Anime has a unique way of pulling audiences into the lives of its characters, offering a window into their journeys from youth to maturity. Watching characters grow up in this rich medium isn’t just about physical changes; it’s about the evolution of their dreams, ideals, and the very essence of their being.
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Characters like Naruto Uzumaki start as spirited, undisciplined children and mature into leaders. Others, like Ken Kaneki, undergo profound transformations later on in life that challenge their identity. These coming-of-age stories are woven into epic adventures, battles for survival, or mundane day-to-day life. This list explores the best anime characters we watched grow up.
10Renton Thurston - Eureka Seven
Becomes A Powerful Mecha Pilot
Eureka Seven
Renton Thurston’s Journey:
Renton Thurston is the adolescent protagonist of themecha romance animeEureka Seven, characterized by his transition from an ordinary 14-year-old boy into a mature and capable individual. He dreams of joining a group of renegade mecha pilots known as Gekkostate. Renton’s life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Eureka, a mysterious girl with an enigmatic connection to the Nirvash-type ZERO mecha.
Renton’s journey is marked by his coming-of-age experiences as he learns to pilot the Nirvash, confronting military conflicts and the Scub Coral phenomenon. We watch Renton grow from a teen to an adult who has a son with Eureka, named Ao Fukai, in the sequel Eureka Seven AO.
Release Date
Episode Count
Where To Watch
June 13, 2025
Crunchyroll
9Goro Honda - Major
Dreams Of Being A Baseball Pitcher
Goro Honda’s Journey:
Goro Honda, later known as Goro Shigeno after a fateful adoption, is thebaseball prodigyof the Major series. We first meet him as a kindergartner with a passionate love for baseball, inspired by his father, a professional baseball player. The series chronicles Goro’s life, starting from his playful yet determined efforts to follow in his father’s footsteps after a tragic accident takes his father’s life.
Despite numerous challenges, including a career-threatening injury to his pitching arm, Goro’s resilience and dedication to baseball never waver. His relentless improvement and unwavering commitment to the sport define his journey from an eager child to a legendary pitcher.
July 13, 2025
8Sakura Kinomoto - Cardcaptor Sakura
Accidentally Unleashes Clow Cards
Cardcaptor Sakura
Sakura Kinomoto’s Journey:
Sakura Kinomoto is the cheerful and energetic protagonist of Cardcaptor Sakura. She is introduced as a 10-year-old girl who accidentally unleashes the magical Clow Cards from a book she finds in her father’s library and is tasked with retrieving them to prevent a worldwide catastrophe.
Over the course of the series, we witness Sakura’s maturation from an innocent and clumsy elementary school student into a more confident and competent middle schooler as she learns about responsibility, friendship, and love. Under the guidance of the guardian beast Keroberos, she develops magical abilities, becoming a skilled Cardcaptor and evolving role as the master of the Clow Cards.
Jun 11, 2025
7Ken Kaneki - Tokyo Ghoul
Struggles To Accept Ghoul Instincts
Tokyo Ghoul
Ken Kaneki’s Journey:
Ken Kaneki is the tragic protagonist of the dark fantasy seriesTokyo Ghoul. Initially introduced as a nerdy 18-year-old college student with a somewhat naive outlook on life, Kaneki’s world is irrevocably changed while on a date with a ghoul named Rize. This creature survives by consuming human flesh. After surviving an attack by Rize, Kaneki becomes a half-ghoul himself.
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Throughout the series, we witness Kaneki’s tumultuous coming-of-age as he grapples with his new identity, struggling to reconcile his human morals with his ghoul instincts. His character development is profound as he evolves from a timid and unwilling participant in the ghoul world into a formidable figure, eventually leading the ghouls.
June 28, 2025
6Eren Yeager - Attack On Titan
Childhood Shattered By Titans
Attack On Titan
Eren Yeager’s Journey:
Eren Yeager is introduced inAttack on Titanas a fiery and impulsive 10-year-old youth driven by his desire to explore the world beyond the walls that confine humanity. After witnessing his mother’s death during a Titan attack on his hometown, Shiganshina District, Eren’s enthusiasm turns to vengeance, vowing to eradicate all Titans.
