It’s hard to admit, but judging an anime isn’t always about the quality of its writing or animation. More often than not, fans engage in popularity contests to decide which characters are the best. Intriguing, well-designed characters define anime. Some perfectly personify the best parts of their series, while others are masters of stealing the spotlight.
In the spirit of a popularity contest, MyAnimeList is a great way to gauge which characters fans prefer at any given time. It’s a reliable way to cut out all the extra noise and determine which characters are the “coolest of the cool.”
Updated on April 3, 2023, by Louis Kemner: With thousands of characters to choose from, any list of the top anime characters of all time is bound to be massive. MyAnimeList, or MAL, boasts an extensive list of the community’s favorite characters. These characters can be anyone: a tough and cool seinen hero, a charmingly relatable shonen protagonist, an emotionally complex shojo heroine, and even villains and sidekicks. We’ve updated this list to include even more fan-favorite anime characters.
30 Mai Sakurajima (Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai)
36,680 Favorites
Mai Sakurajima made a strong first impression when she first appeared in the Rascal anime, standing in the middle of a library in a bunny girl costume while everyone ignored her. She was one of many victims of adolescence syndrome, and she also befriended the protagonist, Sakuta Azusagawa.
Mai is a bit of a kuudere and tsundere. Still, she is also one of the most popular anime characters out there since she has a good heart under that chilly, emotionally distant exterior. She also got along well with Sakuta’s younger sister, Kaede, who definitely needed personal support from a big sister figure like Mai.
29 Emilia (Re:Zero)
38,210 Favorites
Emilia was the first Re:Zero character whom Subaru Natsuki met when he got himself mysteriously teleported to a fantasy isekai world. At first, Emilia treats Subaru rather coldly, but then they become good friends at the Roswaal estate, and Emilia develops romantic feelings for her NEET friend.
Emilia was also a candidate to claim the royal throne, among several other candidates, and fans often romantically ship her with Subaru. However, many more Re:Zero fans see her as an obstacle to the Subaru/Rem pairing, which is definitely more popular in the anime community.
28 Yato (Noragami)
38,991 Favorites
Noragami is a popular fantasy anime based on the ongoing manga of the same name. In this series, the gods are quite real, but some are frustrated minor gods like Yato, who aims to form a huge religion around himself someday, one favor at a time.
Yato can be bratty and vain at times, but he is also a genuine friend of Hiyori’s, and he’s oddly relatable for a deity, too. Most of all, Yato has an ongoing feud with his selfish father, and the two of them may come to blows, with Hiyori getting caught in the middle of it all.
27 Megumin (Konosuba)
39,516 Favorites
Megumin is a goofy parody of most magical girls and witches in anime, which fits Konosuba’s satirical themes perfectly. Megumin is a talented young teen who specializes in explosion magic and absolutely nothing else, and she can only set off one explosion per day.
Megumin may be a self-centered brat who needs a lot of support, but anime fans still adore her as one of the funniest and most memorable Best Girls. And she’s not just a gag character, either — Megumin becomee Kazuma’s best friend and has to put up with Yunyun’s one-sided rivalry with her, which strains their friendship somewhat.
26 Joseph Joestar (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
39,519 Favorites
Joseph Joestar is the goofy, carefree second protagonist of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and he feels very different than his Kenshiro-inspired grandfather, Jonathan. In the Battle Tendency story arc, Joseph became one of the best anime characters ever with his clever tactics, wacky antics, and heartfelt desire to avenge Caesar Zeppeli.
Then, in Stardust Crusaders, Joseph returned as an elderly man with more wit and charm than ever while hunting the vampire Dio alongside Jotaro. While Jotaro Kujo remains the most iconic JoJo hero, Joseph Joestar was voted as one of the most popular anime characters out there.
25 Kirito (Sword Art Online)
39,572 Favorites
Sword Art Online is an anime behemoth. This series influenced the isekai boom that fans know today, as well as rose as one of the most successful franchises in the medium. While each member of its eclectic cast has played a part in defining the series, its main man will always be the pro gamer himself, Kirito.
