It has gotten harder and harder to create a fresh and new anime each year that passes. Given that around 50 shows air every quarter, rehashes and cliches are aplenty, especially in shows from the same genre. If anime studios continue to churn out new shows at the current rate, there will be a projected number of 500 shows that will come out each year by 2030.
As weebs ourselves though, who says we still don’t enjoy a good ‘ole “B-b-b-baka!” from our favorite pouty waifus? Down below are our 5 favorite anime tropes that we have grown to love (most of the time)!
1. The Power of Friendship: Buddies and Their Sensei
The most common or popular Anime genre, given its overall demographic, is the Shōnen genre.
Generally, in these stories where a young kid overcomes adversity and becomes the “best at something” or defeats the big baddie, he is always accompanied by a group of friends that never leave, as well as a mentor that will teach him all that he needs. This trope is alive and kicking in the most popular modern Shōnen Jujutsu Kaisen, where our main character Yuji Itadori is accompanied by his pals Nobara and Megumi, while being trained by their mentor Gojo.
In the popular anime Naruto, we also have our titular main character and his friends, Sasuke and Sakura, as well as their mentor Kakashi. How about another popular Shōnen show by the name of My Hero Academia? As long as Deku, Ochaco, Todoroki, and the rest of the gang have each other and a big Detroit Smash from All Might, anything is possible!
2. “Dere” Characters
Although there are more than ten of these, five main types of “Dere” characters are present in almost every anime that you’ve seen. The word “Dere” is Japanese for the term “flirty”, pertaining generally to how they deal with the other characters in the show.. These are cookie-cutter personality molds that a lot of the characters we know and love are made from.
The most popular of the five is the “Tsundere”, which pertains to characters that are harsh and cold at the beginning (as shown by their trademark pouty face demonstrated by our favorite tsunderes, Kaguya Shinomiya above and Taiga Aisaka in the cover image) but slowly warm-up once shown affection to by the main character.
Opposite to that, you have the “Deredere” characters which are extremely kind, loving, and attentive from the get-go. Then, you have the “Yandere” character, which is basically your psycho ex-girlfriend in a package that you will either have a secret kink for, or absolutely despise. “Dandere” are similar to “Tsunderes”, except instead of being unapologetically ruthless, they are shy to begin with before slowly opening up. Lastly, we have the “Kuudere”, which is a character who is cold, but more of the cold shoulder type rather than aggressive. More often than not, weebs always seem to enjoy one of these and tend to like characters from a specific mold. Do you like any of these?
3. Training and Tournament Arcs
Sticking to Shōnen, what’s a great action show without the main characters facing some adversity?
Hunter X Hunter (2011) is a show that has perfected this formula. In this epic adventure, Gon and Killua went through a cycle of train-fight-lose-train-win multiple times throughout the show, but it never grew stale. In the quest to grow stronger and reach your goals, it is inevitable for these types of shows to show how the characters get to the point of being able to attain victory.
Demon Slayer is another great example of a show that shows exactly this. To join the Demon Corps, Tanjiro had to train for countless days under extreme circumstances, then went through a kind of tournament arc where he had to survive and slay multiple demons to survive and continue on with his journey. Oh, did we mention he does this again later, although of course in a different context.
4. Excessive flashbacks and narration during action-packed fight scenes
How about some more Shōnen goodness, but this time the actual fights?
Most, if not all shows with any kind of fight scene unfortunately fall victim to this. Not only do they unnecessarily drag out the sequences, but they also slow down the pace and action. This goes part and parcel with the enemy not only announcing each move he will perform before he does it, but explaining how they work during.
Sometimes though, this is executed to absolute perfection. Robert E. Speedwagon specifically acts as a narrator for the fight scenes in part one of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. He adds humor and ironic commentary and callbacks to the fight scenes, explaining every move in detail, which adds to the wacky moments to each of the battles.
5. Main Characters and their Parental Issues
Usually an excuse for authors to send prepubescent teens out on adventures around the world with adults, having non-existent or dead parents seems to be one of the easy fool-proof solutions. Rarely do anime protagonists have their parents be a major part of the plot, or the main character’s development.
With Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood being a great exception to how the death of one’s mother fuels a group of brothers to return what was lost, most anime parents get the short end of the stick when it comes to overall development and purpose. Attack on Titan? Eren’s mother dies in the very first episode of the anime.
Naruto? Parents are never around and are dead. Fairy Tail? Also dead and nonexistent. Dragonball? Their mothers somewhat care, but the fathers don’t want to pay attention knowing their strength. Black Clover? Asta’s father is at the center of many of the anime’s theorists, while his mother is dead. One Piece?
