Characters are the heart and soul of any story, pushing the plot further while establishing themselves as integral aspects. However, characters do more than just drive a story; they also connect with the audience, whether good or bad, to evoke feelings. This personal connection with fans creates some of the most beloved characters, and anime, in particular, has a great deal of essential characters.
Anime like One Piece prove to have countless endearing characters, but these ten individuals are the most beloved anime characters. A beloved character is one that has no or very few haters, with the love overwhelming any negative emotions directed at them. This list ranks the ten most beloved anime characters based on their amount of love compared to hate, fan opinion, and reasons why they are beloved.
15
Portgas D. Ace
‘One Piece’ (1999–Present)
Fire Fist Ace from One Piece with Mera Mera no Mi devil fruit powerImage via Toei Animation
One Piece is one of the most beloved and hated anime series at the same time, and its characters are no different, but some swing in favor of being beloved, such as Portgas D. Ace. He was the brother of Monkey D. Luffy and the 2nd captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, spending his time going after Blackbeard for killing a crewmate.
As mentioned in the intro, One Piece has a lot of fans and haters, meaning there are more than enough poor opinions of characters, especially Ace. However, even if some don’t like him, he is mostly agreed to be a fan-favorite, and after his sacrifice, Ace is definitely a beloved icon in one of the most popular anime series of all time.
14
Itachi Uchiha
‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)
Sasuke looking frightened as Itachi pokes his forehead, looking exhausted in Naruto Shippuden.Image via Viz Media
One of the biggest plot twists in anime happened in Naruto, where it was revealed that one of the villains, Itachi Uchiha, was actually a good guy, or at least an anti-hero. He was the brother of Sasuke Uchiha and a main member of the Akatsuki, but despite working with them, he had ulterior goals.
Itachi is a polarizing and controversial anime character because, on one hand, the plot twist revealed he is a good brother who cares about Sasuke and his safety. But on the other hand, he still murdered his entire clan, including children. Still, fans adore him either way for many reasons, from his love of Sasuke to his overwhelming strength, to the simple fact that he is badass.
13
Levi Ackerman
‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)
Levi with white eyes steaming in Attack on TitanImage via MAPPA
Few anime leave an impact and legacy like Attack on Titan, which, despite the polarizing ending, broke the internet because it was so popular. It has many well-written characters, but Levi Ackerman is the most adored, serving as the Survey Corps’ strongest member.
Attack on Titan is one of the best war manga series ever, and despite its constant dreary battles and depressing moments, fans never lost their love for Levi, no matter how much blood he was drenched in. From his cool and stoic demeanor to a couple of fun quirks and undying loyalty, he was a constant lovable presence in the plot and in fans’ hearts.
12
Kamina
‘Gurren Lagann’ (2007)
Kamina from Gurren Lagann smilingImage via Gainax
Trigger is an animation studio known for its distinct style and over-the-top stories, including Gurren Lagann, which featured a character everyone will remember in their hearts. Kamina may not be the protagonist, but he stole the show, influencing Simon to have the courage to pierce the heavens.
What can anime fans say? They love their big brother-type characters. After Ace and Itachi is Kamina, one of the most beloved anime characters who went through the ultimate sacrifice. Some say he is a bit of a jerk, but overall he is a ball of pure charisma and joy, bringing a warm and enjoyable presence with him at all times. Plus, Kamina is the catalyst of Gurren Lagann and a narrative mentor that no one can bring themselves to hate.
11
Son Goku
‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989–1996)
Son Goku in ‘Dragon Ball Z’Image via Toei Animation
This list features some of the most popular anime series of all time, but none of them are bigger than Dragon Ball and its protagonist, Son Goku. Falling to Earth as a child, he doesn’t have much of a purpose besides eating, sleeping, fighting, and protecting his friends.
As the most popular and recognizable anime character, Goku naturally has some haters, but when compared to the overwhelming support and love, he definitely deserves to be on this list. Goku is the foundational anime protagonist, who obviously became an icon who influenced other characters. Since he became the blueprint for others, it is only natural that fans liked him; otherwise, other shows wouldn’t try to replicate him.
