Anime Protagonists Who Don't Speak
Descriptions
Silent protagonists are an interesting part of media. They can be found everywhere — in video games, tv shows, movies, and more. It isn’t often that an anime protagonist takes on this role, but there are a few notable exceptions. From Dororo’s Hyakkimaru to the lovable titular protagonist of Komi Can’t Communicate, silent protagonists in anime come in many forms.
Some are typical dandere characters and remain quiet due to shyness or social anxiety, while others are physically unable to speak for various reasons, and some simply just don’t want to. No matter the reason, the silent heroes of anime make for some of the most unique characters of all time, and many have become iconic over the years.
10 Nanako Yukishiro (Senryu Girl)
On the outside, Senryu Girl's cute and cheerful protagonist, Nanako Yukishiro, looks like any other ordinary girl. However, there's one thing that sets her apart from the rest. Due to severe anxiety and a speech impediment, she's unable to speak. But despite her inability to verbally communicate, Nanako manages to express herself in a unique and creative way.
Using senryu, a poem format using seventeen syllables, she writes down her thoughts and talks with friends and classmates. This one-of-a-kind communication method catches the eye of Eiji Busujima, an ex-delinquent with a love of senryu poetry. The two become fast friends, and together they navigate the world through the beauty of poetry.
9 Celty Sturluson (Durarara!!)
Celty Sturluson is one of several main characters in Durarara!! and though she's technically not the main protagonist, most of the story centers around her. Known by most of Ikebukuro as the "Black Rider" or the "Headless Rider," Celty is something of an urban legend.
She was born as a Dullahan, a headless supernatural being from Irish folklore. Since she has no head attached to her body, Celty is unable to speak like most. Instead, she communicates with her phone, typing out messages whenever she has something she needs to say. With her striking design and an impressive array of abilities, Celty is easily the most popular of the series' protagonists.
8 Toshinari Seki (My Neighbor Seki)
My Neighbor Seki is a hilarious school comedy series, centering around the everyday antics of Rumi Yokoi and the titular protagonist, Toshinari Seki. Each day, Rumi finds herself constantly distracted by her desk neighbor Seki, who spends every class period working meticulously on bizarre creations made of various objects.
She watches in awe as he creates one elaborate piece after the next, all the while saying next to nothing to anyone. Though Seki can speak, he seems to simply choose not to, as he's far too focused on whatever new monstrosity he's working on at the time.
7 Nicolas Brown (Gangsta)
Nicolas Brown is one of the main protagonists in the series Gangsta, acting as a "handyman" for the mob. Due to his deafness, Nicolas often keeps to himself, and he rarely communicates with others. When he does, he mostly speaks through sign language. He can verbally communicate as well, though he normally chooses not to and dislikes having to accommodate others who don't sign.
Though he's intimidating and quick to anger, Nicolas is an all-around likable guy, and he means well at heart. When others are in need of assistance, he's usually one of the first to step up, showing he's far more than meets the eye.
6 The Goblin Slayer (Goblin Slayer)
From the very start, Goblin Slayer's titular hero is a man of very few words. His face hidden under his heavy suit of armor, the Goblin Slayer is shrouded in mystery, and even his own companions know very little about him. In a world ravaged by fearsome and deadly goblins, this silent protagonist wants nothing more than to eliminate every last goblin before they destroy humanity first.
Throughout most of the series, the Goblin Slayer lets his actions do most of the talking for him, with impressive results. Though he opens up a bit more as the story progresses, this heroic warrior ultimately remains an enigma, and that's just the way he likes it.
5 Akira Oono (Hi-Score Girl)
Akira Oono is the female protagonist of the series Hi-Score Girl and the rival of the lead male, Haruo Yaguchi. With her prestigious upbringing, Akira excels at whatever she does. However, her real passion lies with gaming, and she'd much rather spend all day at the arcade with Haruo than anything else.
Throughout the entire series, Akira never utters a single word, often leaving Haruo to guess at what she might be thinking. Though she never speaks, she's still full of personality in her many expression and gestures. Overall, she's an adorably eccentric young protagonist and fans can't help but love her.
4 Bojji (Ranking Of Kings)
Ranking of Kings' Bojji is a young prince who was born deaf. As a result of his disability, this pint-sized protagonist never speaks, which subjected him to many hardships growing up. However, he's never let this get him down, and though he can't hear or speak, Bojji has no trouble getting by in life.
He may not be able to verbally communicate with others, but he uses his expressions and gestures to get his thoughts and feelings across. He's developed keens senses and has a sharp awareness of the world around him, which easily makes up for his lack of hearing. Throughout the series, Bojji works hard and improves his skills, proving to everyone that he's more than capable and would make an amazing king.
3 Shoko Komi (Komi Can't Communicate)
As the title suggests, Komi Can't Communicate's titular heroine struggles to communicate with others. Due to severe social anxiety, Shoko Komi has spent most of her life detached from those around her and has never made a single friend.
So when she enters high school, Komi sets a goal for herself, aiming to make 100 friends in her time there. She makes her first friend in Hitohito Tadano, and together, they work to slowly overcome Komi's fears and help her open up to others. Though she's still a relatively new character, Komi is easily one of the most adored silent protagonists in anime. She's beautiful, funny, and too relatable for many fans, making her the ultimate best girl.
2 Hyakkimaru (Dororo)
Hyakkimaru is the main protagonist of the iconic dark fantasy series Dororo. After his father sacrifices him at birth to demons, Hyakkimaru is cursed and his body is stolen from him. Due to this curse, Hyakkimaru has no skin, eyes, ears, nose, or limbs and relies on the prosthetics of his adoptive father to survive.
With his body left incomplete, he grows up deaf, blind, and mute. Though he's lost most of his senses, he has the ability to sense souls and uses this power to navigate the world around him and interact with others. When he comes of age, Hyakkimaru sets out on a quest to slay the demons who stole his body and regain his missing parts.
1 Shoko Nishimiya (A Silent Voice)
A Silent Voice is an emotional and heartfelt film featuring the struggles of Shoko Nishimiya, a young deaf girl who faces many hardships throughout her life due to her disability. During her childhood, she was relentlessly bullied by the male protagonist, Shoya Ishida, to the point where she has to be pulled out of school.
Despite his cruelty toward her during those early years, when Shoko and Shoya reuinte in high school, she's more than ready to forgive him for his actions and even still wants to be his friend. Her kindness and understanding not only show her strength, but also help Shoya work through his regret and finally come to terms with the past and forgive himself.
Add a review