Summary
Shonen anime series all have a formula for storytelling that works wonders, as seen with how this subgenre is the most popular and beloved in the entire industry. Though every story is unique in terms of what it represents and what it shows, there are certain storytelling elements that are shared by almost all of them, an example of which is theunmatched strength and potential of the main character.
Every time, the main character is seen as the primary representation of the story, leading to them being synonymous with the series itself as its most iconic character. However, an archetype present in almost every Shonen series is that of the ‘second-strongest’; someone who’s often in a position of chasing after the main character or is seen as keeping up with them on a similar level. While it initially seems like an afterthought, many consider these characters to be the most well-written and relatable in the series, so let’s see why this is.
The Strongest After
Goku, Luffy, Naruto, Gon, Saitama
Any sort of series across any medium doesn’t work if it doesn’t have good characters, as a well-rounded cast of characters is crucial for any good story. Shonen anime is no exception to this since, despite having a massivefocus on a singular protagonist, there is a huge emphasis on the others who support them, especially when it comes to those who occupy a level of strength far above everyone else except for the protagonists themselves.
Though they are incredibly powerful, the second-strongest usually doesn’t get the win against the big bad of the arc. However, they serve as a means of not only reinforcing the strength of the main character but also that of the foes they are facing, and while they only rarely get the spotlight against the strongest opponent, they are often indispensable in the overall effort at defeating them.
Why These Characters Are So Compelling
Layered and Complex Characters
Perhaps the best thing about these characters is that they are often far more layered than even the main characters of their story. They tend to hide some sort of darkness as a defining feature of their personalities, which makes them complex characters who are oftenfighting some sort of internal conflict, adding to their nuanced personalities that are just far more engaging as compared to most of the main characters, who tend to be bastions of goodness that are out to protect and save everyone they can.
While this doesn’t at all take away from the protagonists, it still goes to show the ‘second-strongest’ as flawed, which in turn makes them more human and relatable. While they’re good guys, they are often driven by negative factors such as revenge, and they believe that the pursuit of strength is the best way for them to rectify their past. This also fosters a mirrored relationship with the main hero who seeks out strength to break their limits and protect their loved ones. Because of this dichotomy, they push each other to greater heights.
Only a failure abandons his principles and pride! Do you actually think I’d let you stop me?!
Vegeta fromDragon Ballis perhaps the best example of this trope. Starting as a ruthless villain, he eventually became a part of the Z-Fighters and, eventually, one oftheir greatest assets alongside Goku, who pushed him to reach higher levels of strength. Over time, Vegeta underwent one of the greatest character arcs in fiction and became one of the universe’s most important protectors, and now, many believe that he’s a protagonist as much as Goku is.
Another beloved example is Zoro fromOne Piece, who embodies the role very well but differently from how Vegeta does. While he is undoubtedly the second-strongest Straw Hat Pirate, he never competes with Luffy, instead being solely motivated by his dream to become the strongest swordsman in the world to keep the promise he made to his childhood best friend. Zoro has defeated incredibly powerful foes, but never the main ones.
Sasuke fromNarutowas always motivated by vengeance to avenge the destruction of his entire clan, perfectly personifying the ‘darker’ aspect that is often synonymous with this character trope. The series followed him in his own revenge plot which eventually brought him face-to-face with Naruto again,bringing his and Naruto’s arcsperfectly full circle.
Moving on,Jujutsu Kaisenis a perfect example of a different way to approach this trope. During the Hidden Inventory arc, the true value of the strongest was told, and when Gojo finally reached this spot, the series showed how the rest of the world, particularly Geto, reacted to it. Unlike other Shonen series,Jujutsu Kaisencompletely subverted this trope as failing to become the strongest, among other reasons, made Geto turn evil and into the biggest threat to the Jujutsu world at the time.
