Top 20 Anime Characters of the Century (So Far)

These anime characters – from legendary heroes to cunning masterminds – truly defined the look and feel of anime in the 2000s, 2010s, and continue to influence it today. They built huge fan communities, started countless trends, and star in series that are still popular with new anime fans. This list highlights the most impactful characters from epic action series, clever mysteries, and touching dramas, and includes information about the anime they’re from and the animation studios that created them.

Monkey D. Luffy

Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, is at the heart of ‘One Piece,’ driven by a search for the ultimate treasure and his ambition to become the Pirate King. The anime series follows his adventures across vast oceans, through epic battles, and as he forges alliances. His unique ability, gained from a Devil Fruit, allows him to stretch his body, leading to imaginative and increasingly powerful fighting techniques. The story highlights his crew’s growth, a thrilling rescue mission, and clashes with the most powerful pirates in the world.

Naruto Uzumaki

‘Naruto’ and ‘Naruto: Shippuden’ tell the story of a young, orphaned ninja determined to prove himself and become the leader of his village, known as the Hokage. The series, created by Studio Pierrot, follows him from his time as a student through increasingly challenging conflicts involving powerful creatures and historic families. Throughout his journey, he endures intense training, builds strong bonds with mentors, and faces off against rivals, all of which help him grow as a ninja. The show features epic battles where he develops new skills and learns the importance of working with his teammates.

Eren Yeager

The main character of ‘Attack on Titan’ starts as someone fighting against giant, human-eating creatures, but his role changes dramatically as he learns the secrets of his world. The anime began with Wit Studio and was later finished by MAPPA. The story follows his growth, the powers he gains, and the complicated relationships between the people living within the walls and those beyond them. Important episodes reveal the past and lead to large-scale wars.

Tanjiro Kamado

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ begins with a heartbreaking loss for the main character, who then dedicates himself to finding a way to save his sister. The animation studio Ufotable beautifully portrays his rigorous training and dangerous missions, emphasizing his mastery of sword skills and special breathing techniques. Throughout his journey, he faces challenges like difficult exams, joins elite teams, and fights powerful demons. The story unfolds in distinct chapters, gradually revealing more about the demon slayer corps and its structure.

Saitama

‘One Punch Man’ centers around a powerfully strong, bald hero who can defeat enemies with just one punch, but is constantly seeking a worthy opponent. The first season, created by Madhouse, introduced viewers to a world of professional heroes and a dangerous monster organization, and the second season was produced by J.C.STAFF. The show delves into how heroes are ranked, licensed, and compete in tournaments, while also portraying the large-scale disasters they face and the complex systems surrounding their work.

Light Yagami

In ‘Death Note,’ a brilliant student discovers a supernatural notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. The series follows his attempts to test how much he can control and remain hidden, and then explores the intense psychological battle between him and the police task force trying to catch him. It dives into the details of their investigations, how they use surveillance, and the specific rules of the notebook itself. As the notebook changes hands and identities are concealed, the stakes get higher and the cases become increasingly complex.

Lelouch Lamperouge

In ‘Code Geass,’ a prince living in exile obtains the ability to control others and uses this power to try and liberate his nation, which is currently under occupation. The anime, created by Sunrise, skillfully combines everyday high school life with intense mecha battles and a gripping political revolution. The story centers around a masked hero, rebellions, and intricate relationships between different groups. Battles are fought using advanced robotic weapons called Knightmare Frames, and the war is constantly changing with shifting battle lines.

Edward Elric

In ‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,’ a skilled alchemist desperately tries to fix his and his brother’s bodies after a dangerous experiment goes wrong. The anime closely follows the original manga, diving deep into the science of alchemy, the workings of the military, and detailed research. As they travel, the brothers uncover a huge national conspiracy, encounter mysterious artificial beings called homunculi, and learn about a long history of war that’s connected to the country’s very foundation. Key storylines include challenging exams, secret research facilities, and international conflicts.

Ichigo Kurosaki

In the anime ‘Bleach,’ a replacement Soul Reaper develops powers that lead him into conflicts throughout the spirit world. The animation studio, Pierrot, portrays missions happening in the human world, including rescues from heavily guarded cities and battles against well-organized enemy groups. As the story progresses, characters gain new abilities, swords, and train in unique locations. The plot explores secret squads, powerful captains, and the complex political landscape between different worlds.

Izuku Midoriya

‘My Hero Academia’ centers on a young hero who gains superpowers and learns to control them while attending a hero academy. The animation showcases the rigorous training, including classroom exercises, internships, and work at professional hero agencies, all under the watchful eye of the public. The story progresses through challenges like facing villainous leagues, earning a provisional license, and upholding public safety laws. Each school period features events like festivals, work experience, and team-based training, all leading up to bigger, more dangerous conflicts.

