3 Anime Mentors Who Changed Their Heroes' Lives Forever
Mentor figures in anime are those who have the most impact on the protagonist. They train them beyond their limits and teach them important life lessons throughout their respective series, even inspiring fans. While all of them are pivotal to a protagonist's development, a select few mentors in anime have drastically shaped the destinies of heroes.
These mentors don't just offer wisdom or advice to the protagonist as the series progresses. All five have sacrificed something or committed an act that would forever change the protagonist and, as a result, even the narrative.
That decision wasn't a light one, as he was aware of the danger it posed for Deku. However, All Might trusted that the protagonist had the potential to become the greatest hero. Although Deku's journey was traumatic and many villains would push his limits, he eventually fulfilled his dream. He was arguably a bigger inspiration than All Might for many, including a few villains. Still, without All Might's help and sacrifice to diminish his own Quirk, Izuku Midoriya wouldn't have come so far, and My Hero Academia wouldn't even exist.
Shanks had acquired Luffy's Devil Fruit, publicly known as the Gum-Gum Fruit back then, by stealing it from Who's-Who. While it's not revealed yet in One Piece what he intended to do with it, Luffy's hunger did not discriminate, and he ate it. Moreover, the mountain bandit kidnapped Luffy on a boat as revenge against Shanks. When the Sea King attacked the boat, Shanks came to the boy's rescue, sacrificing his arm in the process. While later chapters reveal a hidden ulterior motive, Shanks' bravery is fundamental to Luffy's resolve.
Jiraiya's death forces Naruto to face the truth and understand the cycle of hatred. Although his parents died, the protagonist never knew them and hadn't experienced real loss until Jiraiya, who became like a father figure during their travels together. Naruto's grief and anger allowed him to sympathize with Sasuke and put himself in his rival's perspective. Moreover, he mastered Sage Mode to honor Jiraiya's memory and fulfill his dream of peace. Without this tragic turning point, Naruto's profound themes wouldn't have worked as effectively.
These mentors don't just offer wisdom or advice to the protagonist as the series progresses. All five have sacrificed something or committed an act that would forever change the protagonist and, as a result, even the narrative.
All Might
My Hero Academia is one of the most popular hero genre anime of all time. Izuku Midoriya, mostly known as Deku, was born Quirkless, but was still determined to become a hero. On one fateful day, he met All Might, his idol and Number 1 Hero. After witnessing the protagonist save others at the risk of his own life, All Might decided Deku was worthy of his Quirk, One For All, one of the most powerful in My Hero Academia.You may also like
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That decision wasn't a light one, as he was aware of the danger it posed for Deku. However, All Might trusted that the protagonist had the potential to become the greatest hero. Although Deku's journey was traumatic and many villains would push his limits, he eventually fulfilled his dream. He was arguably a bigger inspiration than All Might for many, including a few villains. Still, without All Might's help and sacrifice to diminish his own Quirk, Izuku Midoriya wouldn't have come so far, and My Hero Academia wouldn't even exist.
Shanks
One Piece's world is vast, but it revolves around Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, who currently holds the Mythical Zoan Fruit, the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika. Although his journey began when he was 17 years old, it was ‘Red-Haired’ Shanks who sowed the seeds when he was 7 years old. Without Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates staying on Foosha, Luffy would not have desperately wanted to become a pirate nor aimed to be the King of Pirates. However, Shanks' influence runs deeper than this.Shanks had acquired Luffy's Devil Fruit, publicly known as the Gum-Gum Fruit back then, by stealing it from Who's-Who. While it's not revealed yet in One Piece what he intended to do with it, Luffy's hunger did not discriminate, and he ate it. Moreover, the mountain bandit kidnapped Luffy on a boat as revenge against Shanks. When the Sea King attacked the boat, Shanks came to the boy's rescue, sacrificing his arm in the process. While later chapters reveal a hidden ulterior motive, Shanks' bravery is fundamental to Luffy's resolve.
Jiraiya
Although Kakashi Hatake is the more popular mentor figure among Naruto fans, Jiraiya had the most impact on Naruto as a character. Without the Toad Sage, the protagonist would never have grown as a person and become Hokage. Masashi Kishimoto goes about it devastatingly, with Jiraiya's demise at the hands of his former pupil, Nagato, making it one of the saddest anime deaths. However, it was an important lesson for Naruto.Jiraiya's death forces Naruto to face the truth and understand the cycle of hatred. Although his parents died, the protagonist never knew them and hadn't experienced real loss until Jiraiya, who became like a father figure during their travels together. Naruto's grief and anger allowed him to sympathize with Sasuke and put himself in his rival's perspective. Moreover, he mastered Sage Mode to honor Jiraiya's memory and fulfill his dream of peace. Without this tragic turning point, Naruto's profound themes wouldn't have worked as effectively.
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