7 Righteously Confident Protagonists

The List
7 Righteously Confident Protagonists
by Lynzee Lamb, Aug 15th 2015

The milquetoast protagonist is a well-known one. He's the guy in an anime where every girl wants him, for no discernable reason. His primary goal is to be a self-insert but this usually means he's generic in every way. Nice enough, usually nervous in sexual situations, and maybe one notable hobby. Something equally plain like playing the guitar or reading mystery novels. There's recently been a shift away from "every-man" lead characters in favor hyper-competent geniuses. These guys are exceptionally good at their chosen field, or sometimes even exceptionally good at every chosen field. They can be cocky but they have the walk to back it up.

7. Dio Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) The sworn enemy of the Joestar family was dealt a bad hand. Despite being very bright, his father was an abusive thief and alcoholic who raised Dio in poverty. He managed to break away thanks to the generous heart of George Joestar, but his access to more opportunities only leads to more confidence and abilities. Since Dio is a megalomaniac his later found immortality only causes more problems for the Joestar family. He's dismissive of most people if he doesn't outright kill them like Light though, his tendency to underestimate his opponents is his downfall.

6. Adlet Mayer (Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers) Adlet is the scrappy, red-haired protagonist who always introduces himself as "The Strongest Man in the World." Most characters that appointed themselves with such a title would be a farce, but Adlet immediately proves he's not joking around. He's quick on his feet and utilizes both physical combat and sleight of hand techniques that could be described as fighting dirty. He values saving his skin in a fight over proper sportsmanship and has no problem throwing a couple of smoke bombs. Adlet claims to be the strongest and he has no problem proving its true.

5. Izayoi Sakamaki (Problem children are coming from another world, aren't they?) Izayoi is unabashedly honest about his love for fighting and women. He does things is own way regardless of whether its socially acceptable. After arriving in Little Garden and hearing the rules of the world, he immediately challenges the Water God to a fight and wins by kicking him in the face. His over the top abilities and confident personality aren't all show. He knows when to concede if he's outmatched but also turn his power up to 11 if an opponent manages to make him angry.

4. Lelouch vi Britannia (Code GeA**) Like many anime characters with a royal background, Lelouch comes off with an elitist attitude and can seem arrogant. He's disinterested in school work, likely because it's too easy for him, and most daily activities fail to capture his attention. Where he shines is his sense for tactical combat, even if the results are ruthless. His GeA** powers also allow him to manipulate others so strategies have an even higher success rate but they work so effectively because of Lelouch's own genius.

3. Sōma Yukihira (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma) Sōma is a cocky chef but the guy has worked in a restaurant since he was too short to see over the counter. His attitude isn't a rare one among the cooking elite at his prestigious culinary academy, but Sōma is touting superiority because he has a silver chef's spoon in his mouth. His mundane beginnings are a boon instead of a blight on his future and his weird interest in mixing things like peanut butter and octopus together have taught him to think outside the box. How else would he have come up with an egg dish that won over Erina?

2. Light Yagami (Death Note) The young man who would become "Kira" is completely confident in his abilities to out-maneuver and outwit savant detectives and adults more than twice his age. Why wouldn't he be? Light is a certifiable genius, a perfect student, and exceptionally good-looking. For most of the series he's able to adjust to any obstacles thrown his way, whether he's under police surveillance or pA**ing off his murdering duties to a third party, he seemingly always has a back up plan. Unfortunately for Light, you can only outrun a team of FBI agents for so long no matter how smart you are.

1. Tatsuya Shiba (The irregular at magic high school) Tatsuya's childhood training and abilities have all shaped him into a cool-headed, competent A**A**in. He trained in physical combat with Yotsuba combat magicians starting at the early age of six. When he reached his teens he was already a peerless physical combatant, knowing ninjustsu to take on single and multiple targets. His supernatural capabilities allow him to merely will effects into being at a faster rate than most and also has access to three (instead of the usual single) types. All three are considered rare or are otherwise unobserved outside of Tatsuya. He has magic abilities as well but they're artificial (and part of why he's known as the "irregular). He's also a genius. If Tatsuya thinks he can do something he probably can; better than anyone else. Ace a test, defeat a group of ninja or wipe out an enemy fleet, Tatsuya can do it.