Ever wondered why he is one of the most common answers to who the best protagonist in anime really is?
Spoilers ahead!
Summary:
- Steins;Gate is the best time travel anime out there, and its protagonist, Okabe, is one of the reasons for that.
- He has many strengths, but also many faults, which is a sign of a realistic character.
- He’s also relatable for many otaku.
Steins;Gate is considered one of the best anime ever made, and rightfully so. At the very least, it’s the best time travel anime out there, and it acquired a cult following since it was released back in 2011.
While there are arguments that the start of the anime is a bit slow, it’s ultimately agreed by fans that the whole thing is very much worth it.
One of the biggest reasons we love Steins;Gate so much is its protagonist, Rintarou Okabe (Okarin for short), or, as he calls himself, “Hououin Kyouma.” Okabe is a self-proclaimed mad scientist who invents a machine that can send messages to the past, which kickstarts the entire plot.
Not just a mad scientist
While Okabe’s “mad scientist” act is entertaining, it’s not the only reason we like him as a protagonist. It’s actually way more complicated than that.
Besides, that act of his is actually just a facade: he behaves like that for the sake of his friend, Mayuri. He wants to make life more interesting for her, and this caring and thoughtful behavior makes him a much deeper character.
A well-written character
However, Okabe is not without faults. He doesn’t really know how to interact with people, which results in many awkward situations. Despite that, he’s trying and learning, which is essential for a good character.
Okabe can also sometimes come off as arrogant and inconsiderate. However, his intentions are good — he very much feels like a real person in that regard. He’s a genius character who’s actually well-written, and arguably one of the best anime protagonists of all time.
Another thing that makes Okabe a great protagonist is how well he works within his own anime. His interactions with the rest of the cast all feel alive and real — and are all unique. He doesn’t treat any two characters the same way, and his dialogue in the series is very natural.
He’s relatable to many viewers
In the end, many viewers probably see themselves in Okabe, at least to some extent. Okabe is a dreamer and a chuunibyou — a phase many anime fans experienced during their school days.
He’s a great person, brave and determined when it’s really needed, and considerate to those he holds dear. He’s a great protagonist who makes the already amazing anime even better.
Okabe holds a spot in the top 10 most favorite characters on MyAnimeList, and he very much deserves to be there.