Alright, today we will be proposing a rather unorthodox candidate, the protagonist of a Shonen Jump title. In fact, not just any Jump work, but one of the most lighthearted ones with barely any fighting, much rather a glorified "slice of life" work about a family of three which only exists because of the patriarch being a spy needing to do so for a mission, and he will be our target today.
What's The Work?[]
SPY x FAMILY is a 2019 manga written by Tatsuya Endo and published in Shonen Jump+ and still ongoing today. In 2021, it was adapted into an anime which has had two seasons and also is ongoing as well.
Who is He?[]
Loid Forger, also known by his spy name Twilight, is the main protagonist of the series.
What Makes Him a Seinen Hero?[]
Basic Qualifications[]
- Heroic: Loid has foiled Keith Kepler's plan to initiate a war between Westalis and Ostania.
- Cynical: Loid can often be rather cynical about his family (such as believing Yor was an SSS informant), and often comes up with plans to assist him in proving or disproving these thoughts.
- Apathetic: Due to his rough upbringing and his job, Loid has become rather distanced from other people and their needs.
- Even after becoming a husband/father, he still retains this apathy for most people.
- Stoic: Loid has been shown to be rather strict, and does not reveal his emotions unless really needed.
- Mature: Credited mostly to his past as a war orphan, Loid shows himself as rather mature.
- Realistic: After finding out that Ostanians were far more human than he was told, Loid vowed to never allow him get close to unfounded views.
Bonus Qualifications[]
- Has Killer Instinct: As a seasoned spy, Loid has been shown to kill foes without a flinch.
- Reckless: To stop Keith and minimize casualties, Loid allowed himself to be bitten by the bomb dog to remove the bomb attached to him.
- Tragic Past: As a child, Loid was caught in the crossfire of a war between Ostania and Westalis and became orphaned as a result.
- Hard-Boiled: Throughout the series, Loid has been portrayed to be rather cold and hardly gets emotional.
Verdict?[]
Yes. While he comes from one of Jump's most lighthearted works, Loid undoubtedly qualifies as a seinen hero due to his serious nature.