There are always exciting moments when the hero and villains get into engaging fights or get stronger to win against each other. But sometimes in anime, it’s the inner demon or villain which needs to be controlled by the protagonist or hero to get stronger.
Several times it’s the demonic powers that go out of control or the berserk mode which causes a person to lose reasoning. Other times, it’s a totally different entity you can communicate with and make you lose control of yourself.
Following this trope, here are some anime protagonists who have demons or demonic entities inside them.
We also recommend reading our listicles on the strongest demon slayer characters and smartest Classroom Of The Elite Characters.
Top 10 Anime Protagonists with Inner Demons
So here are our top 10 picks of anime protagonists who had some kids of demons inside them. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
10. Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)
Ken Kaneki is the protagonist of the Tokyo Ghoul series. He was a normal average human studying at Kamii University until his life changed when he went on a date with Rize Kamishiro. After getting saved from the attack, Rize’s kakuhou was implanted into Kaneki to save his life.
Kaneki never wanted to become a ghoul. He was a hybrid retaining the characteristics of both. Due to Rize’s vital organ as a ghoul was implanted in him, Rize almost became his inner demon who tormented him through his suffering.
When Kaneki lost his memories to become Haise Sasaki, Kaneki became his inner demon who urged him to go on a killing spree or lose control of his powers. Kaneki’s inner demons always came in the way of his suffering and took over his body until he accepted it and managed to control it.
9. Shinichi Izumi (Parasyte: The Maxim)
Shinichi Izumi is the protagonist of the Parasyte series. He was a thoughtful and nice high school student. Due to his caring nature, he was considered to be a pushover and a wimp until he was influenced by Migi.
Migi was the name chosen by the parasite when infected Shinichi’s right hand. Migi is a perfectly intelligent entity and values self-preservation above all. He influences Shinichi to become like him after almost taking control of his brain making him lose emotions.
Migi and Shinichi came to form a deal about keeping each other alive. Shinichi was threatened by Migi due to his being involved in harmful situations. Migi can appeal to Shinichi’s emotions to manipulate him into taking decisions. Also, Migi does everything in her power to keep both of them alive.
8. Yuichiro Hyakuya (Owari No Seraph)
Yuichiro Hyakuya is the protagonist of Owari No Seraph. He grew up in an orphanage in the underground vampire city after the world collapsed. To get his revenge on the vampires, he joins the Japan Imperial Demon Army.
Asuramaru is a blood-thirsty demon who was originally a vampire. Yuichiro got access to Asuramaru after getting the cursed equipment of a great katana. Asuramaru is delighted to have his host’s blood. He allowed Yuichiro to borrow his power only to take over his body in the future.
Asuramaru is more of a trusted enemy than an ally or friend. Yuichiro, in his demon form, wants to kill everyone nearby while screaming and raging to devour their souls.
Yuichiro doesn’t remember any details when he goes into the demon form. Asuramaru knows that Yuichiro would be more rational if he didn’t have emotions so he keeps a check on his host.
7. Allen Walker (D.Gray Man)
Allen Walker is the protagonist of D. Gray Man. He was abandoned by his family due to his ‘abnormal’ left arm and later he grew up into an Exorcist under the European Branch of the Black Order.
Nea D. Campbell, known as ‘the Fourteenth’ was actually the traitor who wanted to become the Millenium Earl. Due to being killed in the process, he was later implanted inside Allen to ‘protect’. At times, he took control of Allen’s body when showing hostility to the Earl.
There was no process as to how Nea was implanted inside Allen but Nea was killed several years before Allen was born.
Nea’s presence in Allen’s mind gives him access to several powers. Nea, several times while being dominant wanted to kill the Millenium Earl to become the next in line but Allen would rather not. Though their relationship is good, they may look in different ways a few times.
6. Denji (Chainsaw Man)
Denji is the protagonist of Chainsaw Man. Meeting a devil named Pochita at a young age, he became a Devil Hunter under a yakuza to pay off his father’s debts. Later he goes on to work in the Public Division under Makima and forms friends.
Pochita is the Chainsaw Man Devil who was feared as the Devil that Devils fear the most and ‘The Hero of Hell’ before he appeared in a dog form to Denji. He acted like an actual dog while living with Denji until he became Denji’s heart when he was killed by the Zombie Devil.
Denji and Pochita met each other at their lowest in life. Pochita formed a contract with Denji when he offered blood after seeing the other injured.
Even though Pochita despises humans, he likes Denji and helps him several times by giving advice in his dreams. Denji also has access to several amazing powers because of him.
5. Uzumaki Boruto (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
Uzumaki Boruto is the protagonist of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. He is Naruto’s son and is a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. He has prodigious talents and he is diligent to nurture them properly. He has built a goal to become a shinobi like his mentor, Sasuke Uchiha.
Momoshiki Otsutsuki was a direct family member of the Otsutsuki clan. He had attacked the Hidden Leaf to gain information but was killed by Boruto. Due to this, he placed a Kama mark on his body which lets him make Boruto a host for his spirit in the future.
