Why Asta is Shonen’s Real Underdog

 

Why Asta is Shonen’s Real Underdog

 

We all love a good story about a weak hero who starts at the bottom and climbs to the top through hard work.

As modern shonen series go on a frustrating pattern shows up. We find out the "self-made" hero is actually the child of a warrior or a reincarnation of a god. The message of "hard work is important" gets ruined by special powers and destiny.

That’s where Asta from Black Clover comes in.

In a world where magic decides your status and worth Asta was born with nothing. No magic, no powers and no prophecy. While other series use the "Chosen One" trope Black Clover keeps its character a genuine underdog.

The Problem with Fake Underdogs

To see why Asta is refreshing look at the series that came before him:

     ·      Naruto: He was a kid who failed in school but turned out to be the son of a famous leader and had special powers.

•      Luffy (One Piece): His rubber powers seemed weak at first. Turned out to be connected to a legendary god.

·       Ichigo (Bleach): He had a heritage. Part Soul Reaper, part Quincy and part Hollow.

These stories are great. They change the message. They imply that to succeed you need to have the background.

Starting from Zero

Asta doesn’t have a special bloodline as per it’s not revealed in the series. He is a person with no magic.

Because of this he couldn’t rely on powers to solve his problems. He spent his childhood doing exercises and lifting objects. His strength isn’t a gift; it’s the result of work. If he doesn't train he gets weaker.

Anti-Magic is Not a Shortcut

Some people say: "But he has a grimoire and a devil!"

This is misunderstood. Anti-Magic doesn’t make him instantly win or give him a boost. It simply cancels out his opponents magic. It forces them to
fight him without the help of magic.

If an enemy throws a rock or attacks him fast Astas swords can't cancel it out. He only wins because he is physically strong and smart in combat and those attack don’t consist of mana only brute force.

 

The Outcast Team

The part? The special grimoire didn’t choose Asta because he was a prophesied hero. It chose him because he was the person weak enough to use it.

The book contains a devil who also has no magic. Anyone with magic would lose their energy if they touched it. Asta’s biggest weakness. His lack of magic. Became his strength. They are two outcasts teaming up to survive. And the Anti magic it’s not a type of magic it’s type of technique use deflect or cut or simply state the opposite of magic.

 

Final Thoughts

By not giving Asta a lineage Black Clover creates a hero whose victories feel earned. When Asta fights an enemy it isn’t destiny that helps him. It’s the result of his hard work.

 

What do you think? Is Asta the true shonen underdog? Let me know in the comments, below!