Bart Simpson

What is the Work?

The Boondocks is an animated Adult Swim original cartoon series based on the comic strip created by Aaron McGruder. It follows the Freemans, a black family consisting of the militant revolutionary Huey, rebellious wannabe gangster Riley and their cantankerous grandfather Robert, as they adapt to suburban life in Woodcrest, Maryland after moving from their home in Chicago.

Who is the Candidate?

Riley Freeman is one of the two main protagonists of The Boondocks. He is voiced by Regina King, who also voiced his older brother Huey.

What Makes Him a Shonen Hero?

• Heroic/Honorable: Riley plays a key role in freeing the slaves from the slave-owning amusement park Freedomland. Despite his lifestyle as a wannabe gangsta, Riley has moral standards as, unlike Lamilton, he takes no pleasure in killing innocent people and does his best to avoid it.

• Reckless: Riley rarely thinks before he acts and thus gets into situations without realizing the consequences.

• Energetic: Riley is rather hotblooded and excitable.

• Stubborn: Riley tends to be committed with his schemes despite being warned multiple times by Huey about the consequences of his actions.

• Pursues a Big-End Goal: Influenced by mass media via rap culture and gangster films, Riley wants to live the thuggish lifestyle like the gangsters and rappers he sees in television.

• Unintelligent: Though he is very street-smart, Riley is rather impulsive and makes stupid decisions.

• Optimistic: While he can feel down at times, Riley manages to keep a positive attitude unlike Huey.

• Possesses Plot Armor: Riley manages to survive several gun-shootings.

• Has a Rival: Riley has a rivalry with his brother Huey, as they sometimes fight each other, both physically and verbally.

• Has Idols: Riley looks up to various rappers, most notably Thugnificent.

• Short-Tempered: Though not as irritable as his grandfather Robert, Riley can be impatient at times.

• Mischievous: Riley commits delinquent acts for the fun of it.

• Rebellious: Riley tends to disobey Robert's rules and often gets into legal trouble.

Verdict?

Weak-to-medium yes. While he commits a few heinous acts, he is still a sympathetic character with standards. With his hotblooded and stubborn personality, refusal to back down from a fight despite his poor combat skills and desire to live a life he finds fascinating, Riley is the closest the series has to a Shonen Hero, with Huey being already approved as a Seinen Hero.

I have to admit, he is an unconventional candidate.

🎵Life is unfair....🎵

What is the Work?

Malcolm in the Middle is a sitcom aired on FOX. It follows a highly intelligent teen named Malcolm as he attends a gifted program at his school while dealing with his dysfunctional and dimwitted family.

Who are the Candidates?

Malcolm Wilkerson is the titular main protagonist of Malcolm in the Middle. He was portrayed by Frankie Muniz.

Reese Wilkerson is the deuteragonist of Malcolm in the Middle. He was portrayed by Justin Berfield.

What Makes Them Shonen Heroes?

Malcolm

• Heroic/Honorable: Malcolm puts an end to Spath's bullying weaker students by standing up to him.

• Courageous: Malcolm isn't afraid to stand up for what's right.

• Energetic: Like his brothers, Malcolm has a hot-blooded and thrill-seeking streak.

• Stubborn: Malcolm does whatever he wants despite his mother Lois's strict rules.

• Pursues a Big-End Goal: Malcolm wants to get away from his dysfunctional family, especially Lois.

• Hard-Working: Malcolm is shown to be rather diligent to the point of becoming valedictorian.

• Possesses Plot Armor: Alongside his father Hal and brother Reese, Malcolm manages to escape from a house before it explodes.

• Short-Tempered: While he isn't as prone to violence as Reese, Malcolm is rather impatient and irritable.

• Big Eater: Being a teenager, Malcolm can be shown to have humongous appetite.

• Mischievous: Like his brothers, Malcolm enjoys pulling pranks on anyone.

• Rebellious: Malcolm not only disobeys his parents, but he also breaks school rules to stand up for a good cause.

Reese

• Heroic/Honorable: Reese stops a burglar from robbing the house, which results in him being declared a hero by the police.

