Anime heroes are typically viewed as larger-than-life characters. Yet, some of the bravest and most skilled heroes are barely more than 5 feet tall. Short anime heroes may not have the height, but they manage to make an impression nevertheless.
Whether ruthless or adorable, these minuscule heroes make an impact. They often use their size to their advantage — whether for stealth or agility — and know how to play to their strengths. What they lack in height, these characters make up for in heart. They are determined to prove that size does not matter when it comes to heroism.
10 Levi Ackerman (Attack On Titan)
5'3"
Levi Ackerman is widely considered humanity's strongest soldier despite his short stature. Coming in at 5'3", Levi is one of the smallest adults in Attack on Titan. Even so, he boasts the highest Titan kill rate out of the entire Survey Corps, outperforming even the commander, Erwin Smith.
Levi's typically calm and cool demeanor is belied by his ferocity in battle, and he can often be seen utilizing his famous spinning move on the Titans he fights. As Eren's designated "handler," Levi is more than capable of reining him in, whether in Titan form or not. It is no exaggeration to say that without Levi's fighting ability, the Survey Corps and the Eldians in the Walls would not have made the progress they achieved.
9 Nagisa Shiota (Assassination Classroom)
5' 2.5"
When Nagisa Shiota begins his third year at Kunugigaoka Junior High School, he has no idea just what is in store for him. Given the year-long assignment of killing his tentacled teacher, Nagisa begins training along with the rest of his class to become an assassin in Assassination Classroom. Standing at 5' 2.5", Nagisa is considered average in his studies and training until another group of assassins threatens his class while trying to collect the bounty on their teacher.
Nagisa is typically a reserved and people-pleasing student, but if someone bullies his friends or teacher, his unbridled ruthlessness comes out. While it could be argued that Nagisa is the main character, it is certain this small person is one of the driving forces of Class 3-E's successes.
8 Meliodas (The Seven Deadly Sins)
5' 0"
Despite his age, Meliodas is now a 5-foot tall man running a pub at the beginning of The Seven Deadly Sins. However, his new stature does not take away from the awesome power he possesses.
When provoked, Meliodas unleashes unimaginable chaos and destruction on his enemies. As an ex-leader of the Ten Commandments, Meliodas is widely feared for his vicious relentlessness in battle. Although he looks more like a normal teenager than a terrifying demon, Meliodas reveals just how devastating he can be when he is upset.
7 Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
4' 11"
Edward Elric, one of the two main characters of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, stands at a whopping 4' 11". Ed is very aware of his height and will typically fly off the handle when anybody dares make mention of it. Despite his stature, he is an incredibly gifted alchemist, becoming the youngest state-certified alchemist in history at only 15.
The few times Ed admits to himself his vertical challenges, he falls into a short-lived but deep depression. While he does grow some over the series, ending up around 5' 6" by the final episode, for the majority of the series, he is a "subatomic shrimp," as his family friend "Granny" Panako called him once. Though he hates to admit it, Edward is one of the shortest anime heroes.
6 Satoru Fujinuma (Erased)
4' 7"
Satoru Fujinuma begins Erased as an adult but eventually travels back in time to relive his life as a fifth grader. Now at only 11 years old and just 4' 7", Satoru is determined to save his old crush, Kayo Hinazuki, and three others from becoming victims of murder.
Fortunately, Satoru retains his 29-year-old mind, meaning he can strategize and plan with more complexity, but his 11-year-old body puts him at a disadvantage in a fight. His size is, unfortunately, taken advantage of by the killer. Yet, thanks to Satoru's indomitable heroism and extreme courage, he survives and lives to see the monstrous murderer behind bars.
5 Shiro (No Game No Life)
4' 6"
Shiro and her step-brother, Sora, run the country of Elkia in No Game No Life. While only 4' 6" tall, she and her brother maintain an undefeated streak in the many games that dominate the world they were thrust into.
While Shiro's personality can be considered emotionless, she possesses a keen intellect and is a wicked strategist. Plus, her love for her step-brother knows no bounds. She is rarely seen outside his presence, but between the two of them, they are an unstoppable force.
4 Anya Forger (Spy X Family)
3' 8"
Anya Forger has become the fake daughter of an assassin and a spy in Spy x Family. Though she was chosen for her apparent intelligence, Anya's true skill is in her mind-reading ability.
What Anya lacks in academic success, she makes up for in bravery and creativity. When faced with a problem, Anya uses her telepathy and cartoon knowledge to get herself and her parents out of jams. At only 3' 8" tall, Anya may be one of the youngest and smallest, but she is still a hero in her own right.
3 Riko (Made In Abyss)
3' 7"
Riko is a bright-eyed 12-year-old from Made in Abyss. Like many of the characters in the show, Riko is short in stature at about 3' 7" tall. Yet, her size seems to be ideal for exploring the caves and working toward becoming a White Whistle like her mother.
Riko is single-minded in her goal but tends to make friends easily, even if she does not respect their personal space. Due to her extensive study, she remains cool in most situations and always finds a way to get out of any jam. Although she is young and small, Riko knows what she wants and is willing to fight even the most monstrous of entities to achieve her dream.
2 Minoru Mineta (My Hero Academia)
3' 6.5"
Minoru Mineta is one of the many up-and-coming heroes from My Hero Academia. Although he did not begin the show as a strong character, he is coming into his own. He has trained his Pop Off Quirk and has much more confidence and courage than he did in Season 1.
Mineta is still a divisive character based on his attitude toward women and girls, but there is no denying that he has had somewhat of a glow-up. As a 3' 6.5" tall person, Mineta still makes an impact and helps his team by creating sticky situations.
1 White Blood Cell (Cells At Work!)
12-15 micrometers
White Blood Cell is the shortest anime hero since he is microscopic. As one of the thousands of his kind in the body, White Blood Cell protects his home against malevolent invaders and continuously rescues everyone's favorite clumsy Red Blood Cell in Cells At Work!.
White Blood Cell is rather reserved in his day-to-day life, but as soon as a threat is near, he springs into violent action. White Blood Cell has no qualms against destroying viruses and bacteria as ruthlessly as possible. As long as he is helping the body, the 12-15-micrometers-tall White Blood Cell does not mind getting his hands dirty.
