In Defense Of The Kind Protagonist (feat. Spare Mango)

[@thecod2345]

I think there's a line with the kind protagonist, and the thing that frustrates me with many of them is struggle or lack there of. I'm not saying they need Yuji style unforgiving writing and trauma, but challenge them on a fundamental level. Paint their kindness in an honest manner, don't have the world bend over to their kindness because ironically, that takes away from the value of kindness in that kindness is often the hard choice. A lot of my gripes with the kind protagonist is that the world will bend over backwards and give them what they want while no one will challenge them or call them on when going for kindness was seriously a bad plan. This becomes especially frustrating when the story treats them as enlightened people for trying to hug the person who is trying to desperately stab them. This is what separates the Thorfinns from the Narutos, Tanjiros, etc.. for me. If you have no understanding of the value of violence it makes you no more enlightened than someone who has no idea the person who has no understanding of the value and cost of kindness.

[@toontoon54]

Thornfinn, Naruto and Tanjiro all fit into this ideal equally though, all struggled and challenged on their kindness throughout the whole story.

[@thecod2345]

@ I’d disagree. Thorfinn is explicitly kicked in the face (often literally) with the fact that his dedication to revenge and violence is getting him nowhere but he chooses to double down until he’s forced to let go. Then when he chooses pacifism he has moments of temptation and moments that challenge his views on pacifism so that they become more nuanced. It’s a very grounded progression from one extreme to the other and eventually shifting its way to the middle in a healthy way. Naruto I’d say flat out doesn’t work because he leans way too hard into pacifism and he’s never punished for it. In fact the story treats him as enlightened for it. If you look at his quest to get Sasuke back, often times he’s risking his friends lives time and time again to win back a guy who constantly says he doesn’t want to come back and has threatened to kill people extremely dear to him. But he never says enough is enough because he can’t acknowledge the mature response which would be letting go and protecting the people that value him enough to not try and kill him. If you put Naruto in a position where he had to kill someone to keep someone else safe, I fundamentally don’t think he’d be able to and in the world of shinobi especially that is a significant weakness that is never explored. It’s just an example but a relevant one I think. Tanjiro has the problem that while the world doesn’t bend to him, he’s also not particularly impacted by it in a sense. His character isn’t challenged because he doesn’t really struggle with doing the right or wrong thing. He’s a good guy, but there’s not much more to him. On a character level, he has no challenges, they’re all just physical, which is why people often say Demon Slayer is mid. The characters are almost never going through personal struggles, it’s an adventure without introspection.

[@Jronnyinmail]

​@@thecod2345 or maybe nice guys are not your thing

[@SamuelRondreigz4720]

This doesn’t apply to the Naruto’s or Tanjiro’s

[@thecod2345]

@@Jronnyinmail I like nice guy characters, just not when they’re deified into the wisest people around because they know how to give a hug.

[@ExplosiveGrape]

People confuse the based nice guy with the cringe every man self insert.

[@RandomGirl785]

Yeah, and they do that way too often

[@jamesjoe1690]

That's usually what they are.

[@RougeLino]

riiight "omg he's too kind that's so cringe" like what ??? some people need to heal fr

[@righteous225]

Definition of talking just to talk​@@RougeLino

[@righteous225]

Nice guys aren't based whatsoever being nice is asking for the world to spit on you

[@arthurpprado]

One kind-hearted protagonist I'm really fond of is Jonathan from JoJo's. Yeah, he is a straightforward character, but he still shows kindness to everyone around him. The one scene that solidifies that to me is when he catches Erina from tripping and falling by using a broken arm. He doesn't care that it hurts. He cares that she's safe. And all that kindness resonates with the rest of his family, all the way down to Jolyne throwing herself into a fight everyone knew she would lose because she cared more about keeping her last remaining friend safe more than she cared about living through Heaven. One way or another, Jonathan's kindness is the one trait the other JoJos inherit and they all show it in different ways, but they all still do

[@Ninja07Keaton]

Johnathon is meant to contrast Dio Brando. Simply having a character like Johnathon elevates Dio. Dio is a tyrant above tyrants because Johnathon is the pinnacle of chivalry. What you see is what you get with Johnathon, but that was the entire point. You got much the same with Dio, only one was a true gentleman to the bitter end, while the other was the "phantom" that tainted the "blood".

[@SpareMango]

He's just a chill guy . . .

[@ogata100nosuke]

Yup

[@josephfiandra4523]

Thank you for giving some respect to these guys, they really are inspiring( Tanjiro is my favorite protagonist in modern anime and actually inspired me to get back in shape after years of being on the bench). And the last segment had me rolling, hope you both had a great Thanksgiving and keep up the great work.