• Courageous/Reckless: Reese can be brave when needed and is frequently shown to be reckless.

• Energetic: Reese is rather hotblooded and adventurous.

• Stubborn: Reese goes along with his plans despite being warned by others of the consequences.

• Hard-Working: Despite not being as academically gifted as Malcolm, Reese can be diligent when he wants to be.

• Unintelligent: While he is gifted in culinary and a clever prankster, Reese is very book-dumb and generally lacks common sense.

• Optimistic: Unlike Malcolm, who is pessimistic, Reese finds the positives of life despite his failures.

• Possesses Plot Armor: Reese manages to survive plenty of situations that most can't endure.

• Oblivious to Love: Reese is slow when it comes to recognizing girls being attracted to him.

• Short-Tempered: Reese is the most aggressive and violent of the family.

• Big Eater: Being a teenager, Reese is shown to have an enormous appetite.

• Spiky Hair: Reese is consistently shown to have spiky frosted tips throughout the show.

• Unnatural Hair Color: Brown with yellow dyed spikes.

• Mischievous: Reese takes pleasure in pulling pranks and generally stirring up trouble.

• Rebellious: Reese frequently disobeys his parents' rules.

• Is a Blood Knight: As a school bully, Reese finds joy in fighting enemies and beating up weaker kids.

Verdict?

Yes. Given the show's main message of life being unfair, they have frequently been shown to endure any hardships throughout the series, even when they brought their misfortunes on themselves at times. Considering that many Shonen Heroes endure a lot of hardships to get where they want to be, it would be interesting to see these two fit right in this wiki.

What is the Work?

Bully is a video game produced by Rockstar Games. It centers around Jimmy Hopkins, a troubled teen who was dropped by his neglectful mother and new stepfather at Bullworth Academy after being expelled from several schools.

Who is the Candidate?

Jimmy Hopkins is the main protagonist of Bully. He was voiced by the musician Gerry Rosenthal.

What Makes Him a Shonen Hero?

• Heroic/Honorable: Jimmy has saved Bullworth Academy from Gary Smith's tyranny.

• Courageous/Reckless: Jimmy has no issue with standing up to his enemies.

• Energetic: Jimmy has many moments of being hot-blooded.

• Stubborn: Jimmy is willing to break school rules despite being a student who must follow rules.

• Pursues a Big-End Goal: Jimmy wants to make Bullworth Academy a more peaceful school by standing up to bullies and corrupt staff members.

• Hard-Working: After the majority of the school were manipulated by Gary into believing that Jimmy is a menace, Jimmy does his best to earn back the school's respect for him.

• Believes in the Power of Friendship: Jimmy is shown to be grateful with the Bullworth students and the Townies for helping him take down Gary.

• Short-Tempered: Jimmy is regularly seen scowling and rarely hesitates to fight anyone who insults him.

• Mischievous: Jimmy takes pleasure in pulling pranks either to punish those who deserve it or for fun.

• Rebellious: Jimmy is shown to despise corrupt authority figures. It also has been noted that Jimmy has been expelled from at least seven schools for several misdemeanors (i.e. spraying graffiti, fighting, using profanity, etc.).

• Tragic Past: Jimmy's birth father abandoned him when he was a little boy and his mother is a neglectful narcissist who got married many times and rather than dealing with her son's emotional issues with him, she instead drops him off at any school and let the staff handle him. This results in Jimmy becoming jaded and distrustful of anyone and forcing himself to fend for himself as well as becoming a delinquent.

Verdict?

I say yes. Unlike many Rockstar protagonists who are morally grey and more than likely fit the Seinen Hero archetype, Jimmy is an extremely unique case, since he fully redeems himself into a more traditional hero as the game went on.

What is the Work?

Beavis & Butt-Head is an animated series created by Mike Judge. It follows two dim-witted high school delinquents as they spent most of their time watching TV and getting into various kinds of mischief.

Who are the Candidates?

Beavis and Butt-Head are the titular protagonists of the franchise of the same name. They are voiced by the series' creator Mike Judge.

