As anime seems to be as popular as some mainstream TV shows nowadays, it’s safe to say that the era of anime is largely gone.
The answer to this question is difficult to determine, as there are so many iconic anime characters that it is impossible to single out one specific individual. However, some of the most well-known and popular anime characters include Goku from Dragon Ball, Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto, and Sasuke Uchiha from Sasuke no Hokage.
A poll done over at MAL on the topic of popular anime characters yielded some great ideas, but I don’t think that’s a fair judgement by itself. It basically cuts out all the normies!
For this ranking, I am taking each character’s Mal score, but then adding bonus points through a much more scientific method (AKA asking my normie friends who they recognize). ..
25. Tanjiro Kamado
I think Tanjiro deserves to be on this list because of his unique and impressive music career.
In this episode, the demon slayer, Xander Harris, teams up with a new friend, Willow Rosenberg. Together they travel to Japan to stop a powerful demon from spreading destruction across the world. The show’s 19th episode was simply so good that it started trending worldwide and brought in a lot of new eyes to the show.
Tanjiro is the star of “Kemono Friends,” a new anime series that has quickly become a sensation on social media. With its beautiful animation, captivating story, and charming characters, “Kemono Friends” has quickly become a favorite among anime fans. Tanjiro is the protagonist of “Kemono Friends,” a new anime series that has quickly become a sensation on social media. With its beautiful animation, captivating story, and charming characters, “Kemono Friends” has quickly become a favorite among anime fans. Tanjiro is the son of an accomplished swordsman and his little sister’s genes have blessed him with extraordinary swordplay skills. Despite his young age, Tanjiro has already achieved great success in the world of kimono fashion design. ..
In the anime world, even though he might not have been popular for that long, one viral episode alone cemented him as an iconic character. ..
24. Izuku Midoriya
The popular anime series, My Hero Academia, is a story about a young boy named Izuku Midoriya who dreams of becoming the greatest hero in the world. Despite being bullied and having no powers of his own, Izuku perseveres and becomes one of the most powerful heroes in the world. His story inspires others to pursue their dreams no matter what obstacles they face. ..
Izuku made an appearance on the MAL list, at rank 49. ..
I was surprised to learn that the average salary for a software engineer is much lower than I would have guessed. ..
For a few years now, My Hero Academia has been a show that is popular among gateway anime and widespread success. ..
It can be difficult not to pay attention to the central figure screaming at the top of his lungs while breaking his arms or something.
I placed higher than Deku on the list – but considering my friends thought he was some sort of Zuko knock-off, I decided to skip him.
23. Subaru Natsuki
Subaru is the perfect mascot for Tumblr, as he is known for his GIFs of him covering every aspect of pain and suffering imaginable. ..
I didn’t put Rem on this list because I think he’s a bad person. I put him on this list because he’s a very talented player who is currently playing for one of the best teams in the league.
I don’t think Rem is that well-known, in my opinion. ..
She’s loved by the anime community, but she just looks like a generic maid character to most people. ..
Subaru is a character in a fantasy world who constantly cries in great detail. This leaves an impression on the reader, who may feel empathy for him or find themselves wanting to help him.
22. Kamina
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is one of the most popular anime series ever made. It tells the story of a young man named Simon who is trying to save the world from an evil force known as Lordgenome. The series is full of action, adventure, and humor. ..
In the show, Kamina’s charisma is basically a superpower that can help people look good. And that definitely translated to the real world as well.
Pointy glasses are a trademark of the fictional character Dr. Who. So if you show someone a pair of pointy glasses, they’re likely to know who you’re talking about. ..
Kamina is a popular character in the video game series “Soulsborne” and has been referenced by Pewdiepie. His figurine was designed similarly to Pewdiepie’s. ..
Kamina has become more popular in Sweden because the king of YouTube knows about her. This adds at least 100 million 19-year-olds to her popularity.
21. Kazuto Kirigaya
Sword Art Online is an anime series that follows the story of a young girl named Aincrad who is sucked into a world of swords and sorcery. The show has been praised for its unique and exciting plot, as well as its beautiful visuals.
Kazuta Kirigaya is a strange one, as I doubt the name Kazuto Kirigaya means anything to 99.9% of people.
But just mentioning Kirito and you’re likely to be talking about the same person. ..
