Lots of Potiential vs. Already Awesome

[tonyu56]

Which kind of anime main characters do you like better? The ones that start out awesome (like The main guy character of Kaze no Stigma) or the ones that have a lot of potential and usually in the end unlock it (like basically every other anime out there, naruto and bleach are two to name a few).

Also if anyone can think of any other shows that start out with a already amazing main character let me know because thats the kind i prefer.

[solidoxygen]

I'm the impatient type so I prefer some more powerful characters. If they lack ability, you kind of already expect them to get more powerful. It's like a show where you already know what is going to happen. They get stronger and there's really no surprise no matter how strong they get because you already expected it in the first place.

Here's something I thought of:
- If they lack potential in the first place, you will be watching a show about them getting stronger. Essentially, they get beat, get stronger, and they beat whatever they couldn't beat in the first place. There is an obvious reason that this is the "typical anime". This is probably the easiest kind of plot because you already have a set path of where to go. Despite all the trials and diversions you throw in, the general path always remains the same.

- If they are already strong in the first place, you will not have to watch them train for 20 episodes. Instead, you will actually get some real plot and action going on. For the sake of a show, their already formidable prowess will be challenged by more impressive things. And by more impressive things, I do not mean a stronger enemy that they will have to train hard to become stronger than said enemy. Instead there will be a more three dimensional storyline.

Make sense?

What do you think about that logic? As usual, please disagree with me and offer your reasons.

:emhh15:

[jadeliciousdk]

It dosn't matter if the main character isn't almighty from the start, the only thing of real importance is that he isn't too weak or too cocky, that happens sometimes with the almighty type.

Of course the high point of any anime/manga is the actual fight with the arch-nemesis but that said without the build-up for the fight it will be shallow and very meaningless, because we aren't into the story and cheering for our protagonist.
So basicly I don't care wether the hero starts out powerful, as long as the roadwork is done properly. The ratio between battle and preperation for the battle has to add up.

[Bindu1000]

I really prefer the ones who start off bumbling, clumsy and shy or dumb with lots of potential locked in them and in the end they unlock that potential and save the day.

I think its maybe coz it gives me a ray of hope, since I am already bumbling, clumsy and dumb, maybe one day I will unlock my own potential ... hehehe :4:

[fundilloman]

I prefer when they are already strong, and just keeping themselves in control of their power, although its always a lot more entertaining watching a weakling beat a strong enemy out of nowhere, they always have you rooting for them and you expect them to do something incredible when everything looks real bad for them ( or when their friends are in trouble, this is usually the case)

[hokeymon]

It dosn't matter if the main character isn't almighty from the start, the only thing of real importance is that he isn't too weak or too cocky, that happens sometimes with the almighty type.

Of course the high point of any anime/manga is the actual fight with the arch-nemesis but that said without the build-up for the fight it will be shallow and very meaningless, because we aren't into the story and cheering for our protagonist.
So basicly I don't care wether the hero starts out powerful, as long as the roadwork is done properly. The ratio between battle and preperation for the battle has to add up.

Agreed...

Since I'm a One Piece fan I could say 50/50. Luffy already started with the story where he's already strong but in the end there's always someone stronger than him. Half-way through the Grand line and he's still a small fry compared to the big shots. Also, teamwork. Always love a show that way.

[tonyu56]

yea i wasnt sure wat one piece was because luffy was strong but i mean he wasnt like using the being rubber thing to its highest potential

also after reading everyones posts Im starting to think it doesnt really matter how the main character starts out as long as the plot is good and enjoyable. whats really bad is those shows that are basically just the same thing over and over again.

and i agree with solidoxygen. his point that the general roadwork for those that have potential is the same is probably wat made me like the already powerful types to begin with. I have watched like 30 animes or mangas where the main character starts out weak but gets amazing which got boring..

Can anyone think of any other shows besides kaze no stigma that start out with a already strong main character?

