Random Beloved Anime Characters (20 items)

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  (#6) Saitama

  For anime fans who are sick of standard shonen heroes, Saitama arrives like a godsend. His extraordinary powers certainly entitle him to brag about his chances at winning, but Saitama never bothers. He simply lets his powers speak for themselves, preferring to focus on more important things in life, such as cheap prices on seafood at the grocery store. Yet for all his laidback demeanor, Saitama never strays from his workouts or his sense of duty, showing viewers that even gods must work for their glory. His refreshing attitude combined with his ability to kick butt makes him one of the best anime characters to appear in recent years.
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  (#10) L Lawliet

  • Death Note

  One of Death Note's major strengths lies in the anime's ability to make even the most loathsome people somewhat likable, or at the very least, enjoyable to watch on-screen. Light Yagami, the protagonist, is an honest-to-god serial killer, but plenty of people, including even readers, still find him charming. Despite his charm, Light still attracts a lot of haters – but L, the hunched over, cake-eating detective trying to bring Light down, is almost universally loved.

  People find L awesome for a multitude of reasons. For one thing, his idiosyncratic behavior sets him apart not just from Death Note's other geniuses but other anime series – you'll find few, if any anime characters who look and act like L. Though intellectually brilliant, L never pretends he comes without any flaws. He takes poor physical care of himself (though still gives Light a run for his money at tennis), and his ethics when it comes to solving cases are questionable at best. Still, he comes across as an underdog in pursuit of justice, and what anime fan isn't into that?
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  (#7) Yoruichi Shihouin

  • Bleach, Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion

  Part feline, part fighter, part trainer, and part jokester, Yoruichi Shihouin encompasses almost everything you love in an anime character. She starts out the series as a talking cat, only to reveal her true identity in the most anime fashion ever: nude in a cloud of mist in front of a brash-headed youth, Ichigo. As skilled with her mouth as she is with her fists, she ensures never a dull moment passes while on-screen.

  Though she hails from what would be considered Soul Society royalty, Yoruichi gives it all up to rescue her friend Kisuke Urahara, whom she technically promotes to the level of captain (meaning she, at least at some point, was more powerful than one of Bleach's most formidable characters). Beauty, brains, and a genuinely fascinating backstory all come together in Yoruichi, and Bleach remains much the better with her presence.
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  (#2) Maes Hughes

  While most of the characters in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood boast pretty large followings, no one stands out like Maes Hughes and his family. In his professional life, Hughes works as a soldier, but his private life shows him in a much more sympathetic role. Hughes absolutely adores his wife and three-year-old daughter, so much so he happily shows off photos of them to anyone who will look, and spends half his time on screen talking about how happy they make him. The anime community loves any and all amazing dads, especially the ones who risk it all in the line of duty.
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  (#9) Erza Scarlet

  Want to watch a totally gorgeous heroine beat the living sh*t out of her enemies? If that sounds enticing, you should check out Fairy Tail, focusing specifically on Erza Scarlet, an S-Class mage whose fighting abilities are unparalleled. More than just strong AF, Erza offers an excellent balance of strictness and kindness. You never want to mess with Erza, but you definitely want to be her friend. That's why she's one of the most beloved characters in Fairy Tail.
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  (#14) Haruhi Fujioka

  • Ouran High School Host Club, Ouran High School Host Club, Ouran High School Host Club

  When Ouran High School Host Club debuted in 2006, shojo anime featuring hyper-feminine protagonists dominated the scene. There was nothing inherently wrong with these shows, but when no alternatives exist, they can get stale. Haruhi Fujioka offered something new to anime audiences, and for that she remains a fan favorite to this day. Neither hyper-feminine nor especially masculine, Haruhi just does whatever she wants to do. Sometimes, that means wearing pants and a stained sweater for comfort while she studies; sometimes it means looking cute in a sundress. No matter the occasion for the outfit, the intention is always to assert her own boundaries and sense of self in a way Haruhi deems fit for herself. 

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