25 of the Most Popular and Iconic Characters in Anime

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Anime Expert Ed Erskine lists some of the most famous anime characters of all time

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Izuku Midoriya, aka Deku (My Hero Academia)

2 Alucard (Hellsing)

3 Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer)

4 Kaguya Shinomiya (Kaguya-Sama: Love is War)

5 Yuno Gasai (Future Diary)

6 Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

7 Rem (Re:Zero)

8 Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

9 Kenshiro (Fist of the North Star)

10 Rintaro Okabe (Steins;Gate)

11 Guts (Berserk)

12 Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

13 Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)

14 Light Yagami (Death Note)

15 Killua Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)

16 L Lawliet (Death Note)

17 Pikachu (Pokémon)

18 Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

19 Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

20 Amuro Ray (Gundam Mobile Suit)

21 Sailor Moon (Sailor Moon)

22 Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

23 Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

24 Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)

25 Goku (Dragon Ball)

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Co-authored by Ed Erskine and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: February 21, 2026 Fact Checked

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Anime’s origins can be traced back to early 20th-century Japan. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that anime truly began taking off, with the release of Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy. In the decades that followed, anime like Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon became international household staples, bringing colorful and compelling characters into viewers’ lives. If you’re a diehard anime fan, look no further, as we’ve compiled a list of the most popular and beloved anime characters of all time (in no particular order). Keep reading to see if your favorites make the cut!

What are some of the most popular characters in anime?

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Anime Expert Ed Erskine says many of the most popular anime characters come from the "Big Three": One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. The main characters from these shows are Luffy, Naruto, and Ichigo, respectively. Goku from Dragon Ball Z is another famous character. Other popular anime characters include:

• Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass
• Sailor Moon from Sailor Moon
• Pikachu from Pokémon
• Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist
• L from Death Note

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1

Izuku Midoriya, aka Deku (My Hero Academia)

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1. 
   In a world where everyone has superpowers but him, Deku is still the bravest boy in the room. After intervening while his bully, Katsuki Bakugo, is being attacked, Deku’s idol, All Might, steps in and chooses to name Deku as the inheritor of his powers. Deku uses All Might’s powers to train tirelessly and defeat a league of villains, often praised for his selflessness, bravery, and perseverance.
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2

Alucard (Hellsing)

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1. 
   While there are a number of noteworthy anime vampires, Alucard is often considered the most impressive and powerful of all. Once Count Dracula, the Hellsing family defeated him and asked him to join their ranks in fighting their enemies. He was later named Alucard, which spells “Dracula” in reverse. Merciless, menacing, and immortal, Alucard’s only soft spot might be for his companion and ingenue, Seras Victoria.

3

Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer)

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1. 
   Nezuko’s whole family is massacred, leaving her and her older brother, Tanjiro, orphaned. What’s worse: Nezuko then gets turned into a demon, but she somehow fights her new urges to keep her pure heart. Tanjiro vows to find a way to make her human again, embarking on a long journey. She’s known for wearing pink, her bamboo muzzle to keep from eating humans, and being generally adorable despite being, well, a demon.
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4

Kaguya Shinomiya (Kaguya-Sama: Love is War)

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1. 
   Kaguya-Sama: Love is War is a romantic comedy starring Kaguya. Pretty, popular, and prideful, Kaguya is the president of the student council. She has feelings for her classmate, Miyuki Shirogane, but refuses to fess up. What ensues is a hilarious battle of wits between the two, each trying to get the other to declare their love first. Kaguya always wears a red bow in her hair to match her ruby red eyes.

5

Yuno Gasai (Future Diary)

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1. 
   Pink-haired Yuno is the female protagonist of Future Diary, which revolves around a Squid Game-esque battle royale in which every participant is given a future diary. These diaries predict the future, and Yuno uses hers to fuel her obsession with her crush, Yukiteru. Although she presents as timid, sweet, and mild-mannered, Yuno is a ruthless killer beneath the surface, making her a complex and fascinating character.
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6

Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

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   Ichigo is a teenager with the ability to see spirits walking among humans. He encounters one such spirit who ends up bestowing him with Soul Reaper powers, which he uses to defeat evil spirits called Hollows. But don’t get it twisted– aside from his various supernatural abilities and countless kills, Ichigo is just a teenage boy navigating high school. Fans admire his determination, altruism, and emotional depth.

