And the Number One Anime Character Is…

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Do you like anime? Figures you’d end up here to see if your fave made the list. Don’t deny it! When we stan a character, we need to make sure they’ve made the cut for the best of the best round-ups. We don’t blame you. Every fan has scrolled with either increasing delight or ire through a list shouting out the coolest, strongest, or most beloved anime characters. Personally, we’re aiming for delight with this one.

There are lots of popular anime characters, but who is the number one favorite anime figure of all? Let’s count down a list of 8 contenders below.

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8. L and Light (Death Note)

We know we’re cheating picking two characters for this spot. But they’re like a bonded pair of cats — separating them just seems so wrong, or even impossible. L and Light from Death Note are both extraordinarily intelligent young men. They work alongside one another on a serial murder case in Japan. The entire time, Light is the one committing most of the crimes. L, a brilliant detective, suspects as much. But getting the killer, AKA “Kira,” to slip up or provide evidence of his deeds is nearly impossible.

Death Note fans were either Team L, Team Light, or they couldn’t pick a side. The series itself encourages that wavering loyalty and all the moral conundrums that come with it. It’s an absolute treat to watch these two try to outsmart and outthink the other in the most convoluted and complex ways. The Light and L dynamic continues to entertain and inspire anime lovers everywhere.

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7. Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

If you look up “optimistic” in the dictionary, it’s just a photo of Monkey D. Luffy. The hero of One Piece is a stretchy, smiley high-seas captain with a loyal crew that is tight like family. Luffy is off on a grand treasure hunt, yes. But he also makes everyone he encounters see the treasure inside themselves. Because of his infectious joy, you can’t help but love him. And it isn’t gimmicky or overdone — you genuinely believe in yourself when Luffy tells you to.

Of course, it also helps that Luffy is super fun in a fight. Having eaten a Devil Fruit, Luffy can extend his limbs and every part of his body at his will. It kind of looks and sounds like really malleable rubber. So that bouncy personality matches a bouncy boy! It all makes sense. And it’s what makes One Piece worth sticking with or starting. Especially if you’re daunted by the 1,000+ episode count.

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6. Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Naruto Uzumaki is a little goofier and a little more crude (here’s looking at you, Sexy Jutsu technique) than Luffy. However, he shares the other hero’s enthusiasm and optimism. Naruto has a huge heart. He is determined, driven, and friendly despite the curse that lives inside him. Naruto works hard to achieve his goals and recognizes his faults. While he has to keep his ego in check every so often, he’s also earned some bragging rights as a ninja.

Also, Naruto is the main anime hero archetype. He’s a kid with big dreams to follow in his late father’s footsteps as Hokage of Hidden Leaf Village. As the series progresses, Naruto matures but never loses his silly side — he just gets better at knowing when to be serious or not. Ultimately, Naruto is easy to love. Believe it!

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5. Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Edward Elric doesn’t entirely fit in the same main category as his Shounen counterparts (Luffy and Naruto). Well, he’s got the sad past, youth, and short stature. But Edward’s story is more horrifying and has left him with both mental and physical scars that have changed him a lot. Ed is a bit sullen, and often difficult to deal with. He’s ambitious and powerful, but he’s also kind and empathetic — especially when it comes to other children adversely affected by alchemy.

That’s not to say Ed isn’t positive. But where his brother Alphonse is all sunshine and cats, Ed is more focused and fierce. The Fullmetal Alchemist will do whatever it takes to restore what he lost via transmutation gone horribly, horribly wrong. That purpose keeps him going when hope seems otherwise lost. Many people have found inspiration in his story as well as his decision to overcome his pain.

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4. Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

Oh, we see you, Space Cowboy. The smoking, suave, self-assured Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop is a total stunner. He’s slick, but also kind of strange and fumbles a few missions. Look — we can’t all be perfect looking and perfect at our jobs. And this bounty hunter certainly isn’t. But what he lacks in motivation or intelligence, he makes up for with sick martial arts skills and a charmingly indifferent attitude. Who says laziness is unattractive?

Really, Spike is one of those people that’s so unlikeable and uncaring about it that it makes you … need to care. You feel like you have to like him, and you do, because you’re so in awe of his nonchalance. When everyone cares so much about everything, stresses about the details and the drama, Spike doesn’t. He’s a breath of fresh (okay, maybe nicotine-filled) air.

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3. Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

Interestingly enough, Levi Ackerman isn’t the protagonist of Attack on Titan. That’s Eren Yeager. But Levi, alongside his distant cousin Mikasa Ackerman, are by far the most popular characters from the anime. This is partially owed to how awesome they are in battle. Levi and Mikasa display extraordinary, semi-superhuman abilities as part of the Survey Corps. One thing anime fans will always adore is a powerful, acrobatic warrior with a stoic or gruff personality.

But Levi is far more dynamic than we mean to suggest. He is fiercely loyal to Erwin Smith. Levi is also very clean and particular, a trait revealed in a scene where the captain forces the new recruits to scrub their hideout. It’s not a punishment — Levi just genuinely hates the dirt. This might be leftover resentment from his days spent on the streets, stealing and sleeping anywhere he could. Oh yeah, did we mention the tragic backstory? Levi can check every box on a list of the things fans absolutely eat up about an anime character.

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2. Goku (Dragon Ball)

How many people love Son Goku? Over 9,000! Alright, jokes aside, Goku is seriously popular. A Saiyan raised on Earth with no memory of his innate hostile nature, Goku is Earth’s greatest defender. He strives to overcome all weaknesses and obstacles to protect people. He is pure of heart, super strong, and noble. Throughout the Dragon Ball franchise, Goku does everything in his immense power to stop enemies from destroying his world — and he doesn’t expect any reward or compensation for these good deeds.

Sure, the initial draw to this anime is its intense action and cool fight sequences. But what keeps people invested is Goku’s kindness and compassion. After all, a hero is only worth what he does to earn that title. In Goku’s case, he’s done so much … and not just for the characters within the anime! Goku is a major inspiration to kids, teens, and adults across the globe.

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1. Gojo Satoru (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Like Levi above, Satoru Gojo isn’t the main character in his show. But Jujutsu Kaisen owes a lot of its acclaim to the bright blue-eyed schoolteacher. First, he’s extremely powerful — enough that people have been trying to assassinate him since he was a kid. Second, he’s attractive. Come on, you have to admit he is. The white hair on a young/fit male character is like anime fan Kryptonite.

Gojo is also just … kind of weird. He’s quirky, if you will. Gojo seems to go through life with a carefree attitude and will say anything to anyone. Plus, Gojo’s got the charm and charisma to earn himself a huge fanbase, and he kicks ass. However, he’s not strong and disconnected like many others in his place. Instead he cares deeply about his students and about the survival of sorcerers such as Yuji Itadori.

Gojo is #1!?

We know it’s bold to claim that Gojo Satoru is the number one anime character. Here’s the thing, though — Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most watched television series right now. It’s a modern masterpiece for modern fans. Whereas some fandoms are persistent or long-lived, this one sprang up and took over the anime world by storm. JJK‘s art and animation are a constant topic of awed conversation.

Right now fans are also in mourning because Gojo has been trapped in the Prison Realm so that Curses can take over the world. It’s put all the other heroes at a distinct disadvantage, but that was of course the point. Now we all have to count down to Gojo’s on-screen freedom. Literally — there are accounts dedicated to counting this down. So Gojo is trending online all the time. His ranking is based on how cool he is, of course. But it’s also just statistics.

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Do you agree that Gojo is the #1 anime character? Share your own list at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. Then, gather your favorite anime figures and action figures for your own fan-favorite collection, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!