on her journey through the spirit realm and on her quest to take revenge on the evil Yubaba to save her parents. While dealing with his situation, Chihiro meets many new people, each of whom teaches her a valuable life lesson that helps her grow as a person. His adventure has been a favorite of Ghibli fans for years, and is hailed as one of the studio’s best coming-of-age stories.
2023-06-12 08:33:44
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