Last updated on September 27th, 2021 at 08:48 pm
The Most Popular Anime Characters of All Time is a list of anime characters spanning several shows, and ranking them based on their popularity and appeal to the fans of anime in general and to the fans of the specific shows.
Anime has been around for decades and many shows have been released both in manga and on television. I’ve been a fan of anime ever since I first saw Voltes V as a kid (they were kinda like the Japanese Voltron). Anime has come leaps and bounds since the first few shows came out, and now we have so many shows portraying stories from so many genres.
We’ve already done several Most Popular lists for several anime on the website, so it was time to compile those lists into a mega list that encompassed the different shows and paid homage to the most popular anime characters of all time.
If you like listicles like this one, here are a few more I think you might like:
- Most Powerful One Piece Characters of All Time
- Most Powerful Anime Characters of All Time
- Best Anime To Watch On Netflix Right Now
Of course, we’ve also done a handful more “Most Powerful” and “Most Popular” for other anime so if you’d like to check those out you can visit our other listicles here.
For the placement of these characters, I searched for Most Popular lists on CBR, Screenrant, TopTens, Ranker, and Entoin. These websites seem to have similar opinions and so I compiled their lists and factored in the different characters we have on SHJ so we have more character workout options already plugged into the article. I hope you enjoy reading!
As always, leave your comments below if you were expecting other characters!
MOST POPULAR ANIME CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME
Number Thirty: Hisoka Morow
Show: Hunter x Hunter
Starting off our list of The Most Popular Anime Characters of all time is the powerful hunter, Hisoka Morow!
Hisoka is one of the villains in Hunter x Hunter, and by far one of the most powerful. He has the ability to use Nen along with raw physical power. He often seeks powerful opponents, and even spares those who he deems have potential, in order to fight them later on once they get stronger.
Hisoka Morow at SHJ:
Number Twenty-Nine: Roy Mustang
Show: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Coming in at number twenty-nine in our list of most popular anime characters is Roy Mustang, a commander in the Amestrian State military and the Flame Alchemist. He may seem aloof and gives off an air of superiority and self-importance, but at his core, he is a devoted commander who cares about the well-being of his troops and his friends.
Roy Mustang at SHJ:
Number Twenty-Eight: Joseph Joestar
Show: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
At number twenty-eight among the most popular anime characters of all time is the second Joestar to appear and the second most-recurring character in the series.
Joseph Joestar is a hotheaded character and is shown to be picking fights with almost anyone he meets if they even throw the slightest provocation his way. He is a natural-born Ripple user and can use his ability when he engages his enemies in fights. He is, by his own admission, lazy and likes to lay aloof instead of putting in the work necessary to get things done. He enjoys taunting his enemies while they go on their monologue by predicting their next words – and infuriating them by always being right on the money.
Joseph Joestar at SHJ:
Joseph Joestar Inspired Workout
Joseph Joestar Inspired Jump Rope Workout
Number Twenty-Seven: Satoru Gojo
Show: Jujutsu Kaisen
Next up among our most popular anime characters of all time is one of the protagonists from Jujutsu Kaisen, Satoru Gojo! Satoru is one of the strongest sorcerers, even among the special grade users.
Because of his family lineage, he has the innate ability to use Six Eyes, a special ability that allows the user to reduce their energy consumption during a fight so that they almost never run out of energy for the entire duration.
He is also a master of hand-to-hand combat and has a superb tactical mind, able to decide which power to use at a precise point in the battle to turn the tide.
Satoru Gojo at SHJ:
Satoru Gojo Inspired Jump Rope Workout
Number Twenty-Six: Megumin
Show: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World
In the twenty-sixth place in our list, we have the Arch Wizard of the Crimson Demons, Megumin. Megumin is a member of the Crimson Demons, a clan of powerful wizards. However, despite having so much potential to learn multiple magic spells, she limits herself to learning only the Explosion spell, due to her being saved by someone as a child with that very same spell. She is loud, mischievous, and stubborn in her stance on how to use her magic. However, she is also the one in the group who has the most common sense, according to Kazuma.
Megumin at SHJ:
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Number Twenty-Five: Yato
Show: Noragami
Yato is one of the three protagonists in Noragami, and is known by others as the god of Fortune and War.
As a god, he is immortal and can’t be killed by conventional human means. He is also an adept swordsman, as a result of him being the God of War previously, and can teleport to any place he has a connection to. His ultimate goal is to be remembered and to be reunited with his father and sister.
Yato at SHJ:
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Number Twenty-Four: Hitagi Senjougahara
Show: Ghost Story
In twenty-fourth place in our list is Hitagi Senjougahara, one of the protagonists in Ghost Story.
