The Most Beloved Anime Character, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the anime character you think is the most beloved!

Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:21

In the sprawling universe of anime, characters range from the heroic to the villainous, each bringing their unique charm and following. Fans often bond over their favorite characters, arguing passionately about who deserves the title of the most beloved. This enthusiasm unites communities and sparks lively conversations that can turn a simple discussion into a deep analysis of a character's virtues and flaws. To truly gauge the pulse of the anime community and see which characters capture the hearts of fans the most, a dynamic and participatory ranking system has been created. Here, your votes directly influence the standings, giving you a powerful voice in shaping the outcome. By participating, not only do you contribute to the fandom’s collective voice, but you also discover what others admire, leading to surprising revelations and perhaps new favorites.

What Is the Most Beloved Anime Character?

1

70
votes
Goku - Dragon Ball

Akira Toriyama

Goku is one of the most beloved anime characters of all time. He is the main character of the Dragon Ball series, and his cheerful, optimistic personality has won over fans around the world. As a Saiyan, Goku possesses incredible strength and fighting skills, which he uses to protect his friends and save the world.
Goku is the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball series, created by Akira Toriyama. He is a Saiyan warrior from the planet Vegeta, who was sent to Earth as a baby and grew up to become Earth's greatest defender. Goku is known for his iconic spiky black hair, orange gi, and his insatiable desire to become stronger. He possesses incredible strength, speed, and the ability to fly using ki energy. Goku is always ready to protect his loved ones and the world from various threats, often pushing his limits through intense training and unleashing powerful techniques.

Species: Saiyan

Hair Color: Black

Attire: Orange gi

Power Level: Varies throughout the series

Techniques: Kamehameha, Spirit Bomb, Instant Transmission, etc.
2

30
votes
Naruto - Naruto

Masashi Kishimoto

Naruto Uzumaki is the protagonist of the Naruto series, and he has become one of the most famous anime characters in the world. Despite being an outcast and a troublemaker, Naruto possesses a kind heart and an unbreakable spirit that inspires those around him. He is determined to become the strongest ninja in his village and protect his loved ones.
Naruto Uzumaki is the primary protagonist of the Naruto series. He is a young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village, driven by his dream to become the Hokage, the leader of his village. Naruto possesses incredible determination and a never-give-up attitude, which inspires those around him. Throughout the story, he grows from an impulsive and mischievous kid into a skilled ninja who will go to great lengths to protect his friends and fulfill his goals.

Debut: Chapter 1 of the Naruto manga

First appearance: Naruto: Innocent Heart, Demonic Blood (2002)

Seiyuu (voice actor): Junko Takeuchi (Japan), Maile Flanagan (English)

Ninja rank: Genin

Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village
3

20
votes
Sailor Moon - Sailor Moon

Naoko Takeuchi

Sailor Moon is a beloved anime character who has been a role model for generations of girls. She is the leader of the Sailor Senshi, a group of magical girls who fight evil and protect the world. Sailor Moon is known for her kindness, bravery, and determination. She has inspired many young girls to be strong and confident.
Sailor Moon, also known as Sailor Moon Usagi Tsukino, is the main character of the anime series Sailor Moon. She is a young girl who transforms into the superhero Sailor Moon to protect the Earth from evil forces. With her magical powers and her group of fellow Sailor Scouts, she fights against villains to defend love, justice, and the moon.

First Appearance: Sailor Moon manga, 1991

Original Voice Actress: Kotono Mitsuishi

Anime Debut: Sailor Moon anime, 1992

Transformation Item: Moon Prism Power Makeup Compact

Catchphrase: In the name of the moon, I will punish you!
4

26
votes
Luffy - One Piece

Eiichiro Oda

Monkey D. Luffy is the main character of the One Piece series. He is a pirate with a big heart and a never-give-up attitude. Luffy is always willing to risk his life to help his friends and achieve his dreams. He has a unique ability to stretch his body like rubber, which makes him a formidable opponent in battle.
Monkey D. Luffy, commonly known as Luffy, is the main protagonist of the popular anime series One Piece. He is a young and adventurous pirate with a burning desire to become the Pirate King and find the One Piece, a legendary treasure. Luffy possesses a rubber-like body due to eating the supernatural Gum-Gum Fruit, which grants him extraordinary abilities.

