15 Most Popular Anime Characters Of All Time (2024)

The explosive popularity of anime in recent years has led to the most popular anime characters, like Dragon Ball's Goku, becoming household names even outside of Japan. Interesting and lovable characters help to make a series both memorable and profitable, so it's in studios' best interests to create the most appealing characters possible. Not every anime character reaches that bar, but the best of the best aren't just heroes fans can relate to, they're fully fleshed-out characters with fears, hopes, and dreams.

While it's impossible to have a totally objective list of the most popular characters, one of the first criteria must be that the most popular characters are well-known outside their own fandoms. Even those not into anime might be able to recognize these characters at a glance, and no anime convention is complete without a cosplay or two of them.

15 Sakura Kinomoto is a Beloved Heroine With a Compelling Arc

Cardcaptor Sakura

One of the most iconic magical girls of all time, Cardcaptor Sakura's Sakura Kinomoto is a sweet young girl who accidentally released the Clow Cards, unleashing ancient magic on the world. The task of recapturing them and sealing their magic falls to her, even though she'd rather just get on with her ordinary life. Sakura has a relatable sibling relationship with her brother, with the two often teasing each other in a way not regularly seen in anime.

Unlike many other iconic anime characters, Sakura isn't fearless, but it's her willingness to courageously push on that makes her worthy of being one of the most popular anime characters.

Cardcaptor Sakura

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14 Spike Spiegel is the Epitome of Cool Despite His Many Flaws

Cowboy Bebop

Though Cowboy Bebop might be more popular in America than Japan, there's little denying that Spike Spiegel is one of the coolest anime characters ever. A bounty hunter with a dark past and trust issues, Spike is the prototypical noir hero. Far from coming across like a cliche though, Bebop uses audience expectations for a character like Spike to add depth to the character. Funny, strong, and always the coolest person in the room even when he's losing, Spike struck a chord with American anime fans for a good reason.

Cowboy Bebop (1998)

TV-14

Action

Animation

Sci-Fi

Western

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Not available

Cast

Koichi Yamadera , Steve Blum , Megumi Hayashibara , Wendee Lee , Unshô Ishizuka , Beau Billingslea , Aoi Tada , Melissa Fahn

Release Date

April 3, 1998

Seasons

2

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Franchise(s)

Cowboy Bebop

Writers

Keiko Nobumoto , Shinichirô Watanabe

Directors

Shinichirô Watanabe

Network

Adult Swim

Showrunner

Shinichirô Watanabe

13 Eren Yeager Represents a Much Darker Take on Classic Shonen Heroes

Attack On Titan

Eren Yeager quickly became one of the most popular anime characters due to his distinctive personality and morals. Even though he does not start as a strong character in Attack on Titan, he soon develops into a powerful anti-hero after discovering his Titan-shifting powers. Many of the best quotes from Attack on Titan are attributed to him, as he's known for his fearlessness in battle.

Eren never backs away from a fight and is always the first to jump into action and lead his group. What defines Erin early in the series though is his loyalty to his best friends Mikasa and Armin, and their friendship is one of the best relationships in anime. Eren's character does suffer a major change towards the end of the series, but that doesn't seem to have harmed his popularity all that much. By the end of Attack on Titan, Eren might well be anime's greatest anti-hero, and that's more than enough to make him iconic.

12 Ichigo Kurosaki Adds a Rebellious Spirit to Shonen Jump

Bleach

Ichigo Kurosaki ranks among the sweetest shonen protagonists and is certainly among the most popular anime characters. Even though Bleach has been around for over 22 years, Ichigo is still a popular character among anime viewers, with that popularity only bolstered by the recent debut of Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War.

Ichigo has the powers of a Quincy, a Hollow, and a Soul Reaper, giving him a wide array of abilities that make his fights incredibly flashy One of the main reasons for his popularity, though, is his unique appearance and caring personality. While most shonen protagonists rely on major character shifts towards the end of the series, Ichigo's personality remains a consistent part of Bleach from beginning to end, even as he grows.

Bleach

Animation

Action

Adventure

Where to Watch

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Cast

Johnny Yong Bosch , Michelle Ruff , Stephanie Sheh , Jamieson Price , Derek Stephen Prince , Wally Wingert

Release Date

September 6, 2006

Seasons

16

Writers

Tite Kubo , Masashi Sogo

Directors

Noriyuki Abe , Jun'ya Koshiba

Network

Funimation

Showrunner

Tite Kubo

11 Saitama is So Much More Than Just a Gimmick

One-Punch Man

Saitama is an ordinary, relatable guy who just happens to have incredible strength, a combination that easily makes him one of the most popular anime characters ever. With his detached and carefree demeanor, Saitama is the titular "one-punch man" (though he's never called that in the series) who has the power to defeat any villain with a single strike. The only problem is that this leaves Saitama without any challenges in life, leading to a familiar sort of boredom with everything around him.

