Train like a Shonen Hero!
Training can’t be accomplished without the virtue of discipline
Happy Friday, otakus! I hope you enjoyed celebrating the resurrection of our Lord during Easter!
Speaking of Easter, many of you probably participated in Lent, even if all you did was give up something like junk food, TV, or, in my case, energy drinks for 40 days.
Fasting is a way to train yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. It forces you to focus on other, more important things than what you’re fasting from. Your time and energy are redirected to hard things that, in the end, have big payoffs as opposed to short-term benefits like a full stomach.
To put it another way: Delayed gratification is greater than instant gratification. The latter is an easy trap to fall into in this age of smartphones and the Internet. Too many people want the results of the work without doing the work.
This is a huge part of what makes shonen anime protagonists appealing. Goku, Kenshin, Naruto, and Deku, just to name a few, almost never beat the bad guys on their first try. No, they usually get their keisters kicked, so they have to train for the rematch. If it’s Dragon Ball Z, that’ll last for 50 episodes to blast Frieza away in five (Sorry not sorry, DBZ fans!).
The training, often under the supervision of a mentor, requires the hero to reflect on his mistakes in the previous battle and discover a counter-tactic and/or learn a new technique/power-up (gotta sell them toys!) that will give him an edge in round two.
Kenshin had his reverse-blade sword broken by Sōjirō, so he sought a new blade from the swordsmith’s son and additional training from Master Hiko. Only then could he defeat his greatest enemy, the mummy-like Makoto Shishio.
Both Naruto and Deku have made whole careers out of screwing up, training, and pressing onward toward their goals.
You can practically set a clock to these arcs. You’d think audiences would get bored with it, but they don’t. In fact, after watching these anime, many otaku have been inspired to do things like hit the gym to get into better shape. I may crack jokes at DBZ, but I can’t deny the positive influence it’s had on its fans.
In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he gives the youth some advice that could’ve been said by a shonen hero’s mentor:
…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
~ 1 Timothy 4:8-10 ESV.
Physical training builds character; it instills determination and endurance (both physical and mental). Without virtue, a well-honed body means little. That’s why they must go hand-in-hand. In fact, training can’t be accomplished without the virtue of discipline, which only grows through training. It’s a beautiful cycle.
Have you failed at something? Train like a shonen protagonist to overcome that obstacle!
Memory Verse: “…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)
Weekly Missions: What’s something you’re struggling with? Your health? Discipline yourself to eat a healthier diet or start going to the gym. Is it a test in school? Set aside time to study for that, even if it means hiding your phone in the next room in silent mode. Maybe you play sports. Practice, practice, practice.
BtT in Review
We dropped a flurry of first impression posts this week as the spring 2026 anime season delivered dozens of premieres. Check out our master post as we covered series like Witch Hat Atelier, Mao, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten2, Akane-banashi, Re:ZERO S4, and much, much more!
Twwk interviewed Matsumoto Dai, the frontman for the J-Rock band, Enfants, while the group was in Austin for SXSW. Check out his thoughts on returning to the state and sharing his music with disaffected youth, and don’t forget the other two interviews we conducted—with rocker Fuyuko Shiori of FINLANDS and singer-songwriter REJAY.
This week’s Reader’s Corner is a lesson in how vast the world of manga and manhwa is! With series crossing over a wide variety of genres and subgenres, from fantasy to romance, music to adventure, and isekai to detective stories, we’ve got it all (well, a lot of it!) covered with our reviews.
Holy Week has passed, but we encourage you to continue to think about Easter and how Jesus served as a bridge for us through his death and resurrection.
Last Friday, we posted a joyous, colorful illustration of Frieren and Himmel for Fanart Friday.
Have a wonderful weekend, friends, and God bless! See you next week!
You know I recently watched a YouTube video from impact video ministries, it talked about how to develop self control, highlighting exercise but especially building a strong spiritual base! I honestly think God wants me to take this seriously, and I sincerely ask for you guys’ prayers 🙏✨ this is an amazing article!