Takemichi of Tokyo Revengers is often listed as one of the worst protagonists of all time.
He cries very often, but doesn’t have the strengths that make other characters like that compelling.
He doesn’t really get any development and isn’t cool or smart enough to be likable.
Tokyo Revengers used to be one of the most discussed anime series a couple of years ago. Fast forward to now, and it seems that the anime is no longer popular — in fact, it is so unpopular that it is rumored that dubbing the third season was considered unprofitable.
One of the things that gets mentioned when discussing what might be the reason for the downfall of the anime is the protagonist, Takemichi.
While there is more to the fall in popularity than just a disappointing main character, it’s not like his personality didn’t play a huge part in it. Takemichi might be one of the most hated shounen protagonists of all time — but what exactly makes him so bad?
He cries too much, but that’s not even the biggest issue
Takemichi often gets criticized for crying a lot. That, of course, is a given — but that’s not all there is to why he’s hated.
Protagonists who can’t control their emotions are often very controversial among the fandom — Shinji of Neon Genesis Evangelion and Subaru of Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu) come to mind.
That said, these characters still have a fanbase of their own, while Takemichi is much more disliked on average.
Issues with him as a protagonist
Tokyo Revengers initially drew attention for its portrayal of gang culture — the mangaka himself was in a gang — and for a somewhat unusual take on the time travel mechanic.
Another issue with Takemichi is that he plays into neither of these strengths — he’s not especially strong or cool, and the way he utilizes his time travel powers is frankly infuriating, with him often being unable to positively change the outcome of the future.
Takemichi’s writing is subpar not even just in the context of the series — it’s just not interesting altogether. Weak protagonists becoming strong is one of the coolest tropes ever, but Takemichi doesn’t become strong — for most of the series, he’s the same weak crybaby who gets little to no character development.
He only becomes a better character near the end of the manga, and by that time, many already stopped caring or dropped the series.
In defense of Takemichi
To be fair, it is pretty clear what kind of protagonist Takemichi was supposed to be. Essentially, he’s the kind of normal guy who couldn’t find his place in life and joined a gang. He’s not a bad guy, but he’s not exactly good at anything, either — and those characters usually don’t make good protagonists.
Most of this hate is deserved.
Summary:
Takemichi of Tokyo Revengers is often listed as one of the worst protagonists of all time.
He cries very often, but doesn’t have the strengths that make other characters like that compelling.
He doesn’t really get any development and isn’t cool or smart enough to be likable.
Tokyo Revengers used to be one of the most discussed anime series a couple of years ago. Fast forward to now, and it seems that the anime is no longer popular — in fact, it is so unpopular that it is rumored that dubbing the third season was considered unprofitable.
One of the things that gets mentioned when discussing what might be the reason for the downfall of the anime is the protagonist, Takemichi.
While there is more to the fall in popularity than just a disappointing main character, it’s not like his personality didn’t play a huge part in it. Takemichi might be one of the most hated shounen protagonists of all time — but what exactly makes him so bad?
He cries too much, but that’s not even the biggest issue
Takemichi often gets criticized for crying a lot. That, of course, is a given — but that’s not all there is to why he’s hated.
Protagonists who can’t control their emotions are often very controversial among the fandom — Shinji of Neon Genesis Evangelion and Subaru of Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu) come to mind.
That said, these characters still have a fanbase of their own, while Takemichi is much more disliked on average.
Issues with him as a protagonist
Tokyo Revengers initially drew attention for its portrayal of gang culture — the mangaka himself was in a gang — and for a somewhat unusual take on the time travel mechanic.
Another issue with Takemichi is that he plays into neither of these strengths — he’s not especially strong or cool, and the way he utilizes his time travel powers is frankly infuriating, with him often being unable to positively change the outcome of the future.
Takemichi’s writing is subpar not even just in the context of the series — it’s just not interesting altogether. Weak protagonists becoming strong is one of the coolest tropes ever, but Takemichi doesn’t become strong — for most of the series, he’s the same weak crybaby who gets little to no character development.
He only becomes a better character near the end of the manga, and by that time, many already stopped caring or dropped the series.
In defense of Takemichi
To be fair, it is pretty clear what kind of protagonist Takemichi was supposed to be. Essentially, he’s the kind of normal guy who couldn’t find his place in life and joined a gang. He’s not a bad guy, but he’s not exactly good at anything, either — and those characters usually don’t make good protagonists.