Despite his ennui though, Saitama is the kind of guy who's a hero for fun, and that automatically makes him stand out. He's the moral core of his series, winning characters over to his way of thinking by living up to his ideals. With a unique hook and unrivaled powerset, Saitama isn't just one of the strongest anime characters ever, he's also one of the most iconic.

One-Punch Man (2015)

TV-MA

Anime

Action

Comedy

Where to Watch

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Not available

Cast

Makoto Furukawa , Kaito Ishikawa , Max Mittelman , Zach Aguilar , Hiromichi Tezuka , Robbie Daymond , Kyle Hebert , Shôta Yamamoto

Release Date

October 5, 2015

Seasons

2

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Hulu

Franchise(s)

One-Punch Man

Writers

Tomohiro Suzuki

Directors

Shingo Natsume , Chikara Sakurai

Main Genre

Anime

Creator(s)

ONE

10 Satoru Gojo is the Rare Mentor More Popular Than His Students

Jujutsu Kaisen

A common theme in shonen anime is the next generation of heroes surpassing the old, and though that's a prominent part of Jujutsu Kaisen, Gojo's popularity has proven greater than that of his students by a wide margin. With Gojo's powers like Limitless and Six Eyes, it's easy to assume that the character's iconic status is tied into his ridiculously strong abilities. Despite this, it's Gojo's fun personality and deep backstory that keep fans of Jujutsu Kaisen coming back to the character.

Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami famously hates Gojo, but that hasn't stopped fans from fawning over the self-proclaimed honored one.

9 Izuku 'Deku' Midoriya is Defined By His Kindness

My Hero Academia

Though how cool a character is can definitely be part of their appeal, that's definitely not the case for Deku. Deku's honesty, sincerity, and kindness that make him My Hero Academia's beating heart. That isn't to say that Deku can't be cool when the situation calls for it, of course. Possessing One For All gives the young hero access to a wide range of powers that make him a serious threat to face in any battle he's involved in. That power is only increased when Deku is involved in a battle meant to protect people. It's no understatement to say that Deku truly ushered in a new generation of anime heroes.

My Hero Academia (2016)

Action

Superhero

Animation

Where to Watch

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Cast

Aoi Yuki , Ayane Sakura , Christopher R. Sabat , Yûki Kaji , Nobuhiko Okamoto , Luci Christian , David Matranga , Justin Briner , Kenta Miyake , Clifford Chapin , Daiki Yamash*ta

Release Date

April 3, 2016

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Crunchyroll

Website

https://www.funimation.com/shows/my-hero-academia/

Franchise

My Hero Academia

Production Company

Bones

8 Tanjiro Kamado is Always a Ray of Positivity Even in the Darkest Times

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Demon Slayer is one of the most popular modern anime franchises, and it's obvious that Tanjiro is a big part of that. It's difficult to undersell just how popular the character is, as a poll showed Japanese children rate Tanjiro as more trustworthy than their own mothers. Watching any Demon Slayer episode makes it easy to see why. Tanjiro is unflinchingly polite, isn't afraid to stand up to evil, but still has an incredibly kind and compassionate heart. It's telling that one of Tanjiro's defining traits is that he mourns for the demons he slays.

7 Anya Forger is Hilarious and Adorable in Equal Measure

Spy x Family

There are no shortage of adorable and funny anime characters, but few have exploded in popularity quite like Anya Forger from Spy x Family. Anya's memeable faces, psychic powers, and positive attitude are all traits that make her so beloved among anime fans. Kid characters are notoriously difficult to get right in fiction. Going either too wholesome or too rambunctious can often make the character come across more as annoying than cute. Spy x Family though strikes the right balance, leading to some truly hilarious moments involving Anya.

Spy x Family

TV-14

Animation

Action

Adventure

Comedy

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Not available

Cast

Takuya Eguchi , Atsumi Tanezaki , Saori Hayami , Alex Organ , Megan Shipman , Natalie Van Sistine

Release Date

April 9, 2022

Seasons

2

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Franchise(s)

Spy X Family

Writers

Kazuhiro Furuhashi , Ichirō Ōkouchi

Directors

Kazuhiro Furuhashi , Takahiro Harada

Creator(s)

Tatsuya Endo

6 Usagi Tsukino is Easily the Most Famous Magical Girl of All Time

Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon is a wildly successful series, due in large part to Usagi, one of the most popular anime characters ever. Usagi is the everygirl, interested in boyfriends and fashion and not doing her schoolwork. She's often a reluctant hero, as her magical destiny was forced upon her without her permission. Usagi is the reincarnation of Queen Serenity, ruler of the ancient Moon Kingdom, and is thus given the role of Sailor Moon, tasked with protecting the Earth from evil forces. Usagi is also a good friend and works well with the other Sailor Scouts when the chips are down.

5 Naruto Uzumaki's Character Arc Cements Him as an All-Time Classic

Naruto

Rated the best Shonen Jump anime of all time by Ranker, Naruto always comes up whenever the most popular anime characters are discussed. Fans adore the series' main character, Naruto Uzumaki, for his relentless drive and charisma. Despite having no family and being rejected by his people as a child, Naruto developed into a respectable and upright adult, defending the very people who bullied him.

