Child protagonists are somewhat of a rarity in anime. While most series star teenagers in high school, or even middle school, few focus on characters any younger than that. Nevertheless, child protagonists are often some of the most interesting and lovable main characters around. They offer a more innocent perspective while still providing rich stories that entertain audiences of all ages.
Some come from series designed specifically with kids in mind. However, other child protagonists star in series more suited for older audiences. Either way, despite their age, these young heroes are well-written and lovable main characters. From classic kid heroes like Detective Conan’s Conan Edogawa to new young protagonists, such as Anya Forger from Spy x Family, these are some of anime’s best child protagonists.
10 Sana Kurata (Kodocha)
Sana Kurata is the plucky and energetic young heroine of the classic shojo series Kodomo no Omocha, better known by fans as Kodocha. She’s an 11-year-old child actress who’s just trying to manage her extraordinary responsibilities while still just being an ordinary kid.
Despite Sana’s age, she’s a natural-born leader and takes charge of any situation. She just can’t seem to turn away from someone in need, and this desire to help others fuels her character throughout the series, getting her into all sorts of intense situations. Kodocha follows Sana’s day-to-day as she juggles her career and social life, stands up to delinquents, and learns more about herself.
9 Ash Ketchum (Pokémon)
For decades, Ash Ketchum was the face of the Pokémon anime series. Recognized by fans all around the world, he’s one of the most famous child protagonists in anime history.
Fans have been with Ash since the very beginning, when he first got his Pikachu and started off on his epic journey to become a Pokémon Master. In 2023, Ash made headlines as his iconic story finally came to an end, and for many, the fact that his character has now been retired from Pokémon still feels surreal. But though he may be gone now, fans will always remember Ash Ketchum as one of the greatest anime heroes.
8 Sakura Kinomoto (Cardcaptor Sakura)
Over the years, there have been many iconic magical girls, but few have been quite as impactful as Cardcaptor Sakura‘s titular heroine. To this day, Sakura Kinomoto is a beloved heroine and a fan-favorite among magical girl fans. She’s one of the youngest magical girls out there, shouldering some incredible responsibility for someone her age.
But despite her important role, Sakura never loses her childlike innocence and manages to flawlessly balance her heroine life with her everyday life. She’s an iconic and unforgettable part of shojo and the magical girl genre, and her character still influences new heroines today.
7 Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan)
After a mysterious group slips Detective Conan’s protagonist Shinichi Kudo a poison that turns him into a young child, he takes on the alias of Conan Edogawa. He begins a neverending search for the antidote — as well as those responsible for his predicament.
Though he appears to be no older than six or seven, Conan still has the same brilliant mind, which he uses to solve various cases while tracking his assailants. As the star of one of anime’s longest and most popular series, Conan Edogawa is easily one of the most famous kid protagonists. Over the years, he’s become a well-known face within the anime community, and he’s praised as one of anime’s greatest detectives.
6 Kotaro Sato (Kotaro Lives Alone)
Kotaro Lives Alone follows the everyday adventures of a strange little boy who — as the title suggests — lives all by himself. At just 4 years old, Kotaro Sato is one of the youngest anime protagonists in history. But despite his age, young Kotaro is a lovable and well-written character that audiences can really connect to.
Kotaro Lives Alone centers around Kotaro’s life as he navigates the world alone at such a young and impressionable age. Luckily, he isn’t completely alone, as many of Kotaro’s neighbors have banded together to care for the boy in place of his missing family. With his endearing personality and heartbreaking backstory, Kotaro has captured the hearts of everyone around him, including the audience.
5 Ciel Phantomive (Black Butler)
Though he’s only 12 at the start of the series, Black Butler‘s Ciel Phantomhive is the Earl of the Phantomhive Manor and the official head of the family. After a horrific incident left him orphaned, Ciel’s life changed completely. He forms a contract with a fearsome demon, and with his power on his side, Ciel begins to plot his revenge against those who wronged him.
Despite his young age, Ciel works for the Queen herself, solving various mysteries and taking down criminals with the help of Sebastian, all for the sake of his eventual revenge. He’s a unique and very interesting child protagonist, differing greatly from the usual kid heroes seen throughout anime, which is exactly why fans love him.
4 Dororo (Dororo)
Dororo is a dark historical series following the adventures of the young titular protagonist and a mysterious young man named Hyakkimaru. Together, they journey the land and battle demons as Hyakkimaru searches for his missing body parts. Because Hyakkimaru has lost the ability to see and hear, Dororo acts as his eyes and ears, guiding him along the way.
Dororo is only a small child but has already seen the harsh and cruel realities of war. Before Hyakkimaru came along, Dororo was all alone, fending for themself by stealing what they could to survive. But despite it all, Dororo has always remained a cheerful and upbeat kid, never letting tragedy and death break them.
3 Emma (The Promised Neverland)
Emma is the brave young heroine of the iconic series The Promised Neverland. Growing up as an orphan, Emma lived her entire life behind the walls of Grace Field House. But after learning the truth about their happy home, she’s determined to get out with all her siblings and escape their fate.
As one of the oldest kids in the group, Emma is seen as a leader among the orphans, and the younger ones all look up to her. Her bright and happy smile gets them all through even the toughest moments, and her cheerful disposition is impossible not to love. Though the anime adaptation of The Promised Neverland has lost most of its popularity these days, Emma remains a beloved character and one of the best parts of the series.
2 Anya Forger (Spy X Family)
Anya Forger is one of the most recent child protagonists to hit the anime scene, but she’s already become one of the most popular. One of the protagonists in Spy x Family, Anya is adopted by Loid Forger, an undercover spy looking to start up a fake family for his current mission.
Though she’s just meant to be a fake daughter, it doesn’t take long for Anya to win the hearts of her new parents. With her adorable appearance, unique mind-reading abilities, and charming quirks, it’s not hard at all to see why. Anya’s charm is absolutely impossible to ignore, and since Spy x Family‘s release, she’s earned her place as the darling of modern anime.
1 Chihiro (Spirited Away)
Many of Studio Ghibli’s iconic films feature the adventures of young protagonists, but none are quite as memorable as Spirited Away’s Chihiro. Without a doubt, she’s one of the most famous and well-loved child protagonists in anime history, and fans everywhere can’t help but admire her bravery and kindness.
Spirited Away follows Chihiro as she journies through the spirit realm and works to pay back the wicked Yubaba in order to save her parents. As she navigates her situation, Chihiro meets many new people, each teaching her a valuable life lesson that helps her grow as a person. Her adventure has been a favorite among Ghibli fans for years, and it’s hailed as one of the studio’s greatest coming-of-age stories.