Why are so many anime protagonists orphans or fatherless?

[Alligator Alcatraz]

srsly wtf

 

[The Mass Shooter Ron Soye]

Sometimes it's a plot point, like Hunter x Hunter. Sometimes both parents are gone to give the protagonist an empty house to have sexcapades in. Plenty of motherless bastards too. Also the trope of both parents died and the protagonist is left in the care of mean/evil extended family.

 

[The Luigi Player]

so they get cucked later on, or SEXXXXXXX

 

[A-Stump]

Adversity without any of the work. It's one of the easiest plot devices to pull out of your ass.

 

[ZsaZsaBinks]

Probably because people like hearing about dark themes in fiction. I know Roald Dahl had a lot of characters like this.

 

[Xarpho's Return]

I always thought Professor Oak was secretly Ash's father. That's why he gives Ash a Pikachu and tells him to fill out the Pokedex so he and Ash's mom are rid of him and can continue their affair.

How can it be an affair since they're both nominally unmarried and deeply care about their biological 10-year-old son?