An amateur ninja at first, failing to pass the Academy three times, Naruto's initial failures made him more relatable than many other shonen heroes at the time. He eventually advanced to the position of Hokage, the strongest shinobi, via training and pure willpower. He is intelligent, entertaining, and a devoted friend, all of which are key to making him a beloved character.

4 Monkey D. Luffy Represents Freedom and Liberation to Millions

One Piece

One Piece has been airing for more than 23 years, making it one of the longest-running anime of all time. One Piece's hero, Monkey D. Luffy, has consistently been among the most popular anime characters for almost that entire time. This silly, innocent man is known for his loyalty, goofiness, and trademark smile. He will stop at nothing to protect his friends and their ambitions, and dreams of becoming King of the Pirates.

Luffy's real dream in One Piece is actually to be free, and to explore the world's hidden corners, a fantasy shared by many. His honesty and courage don't make him any less fun to be around, and Luffy is one hero who can always be counted on.

One Piece (1999)

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Super Power

Where to Watch

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Cast

Mayumi Tanaka , Kazuya Nakai , Akemi Okamura , Kappei Yamaguchi , Hiroaki Hirata , Ikue Ôtani , Yuriko Yamaguchi , Kazuki Yao , Chō

Release Date

October 20, 1999

Seasons

20

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Franchise(s)

One Piece

Writers

Junki Takegami , Shoji Yonemura , Hirohiko Uesaka

Directors

Kônosuke Uda , Junji Shimizu , Munehisa Sakai

Main Genre

Action

Creator(s)

Eiichiro Oda

Pokémon

Without a doubt one of the most recognized and most popular anime characters in history, Ash Ketchum was the protagonist of Pokémon for a whopping 25 years, so generations of kids grew up alongside Ash over that time. It's impossible to talk about Ash without also mentioning his best friend Pikachu, a loyal Pokémon who never leaves his side, and can often be seen perched upon his shoulder.

Ash's determination is unlike any other anime protagonist, as his quest to become the greatest Pokémon Master often sees him up against world-ending threats and even the literal god of Pokémon. Aside from his determination, Ash is also courageous and never afraid to stand up for what's right, even willing to look past his own ambitions to ensure good wins.

Pokémon (1997)

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Animation

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Not available

Not available

Cast

Rica Matsumoto , Mayumi Iizuka , Yūji Ueda , Tomokazu Seki , Kaori Suzuki , Fushigi Yamada , Megumi Toyoguchi

Release Date

March 7, 1992

Seasons

5

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Netflix

Franchise(s)

Pokemon

Writers

Takeshi Shudo , Junki Takegami , Atsuhiro Tomioka , Aya Matsui , Shoji Yonemura , Dai Saito

Directors

Kunihiko Yuyama , Daiki Tomiyasu , Jun Owada , Saori Den

Main Genre

Adventure

Creator(s)

Naoko Takeuchi

2 Totoro is the Enduring Symbol of an Entire Anime Empire

My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro is one of the most iconic pieces of anime ever, and a large part of that is the titular forest monster himself. Possessing a simple but incredibly likable design, Totoro is the perfect symbol for everything that makes Ghibli the powerhouse that it is. Totoro is almost the platonic ideal of a mascot character. He's not trying too hard to be goofy and his antics truly evoke a sense of childhood wonder. Ghibli truly could not have chosen a better character to represent themselves than Totoro, making him one of the most beloved anime icons ever created.

1 Goku is a Global Icon & the World's Most Popular Anime Hero

Dragon Ball

Goku is undoubtedly the most famous anime character ever. He has served as the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball series for 32 years and has kept the show running with his wit, charms, innocence, and power. Over that time, Goku has grown from a slightly bratty young boy into Earth's greatest defender, having saved the planet time and again from magical and extraterrestrial threats.

One of Goku's greatest assets is his ability to turn enemies into friends, most notably his friendship with fellow Saiyan Vegeta, who went from an unrepentant killer to a family man due to Goku's influence. Goku's pure heart, selflessness, loyalty, and dedication are his best traits, and are key to why he's the all-time most popular anime character.

Dragon Ball Z (1989)

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Comedy

Super Power

Fantasy

Martial Arts

Shounen

Where to Watch

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Dragon Ball Z is the sequel series to Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball and continues the adventures of Goku. Along with his companions, Goku defends the Earth against various villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors to powerful androids and nearly indestructible creatures.

Cast

Masako Nozawa , Ryou Horikawa , Hiromi Tsuru , Hiroko Emori , Shigeru Chiba , Naoko Watanabe , Mayumi Tanaka , Naoki Tatsuta , Yukimasa Kishino

Release Date

April 26, 1989

Seasons

9

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Franchise(s)

Dragon Ball

Writers

Akira Toriyama , Takao Koyama

Directors

Daisuke Nishio

Main Genre

Action

Creator(s)

Akira Toriyama