Having the kama mark has its advantages for Boruto as he has access to mysterious powers. As the mark develops, Momoshiki can take over Boruto’s body for short intervals. Momoshiki intends to overwrite Boruto’s genetic profile with his so that he can resurrect himself.
For now, Momoshiki can take over Boruto when he is weakened. Momoshiki can also use Boruto’s skills and knowledge. Momoshiki and Boruto have huge potential for growth in the ongoing series.
4. Asta (Black Clover)
Asta is the protagonist of Black Clover. He is an orphan raised in the Hage village by the Church. He received the five-leaf clover Grimore with Anti Magic Devil inside when he was 15 years old.
With his dream of becoming the Magic Emperor, he pursues forward to join the Black Bull squad of magic knights and even become a 1st Class Senior Magic Knight.
Liebe is the Anti-Magic Devil inside Asta’s Grimore. He is a low-ranking devil from the first level of the Underworld. He harbors a deep hatred for devils and refers to them as scum including himself. He is also the source behind Asta’s anti-magic power. His presence is highly intimidating to many individuals.
Liebe had lived with Richita who owned a five-leaf clover. When discovered, Richita asked Liebe to reside inside the Grimore to live safely.
Currently, in Asta’s possession, Liebe gained anti-magic powers due to his hatred for magic and demons. Gradually, he came to form a deal with Asta when he would help him achieve his dream but Asta would have to avenge Richita. Liebe even has a compassionate side and feels sad for others.
3. Kurosaki Ichigo (Bleach)
Kurosaki Ichigo is the protagonist of the Bleach series. He’s a human of the Quincy race who is also a substitute Soul Reaper. He had forced himself to be a Soul Reaper with Rukia’s powers but after training, he gained his own Zanpakuto and powers as well.
Zangetsu, also known as White Hollow is one of Ichigo’s inner powers and also the devil in itself. Ichigo is a tribrid – Quincy, Hollow, and Soul Reaper. Zangetsu is the collective power of Hollow and Soul Reaper, which he inherited from his mother and father.
Ichigo had a Hollow awakening during his rise to Soul Reaper powers. Zangetsu took over multiple times during Ichigo’s fights and he has better battle moves that make his opponents tremble.
Ichigo had many clashes with Zangetsu to prove himself as the ‘King’. Zangetsu is the closest to Ichigo’s purest instincts. Later, it can be known that all of Zangetsu’s actions were for the sole purpose of protecting Ichigo from attacks.
2. Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto)
Uzumaki Naruto is the protagonist of the Naruto franchise. He’s a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village who had the Nine Tails sealed inside him on the day of his birth making him a jinchuriki. Growing into the ‘Hero of the Hidden Leaf’, he went on to achieve his dream to be a Hokage.
Kurama is the name of the Nine Tails sealed inside Naruto. He’s one of the nine-tailed beasts who had been sealed for ages inside the people of the Uzumaki Clan. Due to this, he has gained a hatred for humans who try to control him.
Given a chance to go rampage, he started to destroy the Hidden Leaf until Naruto’s parents sealed it inside him.
Naruto and Kurama have always been fan-favorite duos due to their storytelling. Naruto was shunned by the village for being a jinchuriki but he still saw the world in a positive light and improved himself.
Kurama had taken control of Naruto several times and hurt the ones closest to him as he had a cynical perspective about humans. As they had spent so much time together, Naruto was able to change Kurama who helped him in various situations and even sacrificed his life for Hidden Leaf in the end.
1. Itadori Yuji (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Itadori Yuji is the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen. He was a normal guy with a few outstanding abilities. Circumstances led to Itadori meeting Megumi, and gulping one of Sukuna’s fingers. Then he started attending as a first-year at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Ryomen Sukuna is the demon residing inside Itadori. He gained access when Itadori gulped one of his fingers. Sukuna found a perfect host in Itadori to regain his powers by gathering and gulping down all his fingers. Sukuna was a human sorcerer during the golden age of jujutsu 1000 years ago.
As Sukuna gave in to his greed for more power, he was killed by other sorcerers. After his death, he grew more powerful as a cursed spirit and came to be known as the ‘King of Curses’. To limit his power, his twenty fingers were kept sealed away in different places.
Itadori’s character has come to be a favorite due to this demon trope done right. Sukuna, the demon residing inside Itadori is merciless and cruel enough to kill its host.
Itadori can mostly control its outbursts but there are times when he can grow weak as well, Sukuna doesn’t leave any opportunity to rampage around. The Jujutsu Kaisen manga is ongoing and hence holds huge expectations for the relationship between Sukuna and Itadori.
While demonic entities come in with ruthless cold thoughts of destroying their host and surroundings, sometimes the protagonist is able to make a formidable relationship with them to change their perspective.
Surely, this is just an animated way of saying that the real demons reside within oneself. Anime makes the trope cooler with its story-telling and other elements.
Stay tuned with Recent Highlights as will be publishing more listicles like this in the future. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments down below and do follow this article with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.
