I'm looking for series with a protagonist that actually knows what the hell he or she is doing, unlike the typical nekketsu dumbasses of many shounen series. Badass is good but not required.

I know a lot of protagonists start out stupid and weak and then develop over time. Do not want unless they were all right to begin with.

English preferred, but I'm also Japanese-literate so they don't have to be translated, as long as they're easily available somewhere besides Share or torrents.

good examples:
Kaze no Stigma
Mx0
Ubel Blatt
Team Medical Dragon

examples of series with protagonists I dislike:
Naruto (obligatory)
Bleach (also obligatory)
History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi
any dumbass harem guy

Lists are public so don't give any suggestions that are already in Reading or Complete, please. Thanks a lot in advance.

Last edited by mewarmo990 at 12:34 pm, Mar 15 2010

I share your pain brother. Here's what i got for you.

Dogs: Bullets & Carnage
Ares
Sunabozu (not much translated so watch anime)
Historie (He is more a thinker than a fighter but he can do both. If thats alright you will really like this one)
Triage X (not much translated)
Beelzebub
Id
Wolf Guy - Ookami no Monshou
Eden no Ori
Aiki
ChunChu
Witchcraft Troops
Zero
Zero: Circle of Flow (sequel to zero)
Zetman
Zombie Hunter (discontinued)
Shin Angyo Onshi
King of Wolves (haven't read yet myself, but sounds really good)
Akumetsu
Vagabond
Bio-Meat: Nectar

I will post more if I think of any. Good luck man.

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(•_•) Future so bright...
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■) Gotta wear shades.

Thanks!

Yeah, they don't have to be battle manga at all. That's why I mentioned Team Medical Dragon, because Asada is AWESOME.

Basically, any genres are okay, as long as the protagonist fits my criteria.

Full Metal Panic!

Just thought of another

Kiseijuu

________________
(•_•) Future so bright...
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■) Gotta wear shades.

How about City Hunter and Angel Heart? Both are from the same mangaka and have one of the most nice protagonist that i saw( Saeba Ryo).
There is also Golden Boy and Meitantei Conan that i remember now.
Aside from that i also recomend Skip Beat! , but the protagonist is a girl and Umi no Misaki, this one is harem type.

Dance Subaru
and
Kirai

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Sounds good, people, thanks again!

Of course, female characters are fine too, though I hate most shoujo/josei since they're almost always so canned. I already read Skip Beat and it's probably the only shoujo series I will ever admit to liking.

can't believe no one mentioned "Until death do us part"---has a protagonist who is exceptionally skilled with the blade accompanied by characters who are all competent and compliment him perfectly especially his "sidekick" a 12 year old girl and plus the dudez blind!! Gotta read this. Its awesome--perfect art--good plot--excellent characters---no boring bits. Also would suggest

"Saver"---the protagonist is female and is so different from all the shoujo, josei heroines out threre. She is beautiful, calm, intelligent, and can kick some ass with the sword. She also so far has had a tragic life.

"Code: Breaker"--started off pretty well with a pretty evil protagonist(sort of) but i don't know now though. At the later chapters comedy gets introduced and the guy starts saying cheesy as words so yea you gotta read this and see if its worth your time at the later chapters

"Zippy Ziggy"--he is a liar and a manipulator. The manga is ok so far and damn hez so vain. Not bad at all. Pretty funny at times

Also suggesting

"burning hell"--same author as shin angyo onshi
"Lock On"---just started
"Luck Stealer"
"Drifters"
"tiji-kun!"
"Xblade"

By the way even though it doesn't follow your request i also suggest you read "The Breaker". The protagonist starts out as a wimp yes but after like 5 chapters he is no longer like that though he still stays weak. Over time like 20 chapters he bekumz an epic badass such that it is worth the wait. There will definetly be a point(especially chapter 41) in the manga where you will be like dayum that is totally worth the wait. Atleast i hope lol. Also his sensei is badass from the beginning and a lot of chapters focus solely on him. there is also some good as romance going on and it has excellent art so yea try it out and see.


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Angel Beats--best anime of the 2010 spring season

My recommendations are a little different from everyone else's. Most of them aren't shounen. (It seems to be your primary preference). Still, the protagonists of all these stories are reasonably competent at what they do, so...

Historie
Liar Game - I am recommending this by considering Akiyama. He appears somewhere in the middle of the 1st volume. Nao is the main character, and she is the incompetent type you hate, but it's worth tolerating her (initial) silliness, because Akiyama is exactly the type of character that you are looking for.
Mushishi
Dolls
Pandora Hearts
I saw Vinland Saga on your Wish List. I'm pretty sure it fits your requirements as well.

I don't know why but I'm talking abt these ones way too much today.

Samurai Deeper Kyo
Black Cat

Thank calstine. I almost forgot I have to read Vinland Saga

Hokuto no Ken
Ken = unstoppable killing machine from page one
he sometimes level up AKA gets new insight into his fighting style
but it is well done