Whether anime fans relate to Kirito’s quiet attitude or love his various adventures within video games and romance, Kirito is filling up heart containers everywhere with his charisma.
24 Hitagi Senjougahara (Bakemonogatari)
39,631 Favorites
Bakemonogatari‘s Hitagi Senjougahara stands out from the other female characters in the series. She’s sarcastic, painfully blunt at times, and underwent meaningful character development. She also stands out as one of the most controversial since the fandom can’t seem to make up its mind about her.
Senjougahara is Koyomi’s main love interest in Bakemonogatari. She’s a true tsundere with a clever quip for any situation. Hitagi comes off as totally unapproachable and even purposely intimidating, but she starts opening up to others later on.
23 Rem (Re:Zero)
44,238 Favorites
Rem from Re:Zero is one of the most loyal characters in the series. At the start of the series, Subaru meets Rem and her twin sister, Ram, while they are employed by Roswaal L. Mathers.
Overall, Rem is a great sister to Ram, and her loyalty to Subaru is admirable. Though a bit impulsive, Rem is willing to step up and defend either of them, no matter what it takes. While she isn’t the strongest fighter around, there’s no denying Rem’s mental resilience.
22 Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)
44,523 Favorites
Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel has a cool sense of fashion and an even cooler profession. As a former gangster turned bounty hunter, Spike’s a skilled fighter who marches to the beat of his own drum –- even if it annoys his teammates to no end. Notoriously lazy and seldom seen without a cigarette in his mouth, anime fans generally agree that Spike is one of the medium’s coolest and most badass characters.
Between Spike’s fashion sense, stoic yet relatable attitude, and badass gunslinging moves, it’s easy to see why anime fans adore Spike so much. With a guy like Spike, fans are always kept on the edges of their seats and never know what to expect next.
21 Kakashi Hatake (Naruto)
45,775 Favorites
Naruto‘s Kakashi Hatake is one of anime’s most beloved mentors. Looking out for Team 7, the Copycat Ninja always imparted the importance of teamwork to the young shinobi. Although he’s strong enough to work alone, Kakashi’s experiences taught him that working as a team is always better than arrogantly rushing into battle alone.
Kakashi’s one-liners, jutsu imitation skills, and mental resilience are just a few of the reasons why fans love him so much. Kakashi has repeatedly proven himself an innovator of jutsu, a sarcastic genius, and an overall likable character and admirable ninja.
20 Saitama (One-Punch Man)
46,068 Favorites
Saitama is the beloved protagonist of One-Punch Man. He’s the most powerful being to have ever existed in its universe. He originally became a hero to have fun, but Saitama eventually realized he wanted to be recognized and respected as a true hero.
Since Saitama is so overpowered, no enemy truly fazes him. Unfortunately, he’s become jaded toward heroism since nobody can stand on his level. Alas, Saitama wanders around, praying for a strong opponent so that he can feel alive again.
19 Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)
47,723 Favorites
Jujutsu Kaisen’s Satoru Gojo is the strongest jujutsu sorcerer on the planet. Boasting cursed techniques that are equally as flashy as they are terrifyingly powerful, Gojo is a wunderkind whose very existence keeps cursed spirits and curse users in check.
Fans love Gojo’s audacious personality and that he doesn’t take anything too seriously. As a mentor for Yuji and the rest of his students, Gojo always takes a hands-off approach and encourages them to find solutions on their own. Gojo may come off as arrogant and infuriatingly cocky, but he has every right to act as such.
18 Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)
49,093 Favorites
Tokyo Ghoul‘s Ken Kaneki is one of the most iconic anime characters of all time. The one-eyed ghoul’s story is truly a tragedy, but fans admire him for several reasons. Many consider Kaneki one of the best anime protagonists of all time.
Ken Kaneki is a man of many layers and just as many flaws. Kaneki’s journey in Tokyo Ghoul is one of suffering, pain, and a gruesome, nightmarish reality. The series depicts a constant tug-of-war between Kaneki’s ghoul side fighting against his humanity.