She is a frail girl with an incurable disease and a sharp tongue, which makes her impossible to speak to by others. After a life-changing experience, she lets go of her insecurities, begins to mingle with her classmates, and becomes more of a normal girl, albeit with her sharp tongue.
Hitagi Senjougahara at SHJ:
NO WORKOUT AVAILABLE…YET
Number Twenty-Three: Kazuto Kirigaya
Show: Sword Art Online
In twenty-third place in our list of most popular anime characters is the protagonist of Sword Art Online, Kazuto Kirigaya.
Nicknamed Kirito, he was chosen as one of the 10,000 beta testers of SAO, the first VRMMORPG, and was consequently stuck in the game for the most part of the series. During this time, he served as a Beater (a character that levels the playing field by protecting weaker players) and a Clearer (a character who participates in defeating bosses).
Kazuto Kirigaya at SHJ:
Kazuto Kirigaya Inspired Jump Rope Workout
Number Twenty-Two: Spike Spiegel
Show: Cowboy Bebop
In twenty-second place in our list is one-half of the crew of the Bebop, Spike Spiegel.
Spike is a former member of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate, but faked his death when he fell in love with a woman named Julia. He joined Jet Black to become a bounty hunter and travels the galaxy hunting down criminals among the populated planets.
Spike Spiegel at SHJ:
Spike Spiegel Inspired Workout
Number Twenty-One: Kakashi Hatake
Show: Naruto
Coming in at twenty-first place is the mentor of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura and the former leader of Team 7- Kakashi Hatake!
Kakashi is a member of the Hatake clan in Konoha, and is one of the finest shinobis in the village. He is often looked to for advice despite disliking the responsibility or the attention. For his trainees in Team 7, Kakashi always emphasizes the importance of teamwork, a lesson he learned when he was a younger ninja-in-training. After the events of the fourth ninja war, he became the Sixth Hokage of Konoha.
Kakashi at SHJ:
Kakashi Hatake Inspired Workout
Kakashi Itachi Inspired Jump Rope Workout
Number Twenty: Saitama
Show: One Punch Man
In twentieth place in our list of most popular anime, we have the superhero who is a hero only for fun, and arguably the strongest hero in his universe – Saitama of One Punch Man! Saitama is by his own admission, just a regular guy who does the hero gig for kicks. He isn’t interested in the elaborate hero ranking system or joining the Hero Association. However, when others need help, he is there to help them.
He claims that he became powerful by following a strict training regimen of 100 squats, pushups, situps a day followed by a 10-kilometer run. Many of his opponents and his friends who hear this scoff – but they are astounded when they actually see the power Saitama is capable of.
Saitama at SHJ:
One Punch Man Inspired Workout
One-Punch Man Inspired Jump Rope Workout
Number Nineteen: Rem
Show: Re: Zero
In nineteenth place in our list of most popular anime characters of all time is Rem, a maid in service of Lord Roswaal L. Mathers, alongside her sister Ram. She is one of the main supporting characters in Re:Zero and is known as an extremely polite girl who acts without thinking. She holds both respect and guilt for her sister, Ram. She falls in love with Subaru and becomes one of his most loyal followers and sticks by his side even when he loses confidence in himself.
Rem at SHJ:
NO WORKOUT AVAILABLE…YET
Number Eighteen: Ken Kaneki
Show: Tokyo Ghoul
Ken Kaneki is the main protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul. He was a shy and reserved person and held the belief that he was on earth to help others and shoulder their burdens at the risk of his life.
After he was captured and tortured, his personality changed and he became more ruthless towards his enemies and those that threatened the lives of his loved ones. However, he still maintained a calm and loving personality with his friends and family. Due to the length and extent of torture he endured, he developed a somewhat split personality – the kind and loving person with his family and friends, and the ruthless and merciless murderer his enemies fear.
Ken Kaneki at SHJ:
Number Seventeen: Hikigaya Hachiman
Show: My Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu
Nex up in our list of most popular anime is the protagonist of My Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu, Hikigaya Hachiman! Hikigaya is initially viewed as a stoic and loner guy who believes that he has made it so far in life because of his own effort. He seems very prideful and self-important. However, as the series continues, we see his inner personality change, and he finally lets go of his past belief and admits that he does care for those closest to him.
Hikigaya Hachiman at SHJ:
NO WORKOUT AVAILABLE…YET
Number Sixteen: Eren Yeager
Show: Attack on Titan
In sixteenth place in our list of most popular anime characters is the protagonist of one of the most action-packed and plot-twisty animes in recent history – Shingeki no Kyojin or Attack on Titan – Eren Yeager! Eren was a young boy when his hometown was invaded and destroyed by the Armored Titan and Colossal Titan. He spent his life within the inner walled city and when he was old enough he became a member of the Scout Regiment vowing to rid the world of all titans.
