Characters like Naruto, Deku, Kaneki, Yato, Eren, Ikoma are all characters that start off as being weak. they are saved by someone or the other after they make their huge claims. is giving a character a feeble initial state the bet starting point in every new story.
I would not say Naruto started off as the underdog. The focus was always on him. I would reiterate what you said to perhaps the main character always being looked upon as the underdog. – Yvonne T.5 years ago