The Shonen Formula Part 2: Idiot Protagonists

Main character's come in all types, but one type will always stand above the rest when dealing with shonen. They're funny, irrational, optimistic, and just plain dumb. You know you love them. They're the idiot protagonists!

As shonen is more often than not centered around fighting, having a main character that isn't too bright is almost expected. Geniuses in battle, but don't seem to have much knowledge outside of battle. Their lack of intelligence usually results in hilarious scenes or entertaining shenanigans. In a way, the idiot protagonist archetype is a win/win part of the formula. If the viewer/reader isn't that smart, the protagonist is easy to relate to, and if the viewer/reader is in fact very intelligent, they can appreciate the entertaining things the character does (as long as they have a sense of humor of course).

While lacking book smarts, the lack of rationality and common sense may actually give these characters an advantage. A common trait is that they will just rush into battle, whether it be because they enjoy it or are just there to save a friend. The stories are usually set up so that a "wait and see" approach will not work at all, and someone quick to attack is necessary.

These lovable oafs are also able to see what is really important, something that those rational beings might have forgotten. Friendship is (usually) placed above all else, causing those characters to come up with inspiring speeches that an intellectual could never think of. Someone like Luffy doesn't give a shit if you are considered one of the most dangerous criminals in the world. If you're a friend, he'll risk his life to save your ass. Naruto couldn't give two shits about the strength of his opponent. If someone close to him is in danger, he'll rush right into battle no matter how hopeless it seems. Goku won't think twice if someone is in dange. He doesn't care that the enemy has the power to destroy planets in an instant, he'll fight to the death to prevent more destruction.

While there are some glaring exceptions to the rule in terms of book smarts, the irrationality and impulsiveness almost always remains. Edward Elric is a genius, but he's still a kid that lets his emotions get the better of him. Allen Walker will allow himself to get stabbed by his own weapon just to save a friend. Ichigo Kurosaki will rush right into a den of arrancar just to save one girl (though his intelligence is questionable in the first place).

While some people are sick of this archetype, I can't get enough of it. I'd much rather have a happy idiot than a whiny emo genius. Cheesy and cliche, but the idiot protagonist is effective and more often than not pulls the audience in quickly. As long as shonen exists, so will the idiot protagonist, and I wouldn't have it any other way.