Hmmm HxH admittedly, HnG definately, but I'd debate the Houshin Engi one...

Taikoubou is probably the most altruistic protaganist I've come across to date because the way I read it, his dream *was* everyone else's dream. No way he went through all that shit for himself. He would have been just as happy meditating in Kunlun. In the end of book 23, when he finally fufilled the task he was set, well, the last few pages of the manga gave me the feeling he didn't really know what to do with his future, simply because he's lived for everyone else's lives for so long. How it ends with him staring at the sky and all, struck me as lonely and somewhat sad.

Of course it -has- been a long time since I've read Houshin so...

(Shaman King? ambition? er..? Yoh? I have only read like...3 volumes. He's the most ambitionless character I've ever seen...--")

No, no, both of you are right on Houshin, my mistake there. I think the obnoxious/idiotic character type (or pretending to be on the surface)is forever connected with the self-centered type in my brain. I'll think more before I type next time, it's just that all all my fav shounen series decided to pop up at the same time an dI just blah'd without brain connecting^^;; Forgive me.

But yes, the ending to HE was very sad, yet extremely fitting. I've a whole list of reasons as to why it's the right ending, and I'll probly go into much depth when I can think straight. But one of them is definitely what Amei said, but I also think it relate back to the whole reason why Taikobou started the whole thing in the first place. No interference by the greater powers indeed. And then, there's the whole temptation of wanting to change the course of history now that he has the power, not that I'm saying he would, but it's there nonetheless, and Taikoubou (or would that be Fukki?) is wise enough to realise there will be times that he would be tempted if he were to involve himself with the workings of the worlds. But it's sad, and I just want to give him the biggest hug ever *sigh*

As for SK, well, Charmian pretty much said everyting I wanted to say, so, I'll just nod and agree ^^

I should reaaally start on Houshin no Engi - I know you've explained the plot to me multiple times, but for some strange reason I can never hold on to the story. o__O

I love more than 3/4s of the manga and anime that you've listed - I've always been a sucker for that kind of thing, protagonists growing stronger and more mature through the course of the story. And yes, it is the obnoxious factor that makes them so appealing. I'd prefer that rather than snivelling kids who sit in a corner and sulk because they're unwilling to do something about their hangups.

Hmm, I'd contend that it's possible to be self-centered about their dreams, but aware of how it affects others around them. Because in the end, half of them do what they do because they are driven by other ppl's needs or situations.

Except Griffith, of course. ^^

PerSeiD