17 Hachiman Hikigaya (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU)
50,285 Favorites
Hachiman Hikigaya is the protagonist of My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, which is often abbreviated as OreGairu. He starts as the average nihilistic loner who doesn’t want to associate with others. That said, he’s not like other misanthropic edgelord teens in anime. Most of his behavior stems from deep insecurities, which is something that many viewers can relate to.
OreGairu’s edgy teenager eventually proves he has a soft side. Hachiman is a true tsundere who seems to push others away to hide his self-loathing. Unlike other protagonists, Hachiman can’t just use the power of friendship and optimism to force life to go his way.
16 Mikasa Ackerman (Attack On Titan)
52,689 Favorites
Mikasa Ackerman from Attack on Titan quickly became a fan-favorite character. She’s the ultimate badass and has proven her strengths as a fighter several times throughout Attack on Titan. Viewers love the dynamic between Mikasa, her foster brother, Eren Yeager, and their childhood friend, Armin Arlert.
By the end of Attack on Titan manga, it’s safe to say that Mikasa was the best soldier in the Survey Corps. Mikasa’s admiration for Eren is genuine, and many fans appreciate their relationship. Mikasa’s backstory is also one of the most tragic in the series.
15 Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)
62,381 Favorites
Itachi is one of the best characters in Naruto. The Uchiha Clan’s story is one of the most pivotal in the whole series, fundamentally altering the narrative. Ultimately, Itachi put his life on the line and pretended to be a villain to save Sasuke.
In many ways, Itachi was the true definition of a shinobi. Not only that, but he’s the ideal anti-hero. Itachi is one of Naruto‘s most well-written and complex characters, so it’s no question why he’s one of the most popular across anime as a whole.
14 Kurisu Makise (Steins;Gate)
62,960 Favorites
Steins;Gate was one of the most pivotal and influential anime of its time, but one character stole the spotlight from the rest. As the quintessential tsundere, Kurisu Makise garnered lots of love and attention from fans. Kurisu is introduced in Steins;Gate as a researcher in Victor Qondria University’s Brain Research Program.
Kurisu reluctantly teamed up with Rintaro and became his partner in crime — for better or worse. Although she comes off as cold, Kurisu’s sweet side is endearing, and it sets her apart from the rest of the cast.
13 Eren Yeager (Attack On Titan)
63,641 Favorites
Eren is the protagonist of Attack On Titan and started out as a seemingly average shonen protagonist: short-tempered, impulsive, and always ready for a fight. He had noble ideals of saving humanity from the Titans to avenge those he’s lost.
As Eren learned more about the world, he became a much darker individual. At this point, it’s fair to question if Eren could truly be considered a hero because of his actions. That said, this is exactly why he’s a well-written, complex protagonist who’s strayed from the norms.
12 Gintoki Sakata (Gintama)
70-938-favorites”>70,938 Favorites
Sakata Gintoki is one of the most lovable anime characters of all time. As the protagonist of Gintama, Gintoki is the ultimate class clown. He’s the king of anime comedy — rightfully earning the crown with his surreal sense of humor and unwavering laziness that’s almost admirable.
Known as the “White Demon,” Gintoki became a revolutionary during the Edo period. When the audience meets him, however, he takes up any “odd job” he can find to make ends meet. Gintoki is equal parts humble, foolish, and badass.
11 Guts (Berserk)
73,185 Favorites
Guts is the protagonist of Berserk. He’s the ultimate tragic hero, and he has become the poster boy for dark fantasy anime. Guts is one of the most well-written protagonists of all time and one of the most unique in the medium.
Guts’ life was defined by a series of traumatic events, but he’s undergone admirable character growth throughout Berserk. He learned how to move past the pain of betrayal and childhood trauma to become a better man. Far from a one-dimensional character, Guts fit many tropes associated with both shonen and seinen protagonists — he just gives them nuance and depth.
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