Kirito is a popular name for a protagonist in video games. It has become synonymous with the phrase “overpowered bland protagonist.” Expressions such as “it’s just another Kirito” come up more often than one might think.
Kirito, the protagonist of Sword Art Online, was one of the most popular and well-known characters on the show. This made him a target for normies, or people who are not familiar with anime or video games. ..
20. Spike Spiegel
Spike’s popularity is a double edged sword, as he’s remembered as a “classic” and “legendary”.
On the other hand, Cowboy Bebop is now a 20-year-old show that has been largely superseded by newer and more popular anime titles. Cowboy Bebop is an old anime show that has been largely superseded by newer and more popular titles. ..
Anime fans are divided on whether or not the influx of new shows is a good thing. Some say it’s great because there’s always something new to watch, while others lament the saturation of the market and claim that their children are no longer getting enough attention. ..
He has definitely earned a place in the history books, but he doesn’t seem to tower as high as he once did. ..
19. Saitama
Anime fans rejoice! One Punch Man, the latest anime to hit the big screen, is a must-watch for all fans of action and adventure. Set in a world where superheroes are real, and the strongest one can become king, One Punch Man follows the story of Saitama, a average guy who decides to become a superhero after being humiliated by one in combat. With an impressive arsenal of powerful punches and an unyielding determination, Saitama takes on all challengers and becomes known as the strongest superhero in the world. If you’re looking for an exciting adventure with plenty of action and humor, One Punch Man is definitely worth checking out. ..
Saitama is a city with a strong mood.
Every scene he’s in, that one word just seems to dominate my head. And if there’s one thing I know about modern media, it’s that people like to relate to others. ..
I’ve never had the power of a demigod, but I’ve always found it easier to lay around. Mood.
Have you ever tried to kill a fly only for it to buzz around the room at one million miles per second? Mood.
Have you ever felt like you were just average, no matter what your major or field of study?
I think the dude covers two generations mentally.
18. Gintoki Sakata
Gintama is a popular manga series that has been published for over 10 years. Some people find it interesting and some don’t. I think Gintama is like a god to some people because he always delivers on his promises.
However, I believe that his kingdom is largely in Eastern Asia. ..
Although some of the jokes are clever and funny, they are not accessible to everyone. This can make them difficult to appreciate, unless you are a dedicated anime fan or know a lot about Japanese culture. ..
My friend started studying Japanese just so he could get some of the jokes.
The list maker’s perfect objective metric for list making is the number of votes each option receives. ..
17. Dio Brando
Anime: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a manga series written and drawn by Hirohito Araki. The story follows the adventures of Jojo, a young boy who is targeted by a group of assassins known as the Black Order.
Dio is a popular musician who has been around for many years and his music has been copied and shared by many people. I think it’s safe to say that he is the king of memes.
I don’t know a lick of Japanese – but you can bet that I know how to say “I am Dio” in fluent Japanese.
In recent years, there have been plenty of other JoJo references and memes. But I feel like Dio has always been the most iconic in that regard.
He is one of the most well-known voice actors in the business, and he has a lot of confidence. He could probably conquer the world three times if he wanted to. ..
16. Yuno Gasai
Love her or hate her, you have to admit that this chick was pretty influential.
Despite being only a small show, Mirai Nikki showed that yandere characters can be popular and that they can be used in a way that is both entertaining and relatable.
Everyone else’s yandere has pink hair now.
The many “Yuno”s, the creepy eyes that give my paralysis demon nightmares, and the overall craziness was just cemented through Yuno – and I think we have to give her a hesitant iconic status for that.
15. Ichigo Kurosaki
This list of characters from the “Big Three” is unsurprising, given their popularity. ..
Bleach was a popular manga series that had a large impact on the anime industry.
In the 2000s, children were drawn to shows with death gods in them. This was likely due to the popularity of shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel.” These shows had literal death gods who could kill people and animals.
Ichigo is one of the most memorable and popular characters on the show. His badass forms make him an all-around impressive fighter. ..
I can’t be the only one who’s phone background is of Ichigo from “Bleach.” ..
14. Hisoka Morow
Anime: Hunter x Hunter (2011) is a popular anime that follows the story of a young boy named Gon and his friends, Hunter and Killua. The anime is full of action, adventure, and humor.