No one knows exactly who Luffy’s mother is, and his dad was not part of his growing up. Who can forget Gon from Hunter X Hunter (2011) being raised by Aunt Mito due to his hide-and-seek playing father and dead mother? This list can go for days on end, but one thing is for sure: this is intentionally the case for most mainstream Shonen in order for the audience to focus on the main character’s development.
6. Evil Organization
In many shōnen anime, evil organizations play a crucial role in driving the story forward, often made up of powerful characters with a shared sinister goal. Groups like the Akatsuki in Naruto, the Phantom Troupe in Hunter x Hunter, and the League of Villains in My Hero Academia are perfect examples of how these antagonist teams challenge the protagonists, pushing them toward growth and self-discovery. These organizations are often led by distinct anime character archetypes, from cold masterminds to chaotic villains, creating a dynamic that fans love to watch.
Their presence also contributes to some of the best character development in anime, where heroes like Luffy from One Piece evolve, becoming stronger both in power and spirit. The contrast between these villainous groups and the strong bonds of anime friendship seen in these stories makes the action even more intense. If you’re into action-packed anime with thrilling battles and complex characters, exploring series with these evil organizations is a must
7. Sensei/Teacher Figures
In shōnen anime, sensei or teacher figures play a pivotal role in shaping the protagonist’s journey. These anime character archetypes are often wise, powerful, and serve as both mentors and friends, guiding heroes through tough battles and life lessons. Think of All Might in My Hero Academia, who instills courage in Deku, or Jiraiya in Naruto, who teaches Naruto resilience and self-worth. Even Master Roshi from Dragon Ball gives Goku the foundation for his growth.
The characters contribute to some of the best character development in anime, helping protagonists grow stronger through anime friendship and mentorship. In action-packed anime, senseis often step in to motivate the hero during critical moments. This dynamic plays out in One Piece, where Luffy’s development is shaped by various mentor figures who push him to become stronger. These senseis embody wisdom and strength, ensuring the emotional and powerful bonds that define the shōnen genre.
8. Character Transformations
In action-packed anime, character transformations are a key moment that highlights personal growth and power. Fans often look forward to these iconic moments, like Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan in Dragon Ball Z or Ichigo unlocking his Bankai in Bleach. These scenes are not just about power but also reflect emotional and mental growth. In anime with the best character development, such as One Piece, Luffy’s character transformation is gradual, evolving through friendships and struggles.
When you look into these moments of change are what make anime friendships strong, as they often happen when the protagonist fights to protect their loved ones. Character archetypes like tsundere anime characters may also experience transformations, softening over time through relationships. In shōnen anime, such transformative moments define the essence of a hero’s journey and keep fans hooked with the thrill of watching the next power level unfold.
9. Tragic Backstories
In anime, tragic backstories often shape characters into the heroes or anti-heroes we know and love. Take Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto, whose entire clan was wiped out by his brother, leaving him consumed by revenge. This drives his complex character development as he struggles between friendship and vengeance. Similarly, Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan witnesses his mother’s death during a Titan attack, pushing him to seek freedom at any cost.
Further, these heartbreaking events are not just backstories but fuel for powerful character arcs, making these anime perfect examples of gripping development. Fans love seeing characters rise above their pasts in action-packed anime, as it deepens the emotional stakes. Themes of anime friendship are often contrasted with tragedy, highlighting bonds like Luffy’s crew in One Piece, where friendship and loyalty serve as a shield against dark pasts. These emotional layers make for some of the best character development anime.
10. Hidden Powers
In anime, hidden powers often emerge at the most crucial moments, adding a thrilling twist to the character’s journey. This trope, seen in Naruto with the awakening of the Nine-Tails’ power and in Bleach with Ichigo’s Hollow transformation, creates suspense and excitement. These hidden abilities often symbolize growth, resilience, and the protagonist’s struggle to master their newfound strength.
These moments contribute significantly to character development, as seen with Naruto’s journey to control the Nine-Tails, which parallels Luffy’s gradual evolution in One Piece. These surprises aren’t just about flashy powers—they fuel deeper friendships and bonds within action-packed anime stories. The discovery of hidden powers also aligns with popular anime character archetypes, making it a beloved theme across series. Whether it’s a tsundere warming up to their friends or an epic battle unleashing untapped strength, these moments keep viewers hooked, fueling discussions about the best character development in anime.
Whether you like them or not, these tropes are ingrained in most mainstream anime. Given the widespread nature of these cliches, maybe that is the exact reason they are overused in the first place. A big indicator that these are effective methods to tell these stories is that a lot of the shows mentioned are actually still ongoing series that are popular worldwide. As they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