Gojo Satoru

In ‘Jujutsu Kaisen,’ the teacher Gojo is a powerful defender who protects his school from dangerous curses using unique abilities and a special domain. The animation studio MAPPA showcases the world of modern exorcists, including its organizations and the ranking system for sorcerers. Each episode features intense battles against powerful threats, details about the sorcerers’ missions, and events involving different schools. The series also uses flashbacks to reveal the history behind conflicts between teachers and ongoing disagreements.

Loid Forger

In ‘Spy x Family,’ a spy creates a pretend family as part of a secret mission. He needs to get close to a school and maintain a stable public image, so he adopts a child and enters a marriage of convenience. The anime, produced by Wit Studio and CloverWorks, shows how his spy work—including secret messages and careful planning—overlaps with everyday family life, school events, and security measures.

Anya Forger

In ‘Spy x Family,’ Anya, a child with telepathic powers, is central to her father’s secret mission, all while she tries to hide what she can do. The anime, created by Wit Studio and CloverWorks, shows the competitive world of school – rankings, points, and the challenges of fitting in. Each episode features tests, classroom activities, and exclusive events. Anya’s unique ability connects international diplomacy with the ordinary parts of school life, helping to move the mission forward.

Ken Kaneki

In ‘Tokyo Ghoul,’ a student undergoes a life-changing event that transforms his body and forces him to navigate a world between humans and ghouls. The anime, produced by Studio Pierrot, depicts a city filled with a hidden network of cafes, ghoul investigators, and territorial gangs. The story follows the protagonist’s training to manage his newfound hunger, create disguises, and participate in operations led by a dedicated organization. As loyalties shift and identities become blurred, conflict erupts throughout the city’s different areas.

Rimuru Tempest

In ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime,’ the main character, reborn as a slime, works to create a new nation. The anime shows how he builds this nation by making deals with different groups and powers. It focuses on things like planning cities, forming alliances, and creating defenses. The story also covers managing resources, categorizing monsters, and developing the government. Big storylines involve important meetings and wars that change the map.

Boji

‘Ranking of Kings’ follows a young prince who works hard to become stronger, even though he faces physical challenges, all while dealing with the complicated world of the royal court. Wit Studio beautifully animates this fantasy world, using unique touches like sign language and shadow creatures, and showcasing different groups vying for power. The story explores themes of who will inherit the throne, the bonds of loyalty between protectors and those they serve, and hidden treasures concealed within secret passages. Throughout his journey, the prince faces tests that challenge his leadership skills and how well he can meet the expectations of the kingdom and his various teachers.

Violet Evergarden

In ‘Violet Evergarden,’ a former soldier adjusts to life after war by working as an Auto Memory Doll, essentially a ghostwriter who crafts letters for others. The anime, created by Kyoto Animation, is set in a world recovering from conflict, where travel and the postal service follow very specific rules. Each episode focuses on Violet’s assignments, how she learns to write letters based on her clients’ stories, and the business side of her work. Through her journeys, she discovers lost letters and records, ultimately helping to reunite families.

Senku Ishigami

In ‘Dr. Stone,’ a brilliant scientist works to restore civilization after everyone has been turned to stone, using practical engineering and invention. The anime, produced by TMS Entertainment, meticulously shows how things are created, from glass to electricity and communication systems. It details everything needed for each new invention – the materials, where they come from, and the labs where it all happens. As progress is made, people team up to defend their research and increase production.

Gon Freecss

In ‘Hunter x Hunter,’ a young trainee strives to become a licensed Hunter and find his father, facing challenging exams and battles that demand clever thinking. The animation studio Madhouse brings to life complex trials, agreements, and the Nen system – a power system with various types and limitations. The story explores the rules of the Hunter Association, different specialized roles, and unfolds through extended storylines that often shift between genres. Throughout these adventures, characters form alliances and rivalries during competitions, dangerous missions, and expeditions.

Nezuko Kamado

In ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,’ one sister travels safely hidden in a box during the day and joins her brother in battle at night. The animation studio, Ufotable, vividly shows her unique demon powers and the limitations that affect how she fights. The series explores the strict rules of the demon slayer corps, the medical studies they conduct, and the hierarchy of the demons they face. Major battles are connected to uncovering the reasons behind the demons’ transformations.

Share your own picks for the century’s defining anime characters in the comments.

2025-10-24 00:18