When it comes to anime, we often think of heroes who are brave, fearless, and have noble motivations to help others. They are willing to risk everything to save the world from evil and protect their loved ones. Others have lofty aspirations to become a king or ruler. These motivations make these heroes continually work on themselves to become stronger. However, not all anime heroes are like that. Some become heroes because of circumstances, or they suddenly have to become heroes because no one else can. These characters have no motivation at all.
These characters behave this way not because they are lazy. They are merely unmotivated and are forced to become heroes because they have no other choice. If you want to know more about these characters, here are six unmotivated heroes in anime:
1. Blank – No Game No Life
Blank from No Game No Life is a duo of two heroes without motivation in the anime. At first, they were two NEETs who didn’t do anything except playing video games all day, and they became legends in the online gaming community. One of the reasons why they are successful in gaming is that they are not motivated in every aspect of their lives. This eventually became useful when they were transported to a world where everything revolves around games.
2. Nagara – Sonny Boy
Nagara and his classmates were transported to an alternative dimension in Sonny Boy, where they have superpowers. Nagara found himself less motivated than he was in the real world. The only reason he decided to do something was because of the influence of his classmates. Even after he discovered his capabilities, he had to constantly be pushed by his friends to go back to their old lives. This resulted in him having to bribe or risk his life to apply his abilities to help others.
3. Fushi – To Your Eternity
Fushi is an empty vessel since he was born in To Your Eternity. The only reason for him to live is to seek extraordinary experiences. He grows with his surroundings until he gains human emotions and feelings. Fushi realizes that he wants to protect his friends, and that becomes his sole purpose in life.
4. Thorfinn – Vinland Saga
Thorfinn from Vinland Saga has a strong commitment to revenge when he was young. However, he becomes an empty shell when he grows up. Thorfinn’s story is tragic as he tries to avenge his father’s death, but the fact that the one he wants to kill was also killed makes his story even sadder. After the killer of his father dies, Thorfinn no longer has a burden and accepts his fate as a slave. He never thinks about what he wants in life, as fighting was the only thing he knows.
5. Saitama – One Punch Man
In One Punch Man, Saitama initially wanted to become a hero for fun. Still, he trained his body to the limit and became the strongest human. After achieving his dream, there was nothing else he desired in life. Saitama hoped to find one opponent who could challenge him, but he usually stays in his comfort zone and doesn’t actively search for an opponent like the battle-obsessed heroes such as Goku from Dragon Ball. Since Saitama became a hero for amusement’s sake, the fact that he could not find an opponent strong enough to challenge him irritated him rather than becoming a guiding principle that motivates him.
6. Nagi – Blue Lock
Nagi from Blue Lock is similar to Saitama in that he becomes a hero without motivation. He is a skilled soccer player, but he doesn’t have any goals in life. Nagi is forced to attend a training camp called Blue Lock to develop the best striker of his generation, something he has no interest in doing. Nevertheless, he is sent to this camp because of his great talent. Ultimately, he must decide if he wants to become a hero in soccer and motivate himself to fight for it.
In conclusion, these characters became heroes without a purpose because of circumstances or fate. Although they are not initially motivated, they eventually find their purpose in life, becoming heroes in the process.