Age: 19

Height: 174 cm

Dream: To become the Pirate King

Devil Fruit: Gum-Gum Fruit (Paramecia type)

Bounty: Over 1.5 billion Berries
5

13
votes
Pikachu - Pokemon

Pikachu is the most famous Pokemon in the world. He is the mascot of the Pokemon franchise and has appeared in countless anime series, movies, and video games. Pikachu is a cute and lovable character with electric powers. He has captured the hearts of fans of all ages.
Pikachu is a popular anime character from the franchise Pokemon. It is a small, yellow, mouse-like creature known for its electric powers and adorable appearance. Pikachu is the iconic mascot of the Pokemon series and has gained immense popularity globally.

Type: Electric

Height: 0.4 meters

Weight: 6.0 kilograms

Ability: Static

Evolutionary Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Pichu)
6

15
votes
ceasol · CC BY-SA 2.0

Light Yagami - Death Note

Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

Light Yagami is the main character of the Death Note series. He is a high school student who discovers a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. Light uses the Death Note to rid the world of criminals and create a utopia. He is a complex character who is both intelligent and ruthless. Despite his villainous actions, Light has a strong fan base who admire his cunning and ambition.
Light Yagami is the main protagonist and anti-hero of the anime/manga series Death Note. He is a highly intelligent high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook called the Death Note, which grants him the power to kill anyone whose name and face he knows. Light sees himself as a god-like figure and becomes determined to use the Death Note to rid the world of criminals and create a utopia. As the series progresses, Light becomes increasingly consumed by his power and descends into darkness, engaging in a cat-and-mouse game with a brilliant detective named L.

Anime/Manga: Death Note

Gender: Male

Occupation: High school student

Intelligence: Highly intelligent

Ability: Death Note grants the power to kill anyone whose name and face is known
7

11
votes
Piotrus · CC BY-SA 3.0

Edward Elric - Fullmetal Alchemist

Hiromu Arakawa

Edward Elric is the protagonist of the Fullmetal Alchemist series. He is a skilled alchemist who lost his arm and leg in a failed attempt to bring his mother back to life. Edward is determined to find a way to restore his body and protect his loved ones. He has a strong sense of justice and a fierce loyalty to his brother.
Edward Elric is the main protagonist of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime series. He is a young alchemist who, after attempting to bring his deceased mother back to life, ends up losing his right arm and left leg in a failed alchemical transmutation. To replace his missing limbs, Edward uses automail prosthetics. Edward, along with his younger brother Alphonse, embarks on a journey to find the Philosopher's Stone in order to restore their bodies.

Age: 15 (at the beginning of the series)

Height: 165 cm

Hair color: Blonde

Eye color: Golden

Occupation: State Alchemist
8

2
votes
Vegeta - Dragon Ball

Akira Toriyama

Vegeta is a fan-favorite character from the Dragon Ball series. He is a Saiyan prince who initially serves as a villain but later becomes an ally of Goku and the other Z Fighters. Vegeta is a proud and arrogant character with a fierce determination to become the strongest warrior in the universe. He has a complex personality that has won over many fans.
Vegeta is a pivotal character in the popular anime series Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama. Known for his fiery personality and intense drive to surpass his rival, Goku, Vegeta starts as a villain but eventually becomes an ally and one of the main protagonists.

Race: Saiyan

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

Weight: 123 lbs (56 kg)

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Black
9

2
votes
Spike Spiegel - Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe

Spike Spiegel is the main character of the Cowboy Bebop series. He is a bounty hunter with a cool and laid-back personality. Spike is a skilled fighter and pilot who is always ready for the next adventure. He has a tragic past that has shaped his character, and his relationship with his partner Jet is a highlight of the series.
Spike Spiegel is the main protagonist of the anime series Cowboy Bebop. He is a skilled and laid-back bounty hunter with a mysterious past. Spike is known for his cool demeanor and exceptional combat skills, using a combination of hand-to-hand combat and firearm expertise when taking down his targets. Despite his nonchalant personality, Spike cares deeply for his crewmates and often gets caught up in dangerous and thrilling adventures.