7

Rem (Re:Zero)

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   In Re:Zero, the protagonist, Subaru, is transported to an alternate magical realm. Rem works as a maid there and is very hostile toward Subaru at first. She even kills him a couple of times after mistaking him for a member of the Witch’s Cult. She becomes quite fond of him and becomes his closest ally for the remainder of the series. Rem is a fan favorite, winning the "Best Girl" category at the 1st Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
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8

Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

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   Adventurous and mysterious, Spike is a freelance space-faring bounty hunter in a universe where intergalactic travel is commonplace. Slowly, we learn more about Spike’s history in the seedy criminal underworld and how it shaped his relationship with a former lover. The show first premiered in 1998, revealing a character in Spike that was equal parts bold and tortured, and above all, compelling.

9

Kenshiro (Fist of the North Star)

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1. 
   This anime takes place in a Mad Maxian dystopian universe, with Kenshiro starring as the last inheritor of a powerful ancient martial art. This means that he’s able to make his enemy’s bodies explode by tapping on certain pressure points. Although his kills are brutal, he’s truly a softie at heart, going out of his way to protect the innocent. Although Fist of the North Star ended in 1988, the love of Kenshiro remains.
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10

Rintaro Okabe (Steins;Gate)

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1. 
   Rintaro fits the mad scientist anime trope to a key: innovative, brilliant, and self-important. Rintaro invents a way to send messages to the past, and figures out that he’s the only person who can identify different timelines. This results in new, fascinating discoveries about the flow of time with intrepid Rintaro at the helm. Rintaro was named Best Male Anime Character of the Year at the first Newtype Anime Awards in 2011.

11

Guts (Berserk)

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1. 
   Berserk is set in a medieval dark fantasy universe, where our protagonist, Guts, is born from his mother’s corpse. He goes on to become a wandering swordsman, ultimately recruited by the leader of a mercenary group called Band of the Hawk. Guts’ skills are only surpassed by his intensity, depth, and emotional strength, despite his long list of traumas. His character arc shows immense growth, which is why he’s so well-liked.
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12

Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

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1. 
   Edward is often thought of as one of the best brothers in anime. He and his little brother, Alphonse, are alchemists who try to use transmutation to bring their dead mother back. When it goes wrong, Alphonse’s body disappears, causing Edward to bind Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor. They embark on a journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone, thought to be able to give Alphonse his body back.

13

Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)

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1. 
   In the universe of this anime, human hunters with supernatural abilities are awakened to fight against evil monsters in order to save mankind. Our protagonist, Sung, is initially weak until a computer program called the System offers him stronger powers. Sung ultimately discovers that he’s “the chosen one,” and that humanity’s fate depends on him. Despite his hardships and responsibilities, Sung emerges as a hero every time.
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14

Light Yagami (Death Note)

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   Light is one of the few fan favorites who start off good but eventually descend into darkness. Light is a high school student who finds a magical notebook, called Death Note. This grants him the ability to kill anyone on earth as long as he has their name and face, and he uses this power to rid the world of evil-doers and corruption. However, he ends up becoming the very thing he hated, adding nuance and complexity to his character.

15

Killua Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)

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   Killua comes from a family of assassins, but he gets sick of killing and gradually learns the value of human life. In an attempt to escape his murderous past, he teams up with Gon, who is searching for his father. They become friends and allies, honing their fighting skills and defeating many opponents along the way. The journey helps Killua mature, resulting in the merciful and conscientious young man he is by the end.
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16

L Lawliet (Death Note)

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   L is an eccentric anime version of James Bond, as he is an international man of mystery who communicates with the authorities at be via his handler. His mission is to find and stop the mass murderer Light, known as Kira. They play a deadly cat-and-mouse game, where L outwits Kira. One of the most infamous crime-solvers in all of anime, L also had a major sweet tooth and an iconic way of sitting by bringing his knees up to his face.