What Makes Them Shonen Heroes?

Both

• Heroic/Honorable: Beavis and Butt-Head have helped in the arrest of Dallas and Muddy Grimes, and saved America from the virus in the X-5 Unit, saving thousands, probably millions of lives.

• Courageous/Reckless: They have no problem with engaging in risk-taking behaviors, no matter how dangerous.

• Stubborn: They will do whatever they want regardless of the warning's of the adults around them.

• Pursues a Big-End Goal: Throughout the franchise, Beavis and Butt-Head want to have intercourse with girls in order to lose their virginity.

• Unintelligent:Beavis and Butt-Head are known for being incredibly idiotic, as they are almost illiterate, struggle with basic social cues and generally lack common sense in any situation.

• Possesses Plot Armor: Beavis and Butt-Head manages to survive perils that are difficult to go through, going as far as to endure being sucked through a blackhole in Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe.

• Oblivious to Love: In the episode Vidiots, when they enroll in a dating service, they are clueless to the fact that the girls that come by later are looking for them.

• Short-Tempered: Beavis and Butt-Head have anger issues and are prone to engage in violence.

• Have an Idol: Beavis and Butt-Head worship local thug Todd Ianuzzi as a hero despite the fact that the latter openly despises their presence and frequently beats them up.

• Mischievous: Beavis and Butt-Head have a tendency to cause trouble wherever they go.

• Rebellious: Beavis and Butt-Head regularly skip school on a daily basis and commit petty crimes out of enjoyment rather than malicious intent.

Beavis

• Energetic: Beavis is notably more hyperactive than Butt-Head, especially when he transform into his alter-ego Cornholio after consuming too much caffeine.

• Optimistic: Unlike Butt-Head, Beavis is shown to find the positives in life despite their constant failing in their goals.

Verdict?

Weak-to-medium yes. They are rather unconventional candidates and tough ones to propose, considering they are usually villain protagonists unlike other adult cartoon heroes that are approved in this wiki like Bart and Fry, but they do their share of heroics.

You might say they are similar to Eikichi Onizuka and Ryuji Danma from Shonan Junai Gumi (the prequel of Great Teacher Onizuka), as they are high school delinquents who are engage in criminal activities and have a goal of losing their virginity.

What is the Work?

Futurama is an animated series created by Matt Groening. It follows Fry, a 20th-century pizza delivery boy who ended up being accidentally frozen for 1000 years and awaken in the 31st century.

Who is the Candidate?

Philip J. Fry is the main protagonist of Futurama. He is voiced by Billy West.

What Makes Him a Shonen Hero?

• Heroic/Honorable: Fry has saved the universe from the brain aliens from taking over the Earth.

• Courageous/Reckless: Fry is willing to risk his life to protect his friends and other innocent people, oftentimes without considering his own safety.

• Energetic: While he has a mostly laid-back attitude, Fry has many moments of being excitable.

• Stubborn: Fry tends to go along with his actions despite being warned by his comrades.

• Pursues a Big-End Goal: Fry desires to become an astronaut. Unfortunately, in the 20th century, he got stuck with a dead-end job as a pizza delivery boy. Luckily, he receives his chance to achieve his dream of going into space after awakening in the future.

• Unintelligent: Fry is noted for being incredibly dimwitted to the point of lacking a brain delta wave due to being his own grandfather.

• Optimistic: Though he has his moments of feeling down on his luck, Fry is overall a happy-go-lucky guy.

• Believes in the Power of Friendship: Like Bender, Fry believes that humans and robots should get along with each other.

• Possesses Plot Armor: Fry manages to survive many dangers in spite of his incompetence.

• Spiky Hair: Fry has two spikes on the front of his hair.

• Big Drinker: Fry tends to drink countless cans of soda.

• Mischievous: Fry gets into wacky shenanigans with Bender.

Verdict?

Yes. Fry seems a bit unconventional, but he has the heroics, personality and hairstyle to fit the archetype.

What is the Work?

