Shonen anime is known for its action-packed stories, over-the-top characters, and epic battles. However, one trope that often comes with the territory is “plot armor” – the tendency for main characters to survive situations that should logically kill them. While a little plot armor is common, some shonen anime characters seem to have a near-invincible shield around them. Here are 10 such characters who often survive battles due to plot convenience rather than skill or strategy.
The Unkillable Protagonists
1. Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
Luffy, the rubber-bodied captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, is notorious for his incredible resilience. He can withstand devastating attacks, recover from near-fatal wounds, and somehow manage to power up at the most convenient moments. Luffy’s ability to adapt and grow stronger during battles is a core part of One Piece, but it also often feels like he is shielded by the narrative itself. His “willpower” and the “power of friendship” often conveniently pull him through seemingly impossible situations.
2. Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
Naruto, the knuckle-headed ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village, embodies the spirit of never giving up. While his determination is admirable, he often benefits from last-minute power-ups and convenient interventions. From the nine-tailed fox spirit within him to his late-blooming sage powers, Naruto seems to have a constant stream of abilities that activate just when he needs them. His lineage as the son of a Hokage and a reincarnation of a god-like figure also gives him a significant boost in the plot armor department.
3. Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
Ichigo, the substitute Soul Reaper, is another prime example of a character who frequently survives due to plot convenience. He consistently gains new powers and abilities at the most crucial times, often pulling off victories that should be impossible. From his initial awakening as a Soul Reaper to his various transformations, Ichigo’s growth seems to be timed perfectly with the needs of the story, making it feel like he is destined to always win.
4. Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail)
Natsu, the fire dragon slayer from Fairy Tail, is known for his explosive power and his unwavering determination. While his strength is impressive, he often survives battles that should be fatal, thanks to the “power of friendship” and his ability to seemingly pull new techniques out of thin air. Natsu’s constant power-ups, often triggered by emotional moments, sometimes make his victories feel more like plot convenience than earned achievements.
5. Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer)
Tanjiro, the kind-hearted demon slayer, is a character who constantly overcomes adversity through sheer determination and newly discovered techniques. The most significant instance of plot armor for Tanjiro is his ability to access and master the Hinokami Kagura, a breathing style he had no prior training in. He was able to implement it in combat situations after simply accessing memories of his ancestor. This technique, crucial to his survival, feels like it was given to him by the plot to save him in his battles.
Characters Who Bend the Rules
6. Jotaro Kujo (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Jotaro, the stoic protagonist of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, is known for his powerful Stand, Star Platinum. While he demonstrates great skill, Jotaro’s victories often come from seemingly convenient power-ups or illogical solutions. A notable example is his ability to copy DIO’s time-stopping ability, The World, at the last minute, allowing him to win an otherwise unwinnable fight. His ability to survive DIO’s knife attack due to a conveniently placed book under his shirt, as well as a bizarre instance of extending Star Platinum’s fingers to defeat an enemy, further add to the sense of plot-induced invincibility.
7. Saitama (One Punch Man)
While Saitama from One Punch Man is intentionally designed to be overpowered, his ability to defeat any enemy with a single punch, is a form of plot armor in itself. He is essentially invincible, which removes any real tension from his battles. Although it’s played for comedic effect, it does demonstrate a level of plot-driven invincibility. He achieved this power through his own training, but it’s never explained how he became so overwhelmingly strong.
8. Gojo Satoru (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen is often regarded as the strongest sorcerer. His overwhelming power makes many of his battles feel predetermined. He is the strongest character in the series with incredible cursed energy and abilities, making it difficult for any opponent to pose a genuine threat. His dominance and invincibility are so pronounced that it often overshadows his opponents and limits suspense in the series.
9. Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto’s rival and friend, is a character who has been called a genius. From the beginning, Sasuke was a prodigy, excelling in every skill he attempted, with abilities that are described as being natural. He seems to be destined for greatness from birth, which often makes his power-ups and ability to keep pace with Naruto feel as if he has a helping hand from the plot.
10. Kaguya Otsutsuki (Naruto)
Kaguya Otsutsuki, the final villain of Naruto Shippuden, is another character with immense power and very little to stop her. Her abilities to absorb jutsu and alter dimensions seemed to make her nearly impossible to defeat. She was the first wielder of chakra after consuming the fruit of the God Tree, and her powers were described as otherworldly. She has exceptional combat skills and chakra prowess, which is why it requires a lot of effort to even seal her physical form, and not kill her.
The Nature of Plot Armor
Plot armor is a common trope in shonen anime, used to ensure that beloved main characters survive and continue the story. While it can be frustrating when it feels too obvious, it is often a necessary tool to keep the plot moving forward. However, when plot armor becomes too prevalent, it can diminish the stakes and make the characters feel less relatable. The key is to balance character growth and development with the need for dramatic tension, allowing characters to overcome challenges through their own efforts and ingenuity, rather than just convenient plot devices. These 10 characters represent some of the most egregious cases of plot armor in shonen anime, where the narrative often bends to keep them alive and victorious, sometimes at the expense of realism and dramatic tension.