10
Frieren
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–Present)
Frieren standing in a field of flowers in Frieren Beyond Journey’s End.Image via Madhouse
It didn’t take long for Frieren to nestle her way into the hearts of fans around the world. The titular protagonist of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is an elf with a near-infinite lifespan, prompting her to take her time. However, after Frieren’s party grows old and passes on, she embarks on a quest with their students to Aubsert, the land of the dead, where she plans to speak with them one last time and share her true feelings.
Despite the anime only coming out in 2023, Frieren is already a fan-favorite, proving why this anime is a modern classic. While the entire cast is great, Frieren is the glue, and she also has her flaws that disrupt the order, making her a lovable character who is both mature and childish. She is a wise teacher, an excellent friend, and a fearsome opponent with virtually no haters but a bunch of loyal fans.
9
Satoru Gojo
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–Present)
Satoru Gojo breaking glass in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2.Image via MAPPA
Modern anime are taking over the world, with these new shows finding popularity relatively fast compared to older shows. Jujutsu Kaisen, specifically, is one of the most popular new-gen shows with much to love. Satoru Gojo is a significant character and mentor to Yuji, helping him deal with his demon finger problem while also fighting against some of the most powerful threats in the world.
As the strongest character in Jujutsu Kaisen, many fans love him for his power. However, he also has a massive fanbase on the opposite spectrum, loving him for his looks and charisma. Putting these two fanbases together, Gojo is a beloved anime character who is cool and charismatic. He does have some haters, but his love is so overwhelming he more than deserves to be on this list as the best part of one of the most action-packed epic anime.
Collider Exclusive · Action Hero Quiz Which Action Hero Would Be Your Perfect Partner? Rambo · James Bond · Indiana Jones · John McClane · Ethan Hunt
Five legends. Five completely different ways of getting out alive — with style, with muscle, with charm, with luck, or with a plan so intricate it probably shouldn’t work. Ten questions will reveal which action hero was built to have your back.
🎖️Rambo
🍸James Bond
🏺Indiana Jones
🔧John McClane
🎭Ethan Hunt
01
You’re dropped into a dangerous situation with no warning. What do you need most from a partner? The first few seconds tell you everything about who belongs beside you.
02
You have to get somewhere dangerous, fast. How do you travel? How you get there is half the mission.
03
You’re pinned down and outnumbered. What does your ideal partner do? This is when you find out what someone is really made of.
04
The mission is paused. You have one evening to decompress. What does your partner suggest? Who someone is when the pressure drops is who they actually are.
05
How do you prefer your partner to communicate mid-mission? Good communication is the difference between partners and a liability.
06
Your enemy is powerful, well-resourced, and has the upper hand. How should your partner approach them? The approach to the enemy defines the partnership.
07
Things go badly wrong and you’re captured. What do you trust your partner to do? Who someone is when you need them most is the only thing that matters.
08
What does your ideal partner bring to the table that you couldn’t replace? A great partner fills the gap you didn’t know you had.
09
Every partnership has a cost. Which of these can you live with? No one comes without baggage. The question is whether you can carry it together.
10
It’s the final moment. Everything is on the line. What do you need from your partner right now? The last question is the most honest one.
Your Partner Has Been Assigned Your Perfect Partner Is…
Your answers have pointed to one action hero above all others. This is the person built to have your back — for better or considerably, spectacularly worse.
Rambo
Your partner doesn’t talk much, doesn’t need to, and will have assessed every threat in your immediate environment before you’ve finished your first sentence. John Rambo is not a man of plans or politics — he is a force of nature shaped by survival, loyalty, and a capacity for endurance that goes beyond anything training can produce. He will not leave you behind. He has never left anyone behind who deserved to come home. What you get with Rambo is the most capable, most quietly ferocious partner imaginable — one who has been through things that would have broken anyone else, and who chose to keep going anyway. You’ll never need to ask if he has your back. You’ll just know.
James Bond
Your partner will arrive perfectly dressed, perfectly briefed, and with a cover story so convincing it’ll take you a moment to remember what’s actually true. James Bond is the most professionally dangerous person in any room he enters — and the most disarmingly charming, which is the point. He operates in a world of layers, where nothing is what it appears and every advantage is used without apology. You’ll never be bored. You’ll occasionally be furious. But when it matters — when the mission is genuinely on the line and the margin for error has collapsed to nothing — Bond is exactly the partner you want. He has survived things that have no business being survivable. He does it with style. That is not nothing.
