💫 The Moment I Knew I Was Not the Side Character
There was a moment—I was maybe 13, in my room, probably rewatching Sailor Moon—when I realized something:
I wasn’t just vibing with the aesthetic. I wasn’t just watching it to escape.
I was watching it to remember myself.
Anime gave me something I hadn’t fully seen in the real world yet:
Girls who cried, spiraled, doubted themselves—
and still saved everything.
They were emotional. Dramatic. Over the top. And still powerful.
And that’s when I first felt it: anime main character energy.
“You don’t have to be perfect to be the protagonist. You just have to keep showing up—sparkles, tears, and all.”
🧠 What Is “Main Character Energy” (and Why Anime Gets It Right)?
“Main character energy” is more than a TikTok trend or an aesthetic.
It’s about taking up space in your own life. Walking like the plot depends on you.
Believing your presence changes something—even when you’re not okay.
In anime, the protagonist isn’t perfect. They mess up. They cry. They oversleep. They get roasted by their friends.
But they always:
- Believe in something
- Keep going
- Inspire others (even reluctantly)
- Tap into an inner strength no one else saw coming
Anime main characters are messy and powerful.
Which is what makes them relatable and aspirational at the same time.
✨ 5 Main Character Tropes That Hit Hard (and Why They Matter)
1. 💖 The Soft But Stubborn Girl
Examples: Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket)
She’s gentle. She’s sensitive. She’s underestimated.
But when it counts? She shows up harder than anyone.
Lesson: Kindness is a weapon. Sensitivity isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.
2. 🔥 The Chaotic Reluctant Hero
Examples: Yuji Itadori (Jujutsu Kaisen), Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
They didn’t ask for this life. But they rise to it anyway, messy hair and all.
Lesson: You don’t have to be ready—you just have to show up with heart.
3. 🧃 The Delulu Dreamer Who Never Quits
Examples: Naruto Uzumaki, Izuku Midoriya
They’re built on pure ambition and stubborn belief.
Lesson: Audacity + effort = unstoppable. Be cringe and go anyway.
4. 🖤 The Emotionally Wrecked But Iconic One
Examples: Homura (Madoka Magica), Levi (AOT)
They’ve got trauma. They’ve got silence. They’ve got a fanbase.
Lesson: Emotional depth doesn’t disqualify you—it elevates you.
5. 🎀 The Sparkly Baddie With Too Many Feelings
Examples: Tamaki (Ouran), Yuuji (Jujutsu Kaisen)
They cry. They flail. They slay.
Lesson: You’re allowed to be extra and effective.
🎭 Protagonist Power Moves (You Can Totally Steal)
Before we dive into the deep emotional stuff—let’s be real.
Main character energy is also about the drama.
Try these IRL:
- Narrate your internal monologue like you’re being filmed
- Strike a pose before answering a text
- Cry in aesthetic lighting only
- Speak one delusional line of power, then exit stage left
- Carry a snack like it’s plot-relevant
You’re not just doing life. You’re in an episode. Start acting like it.
💬 Why This Matters—Especially If You’re Marginalized
Growing up, I didn’t see a lot of Black girls getting the main character arc.
We were the sidekick. The comedic relief. The one with emotional labor, no arc.
Anime said: What if she spirals AND saves everyone?
What if softness wasn’t just allowed—but essential?
For many of us, anime was the first time we saw emotional girls, sad boys, queer-coded besties—being central.
“Main character energy hits harder when you’ve spent your whole life watching someone else be the lead.”
📖 Spot the Arc: Real-Life Plot Points You’re Already Living
You’re not just going through it. You’re in your development arc.
- Feeling triggered? That’s your backstory showing up.
- Saying no? That’s your boundaries episode.
- Making art while crying? Training montage.
- Romanticizing the tiny things? Slice-of-life filler ep.
- Tired but still posting? Final boss season, baby.
You’re not behind—you’re mid-season.
📺 How to Channel Anime Main Character Mindset IRL
1. Romanticize Your Routines
Light your candle like you’re sealing a contract.
Brush your teeth like you’re transforming.
Put on lip gloss like it’s war paint.
2. Let Yourself Cry, Then Get Up Anyway
Anime MCs always cry. It’s canon.
But they don’t stay on the floor. Neither do you.
3. Say Your Delulu Goals Out Loud
You want to be the best? SAY THAT.
Say it until it stops sounding weird and starts sounding inevitable.
4. Protect Your Energy Like It’s Sacred
Every MC has a power they have to protect.
Yours might be your time, your boundaries, or your peace.
5. Dress Like You’re Entering a Plot Twist
Outfit = energy alignment. Pajamas? Armor. Lip gloss? Spellwork.
You never know when a rival will show up.
🪞 MC Energy Check-In: 5 Questions to Ground You Today
Take 5 minutes and get real with yourself:
- What would the main character version of me choose today?
- What am I protecting with my energy?
- Where can I allow myself to be dramatic without shame?
- What tiny moment deserves romanticization today?
- Who is the side character I need to stop giving main character energy to?
This is the part where the music swells and you look in the mirror and remember who you are.
💬 Listen Babe, You Were Never the Sidekick
You’ve always had the main character arc.
You were just busy surviving the first season.
Anime didn’t just teach me about visuals and vibes.
It taught me that softness, emotion, chaos, and transformation aren’t distractions.
They’re the entire plot.
So go cry. Go glow. Go monologue in the bathroom.
“You’re the lead. Act accordingly.”
