Some anime protagonists make an immediate impact by burning bright and dying young, but that’s not necessarily the end of their journey. Anime has a wide range of narrative approaches when it comes to main characters, and their journeys can either elevate a show or weigh it down. Some series shock audiences by killing off their leads early in the story, creating unforgettable moments, and forcing other characters to evolve in their absence.

On the other hand, some protagonists feel like they’ve overstayed their welcome. Whether it's due to repetitive arcs, a lack of growth, or simply hogging the spotlight from more compelling side characters, these leads can drag a series down the longer they remain central. In a medium where ensemble casts often thrive, the continued focus on one character’s journey can sometimes become a disservice to the rest of the narrative. From ambitious subversions to frustratingly stalled development, anime’s use of protagonists can vary wildly.

Excel Should Have Stayed Dead

Excel Saga

Excel Saga opens with its rambunctious protagonist running through the schoolyard, annoying her fellow students, only to shock the audience when she’s hit by a bus 30 seconds later. The show plays her death for laughs, with increasingly absurd reasons for her demise. Excel’s constant revival is a running gag throughout the series, and the anime leans heavily into parody, breaking the fourth wall to poke fun at typical protagonist plot armor. It’s a bold move that sets the tone for the rest of the series, which thrives on unpredictability.

Though Excel keeps resurrecting herself, the message is clear: she’s expendable, and the narrative doesn’t need her to stay alive to function. This choice highlights the show’s meta-commentary on anime tropes. Her chaotic absence becomes part of the show’s identity, setting it apart from other series with more rigid protagonist arcs.

Boar Isn't the Hero Audiences Thought He Was

Juni Taisen

Juni Taisen wastes no time shaking up expectations by introducing a seemingly central protagonist, Zodiac Warrior “Boar”, only to kill them off in the very first episode. Boar is framed as the main character through typical visual and narrative cues, but the rug is pulled out almost immediately. This shocking twist reframes the viewer's understanding of the show as an unpredictable battle royale, where no one is safe, and character focus can shift at any moment.

This structure creates a compelling sense of tension, as viewers quickly learn that the show isn’t bound by traditional storytelling conventions. Each episode focuses on a new character, delving into their backstory before often ending with their death. Juni Taisen turns the early death trope into its entire storytelling format, effectively weaponizing audience expectations and delivering an experience where emotional investment is a constant gamble.

Kirito Overstays His Welcome

Sword Art Online

Kirito begins Sword Art Online as a compelling and relatable protagonist. He’s a quiet gamer thrust into a life-or-death MMORPG where his skill and determination help him survive. His early arc in Aincrad is a classic hero’s journey, exploring the psychological toll of virtual warfare and isolation. Audiences initially root for Kirito because he feels grounded, vulnerable, and emotionally resonant in the face of overwhelming stakes. So far, the expansive series includes:

• Sword Art Online
• Sword Art Online II
• Sword Art Online: Alicization
• Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (spin-off)
• Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale (film)
• Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night (film)
• Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night (film)

However, as Sword Art Online expands, Kirito’s narrative becomes exhausting. Despite new characters and settings in later arcs like Gun Gale Online and Alicization, the series often sidelines everyone else to keep Kirito front and center. His ever-growing power, flawless instincts, and repeated returns from the brink of death make him feel invincible, undercutting tension and character development.

Siesta's Fate Is Sealed in the Title

The Detective Is Already Dead

This series’ hook is right there in the title: the Detective, Siesta, dies early on despite being heavily featured in promotional material and the first episode. After her death, the focus shifts to her former assistant, Kimihiko, who struggles with her legacy and the mysteries left behind. While Siesta continues to appear in flashbacks and memories, her actual time as the active protagonist is surprisingly short.

The anime leans into this twist by making the story about how others are shaped by a figure who is no longer present. Siesta’s influence lingers, and her absence becomes a driving force in the plot. Rather than following a straightforward whodunit, the show becomes a meditation on grief, legacy, and unresolved emotions. It's a bold narrative gamble that shifts the emotional weight onto the living characters, even as the detective remains central through memory.

