7 Dad Protagonists in Anime Who Are Also the Heroes of Their Own Stories

Everyone has a father figure in their life. Even the most famous anime characters have parents, but sometimes they are unaware of it. Some of the protagonists, like Son Goku and Naruto Uzumaki, became fathers later in the story. While there are several popular dads in the anime-verse, there are only a few who are also the protagonists of the story.

Most of the time, they are side characters or barely have any screen time. But this list is all about those rare ones who are both dads and main characters. These characters are great protagonists and loving fathers in every sense of the word.

Note: The list includes dad protagonists who are the main characters in an anime, not anime dads who are part of the supporting cast.

1. Kohei Inuzuka

• Anime: Sweetness and Lightning

Kohei Inuzuka depicts an ideal single dad who is doing everything for his daughter. After his wife’s death, the protagonist has been going through a tough time since it is not easy to raise a child as a single parent. He has to manage his work as a teacher as well as look after his daughter. Kohei Inuzuka often ends up being frustrated with himself since he has to rely on readymade food to feed his daughter due to his lack of culinary skills. After reconnecting with a former pupil, Kotori Iida, the duo has been having some delicious and nutritious food at her restaurant.

Sweetness and Lightning is emotional and touching, and portrays a father-daughter journey to deal with grief, love, joy, etc., with a realistic plot.

2. Kazuki Kurusu

• Anime: Buddy Daddies

Kazuki Kurusu is the protagonist of Buddy Daddies and is always seen putting up a happy face. Kazuki is an assassin who works with Rei Suwa. He was a married man, but lost his wife because of an accident when she was pregnant. During an assassination, they ended up with the dead person’s daughter, Miri. Kazuki and Rei start to raise her as her daughter, with the former being a more father figure to her. Kazuki’s loving and caring nature made Miri believe he was her father, and likewise, she also started loving them.

Buddy Daddies is a great example that shows life might throw various things toward you, but in the end, only good things remain. Kazuki Kurusu, who once failed to become a father, had his wish fulfilled in the most unconventional manner.

3. Kakushi Gotou

• Anime: Kakushigoto

The Gotou household consists of Kakushi Gotou and his daughter Hime Gotou. The former is a manga artist who specializes in writing ecchi manga. However, Kakushi is reluctant to let his daughter find out about her profession since he fears that Hime might alienate herself from him because her innocence is hurt. Thus began the journey of a father who has a successful profession as well as a loving daughter, and has to make sure the two never coincide. Kakushigoto features a father’s love and fear while highlighting a deep emotional connection and a series of laughs in between.

4. Kotetsu T. Kaburagi

• Anime: Tiger & Bunny

Kotetsu T. Kaburagi is one of the most influential fathers/protagonists in the anime-verse. While Tiger & Bunny remains an underrated anime, it features the life of a superhero father who desires to spend more time with his daughter. Kotetsu is middle-aged and often clumsy, which is somewhat mediocre in a world where superheroes are commercialized. When he leaves his long-time partner, Barnaby, to be with his daughter, people often misunderstand him and go after his life. However, it has not diminished Kotetsu’s character even a bit. He highlights the guilt of not being with his daughter and his love for her, all while trying to balance things.

Tiger & Bunny’s foundation is laid on reconciliation and a moral compass, with Kotetsu as a father and a protagonist who excels in both.

5. Daikichi Kawachi

• Anime: Usagi Drop

Sometimes becoming a parent does not mean doing flashy stuff, but doing the ordinary parental tasks regularly, and that is what Daikichi Kawachi does in Usagi Drop. After finding out that his grandfather had an illegitimate 6-year-old daughter, he took her in while no one else would. With so much experience in parenting, Daikichi slowly starts to learn the way of a parent, sacrificing all the free time he had, lifestyle, career growth, etc., for his daughter. Even though he is not her biological father, he does everything a parent would do. Moreover, he did not keep babying her and made her learn to deal with problems, building an emotional connection with her.

Usagi Drop is a loving and humorous anime that explores what it truly means to be a parent.

6. Taro Sakamoto

• Anime: Sakamoto Days

Sakamoto Days was one of the most sought-after anime of 2025, with one of the reasons being wanting to see the legendary assassin in action. However, more than being a legendary assassin, the fans got to witness Taro Sakamoto being an ideal husband and a great father. He dearly loves his daughter and will not let any danger come near her. During the family’s visit to the Amusement Park, he made sure his daughter was safe and enjoying the rides while he was busy fighting assassins. Taro Sakamoto is a prime example of how having a family can turn a heinous criminal into the most adorable father.

Sakamoto Days is an entertaining anime that showcases a father figure literally and figuratively.

7. Loid Forger

• Anime: Spy x Family

Twilight, who goes by the alias of Loid Forger, is the adoptive father of Anya Forger in Spy x Family. Loid is a secret agent in disguise and needs to start a family for the fulfillment of his mission. While Anya is not his biological daughter, Loid is quite protective of her. The protagonist goes on family trips, visits the park, and enjoys delicious meals to make her feel comfortable. When she is in danger, Loid clears all the danger for her, with his acting wife, Yor, helping her. Often, Anya gets tired from the Forger family’s daily chores and falls asleep. Loid picks her up and takes her to bed or carries her home.

Spy x Family showcases how blood relations are not the ultimate way to make connections. Even a mission can bring out one’s protective nature and put their life in danger for people they barely know.

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