17

Pikachu (Pokémon)

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   Arguably the most famous Pokémon of all time, Pikachu has been delighting audiences since 1996. An electric-type pokémon, Pikachu looks like a big yellow mouse with a lightning rod-shaped tail. He became Ash Ketchum’s prized companion early on in the series, forging an unbreakable bond. He helped Ash defeat powerful pokémon like Charizard, along with other enemies like Team Rocket. And did we mention how cute he is?
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18

Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

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1. 
   This anime takes place on the Blue Planet, where humans coexist with dwarves, giants, and other mythological races. Monkey is the protagonist pirate and leader of the Straw Hat Pirates. Monkey’s goal is to find One Piece, a mysterious treasure that he believes will secure his place as the King of the Pirates. Although he’s goofy and fun-loving for the most part, Monkey fights to win, adding depth to his lovable character.

19

Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

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   Levi is another example of a secondary character who outshines the protagonist. The series follows Eren Yeager, a boy whose family was murdered by large, violent beings called titans that loom over their city’s tall walls. When Eren discovers he can turn into a titan himself, Levi recruits his services to stop the titans once and for all. Levi fights his own share of battles against the titans, proving to be a formidable adversary.
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20

Amuro Ray (Gundam Mobile Suit)

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   Amuro is the protagonist of this vintage series, first released in 1979. In this space-faring universe, a rebel nation called Zeon has waged war on Earth, killing much of the population. Young mechanic Amuro manages to defeat Zeon’s most recent attack by piloting a giant robot called RX-78-2 Gundam. Many others are inspired by Amuro’s bravery to fight, earning him the title of most beloved Gundam pilot.

21

Sailor Moon (Sailor Moon)

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1. 
   This lovable character with an iconic hairstyle soared into the hearts of viewers everywhere in 1992. The bubbly superhero, whose human name is Usagi, uses celestial magic to defeat enemies from every corner of the universe. With her talking kitties and the rest of the Sailor Scouts by her side, Sailor Moon promotes kindness, resilience, and empathy. And although she’s a bit whiny and boy crazy, she always puts her friends and loved ones first.
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22

Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

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1. 
   This show takes place in a ninja universe, beginning with a young Naruto living in the Hidden Leaf Village. However, there is something very unique about this titular character: he has a nine-tailed fox demon living inside him. He can sometimes access the demon’s powers, which helps him to ultimately become the ninja leader of his village. Naruto never gives up and treasures his friends, making him a lovable and memorable character.

23

Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

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   While Gojo isn’t the lead character in Jujutsu Kaisen, he’s definitely one of the most memorable. Gojo is the most powerful sorcerer in town, and he acts as a mentor for the cursed teenager, Yuta. Gogo is best identified by his bright blue eyes, platinum blonde hair, and charming arrogance. He’s the best in the biz and he knows it— so who can blame him? Certainly not his league of adoring fans.
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24

Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)

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   Code Geass first aired in 2006, and the show’s protagonist, Lelouch, quickly won audiences over. A former prince scorned after the brutal defeat of his kingdom’s forces, Lelouch isolates himself. He then encounters a mysterious sorceress named C.C., who grants him the ability to command anyone to do anything. This sets forth every important event into motion, cementing Lelouch in the anime hall of fame.

25

Goku (Dragon Ball)

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1. 
   Saiyan hero Goku has been delighting audiences since 1986. Pure-hearted, energetic, and an eternal optimist, Goku fights for those he loves, like his son Gohan and his wife Chichi, although he also just loves to fight for the thrill of it. In fact, he tries to fight any and every worthwhile opponent he encounters, while still somehow retaining his childlike wonder. Don’t make him angry, though, you don’t want him to go Super Saiyan on you!
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