Yusuke Never Stays Down for Long

YuYu Hakusho

YuYu Hakusho begins with the juvenile delinquent protagonist, Yusuke Urameshi, dying in the first episode after saving a child from an oncoming truck. However, instead of ending his story, this moment becomes the launching pad for an incredible afterlife journey. What follows is a series of supernatural trials that define him as a Spirit Detective.

Yusuke's death is pivotal to his character growth, as it strips him of his bully identity and forces him into the role of protector. The series balances action with emotional weight, using his temporary brush with death to build a foundation for the fantastical world he’ll inhabit. While he eventually returns to life, the early death remains one of the most memorable and unique openings in Shōnen anime.

Jotaro's Lingering Presence Breaks the Show's Conceit

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is famous for its generational storytelling, with each part introducing a new Joestar protagonist. However, certain leads, like Part 3’s Jotaro Kujo, have stuck around far longer than necessary. Jotaro, while beloved, continues to appear in future parts long after his arc has seemingly concluded. His extended presence overshadows newer characters like Jolyne in Part 6, often stealing narrative focus and undermining the momentum of fresh protagonists.

The tendency to overuse old leads makes it harder for newer JoJos to shine. While Jotaro’s legacy is important, his return in Stone Ocean feels like a crutch, drawing attention away from Jolyne’s development and robbing her of the chance to fully own her story. JoJo's anthology format thrives when each new part is allowed to stand on its own.

The Children of War Meet Gruesome Ends

Bokurano

Bokurano

features a cast of children chosen to pilot a mysterious mecha in defense of Earth, only to learn that doing so will cost them their lives. The anime doesn’t hinge on a single protagonist; it introduces over a dozen, and each one gets their time in the spotlight before dying. This rotating structure means multiple protagonists die early, and viewers are constantly bracing for the next loss.

The constant cycle of early deaths makes the series grim but unforgettable.

What makes Bokurano unique is how it forces viewers to emotionally invest in new leads again and again. Each child’s personal struggles are explored in depth just before their turn in the cockpit, and their inevitable demise. The constant cycle of early deaths makes the series grim but unforgettable. It’s a powerful meditation on sacrifice, responsibility, and the psychological burden of saving a world that doesn't seem to care.

Eren Yeager Lives Long Enough to See Himself Become the Villain

Attack on Titan

Eren begins as a fiery, determined protagonist whose desire to destroy the Titans drives the entire narrative. But as the story evolves into complex political warfare and philosophical debates about freedom, Eren’s development becomes overbearing. His increasingly radical ideology, coupled with the drastic tone shift in later arcs, turns him from a relatable hero into a polarizing character.

Instead of allowing the ing cast to shine, the final stretch of the series doubles down on Eren’s perspective. This choice alienates viewers who prefer the ensemble dynamic but resonates thematically with the fascist story elements. Some argue that had the story shifted focus away from him sooner, Attack on Titan might have landed its ending more smoothly.

Loss of Kamina Inspires Those Left Behind

Gurren Lagann

Gurren Lagann begins as Simon’s coming-of-age story but is initially driven by his charismatic older brother figure, Kamina. Kamina is the show’s emotional core: brash, ionate, and a born leader. So when Kamina dies only eight episodes in, it completely alters the show’s tone and trajectory. His premature death stuns both viewers and characters, especially Simon, who is forced to grow beyond his idol and become a leader in his own right.

Kamina’s death isn’t just a shock; it’s a narrative turning point. His spirit lingers throughout the series, inspiring the remaining characters even as the stakes grow cosmic. The show uses Kamina’s legacy to explore themes of grief, mentorship, and forging your own path. Sometimes the death of a beloved character can be the very thing that gives a series its emotional weight and staying power.

Subaru Natsuki's Perpetual Rebirth Has Stunted His Growth

Re:Zero

Subaru is meant to be a deconstruction of the typical Isekai protagonist, but the series often traps viewers in his neurotic spiral. His repeated breakdowns, questionable decisions, and frequent resets can become exhausting, especially when side characters offer far more intrigue and emotional depth. Subaru’s intense focus on Emilia, at the expense of everything else, limits the broader world-building that Re:Zero occasionally teases but rarely delivers on.

While his suffering is central to the show’s themes, the repetition can feel like diminishing returns after a while. The series would benefit from either splitting the perspective or letting Subaru evolve more meaningfully. In its current state, Re:Zero is just rehashing the same emotional loops.