We follow his transformation from an idealistic recruit into a vengeful military soldier and eventually a complex protagonist carrying the heavy burden of the Attack Titan power. Starting as a passionate child seeking freedom, Eren’s life changes dramatically, and he matures into a pivotal figure in the fight for humanity’s survival.
June 09, 2025
5Edward Elric - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Loses Mother At An Early Age
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Edward Elric’s Journey:
Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, starts as a gifted young boy marked by tragedy after a forbidden transmutation attempt to resurrect his mother goes horribly wrong. This catastrophic event results in the loss of his left leg and his brother Alphonse’s entire body, leading Edward to sacrifice his right arm to bind Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor.
At age 12, Edward goes on to become the youngest State Alchemist. He evolves from an impulsive child to a selfless young man. His journey through the military and confrontations with Homunculi deepen his understanding of the value of life. Ultimately, Edward learns to face his mistakes and accept the natural order, gaining wisdom beyond his years.
July 01, 2025
4Sasuke Uchiha - Naruto
Born Into The Uchiha Clan
Naruto: Shippuden
Sasuke Uchiha’s Journey:
Sasuke Uchiha fromNarutois introduced as a skilled 12-year-old ninja driven by a deep-seated desire for power and revenge against his brother Itachi, who slaughtered their clan. As a child prodigy of the Uchiha clan, he excels in the ninja academy and is admired and envied by his peers.
His journey takes him from a valued member of Team 7, where he forms bonds with Naruto and Sakura, to a rogue ninja, aligning himself with the series' antagonists like Orochimaru. Sasuke’s growth encompasses not only his impressive combat abilities, particularly hisdojutsu abilitieslike Sharingan and later the Rinnegan, but also his emotional maturation as he comes to terms with his past.
August 02, 2025
3Monkey D. Luffy - One Piece
Searching For One Piece
Monkey D. Luffy’s Journey:
Monkey D. Luffy is the exuberant protagonist ofOne Piece, an anime centered around his quest to become the Pirate King. Since his introduction as a rubber-bodied 7-year-old child inspired by the pirate Shanks, Luffy’s grown into an infamous Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. His defining characteristics are his unwavering optimism, loyalty, and voracious appetite.
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Despite his simple-mindedness and tendency to act impulsively, Luffy has mastered advanced Haki and his Gum-Gum Fruit abilities with 5 Gear transformations that significantly amplify his strength. Luffy’s journey is a captivating tale of adventure, with his bounty starting from 30 million, jumping to 1.5 billion berries after defeating Big Mom’s crew.
August 10, 2025
2Goku - Dragon Ball
Saiyan Baby Sent To Earth
Dragon Ball Z
Goku’s Journey:
Goku, from theDragon Ballseries, grows from a naive, wild 11-year-old child into Earth’s greatest defender. Found and raised by Grandpa Gohan, Goku’s innocent beginnings disguise his alien warrior nature. We see his exceptional martial arts talent and superhuman strength as he searches for the Dragon Balls, trains under Master Roshi, and competes in World Martial Arts Tournaments.
His adult life inDragon Ball Zunveils his Saiyan heritage as he faces and overcomes intergalactic threats like Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. Goku goes on to have two children, Gohan and Goten, making him an iconic and memorable character.
July 25, 2025
1Naruto Uzumaki - Naruto
Becomes Konoha’s Seventh Hokage
Naruto Uzumaki’s Journey:
Naruto Uzumaki, the spirited 12-year-old ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village, captured hearts from his early days as an orphan due to the feared Nine-Tails fox sealed within. His journey is one of sheer determination, evolving from a mischievous prankster to a skilled shinobi determined to gain the respect of his peers and fulfill his dream of becoming Hokage.
Over the series, Naruto matures into a powerful leader and a symbol of hope, eventually earning the love and admiration he always sought, becoming the Seventh Hokage. Naruto’s unwavering commitment to his goals and his development from zero to hero make his journey our top pick.
