Forget Naruto, Shonen Jump’s New Greatest Hero Is Official (and We’re Obsessed)

WARNING! This article contains spoilers for Black Clover Chapter #387.Naruto Uzumaki earned his place in history as one of anime’s greatest heroes. The story of the hyperactive, troublemaking ninja, who, after spending his childhood in solitude and enduring cold stares, managed to save the world and become the leader of his village, has resonated with fans worldwide. However, another Shōnen Jump manga has finally developed a protagonist capable of surpassing Naruto’s heroism.

Asta from Black Clover quickly won the fans’ hearts as another underdog protagonist, whose incredible perseverance and unwavering resolve to never give up were reminiscent of Naruto’s and just as satisfying to follow. But it’s in Black Clover‘s climax that Asta finally has his defining moment, reaching the pinnacle of heroism and becoming even more inspiring than Naruto.

Asta Fought for His Dream Until the Very End of Black Clover’s Story

In Black Clover chapter #387, during the climax of Judgment Day, Lucius continues to belittle Asta despite his numerous feats during the battle. Asta represented a flaw to Lucius as a mage without a drop of magical power; however, he managed to get back up time and again and keep fighting without losing hope.

After gaining the public’s support and influencing others with his actions throughout the story, which earn him the backing of both Hino Country and Diamond Kingdom mages in the final battle, Asta rejects Lucius’s ideals, stating that his imperfections and the frustrations he has suffered are what have shaped him and that his life belongs to himself alone.

This is the perfect conclusion to Asta’s journey as someone who consistently and systematically fought against prejudice with fervent strength. Asta demonstrated not only that the final villain of Black Clover was wrong all along, but also that none of his efforts throughout the story were in vain, proving himself worthy enough to become the next Wizard King.

How Asta Became Shōnen Jump’s Ultimate Underdog Hero

Although many fans view Naruto as anime’s ultimate underdog due to his childhood, this only feels true during the first part of the story, as it’s later revealed not only that he is the son of the Fourth Hokage, who also descended from a powerful clan characterized by its large chakra reserves, but also that he was a reincarnation all along.

While this doesn’t diminish Naruto’s achievements or effort, it does suggest he wasn’t lacking in talent or genetic advantage, as fans believed. On the other hand, Asta was always the opposite of everything the Clover Kingdom’s society valued. An orphan, magicless, a commoner, and a member of a guild of misfits, there wasn’t a single moment when Asta wasn’t looked down on.

Even so, Asta surpassed his limits by demonstrating the value of anti-magic, physical training, and the Black Bulls, showcasing his strength and standing proudly alongside Yuno, the embodiment of talent and a prodigy mage beloved by mana. That way, Black Clover conveys its message that hard work can overcome natural talent, making Asta a relatable protagonist for fans.

Naruto Was About Destiny, but Black Clover Was Always About Hard Work

Despite the many themes addressed in Naruto, the series’ main message is that destiny isn’t set in stone, and it’s possible to break the cycle of hatred by placing our hopes in others to achieve a better future. For this reason, his dynamic with Sasuke is the central thread of the story, and becoming Hokage takes a backseat for Naruto.

This is evident in the fact that Naruto’s potential to become Hokage was never truly questioned, as he had secured the position by the end of Pain Assault’s arc, to the point that many fans believe the story could have ended there. In contrast, in Black Clover, Asta consistently struggled to avoid being overshadowed by Yuno, who was constantly gaining power.

Asta defies expectations, from building muscle to compensate for his lack of magic (something unthinkable among mages) to befriending a demon. Asta’s struggle is easy for fans to understand, as they can empathize with what it feels like to face difficult circumstances in pursuit of a goal. This makes Asta a perfect shōnen hero to identify with.

Asta Is About To Have Shōnen Jump’s Most Rewarding Manga Ending

As Black Clover‘s manga nears its ending, who will become the next Wizard King is about to be answered with a final showdown between Asta and Yuno. While it may be obvious to many readers that Asta will be the one to receive the torch from Julius, it is no less satisfying for fans to see that great moment arrive.

Despite the circumstances surrounding the manga’s release schedule, which made the final arc feel a bit rushed to many, Black Clover‘s ending won’t be as controversial as other Shōnen Jump series like Naruto and Bleach, as Asta’s journey has felt rewarding to fans.

Besides remaining true to himself until the very end, what truly sets Asta apart from other heroes is undoubtedly how, despite his inability to use magic, he managed to rival someone with an innate talent for it and compete on equal footing. Since Black Clover‘s finale will solidify Asta’s legacy, fans should definitely look forward to its release.