Low teenage boy characters are both childlike and masculine. What is the appeal of these characters, sometimes called “Shota”?
The term “Shota” can describe various characterizations. From characters who are children both inside and out, like elementary school students, to those who appear to be young children, putting aside their actual age……. Each has its charm.
In this article, we will introduce 10 Shota characters you can enjoy in anime, along with the origin of the word “shota. Then, please look at the charms of the shota characters and our recommendations for each character.
- What is The Origin of Shota?
- 1. Nagisa Shiota / Assassination Classroom
- 2. Edogawa Conan / Detective Conan
- 3. Ciel Phantomhive / Black Butler
- 4. Shino Inuzaka / Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East
- 5. Reg / Made in Abyss
- 6. Trunks / Dragon Ball
- 7. Hotarumaru / Katsugeki Tougen Ranbu
- 8. Syaoran Li / CardCaptor Sakura
- 9. Mitsukuni Haninozuka / Ouran High School Host Club
- 10. Laphicet/ Tales of Berseria
- Summary
What is The Origin of Shota?
The word “Shota” comes from the name of the main character in Tetsujin 28-go, Shotaro Kaneda. It started when the editor-in-chief named the term “Shotaro Complex” after Shotaro Kaneda in a question-and-answer session in an anime magazine to refer to people who liked low-teen boy characters.
Shotaro Kaneda was a well-bred boy who looked good in short pants. “Shotaro complex” was first used to describe a boyish character like Shotaro Kaneda.
In this section, we will not use the term “Shotakon” but rather introduce underage boy characters and boy characters who look young for their age as Shotacharas.
1. Nagisa Shiota / Assassination Classroom
In the anime Assassination Classroom, Nagisa Shiota is the main character who also serves as the story’s narrator. He is a member of Class 3-E and is involved in the mission to assassinate their teacher, Koro-sensei. Throughout the series, Nagisa’s talent for killing gradually awakens.
Nagisa is a definite male character but has a hairstyle resembling twin tails and a delicate bone structure that can make him appear feminine. In the story, there are depictions where his classmates are surprised to learn that he is a boy. Furthermore, in the anime adaptation, Nagisa is voiced by Maaya Uchida, a female voice actress, which enhances his androgynous nature.
His small stature compared to other male students and his androgynous aura gives Nagisa a youthful impression for a third-year middle school student. However, he possesses the potential of a professional assassin, earning the respect of experts in the field. Furthermore, the contrast between his usual cheerful demeanour and his intense focus when he is determined to kill creates an intriguing and memorable character.
2. Edogawa Conan / Detective Conan
Regarding highly renowned elementary school characters in Japan, the protagonist of Detective Conan, Conan Edogawa, stands out.
Conan is the alter ego of high school detective Shinichi Kudo, and he deliberately behaves like a typical first-grade elementary school student to conceal his true identity. Using his childlike appearance as an advantage, Conan skillfully extracts information from adults and devises strategies to corner culprits, sometimes pretending to be mischievous. He maximizes the benefits of being a young child.
One of Conan’s distinctive features is that, except during cold seasons, he typically wears shorts, like a typical young boy. Along with his bow tie-shaped voice-changing device, he often sports a jacket and shorts, exuding a classic “young master” vibe.
Despite his youthful appearance, Conan is Shinichi Kudo on the inside. When you realize that he is meticulously playing the role of an elementary school student, every aspect of his character becomes endearing.
3. Ciel Phantomhive / Black Butler
Ciel Phantomhive is one of the main characters in Black Butler. He is depicted as around 13 years old and serves as the head of the Phantomhive noble family.
In addition to overseeing his territory, Ciel is a genius entrepreneur who has successfully expanded the Phantom Corporation and is the president. He has also contracted with the demon Sebastian Michaelis and works tirelessly to resolve unpublicized incidents as the “Queen’s Watchdog.”
Ciel has a tragic past and lives for the sake of revenge. His striking appearance, depicted in the beautiful and gothic art style by the original creator, Yana Toboso, combines with his tumultuous life, making him a famous and enigmatic bishōnen (beautiful boy) character. While he often displays a sarcastic and commanding demeanour, he shows more age-appropriate reactions in the presence of his childhood friend and fiancée, Elizabeth.
In addition to his facial design, please pay attention to Ciel’s attire, which reflects the fashion of the British aristocratic society in which he lives.
4. Shino Inuzaka / Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East
Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East, written by Miyuki Abe, features the protagonist Inuzuka Shino. Due to unavoidable circumstances, he has stopped aging and remains physically 13 years old, despite being 18 years old. Although he is internally 18 years old, his personality is surprisingly childlike, and there is little contrast between his appearance and behaviour.
Another protagonist, Inukawa Sousuke, always stands by Shino’s side as his guardian. Sousuke’s mature and sophisticated demeanour makes the contrast between his adulthood and Shino’s youthful appearance and beauty distinct.
Since childhood, Shino has been raised in female attire due to family circumstances. Moreover, it is mentioned that he was already famous as a beautiful girl at that time, so even in his male form, he possesses a captivating charm. The story revolves around the partnership of a beautiful boy and a handsome young man as they embark on a journey, making it an appealing work for those with a maiden’s heart.
5. Reg / Made in Abyss
Reg is a robot in the form of a young boy who appears in Made in Abyss. The protagonist, Riko, discovers him within the Abyss and brings him back with her. Once his functions are restored, he becomes Riko’s partner and accompanies her on their journey deeper into the Abyss.