The Incredibles is a 2004 animated superhero film produced by Pixar Animation Studios. It follows the Parrs, a family of superheroes living under a lifestyle of conformity among non-superpowered people after superheroes were declared illegal.

Who is the Candidate?

Dash Parr is one of the tritagonists of The Incredibles. He was voiced by Spencer Fox in the first film and by Huckleberry Milner in the sequel.

What Makes Him a Shonen Hero?

• Heroic/Honorable: Dash is one of the active participants who saved the world from Syndrome and Screenslaver.

• Courageous/Reckless: Dash is shown to never be afraid to put his life on the line to save innocent people.

• Energetic: Given that his main superpower is super-speed, Dash is rather hyperactive.

• Stubborn: Dash wants to participate in sports despite being forbidden to do so.

• Pursues a Big-End Goal: Despite being forbidden by his parents due to his competitive and somewhat showoffish personality, Dash wants to participate in sports.

• Optimistic: Dash usually finds the positives in any situation he is in.

• Possesses Plot Armor: Dash has survived several dangers and explosions.

• Short-Tempered: Dash can be impatient at times, especially when fighting with his older sister Violet.

• Big Eater: Dash can be seen taking big bites out of food and eating fast.

• Mischievous: Dash pulls pranks on his teacher by putting thumbtacks on the latter's chair.

• Rebellious: Whenever Violet is put in charge, Dash refuses to comply with her authority.

Verdict?

Yes, saving the world as a 10-year-old is an impressive feat.

I'm gonna be a Shonen Hero!

I'm gonna be a Shonen Hero.....

Merry Christmas, y'all.

What is the Work?

Home Alone is a 1990 film produced by 20th Century Studios. It centers around 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, as he finds himself home alone after his family leaves to Paris while battling against two bumbling burglars.

Who is the Candidate?

Kevin McCalilister is the main protagonist of the Home Alone franchise. He was portrayed by Macaulay Culkin in the first two films and Mike Wienberg in the fourth film.

What Makes Him a Shonen Hero?

• Heroic/Honorable: Kevin defends his home from Harry and Marv, prevented their plan to steal money from the charity of a children's hospital and saves the Crown Prince.

• Courageous: Kevin takes no hesitation to do the right thing or to save others.

• Energetic: Since he is a kid, Kevin has a tendency to run around and have fun however he can.

• Stubborn: Kevin wants to do whatever he wants regardless of the warnings he receives from his mother Kate.

• Hard-Working: Since he was never taught to be independent and had to have his parents to do basic things for him, he has to teach himself how to be a responsible person and goes out of his way to buy groceries and do the laundry.

• Optimistic: Though he has his moments of depression, Kevin makes the best of any situation that he is involved in.

• Believes in the Power of Friendship: Kevin befriends misunderstood people like Marley and Pigeon Lady despite being initially terrified of them.

• Possesses Plot Armor: When Harry attempts to shoot Kevin with a gun, Pigeon Lady saves him by throwing bread crumbs at Harry and Marv to have the pigeons fight them.

• Short-Tempered: Kevin can get aggressive when being bullied, especially by his older brother Buzz.

• Big Eater/Drinker: Kevin is shown to have humongous appetite for junk food, especially pizza and ice cream.

• Mischievous: Kevin is amused by the pranks he pulled on the pizza delivery guy and the traps he sets up for Harry and Marv.

• Rebellious: Kevin refuses to apologize to Buzz as his parents asked him to, though this is largely because he can see that Buzz isn't being sincere with his own apology after he humiliated Kevin in front of the whole church.

Verdict?

I would go with a soft yes. Kevin isn't exactly what comes to mind of what a shonen hero is, but he has the heroism and personality to back it up.

What is the Work?

Recess is an animated series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation Productions. It follows a group of six 4th graders, led by rebellious prankster T.J. Detweiler, as they experience everyday childhood trials while solving problems on the school playground.

Who is the Candidate?

TJ Detweiler is the main protagonist of Recess. He was voiced by Ross Malinger in season one and the first two episodes of season two and Andrew Lawrence from season two to the end of the series.

