Features Overview

These films, tv shows, and comics/mangas have orphan or adopted lead characters.

*Many of the following have mature and/or violent content

Anime Films

The Boy and the Beast

When a young orphaned boy living on the streets of Shibuya stumbles upon a fantastic world of beasts, he's taken in by a gruff warrior beast looking for an apprentice. - IMDB [image from Wiki]

Nausicaa Valley of the Wind

One thousand years have passed since the Seven Days of Fire, an apocalyptic war that destroyed civilization and created the vast Toxic Jungle, a poisonous forest swarming with giant mutant insects. In the kingdom of the Valley of the Wind, a prophecy predicts a savior "clothed in a blue robe, descending onto a golden field". Nausicaä, the princess of the Valley of the Wind explores the jungle and communicates with its creatures, including the gigantic, trilobite-like armored Ohm. She hopes to understand the jungle and find a way for it and humans to co-exist. - Wiki [image from Wiki]

Princess Mononoke

In Muromachi Japan, an Emishi village is attacked by a demon. The last Emishi prince, Ashitaka, kills it before it reaches the village, but its corruption curses his right arm. The curse gives him superhuman strength, but will eventually spread through his body and kill him. The villagers discover that the demon was a boar god, Nago, corrupted by an iron ball lodged in his body. The village's wise woman tells Ashitaka that he may find a cure in the western lands Nago came from, but he cannot return to his homeland. Before Ashitaka leaves, his sister, Kaya, gives him her crystal dagger so that he will not forget her. - Wiki [image from Wiki]

Animes & Manga

Hunter x Hunter - The story follows a young boy named Gon Freecss, who was told all his life that both his parents were dead. But when he learns from Kite, an apprentice of his father Ging Freecss, that he is still alive and has since become an accomplished Hunter, Gon leaves his home on Whale Island (くじら島, Kujira Tō) to take the Hunter Examination (ハンター試験, Hantā Shiken) in order to become a Hunter like him. - Wiki

Fruits Basket - tells the story of Tohru Honda, an orphan girl who, after meeting Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure Soma, learns that twelve members of the Soma family are possessed by the animals of the Chinese zodiac and are cursed to turn into their animal forms when they are weak, stressed, or when they are embraced by anyone of the opposite sex that is not possessed by a spirit of the zodiac. - Wiki

Bungou Stray Dogs - Nakajima Atsushi was kicked out of his orphanage, and now he has no place to go and no food. While he is standing by a river, on the brink of starvation, he rescues a man, Dazai Osamu. He and his partner Kunikida are members of a very special detective agency. They have supernatural powers and deal with cases that are too dangerous for the police or the military. - IMDB

One Piece - The series focuses on Monkey D. Luffy, a young man who, inspired by his childhood idol and powerful pirate "Red Haired" Shanks, sets off on a journey from the East Blue Sea to find the titular treasure and proclaim himself the King of the Pirates.

Dragon Ball - The story follows the adventures of Son Goku, from childhood to adulthood, as he trains in martial arts and explores the world in search of the Dragon Balls, seven magical orbs that summons a wish-granting dragon when gathered. Along his journey, Goku makes several friends and battles villains, many of whom also seek the Dragon Balls.

Fairy Tail - The world of Earth-land is home to numerous guilds where wizards apply their magic for paid job requests. Natsu Dragneel, a Dragon Slayer wizard from the Fairy Tail guild, explores the Kingdom of Fiore in search of his missing adoptive father, the dragon Igneel. During his journey, he befriends a young celestial wizard named Lucy Heartfilia and invites her to join Fairy Tail. Lucy forms a team with Natsu and his cat-like Exceed partner, Happy, which is joined by other guild members: Gray Fullbuster, an ice wizard; Erza Scarlet, a magical knight; and Wendy Marvell and Carla, another Dragon Slayer and Exceed duo. The team embarks on numerous missions together, which include subduing criminals, illegal dark guilds, and ancient Etherious demons created by Zeref, a wizard cursed with immortality and deadly power.

Black Butler - The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, a thirteen-year-old boy head of the Phantomhive household, an aristocratic family known as the Queen's Watchdog. He is tasked with solving crimes in London's underworld. Ciel has formed a contract with Sebastian Michaelis to seek revenge against those who tortured him and murdered his parents. Sebastian is a demon who has taken on the disguise of a butler, and in exchange for his services, he will be allowed to consume Ciel's soul.

Other anime/manga stories with adopted or orphaned leads - Fate Stay the Night, Soul Eater, Naruto, Fire Force, Blue Exorcist, Demon Slayer, Bleach, The Promised Neverland, School Babysitters,

Comics Book Characters

DC Comic: Batman, Superman, Supergirl, Flash, Beast Boy, Dick Grayson (Robin/Nightwing), Starfire, Aquaman, etc.

Marvel Comic: Loki & Thor, Peter Parker (Spiderman), Captain Marvel, Rogue, Storm, Scarlet Witch, Quake, Iron Fist, etc.

Other Fictional Adoptee Characters: TV & Films

Animated Films: Kungfu Panda, Despicable Me

Live-Action Films: Star Wars, Stewart Little, Annie, Odd Life of Timothy Green, Matilda, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Wizard of Oz

Disney - Lilo & Stitch, Jessie (TV show), Jungle Book, Tarzan, Winnie the Pooh, Meet the Robinsons, Moana, etc. (many of the Disney princesses and other lead characters are orphaned)

TV- Shows: Stranger Things (Eleven), Flinstones (Bamm Bamm), Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Avatar the Last Airbender, Pucca, Queen’s Gambit

Superhero Shows - The Flash, X-Men, Green Arrow, Agents of Shield, Wonda & Vision, Jessia Jones