Anime Series: Cowboy Bebop

Gender: Male

Occupation: Bounty Hunter

Personality: Laid-back, Cool, Mysterious

Combat Skills: Exceptional
10

3
votes
玄史生 · CC0

Ichigo Kurosaki - Bleach

Tite Kubo

Ichigo Kurosaki is the main character of the Bleach series. He is a high school student who becomes a Soul Reaper, a supernatural being who protects the living world from evil spirits. Ichigo is a powerful fighter with a strong sense of justice. He is also known for his orange hair and distinctive sword, which have become iconic symbols of the series.
Ichigo Kurosaki is the main protagonist of the popular anime series Bleach. He is a teenager with orange hair and unique golden eyes. Known for his rebellious nature and strong sense of justice, Ichigo possesses extraordinary spiritual powers that allow him to see ghosts and fight against evil spirits called Hollows. As the story progresses, he becomes a Soul Reaper, a guardian of the living world and the afterlife. Ichigo's character development is a central focus of the series, as he learns to balance his human and supernatural duties while facing various challenges and enemies.

Hair Color: Orange

Eye Color: Golden

Age: 15 at the start of the series

Occupation: High school student and Soul Reaper

Spiritual Powers: Above-average spiritual awareness and the ability to manifest a Zanpakuto (a sword-like weapon)

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Ranking factors for beloved anime character

Character Development

A well-developed character with growth and depth throughout the series is more likely to be beloved by fans. This includes how the character evolves and learns from their experiences, overcoming challenges and personal flaws.
Personality

The character's personality traits play a significant role in their popularity. This can include their sense of humor, loyalty, kindness, intelligence, or any other characteristic that makes them unique and relatable.
Background Story

A rich and intriguing background story that explains the character's motivations, goals, and past experiences can contribute to their appeal. This can include their family, friends, and any hardships or triumphs they've gone through.
Relationships

The connections a character has with others in the story, whether it's with friends, rivals, or romantic interests, can impact their likability. Fans appreciate characters that form deep, meaningful, and lasting bonds with others.
Visual Design

The character's appearance, including their clothing, accessories, and overall design, can play a crucial role in their popularity. A visually appealing and memorable design can help a character become more recognizable and well-loved.
Impact on the Story

The significance of the character's role in the storyline can affect their popularity. Characters who play a significant part in driving the plot forward and have a lasting impact on the story's outcome are likely to leave a strong impression on viewers.
Strengths and Abilities

A character's talents, skills, or powers can make them stand out and be more appealing to fans. This can include their physical abilities, intelligence, or unique abilities that set them apart from other characters.
Relatability

Characters that viewers can relate to on a personal level or see themselves in tend to be more beloved. This can include the character's struggles, passions, and personal values.
Emotional Resonance

Characters that evoke strong emotions in viewers, whether it's through their hardships, successes, or relationships, may become fan favorites. The ability to empathize and connect with the character on an emotional level is crucial for them to be beloved.
Popularity and Presence in Fandom

Lastly, the character's popularity and presence in the fandom can play a role in their ranking. This can include their fanbase, fan art, discussions, and their impact on the overall anime community.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beloved anime character. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Anime character is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2122 views
178 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Anime character once every 24 hours. The rank of each Anime character is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beloved anime character

Anime has become a global phenomenon, capturing the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. From action-packed adventures to heartwarming romances, anime has it all. One of the most fascinating aspects of anime is the characters. They come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique personality and backstory. But which anime character is the most beloved? This is a question that has sparked countless debates and discussions among anime fans. Some argue that it's the brave and determined protagonist of their favorite show, while others argue it's the quirky and lovable sidekick. Whatever the case may be, the answer is subjective and varies from person to person. So, let's dive into the world of anime characters and explore the most beloved ones.