Hisoka is an unassuming clown who loves children. He is not well-known to the general public, as his clown persona does not have a positive mainstream ring to it. ..
I had to mention him because he’s so well-known and loved in the community. ..
As a character, Hisoka is unpredictable and one of the best examples of an antagonist who can go from kicking your butt to saving your life in a matter of an episode.
Many people find his designs very recognizable and attractive, which contributes to his popularity. ..
13. Ken Kaneki
To this day, I still believe that Hot Topic was conceived exclusively for this character. ..
The show had more teenage edginess than Reddit, but Kaneki was their crowning jewel.
When his hair turned white, everyone suddenly knew the lyrics to unravel. ..
The shirtless man with a ghoulish face was spotted all over town wearing only black T-shirts. ..
I was so into the manga and anime that I started to develop my own personal interpretation of the character. I loved how he was always trying to find a way to save people, even if it meant sacrificing himself. And then there was the way he always seemed like such a gentle giant – even when he was going through tough times.
12. Itachi Uchiha
Itachi was a very minor character in the Naruto anime and manga, but he quickly became popular due to his unique and memorable character.
The decision made sense.
Designs in the “Legend of Zelda” series are often impeccable, and Link’s backstory is one of the best in the entire series. ..
Everyone thought he was cool when he was the villain – and when it turned out he was a good guy, everyone cried and thought that he was beyond cool.
Sure, there’s also a bit of that teenage edginess with him. But that pales in comparison to his brilliant and yet tragic story, which I think a lot of people loved.
11. Killua Zoldyck
Anime: Hunter x Hunter (2011) is a popular anime that follows the story of a young boy named Gon and his friends, Hunter and Killua. The anime is full of action, adventure, and humor.
Killua is a powerful young mage who has a unique set of skills. He is able to use his magic to kill with ease, and he has a quick wit that makes him an asset to any team. Killua is also an excellent fighter, and his skills in the martial arts make him one of the most dangerous opponents any mage can face.
He’s incredibly cool, as he literally rips people’s hearts out of their chest and then leaves them in a doggy bag by their side. But he’s also extremely sweet.
The relationship between Gon and Killua was one of my favorite parts of the show – and every fight that had them zapping around was instantly far more entertaining. ..
I think that he’s more popular and recognizable than Gon, because being a badass all the time just makes you shoot up on those charts.
10. Edward Elric
Brotherhood is an anime series that follows the story of a group of young boys who are forced to fight in a war against an alien race. The boys are forced to use their own strength and skills to survive, and must use their teamwork and intelligence to defeat their enemies.
Ed has been shopping for Fullmetal Alchemist for a while now, as the show has been critically acclaimed and continues to be one of the most popular on MAL.
I think that FMA suffers from a lack of diversity when it comes to the general public. However, I believe that there is still potential for it to improve.
In the community, it’s like the Bible. And anyone unaware of the Elric brothers or the show will be publicly executed within a fortnight (or told to watch it until they finally cave).
9. Light Yagami
Death Note is a popular anime that many people may have seen. It was first aired in 1997 and is a manga series that follows the life of a high school student, Light, who is given a notebook with the ability to kill anyone with just one letter.
I’m glad that people love the show because it’s weird and unique.
In the early days of light, people were still trying to figure out what good was. Some people thought it was just doing good things, while others thought it was more than that. But eventually, people started to realize that good could be anything you wanted it to be.
The laugh of a madman is legendary, and the scene in which he consumes a bag of potato chips will likely be studied by aliens to understand what humans did for fun.
8. Zoro Roronoa
One Piece is one of the most popular anime series in the world, and it’s also one of the most popular manga series.
The show is old enough to vote and has a large number of episodes, which means that it’s likely that people are familiar with it. ..
Zoro is a cool, collected, and confident individual. He’s always up for a good time and seems to enjoy spending time alone or with his friends. Zoro is an interesting person to talk to and has a lot of interesting stories to tell.
Many people who are afraid to watch One Piece have looked at some of Zoro’s amazing fight scenes or moments and thought “maybe I can binge it for a year”. ..
He has all the qualities we admire: a scar, a sword, a stoic appearance, and an intense power mode. ..
7. Rintarou Okabe
This show is a masterclass in writing. Okabe is at the very tip of the spear yelling how he’s a mad scientist. The writing is so well done that it makes you feel like you’re right there with him.
