Highlights
- Iconic dumb protagonist characters like Goku, Naruto, and Luffy pave the way for newer offshoots in popular shonen manga and anime.
- The dumb protagonist trope creates relatable underdogs with surprising battle cleverness, adding depth to character development and world-building.
- While beloved, dumb protagonists can become tiresome if overused or lacking meaningful development, risking audience annoyance over time.
Dim-witted, aloof, carefree, and childish, are some of the words that can be used to describe many iconic shonen protagonists that have risen to prominence over the years. This variant of the traditional hero, is generally referred to as the “dumb protagonist.” Some of the most recognizable main characters from shonen manga and anime, such as Dragon Ball’s Son Goku, Naruto’s Naruto Uzumaki, and One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy, fall into this category.
Considering how successful these manga series have been, it is no surprise that the trope has continued to persist with newer offshoots such as Jujutsu Kaisen’s Yuji Itadori, Chainsaw Man’s Denji, or Mash Burnedead from Mashle: Magic and Muscles. Since the market for shonen protagonists is now inundated with innumerable spin-offs of this archetype, is it safe to say that it has fallen into the pit of being overused?
What Is The Dumb Protagonist Trope?
As far as tropes go, the dumb protagonist generally has a few identifiable characteristics which are common throughout each variant. More often than not, they are portrayed as underdogs who lack the intelligence and refinement expected of an ideal hero, due to a harsh upbringing, tragic circumstances, or just inherent immaturity. This usually manifests in boisterous and reckless behavior, where they charge into fights without any real foresight.
However, the stupidity of a dumb protagonist rarely extends to the actual field of battle itself, and is confined to the idea of being “book smart.” Most dumb protagonists are unnervingly clever in battle, and their aloof persona on the surface almost inevitably makes opponents underestimate their abilities, which molds them into an underdog — since everyone loves to root for the underdog. Alternatively, the dumb protagonist can also be used as a conduit to convey world building elements through exposition while infusing elements of comedy into a story.
Finally, the development of dumb protagonists can see them remain static characters or turn into dynamic ones who exhibit real growth. Two of the “Big Three” shonen manga’s protagonists — Monkey D. Luffy and Naruto Uzumaki — represent opposite ends of this spectrum. Whereas Naruto matures and sheds his childish nature after experiencing the loss of his mentor, Luffy does not let the death of his elder brother weaken his resolve and continues to be his carefree self. Both these trajectories have a lot of potential for exploration, which is partly why the trope is so successful.
The Long List Of Aloof Shonen Protagonists
Dumb protagonists are now ubiquitous through manga and anime, as it is a tried and tested formula which seldom fails if executed correctly. The archetypal dumb protagonist who has inspired most subsequent variants of this trope, is likely Son Goku from Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball. Goku embodies the dumb protagonist trope quite holistically, from his aloof demeanor and obsession with training, to his unusual aptitude for battle strategy, which has seen him outwit stronger opponents.
Since then, characters such as Yusuke Urameshi from Yu Yu Hakusho, or Naruto Uzumaki and Monkey D. Luffy from the “Big Three” shonen manga have also reflected traits from his character. In more recent manga titles, the dumb protagonist trope is very evident in the characters of Gon Freecss from Hunter x Hunter, Natsu Dragneel from Fairy Tail, Black Clover’s Asta, One Punch Man’s Saitama, Mash Burnedead from Mashle: Magic and Muscles, Denji from Chainsaw Man, and to a lesser extent, Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen.
Why This Archetype Has Persisted For So Long
Hinging on whether they are static or dynamic characters, dumb protagonists are an effective means by which storytellers can help enhance a reader’s immersion into the worlds they create. By narrating a tale through the eyes of an uncouth yet likable underdog, writers are able to create protagonists that are relatable without having to rely on the bland “everyman” archetype. The dumb protagonist starts out as a regular person, but the character’s naïveté and pure heart make them more endearing while also allowing them to preach noble ideals in a way that does not feel forced.
Later on, as the protagonist gains power, fame, and respect through their actions, their lingering immaturity grounds them and keeps them relatable, even as the gulf between their reality and that of the reader widens. For the static dumb protagonist who remains dim-witted even after experiencing hardship, tragedy, or loss, their development is seen in how their actions affect the world and people around them, even as they stay the same.
For example, Mash Burnedead’s determination and kindness allow him to break through the barriers that exist for those who are not magically gifted in Mashle: Magic and Muscles. Additionally, Saitama unwittingly changes the world’s idea of a hero through his actions in One Punch Man. The message contained within these stories is to never lose sight of one’s true self and persevere even in the face of great adversity.
Conversely, the dynamic dumb protagonist is forced to change and accept harsh realities, even if they may be reluctant to do so. Although they remain true to themselves and retain the same determination to achieve their goals, there is a process by which they come of age, as they are shaped by the experiences they undergo, the people they meet, and truths they learn about the world. Simultaneously, this coming of age allows the protagonist to inspire others through their ideals and actions, and bring about meaningful change in the world around them, which is very evident in Denji’s journey throughoutChainsaw Man. Looking at how this trope can be used to convey themes that resonate universally among people, there is no real mystery about why it has persisted for so long.
Have Dumb Protagonists Overstayed Their Welcome?
Beyond these positives, there is a persistent problem in long-running series with dumb protagonists. This character trope walks a fine line between serving as a source of amusement or being outright annoying, and it is crucial to strike that balance. For instance, Son Goku’s carefree nature was beloved by many in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, but the continued exaggeration of his stupidity became more exhausting and hard to fathom in Dragon Ball Super, where he is a middle-aged man and a grandfather to boot. Dumb protagonists are amusing when they are adolescents or young adults, but an overgrown man-child is not appealing to anyone.
Secondly, over reliance on a character’s stupidity as a constant source of gags can also become tiring if they do not undergo sufficient meaningful development in other areas. Yuji Itadori’s lack of a Cursed Technique has been a constant issue throughout most of Jujutsu Kaisen, and his character may have invited more criticism if not for his incredible emotional development throughout the series. Needless to say, there will inevitably be more dumb protagonists in anime and manga, since there is a lot of terrain that is yet to be explored with this trope, but it remains to be seen how many more protagonists of this nature will make their debut before the world finally gets tired of them for good.