Later, he discovers that his father repressed his memories and actually gave him to power to transform into a titan himself. He uses this ability throughout the series to defeat the titans sent by the kingdom of Marley and later on uses the same powers to invade the kingdom and steal more titan powers from them. Currently, he is in possession of three titan powers – that of the founding titan, war hammer titan, and the attack titan.
Eren Yeager at SHJ:
Eren Yeager Inspired Jump Rope Workout
Number Fifteen: Mikasa Ackerman
Show: Attack on Titan
In fifteenth place is the childhood friend of Eren Yeager and by far the most powerful female hero in Attack on Titan – Mikasa Ackerman! Mikasa grew up with Eren and his family when her family was brutally murdered by some thieves and was kidnapped. She was rescued by Eren and has spent her life-saving Eren when he picks fights that he can’t win – which happens a lot – even more so since Eren vowed to rid the world of titans and became a titan himself. Her abilities with ODM gear are second only to Captain Levi, who also places on this list.
Mikasa Ackerman at SHJ:
Mikasa Ackerman Inspired Workout
Mikasa Ackerman Inspired Jump Rope Workout
Number Fourteen: Itachi Uchiha
Show: Naruto
In fourteenth place on our list of most popular anime characters of all time is Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke’s older brother and one of the strongest users of the Sharingan.
Throughout the series and including the Shippuden arc, he is thought to be a merciless killer – having killed his entire clan and sparing only Sasuke, who in turn spent his life vowing to avenge them and kill his brother. He later joined the criminal organization called the Akatsuki and fought against the Konoha ninja clans. However, near the end of his life, it’s revealed that he did what he had to in order to protect his village after he is told his family were going to stage a coup d’etat.
Itachi Uchiha at SHJ:
Itachi Uchiha Inspired Workout
Itachi Uchiha Inspired Jump Rope Workout
Number Thirteen: Guts
Show: Berserk
In thirteenth place in our mega list of most popular anime characters of all time is Guts, the former soldier and compatriot of Griffith, from the anime Berserk.
Guts was a wanderer and lone swordsman until he found an aligned goal with Griffith and the Band of the Falcon. When Griffith is captured, he leads the group to rescue him. When Guts sees that Griffith used the eclipse to invoke a blood ritual to become a demon, he loses all sense and rips his arm off in order to avenge his fallen comrades.
Guts at SHJ:
Number Twelve: Kurisu Makise
Show: Steins: Gate
Coming in at number twelve is one of the main characters in Steins: Gate, Kurisu Makise. Kurisu is the genius daughter of Shouichi Makise. She is a member of the Brain Science Institute. She graduated from university at age seventeen. She is a sensible and serious young woman who is also a realist, being unbelieving of time travel technology even after seeing it in action firsthand.
Kurisa Makise at SHJ:
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Number Eleven: Gintoki Sakata
Show: Gintama
Coming in at number eleven is Gintoki Sakata, the main protagonist of the show Gintama.
Gintoki is the founder and president of Yorozuya, an organization that does different kinds of tasks for a fee. He is a shy and reserved man and has a childish nature. Due to his lazy personality, he usually is seen lounging around the office giving advice to the younger employees, but not actually knowing what advice he is giving them. Because he is lazy, he is also poor and often runs away from his landlady when she comes to collect the rent – but that doesn’t stop him from hitting the pachinko machines and spending all his cash.
Gintoki Sakata at SHJ:
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Number Ten: Naruto Uzamaki
Show: Naruto/Naruto:Shippuden/Boruto
Coming in at number ten among our list of the most popular anime characters of all time is Naruto Uzamaki, the protagonist in the series Naruto and its subsequent series Shippuden!
Naruto is a shonen of the Hidden Leaf village and the son of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf village. He is an original member of Team 7 along with Sakura and Sasuke and is known as an aloof student of ninjutsu, often using his skills to play pranks on others. However, that is only one side of his personality. Naruto has a clear dream of what he wants to become – the next Hokage and he trains and works toward that goal each day. He is loyal to his friends and teammates and is always willing to offer help to anyone who needs it.
Naruto at SHJ:
Naruto Uzamaki Inspired Workout
Naruto Inspired Calisthenics Workout
Number Nine: Edward Elric
Show: Fullmetal Alchemist
In ninth place in our list of most popular anime characters of all time is the titular protagonist of the Fullmetal Alchemist series, Edward Elric!
Edward is the brother of Alphonse, a human boy whose soul is trapped inside a metal robot due to a failed transmutation. He is the youngest State Alchemist, gaining his certification by the age of 12. He spends his time searching for the Philosopher’s stone, which is rumored to have the power to restore his brother to his human form.
