The Main Character doesn't always have to defeat the big threat and I will always appreciate it when more anime and such branch out on that.
After Watching One Piece(I know, good start)I've come to the conclusion that I feel like not every big arc enemy has to be defeated solely by the MC and they don't always have to steal the spotlight away from other side characters who realistically should defeat them.
Like I'm sorry but Doflamingo absolutely should've been killed by Law cause not only did Doffy ruined his life but it also would've been more satisfying but Oda had to give Doffy plot armor by holding his organs together after they were literally destroyed by Law..which I'm sorry but it just feels like Oda did thar sorely so he could show off Luffy's new Gear and defeat him but it also feels cheap cause Law got robbed out of a victory and I will always appreciate it when other animes actually don't have the MC be the one to sorely defeat the main villain and actually either has them has a ton of help and teamwork or they're not the ones to finish them off.
I personally find that way more satisfying and even subversive then "oh the MC solves all the issues,Horray" and this is where I feel like Black Clover and Jujutsu Kaisen Shine massively cause of how heavily those series focus on teamwork and working with others to get the Dub,especially Black Clover.
Asta very seldomly finishes off a big arc threat on his own like Vetto or Lucifero and almost always has help and major assistance and hell,in Vetto's case,Yami was the one who defeated and killed Vetto.
Magna also was the one who defeated Dante and that had everyone hyped as hell cause this guy actually defeated a Main arc villain on his own using nothing but fisticuffs + this is also where Jujutsu Kaisen does shine cause Yuji doesn't really defeat the main arc villain alone without a ton of help or assistance and I also feel like that's really nothing to be ashamed of or be called a fraud over..cause like,how is it fraudulent to want to need help when dealing with opponents stronger then you?
One Piece has a really predictable formula where they always have Luffy fight the big main arc,Zoro and Sanji fight the 2nd in commands,Nami and Robin fight the Woman of the groups and the others..I dunno,Oda kinda just let's them do whatever and I don't mean the MC should never defeat a main arc villain but it doesn't have to always happen constantly.
I also feel like doing so allows the main cast and overall side cast to really shine and show off what they can do cause what better way to do so then let them take down big threats the MC usually does or at least show off heavy support roles and situations?
Hell,one of my favorite fights in Anime is Team Natsu vs Hades cause that's a good way to showcase how well a team works together without making the MC feel useless or like he's hogging all the spotlight, and Natsu and Gray vs Mard Gear is another good fight cause Gray was the MVP of that battle and delivered the final blow.
See?the MC doesn't have to hog all the spotlight and focus and such when in battles and the side characters and other members of the main cast can be important in their own ways in battles like that as well and I feel like Oda's issues are he very seldomly utilizes the "Weak Trio" right in fights and battles and of course they look weak cause their powers and skillsets are way more made for support roles and making them basically useless is never the way to go.
Hell,Avatar the Last Airbender solved that big time whenever they're in major battles.
You should never have your MC hog all the spotlight and fame.
Posted Jul 25, 2026, 7:47 PM UTC