There is an interesting article on Overcoming Bias by Eliezer Yudkowsky on the phrase “Tsuyoku Naritai” translated there as “I want to be stronger.” In brief:
a sentiment embodied more intensely in Japanese works than in any Western literature I’ve read. You might say it when expressing your determination to become a professional Go player – or after you lose an important match, but you haven’t given up – or after you win an important match, but you’re not a ninth-dan player yet – or after you’ve become the greatest Go player of all time, but you still think you can do better. That is tsuyoku naritai, the will to transcendence.
Wow. This is the first time I’ve heard of Tsuyoku Naritai, but without any doubt, I can definitely see now that it’s part of what gives anime its appeal. Heck, Hikaru no Go, anyone? It was the first thing I thought about reading the above (I haven’t seen that series yet, so I’m not entirely sure how well it fits). Most Google results for the phrase are anime lyrics! This will to self-improvement is just one thing that makes anime characters stand out from characters in contemporary fiction in the U.S., and easily drives character development.