[@RandomGirl785]

SAME Tanjiro is one of my favorites too

[@SamuelRondreigz4720]

People sometimes mistake the kind character to be the “absolutely right” character or the character that will forgive everything. That is not it, that isn’t Tanjiro and that isn’t Naruto.

[@akhandtripathipyz9888]

Nowadays some people believe edgier=better written

[@Sushidogbat]

Honestly I love kind protagonist what wrong with that. I think having the ability to be kind and smile after all the suffering is strength in itself. Kindness is not weakness ppl need hope. My one grip is there character development they don’t change as ppl or overly naive type

[@kage1573]

I agree that kind characters are often misunderstood because of how they treat their enemies but I feel their actions more interesting than just killing the enemy because the decide to look deeper into who they are fighting while offering them a choice but still not condoning their actions and the choice the enemy makes will decide their fate; Goku tried to show Frieza mercy on namek because of his morals but because of Frieza's actions, he had to kill him, Goku tried to talk to Moro and give him a choice because of all tge villains he turned into friends along the way but because of Moro's choices he had to be killed, Goku has also shown many examples of being an empathetic character such as trying to talk down Broly because he knew he was being forced to fight and tried to stop fighting Granolah when he learned about his past while also later understanding Monaito's actions of keeping the truth from Granolah for the sake of survival.

[@celox6796]

This is something I love about Monster. Tenma is criminally underrated even among fans of the series. Edgy anti-heroes and just the idea of “whatever it takes” are a dime a dozen in media, creators think it’s an easy way to make their story dark and mature and subversive. Having a dark and serious story like Monster led by such a genuinely kind person who sticks to his values was a breath of fresh air.

[@paccccc]

i think another great and kind protagonist would be naruto. The whole "talk no jutsu" shit came from the way people viewed his compassionate discussion with his adversaries. While naruto is kind, he isnt some sort of pushover as he does fight with any villain and defeats them first. He reaches out becaue he can relate to them and empathize with them. One of the biggest ideas that naruto explores is that naruto could have easily been a villain if he wanted to due to his circumstances but he had people to support him at the right time. This is what helped developed his kindness an empathy towards villains like gaara, obito, zabuza, sauke, ect. He extends a hand to others because he understand their pain. What sells it more is that naruto doesnt have to be empathetic at all, he could have just defeated all of these enemies and not thought more about it. By showing empathy he creates resolution and redemption. The status quo of the ninja world was to use ninja as emotionless tools but naruto tries to break that barrier time and time again with his kindness and empathy. People think that naruto showing kindness is some sort of lame route that bails him out of conflict that he couldnt have dealt with otherwise when in reality its that kindness that usually ends the conflict after all the fighting. Naruto has some of the most insane resolve and kindness in the whole series, atleast in my opinion.

[@RandomGirl785]

I was gonna say that too but Sasuke isn’t a villain he’s more of a antihero

[@toontoon54]

Absolutely, heck, Naruto's compassion and empathy is almost definitely what inspired the same in Demon Slayer as well. Love seeing the kindness and understanding he shows.

[@Windycity_353]

Im loving the recent topics Daffy

[@animemaster4412]

In my opinion the idea that killing is one of the worst things you can do but some people don’t deserve to live should be a more common thing in media. The idea that absolutely no one deserves to die is very foolish way of thinking and could do more harm than good. Which is why I’m not a big fan of characters like Deku and Batman

[@emmarod8746]

I’m guessing you don’t not like Vinland Saga because that’s basically the whole message of the show.

[@animemaster4412]

@ Haven’t watched it

[@emmarod8746]

@@animemaster4412 Even if you don’t like the themes, it’s still a pretty good medieval action anime. I definitely would recommend it if your interested.

[@crocoboi7936]

Batman has multiple reasons for not killing that fits his character

[@caetanocarvalhorodrigues2018]

Mercy to the villain is injustice to the innocents

[@Isemeseses]

Waiting for Kagurabachi video patiently

[@therealogdaffy]

YOU GON WATCH THIS VIDEO AND ENJOY IT

[@Isemeseses]

@therealogdaffy WELL IF YOU ASK SO NICELY

[@someguythatdoesstuff7658]

You should watch "Monster" for Doctor Tenma. He's the goat.

[@celox6796]

Tenma is honestly criminally underrated

[@UnifiedEntity]

Ppl to this day think Gohan is a pacifist.

