Are Characters in Western Comics Actually "Superheroes"?

I have noticed a lot of people downgrading comics, because it is mostly filled with "superheroes". What is truly a superhero though? A hero is the protagonist of a story. If that is the case shouldn't any protagonist with powers not of this world be a superhero? When people think of superheroes they think of men and women in tights fighting criminals. While a majority of comic characters that are considered superheroes do fall under that category, quite a few don't fit the description. I don't consider characters like Spawn, Hellboy, Hulk, Silver Surfer, Zatanna, and Ghost Rider "superheroes". They are still are considered superheroes though. If that is case shouldn't characters like Naruto, Megaman, Samus, Goku, etc be superheroes(since they all have super powers and are the protagonists)? Thank you for reading and please share your thoughts.

Well Samus and Megaman don't really have super powers, just their suits. But anyway characters without any powers, would just be heroes. Characters with powers though can be superheroes or just heroes. 

I like to think eastern heroes where everyday clothes as oppose to costumes and spandex. Most of the Eastern series I tend to read have their heroes in their uniforms or everyday outfits. I think Superheroes here in the west tend to have costumes because that is what most western comic book readers grew up reading. I think it is just a difference in style mostly. My problem with comic books of the west is that there is not enough variety when it comes to them. I think there is to much of one genre for me to actually take comic books seriously.

@Jorgevy said:

they are superheroes, just not costumed superheroes or vigilantes. Goku, Naruto all those they have super powers and they are heroes, so, do the math!

I understand what you mean and you are correct, but one thing some manga fans(no offense to anyone, but this is based off what I have seen I am not targeting all manga fans just a few in the population) say is that comics are full of superheroes there is no variety unlike manga. So what makes the likes of Goku and Naruto not superheroes? I agree with what you say though.

@joeagentofhand1 said:

@Jorgevy said:

they are superheroes, just not costumed superheroes or vigilantes. Goku, Naruto all those they have super powers and they are heroes, so, do the math!

I understand what you mean and you are correct, but one thing some manga fans(no offense to anyone, but this is based off what I have seen I am not targeting all manga fans just a few in the population) say is that comics are full of superheroes there is no variety unlike manga. So what makes the likes of Goku and Naruto not superheroes? I agree with what you say though.

Manga fans should definitely not be talking about lack of variety >.< this is coming from someone who reads manga as well as western comics.

@joeagentofhand1:

Goku causes more harm than good, he is irresponsible and without the dragon-balls he would be worse off than the villains. Note that he prolongs the battle when he could end them then and there, in GT the usage bites them hard in the ass when syn shenron emerges.

@Twentyfive said:

They are all superheroes. They have powers and fight evil. That's enough for anyone.

This explains it fully,

Also don't confuse superheros and anti-heros in the same categories.

@blackwolf0925 said:

I like to think eastern heroes where everyday clothes as oppose to costumes and spandex. Most of the Eastern series I tend to read have their heroes in their uniforms or everyday outfits. I think Superheroes here in the west tend to have costumes because that is what most western comic book readers grew up reading. I think it is just a difference in style mostly. My problem with comic books of the west is that there is not enough variety when it comes to them. I think there is to much of one genre for me to actually take comic books seriously.

I disagree here, Western comics have a lot of varieties the only difference from eastern comics is that in western comics most of the the titles are in the same universe where as in the east they are separate.

@TheVoiceOfReason: I can tell you the plot of every super hero manga in existence, guy meets enemy, enemy kicks guys ass, guy trains to gain a new devastating ability comes back kicks the enemies ass, new enemy arrives and makes that power up that was the most impressive thing in the world 2 issues ago look like nothing so guy has to repeat steps 1 thru 3 over and over again until the series ends.

@joeagentofhand1: Being able to read during the western time, know any form of martial arts even a little of that, and shoot a gun is super heroic....especially if they are able to read.