Indiana Jones
Your partner will know the history, the language, the cultural context, and exactly why the thing everyone else is ignoring is actually the most important thing in the room. Indiana Jones is brilliant, reckless, and occasionally impossible — but he is also one of the most resourceful, most genuinely knowledgeable partners you could find yourself beside. He approaches every situation with a scholar’s eye and a brawler’s instinct, which is an unusual combination and a remarkably effective one. He hates snakes and gets personally attached to objects of historical significance, both of which will slow you down at least once. It doesn’t matter. What Indy brings is irreplaceable — and the adventures you’ll have together will be the kind people write books about. Assuming you survive them.
John McClane
Your partner was not supposed to be here. He does not have the right equipment, the right information, or anything approaching the right odds. He has a sarcastic remark and an absolute refusal to accept that the situation is as bad as it looks. John McClane is the greatest accidental hero in the history of action cinema — a man whose superpower is stubbornness, whose contingency plan is improvisation, and whose capacity to absorb punishment and keep moving would be alarming if it weren’t so useful. He will complain the entire time. He will make it significantly more chaotic than it needed to be. And he will absolutely, unconditionally, without question come through when it counts. Yippee-ki-yay.
Ethan Hunt
Your partner has already run seventeen scenarios by the time you’ve finished reading the briefing, and the plan he’s settled on involves at least two things that should be physically impossible. Ethan Hunt operates at the absolute edge of human capability — technically, physically, and intellectually — and he brings the same relentless precision to protecting his partners that he brings to dismantling organisations that shouldn’t exist. He is not easy to know and he will never fully tell you everything. But he will carry the weight of the mission so completely, so absolutely, that your job is simply to trust him — and the remarkable thing is that trusting him always turns out to be the right call. The mission will be impossible. He will complete it anyway.
8
Robert E.O. Speedwagon
‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ (2012–Present)
Robert E.O. Speedwagon holding a match in Jojo’s Bizarre AdventureImage via David Production
With new protagonists in every part, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has many lovable characters for fans. However, the most beloved character of the series, and anime in general, is Robert E.O. Speedwagon from part one, Phantom Blood. Initially a villain, Speedwagon becomes Jonathan’s trusted ally after he shows him kindness, helping him take down Dio and foil his master plan.
Phantom Blood is one of the most underrated arcs in animefor many reasons, with Speedwagon being a key factor. He isn’t the most integral, strong, or relevant character, but his constant presence warmed him up to everyone. Most of his love comes from memes, but he is a beloved character nonetheless, as he provides helpful quips and motivational speeches that fans can’t help but adore.
7
Yoruichi Shihouin
‘Bleach’ (2004–2012)
Image via Hulu
After losing popularity, Bleachreturned in 2022 better than ever, re-establishing itself as one of the most popular anime ever. While there are many great characters with few haters, Yoruichi Shihouin is a prominent and beloved character who sticks out even among the main cast. She was a former captain and head of her clan but defected to do things her own way, highlighting her strength and personality.
Choosing just one character from Bleach was difficult, but Yoruichi is a universally beloved individual from that show for many reasons, whether it is her looks, strength, or personality. In a series where power, entertainment, and style are key, Yoruichi embodies all three, making her relevant to the story and the fans. Yoruichi is also one of the most prominent Black anime characters, garnering even more love.
6
Mumen Rider
‘One Punch Man’ (2015–Present)
Mumen Rider prepares to attack while yelling at the Deep Sea King who is in front of him in One Punch Man.Image via Madhouse
One Punch Man is an anime with countless mighty characters known for their epic power and destructive attacks. With so many strong and beloved characters, the one who sticks out as the most adored is Mumen Rider, a C-class hero with no powers or abilities. While Season 2 was one of the most disliked anime, the first season had many strong points, including Mumen Rider.
There are so many personalities in One Punch Man, and with so many arrogant people, Mumen Rider is a breath of fresh air. Despite having no power, he has the strongest will and sense of justice, standing up to any villain, no matter how powerful. This instantly made him a fan-favorite character with absolutely zero haters and countless fans praising his bravery.