Edward Elric at SHJ:
Number Eight: Killua Zoldyck
Show: Hunter x Hunter
At number eight, with easy placement among the most popular anime characters, is the friend of Gon and is one of the most powerful Nen-users in Hunter x Hunter.
He has a natural ability to analyze situations and can use this skill in battle by predicting the moves of his opponents. He possesses the ability of Godspeed allowing him to use several abilities at once to increase his physical speed by using his electric aura to allow him to move at faster-than-human speeds.
Killua Zoldyck at SHJ:
Killua Zoldyck Inspired Workout
Number Seven: Light Yagami
Show: Death Note
At number seven on our list of the most popular anime characters of all time is the protagonist of the Death Note series, Light Yagami.
He is a teenager in possession of the Death Note and has the goal of reshaping society by using the Death Note to kill criminals and those he deems as his enemies. He has a genius-level intellect and is usually several steps ahead of those who try to capture him.
Light Yagami at SHJ:
Number Six: Zoro Roronoa
Show: One Piece
Just missing the top 5 in our list of most popular anime characters of all time is Zoro Roronoa, one of the two swordsmen of the Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece!
Zoro is a master swordsman with a unique style of his own creation, called Santoryu. His goal is to become the greatest swordsman in the world – a goal to honor a promise he made to Kuina, a childhood friend he had who passed away. He is known as one of the twelve pirates known as the “Worst Generation”. I think trying to be the best to honor a fallen friend is a pretty noble goal. No wonder he placed so high on this list.
Zoro Roronoa at SHJ:
Number Five: Rintarou Okabe
Show: Steins: Gate
Starting our top five most popular anime characters of all time is the protagonist of Steins: Gate, the mad scientist Rinatarou Okabe! He is the founder of the Future Gadget Laboratory and works alongside his friends to create gadgets for the betterment of humanity. I find him to be quite relatable because of the fact that he acts differently with other people and can be sometimes dense and thick when people try to insult him.
Rintarou Okabe at SHJ:
NO WORKOUT AVAILABLE…YET
Number Four: Monkey D. Luffy
Show: One Piece
Next up, in fourth place in our list of most popular anime characters is the main protagonist of the One Piece series, Monkey D. Luffy!
Luffy is the captain and leader of the Star Hats Pirates, a group of pirates gaining infamy and power, and is one of its strongest fighters. Luffy’s goal is to become the Pirate King by finding the lost treasure of Gol D. Roger. He travels the seas with his band of pirates and has fought multiple enemy organizations such as the East Blue Pirates, the Marines, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Monkey D. Luffy at SHJ:
Monkey D. Luffy Inspired Workout
Luffy Inspired Jump Rope Workout Routine
Number Three: L Lawliet
Show: Death Note
Coming in within the top three most popular anime characters of all time is the super-intelligent detective from the Death Note series, L Lawliet! L is the detective who takes on the case to find the mass murderer known as Kira. He becomes suspicious of Light Yagami and becomes increasingly convinced that Light is Kira.
L Lawliet at SHJ:
Number Two: Levi Ackerman
Show: Attack on Titan
Coming in at number two among the most popular anime characters of all time is the most dangerous human on Paradis Island, Captain Levi Ackerman! Levi is the commander of the Special Operations Squad in the Scout Regiment and is the second-in-command next to Erwin Smith. When Erwin is killed by the debris thrown by the Beast Titan, he charges Levi to be the one to stop the Beat Titan. Levi takes this to heart and actually accomplishes this feat – capturing the human inside the Beast Titan, Zeke Yeager, even after Zeke transforms his entire platoon into mindless titans.
Levi Ackerman at SHJ:
Levi Ackerman Inspired Workout
Levi Ackerman Jump Rope Inspired Workout
Number One: Lelouch Lamperouge
Show: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Coming in at number one among the most popular anime characters of all time is Lelouch Lamperouge, the main protagonist of the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion series! He is the Eleventh Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire and is the leader and founder of the Black Knights. He is also the true identity of Zero, the symbol of the Anti-Britannian rebellion, and the proponent for a free and independent Japan.
Lelouch Lamperouge at SHJ:
Lelouch Lamperouge Inspired Workout
But I’d also love to hear who YOU think should be on this list!
The Most Popular Anime Characters of All Time (Runner Ups):
- Goku (Dragonball Z)
- Yuuki Asuna (Sword Art Online)
- Taiga Asaka (Toradora)
- Ichigo Kurasaki (Bleach)
- Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail)
Don’t forget to comment your thoughts below.
As always, remember that all these routines should be paired with our Nutrition Pillars; and you can even check out our article on The Top Diets Used Among Celebrities as well.
If you want to step it up a notch on top of these workouts, you can also check out our Superhero Academy and Superhuman System as well.
Now get out there and begin unleashing your inner superhuman!
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Until next time,
Timmy
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