I find it very interesting that there are many different styles of action anime protagonists, each of whom typically exhibits incredible superhuman powers and strengths. Whether small and lanky or tall and beefy these anime warriors live by the phrase “THIS ISN’T EVEN MY FINAL FORM!”
The wide spectrum between these artistic styles is so interesting because here in the West we tend to favor the godlike superhuman form featured in the mythos of comic books and movies. I’m hard pressed to find any tier 1 Marvel or DC characters without muscles made of chiseled marble or men of ….steel. Spider-man pops out as a scrawnier hero but I think that’s simply because he is a teenager throughout most of his story, making him much more similar to some of the anime characters I grew up watching.
I’ve noticed that many teenage anime protagonists tend to rely on the concept of “inner-strength” or “awakened power from within”. This is why most teenage protagonists are smaller in figure. Their strength comes from within and relies on the concept of will-power or perseverance. They train and train but for the most part we as viewers never see any major sculpting of the body or increase in mass/definition. We only know these characters are becoming stronger because they learn new techniques or unlock enhanced abilities allowing them to best their foes. Yusuke Urameshi (YuYu Hakusho), Naruto Uzamaki (Naruto), and Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece) are just a couple characters small in size but each of whom pack the power to level mountains and make us viewers drool while watching them fight.
On the other end of the spectrum however, we see adult characters who are bigger than Dwayne the Rock Johnson on stilts wearing anchor-arms (‘member Spongebob??). These characters are typically battle-hardened warriors whose fists have been covered in blood SINCE they were young. In a similar vein these characters train as hard as their teenage counterparts but these character’s chests continue to expand and their shirt sleeves continue to cry out in agony. These characters are powerful from the beginning, but as they fight and fight they grow in power and technique, as well as stature. Their world is threatened by a foe, one after another, who brings certain destruction and doom to the ones they love . To quote to the late great Qi-Gon Gin “There’s ALWAYS a bigger fish”. These muscle clad heroes typically power up due to a time of crisis or great need/desperation. Son Goku (Dragonball), All-Might (My Hero Academia), Joseph Joestar (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure) are some of the most well-known and loved characters who fit this mold.
My question is, which anime body type, if any, inspires more admiration and idolization when watching a show, AND which body type would you be more inclined to have in the real world? Growing up I was the definition of lanky. I was skinny, with hardly any sign of muscle but I was fast. Having this body type I idolized characters such as Yusuke and Kenichi Shimahara. They were tiny compared to the men they fought but that didn’t scare them, in fact they enjoyed the thrill of the fight. Even with such a thin frame their hits packed a punch because they put their all into every blow. They didn’t need to defeat his open with one hit, they simply needed to keep getting up after being knocked down.
Even at the end of the series, Yusuke is small in stature, he did not change much in size throughout the show. His character never has a physical awakening throughout all 100+ episodes. In the end due to his training and awakened abilities he is strong enough to rival the lords of the demon world.
This is also why Captain America is my favorite comic-book based hero. Looking at his backstory you see a skinny, powerless guy given incredible strength, and muscles, in order to do good in the world. Now “do good in the world” is relative because he was really given those muscles to kill Nazis….but hey po-tay-to po-tah-to. I was skinny and now that I have grown up *internal snicker* I am finding myself getting bigger and trying to achieve the body I desire in order to do good. I swear its not for killing Nazis.
Now that I am a little older and dare I say, wiser. I admire the more physically imposing characters such as Goku. It is similar to how I watch the Marvel movies and stare in awe at these men who just radiate strength and masculinity. Granted I haven’t quite gotten my “man-face” yet, like any actor named Chris: Pine, Hemsworth, Evans, Pratt, good god the list goes on and on. (Side Note: I would kill for the Captain America Infinity War beard….). That being said, as someone who grew up skinny and lanky, my insecure side wants to gain mass and obtain the imposing warrior body of a Saiyan.
Everyone has a different goal for their goal for their own body. Some seek the fabled dad-bod, some want to be pencil thin, others want to look like an Avenger. The reason anime is so appealing is that there are so many shows that any one person could find a character to aspire towards or relate themselves to. It also lets us step away from the real and enter a world where any one person has limitless potential.
Just scream at the top of your lungs and maybe your hair will turn yellow, who knows maybe everyone else just hasn’t been trying hard enough.
Buff Anime Nerd 