Reg has lost his memories, including why he appears like a young boy. He uses wires in his arms to transport Riko and showcases his abilities by repelling enemies with his incinerator function. Additionally, since he is unaffected by the curse of the Abyss, he becomes an indispensable asset for Riko’s exploration.
He always adopts a style with his upper body exposed and wearing a cloak. Paying attention to his physique, which genuinely resembles a young boy’s, is noteworthy.
Despite being equipped with special functions, Reg is surprisingly timid and prone to crying. In terms of courage, Riko surpasses him. Nevertheless, his actions and behaviour resemble those of a real young boy, making him an endearing character, even as a robot.
6. Trunks / Dragon Ball
In Dragon Ball, there are numerous young characters, and here we introduce the child version of Trunks, commonly known as “Chibi Trunks.” His adventures can be enjoyed in the “Majin Buu Saga” when he is around eight.
He refers to Vegeta as his dad and Bulma as his mom, showcasing his status as the heir to Capsule Corporation. Furthermore, his close friendship with the similarly aged Goten is notable, as they engage in play fights beyond simple make-believe, displaying a childlike innocence.
As he undergoes training, Chibi Trunks becomes involved in battles as a member of the warrior group, displaying feats that rival those of adults.
In Trunks’ case, his future version, Future Trunks, also appears in the series. The contrast between the two versions highlights Chibi Trunks’ cuteness and cheeky personality even more.
7. Hotarumaru / Katsugeki Tougen Ranbu
Katsugeki Tougen Ranbu features a sword warrior named Hotarumaru, who wields the Oodachi sword. Despite being an Oodachi sword warrior, Hotarumaru has a petite stature of around 120cm.
There is no concept of human age in the world of sword warriors, but in terms of appearance, Hotarumaru resembles an elementary school student. He is often seen wearing a modified military uniform with noticeably short shorts.
In the series, many sword warriors who manifest from blades around 30cm long have youthful appearances, including several young boy characters. However, as an Oodachi sword warrior with a blade nearly 1m long, Hotarumaru stands out with his small stature. Most Oodachi sword warriors in the series are around 2m tall, making Hotarumaru a unique presence.
Despite his tiny body, Hotarumaru wields his massive Oodachi sword with incredible power, defeating enemies with his high attack capabilities. The stark contrast between his soft voice and impressive combat skills is captivating. If you enjoy adorable yet powerful young boys, Hotarumaru is the one.
8. Syaoran Li / CardCaptor Sakura
Syaoran Li is a boy who plays a unique role in the life of the protagonist, Sakura Kinomoto, in Cardcaptor Sakura.
Initially, he appears as an antagonist to Sakura, and his calm personality creates a sense of unease for her. However, through various twists and turns, they eventually become close.
While Li Syaoran usually maintains a calm demeanour, he is pretty shy. This contrast adds to his charm, and especially after he becomes aware of his feelings for Sakura, he starts showing more expressions befitting his age.
Although he first appears as an elementary school student, his character is also depicted during his time in middle school. As he grows, his expressions become more boyish, and he also has moments of being a calm and mature young man, which can be pretty captivating.
9. Mitsukuni Haninozuka / Ouran High School Host Club
Mitsukuni Haninozuka, also known as Honey-senpai, is one of the main characters in the shoujo manga series Ouran High School Host Club, created by Bisco Hatori.
Honey-senpai has a petite stature, standing at less than 150cm tall, and his large, watery eyes give him a childlike appearance. He is always seen carrying a stuffed bunny named “Usa-chan,” which adds to his youthful image. Despite this, he is a third-year high school student. He often speaks relaxedly, frequently adding “~ne” to the end of his sentences, further emphasizing his youthful demeanour.
However, behind his cute exterior lies a surprising contrast. Honey-senpai excels in academics, particularly in mathematics, where he ranks at the top of his class. He is also a skilled martial artist, reaching a level of expertise that could rival national champions. Additionally, he possesses extraordinary destructive power, often described as on par with weapons. These qualities have earned him a reputation for being a legend in his own right.
There are moments when Honey-senpai enters a terrifying state called “Black Honey,” where his behaviour and demeanour become entirely different from his usual self. He showcases an utterly unexpected side based on his appearance in these instances. Despite the eccentricities of the other club members, Honey-senpai is no less remarkable, possessing his own unique and strong personality.
10. Laphicet/ Tales of Berseria
Laphicet, or Phi, is a 10-year-old Malak boy who appears in Tales of Berseria. Due to unavoidable circumstances, he teams up with the protagonist, Velvet, and begins to accompany her on her journey.
Originally, Laphicet lived as a tool, obediently following orders, and he didn’t even have a name at first. Finally, velvet bestows the title “Laphicet” upon him, and from then on, he starts to search for his way of living.
The voice of Laphicet is provided by Anzu Asakura, who typically doesn’t portray male children. This enhances his androgynous aura. Despite his feminine appearance, he possesses the characteristics of a boy, such as being fascinated by insects and getting embarrassed around women. However, his curiosity is also abundant, and as he becomes more lively, it becomes one of his charms.
Summary
We have introduced boys who look young, especially the low-teen characters. Boys change significantly, especially as they grow taller and their voices lower. The time when they can be called boys will soon be over.
Shota characters that capture that moment may be more appealing because they are fleeting.