What Makes Him a Shonen Hero?

• Heroic/Honorable: In the theatrical film, Recess: School's Out, TJ led the revolutionary of students and staffs of Third Street Elementary to stop Dr. Benedict's plan to ban summer vacation by producing an eternal ice age, saving the world in the process.

• Courageous/Reckless: TJ is willing to protect his friends even at the expense of himself and his reputation.

• Energetic: TJ is a fun-loving kid and enjoys pulling pranks.

• Stubborn: Whenever TJ takes a stand against injustice, he is usually the last to back down from a cause.

• Unintelligent: While he is a strategic prankster and schemer as well as being generally street-smart, TJ is very book-dumb as he receives a C- on a book report due to using a cover blurb, thinks "spy" is spelled S-P-I and has a 10.1% on a test.

• Optimistic: Though there are times where he falls into depression, those moments are far and in-between, as TJ manages to look at the brighter side of things.

• Believes in the Power of Friendship: TJ cares about his best friends and is capable of being acquainted with his enemies, including the school's resident snitch Randell Weems.

• Spiky Hair: Though he rarely takes off his cap, he is usually seen to have messy hair when he does take it off.

• Big Eater: TJ is shown to have a huge fascination with eating a high pile of pizza.

• Has a Rival: Irwin Lawson is TJ's main rival, with whom he competes at sports.

• Mischievous: TJ is known for pulling elaborate pranks, going as far as to earn his nickname, Prankster Prince.

• Rebellious: TJ plays by his own rules and is the first to take a stand to any injustice.

Verdict?

I say yes. TJ has saved the world and deeply values his friends. Plus, he is from a Saturday Morning Cartoon.

Also, Recess originally aired on Toon Disney, which turned into Jetix and eventually Disney XD. Most of the shows in that channel have not only action cartoons, but also shonen anime. This channel is the closest Disney has to a Shonen television channel.

Today's Stock Shonen Hero is a kid with a head of flaming hair and a turbo-charged backpack.

What is the Work?

Johnny Test is an animated series produced by Cartoon Network. It follows adventurous 11-year-old Johnny Test as he saves the world from various villains while get into many sorts of mischief with his pet dog Dukey and messing with his genius older twin sisters' inventions.

Who is the Candidate?

Johnny Test is the titular main protagonist of the series of the same name. He is voiced by James Arnold Taylor.

What Makes Him a Shonen Hero?

• Heroic/Honorable: Johnny has saved the world from countless villains and several world domination conspiracies.

• Courageous/Reckless: Johnny is usually the last to run away from a fight.

• Energetic: Being a kid, Johnny is very hyperactive and lives for thrilling adventures.

• Stubborn: Johnny wants to do whatever he wants despite Dukey warning him about the consequences.

• Unintelligent: Though he is highly capable of manipulating others and generally has street-smarts, Johnny is prone to making foolish decisions and is a poor student.

• Optimistic: Despite things not always going how he planned, Johnny sees the good in his life.

• Believes in the Power of Friendship: Johnny values his best friend Dukey and is capable of turning his enemies into his allies.

• Possesses Plot Armor: Johnny manages to survive through various dangers throughout the series.

• Spiky Hair: Johnny is recognized by his signature spiky hair.

• Unnatural Hair Color: While his blond hair is normal, the tips of his hair are dyed red-orange.

• Oblivious to Love: Johnny is highly unaware of Sissy's crush on him due to his own immaturity, as he still believes in cooties despite being old enough to date girls.

• Short-Tempered: Johnny has his moments of throwing temper tantrums.

• Big Eater/Big Drinker: Johnny is sometimes seen eating and drinking amounts of junk food.

• Mischievous: Whenever he isn't fighting villains, Johnny spends his time coming up with troublemaking schemes to have a good time.

• Rebellious: Johnny rarely follows his parents' rules.

Verdict?

I say yes. Johnny Test may be a somewhat unconventional candidate, but he is from a Saturday Morning Cartoon and has saved the world countless times.