From Gon to Naruto, there's a reason anime protagonists never get complex powers at the beginning 

It's common for anime protagonists to start with basic, simplistic abilities, or sometimes no powers at all, before gradually unlocking their potential. Meanwhile, side characters are often introduced with flashy, high-level techniques from the get-go.

This recurring trope is seen across popular series, from classic anime protagonists like Naruto Uzumaki, Luffy, and Gon Freecss to newer-generation main characters like Deku, Yuji Itadori, and Tanjiro Kamado, and many more. The reasoning behind this approach largely comes down to simplicity.

While intricate powers can seem impressive and cool on the surface, simpler abilities are easier for audiences to grasp early on, making it a quick way to connect with the character and the story. As the anime protagonists’ powers evolve, the growing complexity mirrors their development, also keeping viewers invested and thus, enhancing the overall impact of the narrative.

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Naruto, Gon, and other popular anime protagonists show how starting with basic powers builds stronger bonds with fans

Luddy uses Gum Gum Pistol (Image via Toei Animation)

There is a common trope in anime, especially within the Shonen genre, where protagonists start off with basic or even seemingly unimpressive abilities, while side characters often show more complex powers. From timeless classics like Naruto, One Piece, and Hunter x Hunter to newer titles like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Demon Slayer, this pattern recurs time and again.

One of the main reasons for this approach is that simpler powers tend to stick with viewers more easily. While intricate abilities may appear visually impressive, they often require more explanation and can be harder for the audience to latch onto. In contrast, straightforward techniques are quick to understand and leave a stronger, more lasting impact.

Take Naruto, for example. While many characters wield intricate jutsus, Naruto’s most iconic moves remain the Shadow Clone Jutsu and various forms of the Rasengan. Similarly, Gon in Hunter x Hunter relies primarily on rock-paper-scissors-style aura/nen attacks. Luffy’s early go-to move in One Piece, the Gum-Gum Pistol, is essentially just a stretchy punch.

Naruto first time using shadow clones successfully (Image via Pierrot)

These basic abilities not only define the characters of these anime protagonists early on but remain central to their arsenals even as they evolve. This trend continues in more recent anime as well.

In Jujutsu Kaisen, while Satoru Gojo possesses some of the most complex powers in the series, protagonist Yuji Itadori begins with no Cursed Techniques, relying purely on raw strength, punches, and kicks.

Deku from My Hero Academia starts quirkless and is only able to tap into a small portion of his inherited power early on. Tanjiro’s initial swordsmanship in Demon Slayer and Asta’s rise in Black Clover also follow this gradual growth pattern.

Beginning with simple powers allows the audience to grow alongside the main character. As the anime protagonists gain advanced abilities over time, their journey feels more earned and impactful. This gradual progression of these characters not only adds emotional depth to the story but also mirrors a learning curve that many fans can relate to.

While complex powers are flashy and exciting, watching a protagonist refine and evolve their original skills offers a sense of continuity and development that can be deeply satisfying. Ultimately, this trope helps build a more engaging story.

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Final thoughts

The bottom line is, anime protagonists often serve as an entry point for viewers to ease into a series' power system. Starting them off with complex abilities could risk losing viewer engagement, as it might outpace the character’s development and make it harder to connect with their journey.

Of course, there are exceptions, like One Punch Man, where Saitama begins as the strongest character in the universe. His story instead explores how he copes with the boredom of being unbeatable. Other series also break this mold effectively, proving that even protagonists with advanced powers from the start can be compelling if the story is crafted thoughtfully.

Ultimately, it depends on the narrative approach the mangaka chooses and how well it's executed.

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