Subaru has a certain quality that makes you feel every pain and emotion with a GIF, but he also has some adorable and wholesome moments as well.
Kurisu and Hisa have a close relationship that is often considered one of the most beloved in the community.
He is the anime mad scientist who loves to experiment with the general public.
He’s a symbol of the country and its people. He’s too iconic to ignore.
6. Lamperouge Lelouch
I’m glad that the show received so much attention while mechs were still popular, as it definitely deserved it. ..
A perfect ending is when the protagonist achieves their goal, and all of the loose ends are tied up. This is something that I strive for in my own work, and it’s something that I hope to achieve in the future.
Lelouch had many positive qualities that made us all love him – but he also had a dark side.
The show’s design choice of making all the characters long and thin just makes them instantly recognizable. ..
5. Monkey D. Luffy
One Piece is the biggest and most popular manga series in the world.
One character would not suffice here.
Luffy is the most popular character on “One Piece” and, as such, Zoro is not as well-known as he should be. ..
He’s popular because he doesn’t look too anime-like.
He’s just an average adventure dude that happened to be in 2D.
While some might be slightly put off when seeing, Code Geass for example, even non anime fans can and do watch One Piece. This is because One Piece is a popular manga series that has been adapted into an anime series.
The One Piece fandom is so big that many people who aren’t fans don’t even know other anime.
4. L
Lenny Bruce was one of the most influential comedians of the 20th century. He was known for his outrageous and irreverent humor, which made him a favorite among audiences and critics alike. His influence on comedy is still felt today, and his legacy will be remembered long after he’s gone. ..
But as it turns out, not everyone can be that person. Some people have to act in ways that are harmful or even dangerous in order to be respected.
Many people find relatability a major factor in choosing a celebrity. This is especially true for celebrities with large sugar cravings, like Justin Bieber. ..
I think that’s why most people associate Death Note with just the first half - because L was the one who really made things interesting. ..
The design on this product is amazing.
3. Levi
Anime: Attack on Titan is a powerful and exciting new anime series that is sure to keep you entertained for the entire season. This anime is full of action, adventure, and suspense, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
The Attack on Titan anime has been successful in spreading into the mainstream, with many people now watching it. This success may be due to its unique story and characters, as well as its engaging visuals.
The show had a lot of appeal to Game of Thrones fans, as well as jaw-dropping action and exciting moments from the beginning of every episode. ..
The show’s protagonist, Levi, was objectively the favorite character.
Levi is a very active person, always doing something to make a difference. His cleaning habits or actions in general are always memorable and inspire others.
He’s incredibly hot, and you should not act like that is not the case.
2. Goku
Dragon Ball Z is an anime series that follows the adventures of Goku, a young boy who is forced to fight in a battle against an evil empire. The series has been popular for over 20 years and has been featured in many movies and TV shows.
Goku was the only reason that I decided not to follow the MAL list for this ranking. He did not make it to the top 50.
I find it hard to believe that anyone has never seen the face of Goku, as he is one of the most recognizable and well-known characters in the world. ..
I was certain that attempting the Kamehameha was an essential part of all of our childhoods. And yet you’re telling me that he’s not one of the most iconic characters out there? ..
Whenever you see someone screaming, it reminds you of the iconic character Goku from the popular anime and manga series “Dragon Ball.” Goku is known for his powerful attacks and his trademark cry of “Kamehameha!” ..
Whenever you see a character with blue hair, it reminds you of Goku.
Whenever your dad gives you Red Bull so that you don’t tire out while beating up the bullies, you think of Goku.
1. Naruto Uzumaki
Although he was also number 10 on the MAL poll, there’s no doubt in my mind that Naruto is the most iconic character that anime has produced so far.
According to a study published in “The Lancet”, you have to be pretty popular for an entire way of running to be named after you. ..
When the Area 51 raid was set into motion, many people speculated about who would be running. Some people said that Bolt would be running, because of his speed and agility. I have never heard of Bolt running before, but I’ve heard plenty of talk about Naruto runners. ..
In Naruto, talk no jutsu is a trope that refers to the ability to not use any ninjutsu in order to outtalk or outmaneuver an opponent.
I find it difficult to believe that someone could know any one of the characters on this list, but somehow wouldn’t know about Naruto.