[solidoxygen]

Haha, I realized that there's not much for me to argue about since this is mostly opinion based.

Truth is, when I typed my earlier post, I was thinking of Death Note. I was also partially influenced by my dislike of the weakling characters that inhabit harems.

[jadeliciousdk]

I was also partially influenced by my dislike of the weakling characters that inhabit harems.

Yeah geez what's up with that... got to many girls what's the problem? :emhh15: The only reason it ever goes well for those guys is that they just happen to be the only male in a radius of of thousand miles :P
That said it can be fun to watch at times, but once in a while it just goes so dull it's like the same thing every episode.. just ones I would like to see a guy with a harem act a little badass ^^

[tonyu56]

harems are awesome!!!! but they do sorta blend together after uve watched alot kaze no stigma is sorta like that maybe a little

[DarkNnoitra]

I prefer the already powerful type, which has a few enemies at the same level or above, often sorrounded by weaker underlings that match protagonist's comrades strength, like Rurouni Kenshin.

Although I like the initiallly weak protagonist who become masters of universe by fighting the toughest enemies and end up transforming into something uncontrolable to finally beat them up, this case lacks the usual mystery regarding protagonist's life and reasons and a more deep feeling, such as regret and more negative toughts (RK again).

(Please ignore spell and gramatic flaws, ok?)

[zevlag21]

i also prefer those who are strong already because when they started weak somewhere in the middle of the story there would be a lot of training session which is really boring and it is easy to know what will happen to the story while the already strong person doesn't waste episodes and there is a lot of twist in the story... thats what i think... ^_^

[mistressmyst]

Actually, I don't really like main/hero characters in the first place. But Kazuma(was that his name?) from Kaze no stigma was awesome, so I'm gonna say those who start with power. Plus characters side/bad guys (my faves) start with power anyway.

[atomisk21]

Just look at my avatar and you'll know my answer.

[atomisk21]

Simon from Gurren Lagann. Starts out as the biggest wuss on the planet, by the end he's the biggest badass in the universe. (That's Simon in my avatar btw. With the world's greatest mole-pig Boota!)

[zevlag21]

i think he didn't started weak because he is the one always saving the live of his Aniki(can't remember the name =_= but i think it started with letter K)...

[atomisk21]

He did save Kamina, but if Kamina hadn't been there Simon would have never been able to pilot the Lagann and save anyone. He could only do it after Kamina encouraged him and refused to pilot the Lagann because Simon was the one who found it. Kamina believed in Simon before Simon even believed in himself.

[zevlag21]

Thats right Kamina but the thing was the one that kamina tell to Yuko... where kamina and simoun where trap he was the one that saved everyone there without kamina's support... but i think we should stop this discussion because someone will say "don't stray away from the topic"...

[atomisk21]

That's true he did save them, but remember Simon said that without Kamina's encouragement he would never have been able to do it. I suppose you could argue it either way and not be wrong.

[zevlag21]

that was awesome i only hated the part of guren lagann when almost all of the people died... it started to be a trying hard anime when they did that... i only like the parts where simoun was still young...

[atomisk21]

What?! That's what makes the anime so great though! No matter what happened they never gave up! Everyone who died, died saving someone. I thought it was necessary for some people to die. If everyone lived to the end like all the other anime's it wouldn't feel like they had gone through as much hell as they did.

[tonyu56]

simon is definately potential.. because he doesnt know how to use his spiral energy in the begining and than figures out how it works as he travels

[ranmachua]

Perhaps the once which shows much potential later would be better as it gives time for that character to develop & learn

[zevlag21]

What?! That's what makes the anime so great though! No matter what happened they never gave up! Everyone who died, died saving someone. I thought it was necessary for some people to die. If everyone lived to the end like all the other anime's it wouldn't feel like they had gone through as much hell as they did.

i really hate that parts... i only like is when kamina died because it makes me sad but the others where like what someone will die again, Okay they don't give the drama feeling when they die because almost all of them are dying...