In Shonen anime, it is a common trope for the protagonist’s family to be absent, be it through tragic circumstances or mysterious disappearances. They are often left to brave the world alone, with no one to turn to.
That’s where a step-in father figure comes in! The vital role of a parent, or more specifically, a father, is often overlooked. But they are responsible for shaping the way their kids turn out, protecting them and turning them into the best possible versions of themselves. These are some of the best examples of men who have stepped into the fatherly role and have protected their adoptive children, through thick and thin.
10 Yato - Noragami
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One of anime’s most iconic adoptive father-son pairings is Yato and Yukine from Noragami. Though not necessarily a father, Yato takes on the mantle as teenager Yukine’s protector.
Their relationship is rocky at first, but as the show progresses, their bond truly blooms. They always have each other's backs, despite finding each other annoying.
9 Gintoki Sakata – Gintama
Gintoki takes on the role of a surrogate father figure to Shinpachi and Kagura in Gintama. Both children are alone, left without proper adult supervision. Kagura, an alien girl, grew up with a broken family, while Shinpachi’s biological father passed away when he was young.
Gintoki remained the sole constant adult male figure in their lives. He may drink a lot of alcohol and is an utter slob, but at the end of the day, he is always there to support them. In one episode, Kagura even refers to him as her “earth dad!”
8 Loid Forger - Spy x Family
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Simply starting off as a means to an end, Loid adopted Anya to successfully execute a mission. He eventually learned that raising a family was a demanding responsibility, even if it was slightly dysfunctional.
In Spy X Family, Loid stepped up to the challenge of fatherhood. He even almost compromised his identity several times during missions for the sake of his adoptive family, Anya and Yor.
7 Kazuma Sohma - Fruits Basket
Following the death of his mother, Kyo was all alone – his biological father was abusive and rejected him, leaving him to fend for himself. Luckily, Kazuma Sohma was there to pick up the pieces and took Kyo in as an act of atonement.
Kyo was well taken care of by Kazuma. Despite the rejection and criticism by others, Kazuma continued to shower Kyo with love. He trained Kyo in the practice of martial arts to become stronger to deal with his burden of being The Cat in the Zodiac. He came to truly love Kyo, thinking of himself as the boy’s father.
6 Kaiza – Naruto
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In Naruto, Kaiza was a traveling fisherman who came to the Land of Waves for new opportunities and a new life. He once saved Inari from drowning, becoming his literal savior. He also taught him all of life’s important lessons, including how he must protect everything precious to him with “these two arms.” He then married Inari’s mother, becoming his actual stepdad and role model.
Kaiza attempted to stand up for what was right against Gato, which ended poorly. Gato mocked his ideologies, cutting off both of Kaiza’s arms before publicly executing him in front of Inari. He was a great and resilient role model until the sad and bitter end.
5 Naofumi Iwatani - Rising of Shield Hero
Though not exactly a father, Naofumi Iwatani makes a great makeshift parental guardian in Rising Of The Shield Hero. Upon teleporting into this fantasy world, Naofumi bought Raphtalia from a slave trader and raised her from childhood to adulthood. He ensures she is always well-fed and cared for, providing medicine when she is sick. In one cute scene, he even gives her a haircut!
She takes on the mantle as the sword to his shield, and he trains her to be a powerful warrior. When half-human, half-bird hybrid Filo is born, Naofumi raises her too, creating their own little makeshift family.
4 Igneel – Fairy Tail
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Igneel was a dragon that adopted Natsu, one of the main characters in Fairy Tail. Igneel taught his surrogate son Fire Dragon Slayer magic and raised him as his own. After the Eclipse Gate was opened, Igneel technically “vanished,” leaving Natsu with nothing but his memories of their time together.
Finding and reuniting with Igneel became Natsu’s driving force and motivation to become stronger. Igneel reappears, emerging out of Natsu’s heart, where he had been all along. He makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect Natsu from brutality of the dragon Acnologia.
3 Shirou Fujimoto - Blue Exorcist
Despite being hailed as the best Exorcist in the world, Shirou still took two literal Sons of Satan under his wing and loved them unconditionally. He raised Rin and Yukio with genuine love and affection, despite their half-human demon status.
Shirou committed the ultimate sacrifice to save both of his adoptive children, showing how he would lay down his life to ensure their safety.
2 Father Orsi Orfai - Black Clover
One morning, Orsi discovers the babies Asta and Yuno abandoned on the church's doorstep in Hage. He takes them in under his protection and raises them with the help of Sister Lily.
Although he isn’t their biological father, he treats Asta, Yuno and the other orphans like his own children.
IHe houses, feeds, and clothes them while emotionally nurturing them to be good people. He proves that family is not down to blood relations; it’s about a group of people who love and cherish each other no matter what. People could learn something from Black Clover!
1 All Might - My Hero Academia
Although technically his teacher, All Might takes on the role of Izuku Midoriya’s main father-figure and guardian. As a young child, seeing his idol, All Might, battling villains on T.V. is what inspired the then-Quirkless Midoriya to become a hero in the first place.
Throughout My Hero Academia, All Might constantly expresses how proud he is of Midoriya, which is touching to see. Midoriya’s mother even forces All Might to promise to take care of him while he’s at U.A. and to stay alive for him. All Might always tries to inspire Midoriya to become the world’s greatest hero and to follow in his footsteps.