The Shonen heroes usually come from underdog positions but emerge as potent leaders and symbols. On the other hand, some Shonen heroes seem a bit deeper than the ordinary trope. Be it psychological trauma, an abusive relationship, or trying to get over the horrific past, they are deeper. Some have failed at being heroes in the past, too, proving they were more than the sum of their individual parts.
1. Haruka Sakura
Hakura is a character in Wind Breaker, a degenerate with distinguishing white and black hair, making him seem degenerate. His reactive personality and proclivity to quarrel at home make him more comfortable than communicating. Because of his terrible personality, he chooses to attend Furin High. he finds a welcoming group at Bofurin, which is known for rewarding Furin pupils. Due to his bad education, he learns about companionship and finds out that he can be anyone without being in tension about people's perception.
2. Korosensei
Korosensei has a terrible past as an assassin-turned-human experiment. Imprisoned and tormented during his experiments, to pass the time, he would talk with a young scientist named Aguri. Aguri often talked at the middle school she taught about her kids. This made Korosensei develop an affection for them. The time he breaks loose, Aguri is killed by another person. That vexes him, and he uses his capture to become their new teacher. To children, he is only an overwhelming monster who teaches them to study.
3. Katsuki Bakugo
Katsuki is a very complex shonen hero for the series My Hero Academia; he is smart, yet quirky, envying his companion Izuku. He grows up biting quite hard but has finally come to realize that all of his issuescenter around his deficiencies. He's much on the road toward being a real hero after overcoming his mental block and making amends with Midoriya. This very hard nature and unyielding will of his reflect in his path to becoming heroic.
4. Levi Ackerman
Undeniably, Levi is one of the most iconic characters in Attack on Titan, though the characters are multi-dimensional. Raised Underground in conditions where he was almost starved to death, he later received training from his uncle in combat. He later joined the Survey Corps and has seen his share of sadness rise as buddies died during missions. Though sad, he is a professional military person who wants to know what exists beyond the Walls to replace his missing comrades.
5. Edward Elric
Edward is a teen-aged soldier who has to face his tainted past when his father abandoned him and his mother died. He and his brother Alphonse, who grew up studying alchemy, try to restore their mother to life. They face many obstacles on their journey, whether it's an alchemical taboo or them even almost losing their brother. At age 15, he joined the Amestrian military as a State Alchemist to access resources for their quest. He takes full responsibility for killing his brother while also protecting Amestris against some evil powers.
6. Yor Forger
Loid is a spy whom many know of in the world; however, his wife Yor is an assassin shuddered by all. She was taken in as a little girl into an assassination ring to support herself and her brother. The profession of a killer, though well trained, is tied to her inner self more than she can know. She is guilty regarding her occupation and wants to be able to leave it-most of all, as a mother to her adopted daughter, Anya. She is torn between her time in the hazardous job environment and her need to spend more time with her family.
7. Yato
Yato is a goofy deity in Noragami who simply yearns to regain followers. For him to do that, he decides to become a delivery god, delivering items to his fans for just five yen coins. He is loud, violent, and a bit flirtatious. However, he has kept his history in the dark so that his new acquaintances may not find out about his dark secrets. He used to be an ill-fated god but now very jolly. He tries to make relationships very difficult but tries his best. He even apologizes to Bishamonten after all the trouble he caused her and her numerous regalia.
8. Legoshi
Legoshi is a gray wolf from Beastars and is word of mouth due to his meek nature. His hunger got the better of him when he came across Dwarf rabbit Haru and he almost ate her. He grew to realize that his feelings towards her consisted of more than just hunger-like desire and love. He fought with his darker instincts and formed a bond with Haru, although his relationship with her is still in its because of his confusing feelings.
9. Gabimaru
Gabimaru the Hollow has only known death and war in Hell's Paradise. However, through marrying his predetermined bride, he learns what true loving is like. He was always feared; however, his new wife gave him an utterly new perspective on life. Not only that, but she respects him for being a person, not his capabilities. He is at first disturbed by this, but soon he embraced his wife's more pacifistic way of life. Yui realizes that killing is part of his work, yet she decides to love him anyway. He holdson to this whenever he is sent to exile on a hostile island. Now that he has finally something worth living for, he will do anything for her.
10. Yuji Itadori
This story takes place in a hazardous setting, whereby a middle schooler named Yuji falls into a horrible trap. He became the vessel of the fearsome Ryoumen Sukuna after consuming an ancient Cursed Spirit, and if he doesn't learn to control it, then he surely dies. So he takes this situation seriously until an event makes him Enemy Number One. The story loosely explores the issue of authority, societal standards, and what happens when all that power becomes unmatched. It is a riveting tale with complexities regarding power and relationships at the center of its plot.