[@jakeystarsuper]

I have no problem with a nice protagonist as long as it doesn’t prevent them from being honest with people and calling out bullshit when it’s there. As long as they don’t allow people to walk all over them and they can get angry when they really need to

[@UnifiedEntity]

I think alot of people need to watch or rewatch Rurouni Kenshin. A kind protagonist to a T, but unveils what they go through despite their kindness

[@SpareMango]

16:00 came in no warning got jumpscared

[@MrSai-mn8wz]

i can never take people who glaze edgy characters like guts musashi and eren yeager seriously because they always complain that nice and happy characters are poorly writter because they are nice i fucking adore tanjiro because of his kindness

[@yourashi9082]

did this mf just say musashi and thorfinn are edgy....

[@therealogdaffy]

Respect Thorfinn

[@emmarod8746]

@@MrSai-mn8wz Naruto too! Believe it!👍🍜🍥

[@RandomGirl785]

Same

[@RandomGirl785]

@@emmarod8746I could never forget my boy Naruto

[@UnifiedEntity]

The last thing i expected was Sonic praise and im here for it

[@madhur7]

W collab with SpareMango

[@KINGDREX24]

That’s why I don’t never understand people and they have kind characters so that means they hate Jesus Christ cause he was kind in the Bible and he was the main character

[@enzoarayamorales7220]

At that point the only reason he would be an exception is because of his religious importance not narratively compelling

[@unioneye1087]

We woulda never gotten Goku askin’ cell (moro) if he even lifted if it weren’t for that senzu bean so i excuse it

[@xopt_a8ts]

Daffy I need that kagurabachi chapter review, I wanna hear your thoughts on it 🤔

[@therealogdaffy]

ITS ON THE WAY

[@Cosmik60]

You Daffy, are the Kindest protagonist.

[@HaiderRaps]

Nice essay bro, im really tired of people slandering tanjiro and them claiming that he’s “overrated “ when it’s his anime, as a fan, Demon Slayer, is in fact Mid, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad or that’s terrible, people shit on his character for being too nice, meanwhile goku out there passing senzu beans to universal threats bcz he doesn’t want them to die and that he cares, the same goku who almost risked his entire universe, all for a tournament so he can fight the strongest, yet people continually glaze the guy and even have the audacity to call him, “The Best Written anime protagonist, of Animanga” which further shows the amount of delusion fans have, im not saying that goku is a terrible mc, he’s ok for me, i like him, but my god, fans point every flaw tanjiro has and call him the worst mc, even though goku has worse flaws, at least tanjiro locks in and kills the demons if they’re willing to harm innocents lives, goku literally puts people especially the ones close to him at risk, but when i say this, im proclaimed as a “hater” or that i “don’t understand goku’s character” or that “ dragon ball fights have meanings 🤓” like, there are more shonen that have the same type of “meanings” in fights, that bring Naruto vs Sasuke, niw i love sasuke as my favourite naruto character, but when he was a global threat, naruto should’ve locked in, but refused, despite the fact that sasuke has committed a decent amount of crimes, (im still glad sasuke didnt die) my point is, why hate on the specific character fir their trope when it’s exactly the same case for others but worse, Tanjiro isn’t like, “oh u had a sad childhood? ok, i’ll forgive you then” basically what naruto did to pain/nagato, he destroyed an entire country killing thousands just make peace, the same guy who killed his and naruto’s own master, but even then, bcz of how much of a sorry backstory he had, naruto decides to convince nagato to trust him, for he’ll make peace, and he doesn’t have to do all the work, tanjiro doesn’t spare anyone who even lays a finger on a human, and he’s hated for being kind till their dying breath??? acting like that’s worse than anything the other pure-hearted mcs have done? now look, Tanjiro isn’t a perfect protagonist, but his hate is invalid and stupid as well, people also hate him only bcz he was willing to let the nasked villagers die, like bruh 💀would u rather save people who u nvr met a say in ur life? or would u protect ur own sibling if he or she would be burning on broad daylight??? it’s nit even tanjiro’s fault those villagers weren’t even trying to run like humans on purpose, look how they running from hantengu, with that lvl of speed, they deserved to die, it doesn’t look like they were even trying to run away, another trash critic they have is that “after nezuko can walk throughthe sun, tanjiro’s goal atp is “meaningless“” 💀😭 they really said that, just to keep the “tanjiro hate” agenda pushing by cherry picking on anything at all 😂 i just understand what their problem is, if goku is a pure heart, people love him, naruto? people love him, Sonic? people love him, Aang? people love him, any pure hearted character isn’t tanjiro, people love them, but him specifically? “no he’s too kind, he’s the worst mc, demon slayer is trash” blah blah blah, treating him like he’s different from them in terms of his trope, like, what is this, brainrot? i dont get it, but im glad that there are people like u, who exist to defend him as a shonen mc, he shouldn’t even be getting that much hate at all, it’s the fans who overrated their series, not the characters of the show😂

[@isidorodaviddoro1920]

I honestly advice you to get out of the forums or communities that you have been interacting with because i can't understand how anyone can have those takes unless if it's Twitter obviously

[@HaiderRaps]

@ ?

