10 Adult Swim Anime With The Best Heroes

Published Oct 15, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT

Emedo Ashibeze is a tenured journalist and critic specializing in the entertainment industry. Before joining ScreenRant in 2025. he wrote for several major publications, including GameRant. 

Anime has produced countless memorable heroes over the years, and Adult Swim has played a major role in introducing audiences to them. Its shows have featured protagonists from different backgrounds, each facing unique challenges that test their abilities, convictions, and willingness to fight for what they believe in. As a result, several have become iconic figures within the medium.

Regardless of their methods, the best protagonists keep viewers invested in their stories. Their struggles, personal growth, and defining battles help distinguish their respective anime from countless other series. Adult Swim has showcased a handful of such characters, and these ten anime feature some of the block’s most compelling heroes.

10 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is set in a future where cybernetic bodies and networked technology have transformed society, creating new opportunities for criminals. Public Security Section 9 is an elite unit tasked with confronting threats ranging from cybercrime to political corruption. At the helm of its field operations is Major Motoko Kusanagi, an officer whose skills extend beyond just combat.

The Major’s cybernetic body gives her considerable physical advantages, but her immense value to Section 9 also comes from her tactical judgment, computer expertise, and ability to lead a capable team. Whether pursuing elusive hackers or untangling conspiracies, she brings a steady, analytical approach to dangerous assignments with ruthless efficiency.

9 Gurren Lagann

Gurren Lagann is a mecha anime set in a future where humanity has been forced to live underground. The protagonist of the story is Simon, a shy young digger who discovers a small, face-shaped robot called Lagann. Alongside his bold friend Kamina and the sharpshooter Yoko, he pilots the robot and plays a huge role in humanity's fight for freedom.

Simon initially depends on Kamina’s confidence, but his journey gradually pushes him to trust his own judgment and take responsibility for others. As battles escalate from clashes with the Beastmen to threats that could endanger all of humanity, he grows into a determined leader whose fighting spirit drives the ever-growing team forward.

8 Yu Yu Hakusho

Yu Yu Hakusho is centered on Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent whose rough reputation would normally make him an unlikely hero. However, he reveals a more selfless side at the beginning of the series when he tries to save a boy from a fatal accident and is struck by the car instead, bringing his life to an unexpected end.

Thankfully, the spirit world gives him a chance to return, and after completing his revival trial, Yusuke becomes a Spirit Detective responsible for investigating supernatural threats. His cases bring him into conflict with dangerous demons and powerful opponents, while friendships with Kazuma Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei help him grow even further.

7 Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter is set in a world where licensed Hunters pursue dangerous missions, rare treasures, and extraordinary discoveries. At the heart of the story is Gon Freecss, a cheerful boy who learns that his absent father, Ging, is a renowned Hunter. Hoping to understand his father’s choices, Gon leaves Whale Island and enters the demanding Hunter Exam.

Gon has unusual physical abilities and an instinctive talent for combat, but his greatest strength often lies in his optimism and willingness to trust others. His resolve is repeatedly tested as his adventures grow more dangerous, pushing him to mature. He is joined by Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika, whose friendship gives him valuable support throughout his journey.

6 Death Note

Death Note is unusual among anime because its main protagonist is far from heroic. At its center is Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who develops a god complex after finding a supernatural notebook called the Death Note. It has the power to kill anyone whose name is written inside, and Light appoints himself judge, jury, and executioner.

His opponent is far better suited to the role of a hero: an exceptionally perceptive detective known as L. Tasked with uncovering Kira’s identity, L relies on his deductive skills and unconventional, inventive methods to stop the killings. Their clash becomes a tense battle of intellect, with L seeking justice while Light grows increasingly convinced of his righteousness.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a standout title with equally standout main characters. It follows Edward Elric, one of two brothers who violated a fundamental rule of alchemy while trying to revive their dead mother, a mistake that cost them dearly. From then on, he developed a new attitude towards alchemy and resolved to take responsibility for his actions.

Seeking a way to restore what they lost, Edward becomes a State Alchemist and travels with his brother Alphonse in search of the Philosopher’s Stone. His determination and skill with alchemy make him a formidable fighter, but his loyalty to his brother and refusal to treat human lives as expendable define him just as strongly.

4 Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is a space Western set in 2071, where bounty hunters travel between colonized planets and moons to pursue wanted criminals. At its core is Spike Spiegel, a laid-back but exceptionally capable fighter who works aboard the spaceship Bebop with former police officer Jet Black and other eccentric crew members.

Although Spike often seems indifferent, his combat skills and quick thinking repeatedly help him and his allies survive dangerous encounters. His past as a member of a ruthless crime syndicate also adds a compelling layer to his story. It forces him to confront unresolved ties that complicate his work and reveals a more vulnerable side beneath his casual exterior.

3 One Piece

Set in a vast world of oceans with countless civilizations and endless adventure, One Piece is a sprawling story whose hero fully embodies its larger-than-life atmosphere. At its heart is Monkey D. Luffy, a spirited young captain who sets sail after gaining a rubber-like body from a mysterious Devil Fruit and aims to become Pirate King.

Luffy’s abilities make him an unpredictable combatant, and his strong sense of justice earns him as many enemies as allies. He regularly challenges powerful foes who threaten his friends or deny others their freedom. His strength and refusal to abandon his companions show that his quest for the One Piece is about much more than just personal ambition.

2 Naruto

In a world where ninja clans train young shinobi for combat and dangerous missions, Naruto began as an academy troublemaker who struggled to gain recognition. His dream was to become Hokage, his village’s leader, even though many residents kept their distance because the powerful Nine-Tailed Fox was sealed inside him.

Naruto’s loud antics often masked how deeply he wanted to be accepted, and his journey gave him chances to prove himself beyond his reputation. He developed into a respected shinobi, boasting immense power and earning widespread respect. Never allowing others’ negative perceptions to discourage him, he extended profound compassion even toward villains and always fought for peace.

1 Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan debuted on Adult Swim in 2014, drawing viewers into a brutal world where survivors live within massive walls to keep man-eating Titans at bay. Eren Yeager grows up longing to explore the world beyond those barriers, but after a Titan attack destroys his home and takes his mother’s life, revenge becomes his driving purpose.

Once he joins the Survey Corps, Eren’s determination becomes central to humanity’s struggle for survival. Through unusual circumstances, he also gains the ability to transform into a Titan, giving him an effective weapon against the creatures. His story takes several dramatic turns from then on, leading him to become a polarizing but highly captivating character all the same.