Solo leveling gave fans one of the most famous and famous New generation anime main characters, Sung Jinwoo. Jinwoo grows from a weak and timid boy to a man who deserves to be called the strongest in the world, and the story woven around his adventures makes him one of the most popular anime protagonists.
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Jinwoo is flamboyant, nonchalant, and above all, he is tremendously strong. It's no surprise that his character resonates deeply with fans and was even voted the best main character of 2025. Despite this, Jinwoo's character falls short in many ways, and some anime MCs, both old and new, are much better than Solo leveling protagonist.
Jotaro Kujo
Jotaro Kujo is one of the many amazing main characters featured in the Jojo's Bizarre Adventure anime. Jotaro Kujo, the main character Part 3, Stardust Crusadersis definitely the most iconic of the bunch and becomes the face of the franchise as a whole.
Jotaro Kujo, like Sung Jinwoo, has a cold and nonchalant personality, and both are also among the strongest in their respective worlds. However, Jotaro is overall a better main character than Jinwoo. This is much more apparent in Jojo Part 6 with Jotaro's amazing character growth after the birth of his daughter Jolyne Kujo.
Frieren
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Solo Leveling are two series that were released around the same time and immediately took off. Therefore, fans can't help but compare the two series, with many pitting Frieren and Jinwoo against each other.
While Jinwoo is all about fighting, Frieren does so much more, giving fans incredible battles but also amazing character moments. Frierene's journey is much more captivating than Jinwoo's.
Monkey D. Luffy
When it comes to iconic anime main characters, Monkey D. Luffy is one that immediately comes to mind. Luffy is the protagonist of the best-selling manga in the world, One Piece. One piece doesn't have the best anime adaptation and yet Luffy is still one of the most popular anime characters of all time.
While Jinwoo relies on great moments, Luffy goes the complete opposite route. Luffy's powers are all about his imagination and fun, yet fans can't get enough of him.
Naruto Uzumaki
Naruto Uzumaki shaped an entire generation of anime fans during his amazing anime series, Naruto. He is definitely one of the most famous and recognizable anime characters ever, and it's pretty easy to see why.
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To Naruto character is about grit and never giving up. He is the perfect representation of the underdog trope and turns his biggest weaknesses to his advantage. It also has some of the best fighting in anime. His battle against Pain easily beats any Solo Leveling battle.
Maomao
Maomao is the main character of the new generationand her series, Pharmacy diariesis exploding all over the world, especially in Japan. Maoma's series doesn't really revolve around battles, unlike most other currently popular series.
Instead, Maomao appeals to fans through his wit and personality. Maomao is an absolutely incredible main character that fans keep coming back to, and he doesn't need great fights to be interesting.
Goku's son
Solo Leveling's Sung Jinwoo is far from the most popular fighting anime MC and this title would easily go to Goku's sonthe main character of the revolutionary series, Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball has become one of the most famous anime seriesand it's largely thanks to Goku.
Goku is famous all over the world and gained this fame by performing some of the most legendary anime battles of all time. There isn't a single Jinwoo fight that can compete with Goku's top.
Izuku Midoriya
Izuku Midoriya, also known as Deku, is the main character of the most popular superhero anime there is — My Hero Academia. Fans have grown to love this cute crybaby who is quite easily the biggest and kindest hero of them all, saving everyone around him with a smile on his face despite carrying heavy burdens.
My Hero Academia season 8 is currently airing and once again it has been shown how much better Deku is compared to Jinwoo. Deku's character doesn't revolve around his battles. Deku isn't afraid to show weakness and then overcome it, and that's what makes him special.