[@AkutagawaSan]

Yuuuuuuua finally some said black knight was peak!!!!!!!!

[@kyuremthefrozen8539]

I'm only a fan of kind protagonists when they are written well and struggle to keep that kindness in a world where the world is very harsh to said kind protagonist.

[@RougeLino]

i hate everybody who hate a kind protagonist you'll need help because YOUR TRAUMAS ARE WOOPING YOUR BEHIND RN

[@naaga7932]

I'm sorry bro did not just call demon slayer a senin manga 😂

[@RandomGirl785]

Demon slayer is like modern mythology, which can be dark, but yeah, calling it a seinen is a bit of a stretch.

[@akhandtripathipyz9888]

Kaguya Sama is seinen actually So these mistakes aren't the end of the world

[@thelastgamurai]

W

[@eddy9615]

OK

[@Mistersquatch__420]

w video

[@munkhorgiliderbold4183]

the problem with kind protagonist is that they statically move forward no matter the wall they will bash their heads to it untill it breaks. which will become boring they dont develope new ideology they dont become sceptical and distrust is very human thing. i guess they dont have flaw is what i mean. good kind mc would be yuji or gon or even chihiro. they hold their ideology but has exceptions and circumstances makes them fluid characters.

[@munkhorgiliderbold4183]

in defense of kind mcs. it is something human kind needs. an unbreakable will, a messiah like figure to guide them to good, show them that there is still good in this world. a hope that shines in the darkest places.

[@munkhorgiliderbold4183]

in stories mc should be fluid ,and just like mc villains should be fluid too. dont make every villain just misunderstood or pure bad or good guy just different ideology. try to make them all exist in the story. good villains are puss in boots villain shows how mc reacts to different bad people saves some defeats others.

[@celox6796]

That’s a writing problem not an inherent problem with kind protagonists. You can have a character with flaws and distrusting of people and who evolves over time without them being a prick or not having a consistent moral compass

[@munkhorgiliderbold4183]

@@celox6796 well that is true. what would inherent problem be. i would imagine being soft? or naive?

[@celox6796]

@@munkhorgiliderbold4183 there is no inherent problem with a kind MC any more than there is with an edgelord. A good character can have any personality and values as long as it’s consistent and well explored. Being soft or naive could be good flaws for such a character to have. A good character should be flawed, that’s different than having an inherent problem with the writing such as them being static, boring or otherwise poorly written.

[@spookybones2248]

Don’t feature this guy anymore

[@The_kashimo_glazer]

Tanjiro is a bad character because hes perfect, he has no character flaw. You cant say hes "too nice" either, because that only got in his way literally once. Hes made to be likable to the point of him just being annoying and boring. Sonic mention is peak

[@confusedfrog294]

This is just not true. Tanjiro has flaws that are shown throughout the series. He’s indecisive, self-sacrificing, pushy, loses his cool way too easily, and at the beginning of DS, overly merciful and trusting. He lets the temple demon burn to death because he couldn’t bring himself to attack it. He begs Giyu not to hurt Nezuko when a sword is to her neck rather than trying to attack and save her himself. He goes around in season one asking demons how to turn someone human again despite getting no response. He loses his cool during fights with Daki, the hand demon, and when confronting Muzan, leading to: him almost suffocating and being killed, him slamming into a tree and almost dying, receiving a scar that stays with him for the entire series, and lets an innocent passerby get turned by Muzan because he chose to confront him in a crowded street. He pushes Genya and Giyu past the limit of their patience when trying to connect with them, which results in Giyu stalling even longer to join the hashira training. He nearly sacrifices four swordsmiths and lets Hantengu escape in order to save Nezuko, and the only reason he doesn’t is because she pushes him away. He almost lets himself sink into Enmu’s dream forever for the promise of a life with his family again, and what pushes him to escape is realizing that Nezuko is hurt. You’ll notice that whenever he is about to lose himself, it’s always his family that stops him and pulls him back. But his actions still have consequences. His scar, Nezuko’s adult demon transformation, and that random guy from the city becoming a demon. All of these consequences come back later in the series to do something positive, and it’s because he was always able to pull himself back together. He calmed Nezuko down. He ran to save the man instead of chasing Muzan. He woke up, calmed down, and slayed the hand demon. Tanjiro isn’t perfect. He’s not infinitely patient. He has limits. But the reason that he survives is that the memory of his family pushes him to push through those limits and achieve his goals with his values intact.

[@ninjaprored2771]

mid feat