Give Me a Random Anime Character, With Series, Year and One Line

Ask once and get an anime character, named with its series or film, the year it first aired and one line we wrote.

Give Me a Random Anime Character, With Series, Year and One Line

  1. Meryl Stryfe
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Give Me a Random Anime Character, With Series, Year and One Line: how it works

Ask and the page answers with one anime character, shown with the series or film it comes from, the year that anime first aired and one line on who they are. Press 5 for a handful. The list holds 482 characters from 191 series and films, from a robot boy of 1963 to a retired hitman of 2025.

Turn a draw into a sketch

Start with proportions. Most anime characters stand five to eight heads tall, and the squat chibi style cuts that to two to four, so settle the head count first. The large eyes trace back to Osamu Tezuka, who took them from early American cartoons. End with the prop or habit named in the line.

How the year and chips work

The year is when the named anime first aired on Japanese television, or when the film opened in Japan. A story animated more than once carries the year of its first television version. The decade row combines with the row under it, so 2010s plus Sports anime draws only the 21 sports characters of that decade. Comedy and everyday life is the largest kind with 122 characters. Last checked 18 September 2026.

Tips

  • For a guessing game, press Hide all series, read a name aloud and let the room call the anime before you open the card.
  • Planning a group cosplay: tap one decade, press 5, lock the characters people recognise and reroll until everyone has one.
  • Running a daily sketch thread? Use the character of the day: every visitor sees the same one, so nobody argues over the pick.

Questions and answers

Why does the card show a later year than the manga?

The year belongs to the anime, not the comic it adapts. The One Piece manga began in July 1997 and the television series premiered in October 1999, so its five characters carry 1999. A series that grew out of a short pilot or a festival special is dated by the series itself.

Is this a random anime character generator with pictures?

It is text only. The characters belong to their studios and publishers, so each card gives a name, the series, the year and a line we wrote. For a guessing game that helps: no picture gives the answer away.

Which characters does the list leave out?

Three rules trim it. No franchise has more than five names, sequels and spin-offs included. Characters who began in a video game sit on the random video game character page. Real people, animation made outside Japan and series led by gore or fan service are out. Several series here are dark or violent all the same, so check the age rating before a child watches one.

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All 482 characters

Show all 482 characters

Before 1990 76

  • Akane Tendo Ranma ½ (1989). Short-tempered martial artist engaged to Ranma by their fathers, against both their wishes.
  • Amuro Ray Mobile Suit Gundam (1979). Civilian teenager who boards the Gundam during an attack and becomes its pilot.
  • André Grandier The Rose of Versailles (1979). Oscar's childhood companion and servant, a commoner loyal to her to the end.
  • Anpanman Anpanman (1988). Hero whose head is a bun filled with red bean paste, which he shares with the hungry.
  • Arale Norimaki Dr. Slump (1981). Little robot girl in glasses with huge strength and no common sense.
  • Arsène Lupin III Lupin the Third (1971). Grandson of the French gentleman thief, who announces a heist before he strikes.
  • Astro Boy Astro Boy (1963). Robot boy built by a grieving scientist in the image of his lost son.
  • Ataru Moroboshi Urusei Yatsura (1981). Unlucky high schooler who wins a game of tag against an alien invader.
  • Baikinman Anpanman (1988). Germ villain who never stops plotting against Anpanman.
  • Bright Noa Mobile Suit Gundam (1979). Young officer left in command of the warship White Base and its crew of civilians.
  • Bulma Dragon Ball (1986). Teenage inventor whose radar finds the Dragon Balls and starts the adventure.
  • Captain Harlock Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978). Scarred outlaw with an eyepatch who captains the battleship Arcadia.
  • Catbus My Neighbor Totoro (1988). Bus-shaped cat that Totoro calls to carry Satsuki to her lost sister.
  • Char Aznable Mobile Suit Gundam (1979). Masked enemy ace known as the Red Comet, who hides his real name.
  • Conan Future Boy Conan (1978). Boy of great strength raised on a remote island after a war that wrecked the world.
  • Daisuke Jigen Lupin the Third (1971). Lupin's marksman partner, a gunman whose hat brim always hides his eyes.
  • Doraemon Doraemon (1973). Blue robot cat from the 22nd century who pulls gadgets from a pocket on his belly.
  • Dororo Dororo (1969). Scrappy orphan thief who tags along with Hyakkimaru.
  • Frieza Dragon Ball Z (1989). Galactic tyrant who changes through several forms, each stronger than the one before.
  • Fujiko Mine Lupin the Third (1971). Thief and sometime ally who double-crosses Lupin about as often as she helps him.
  • Genma Saotome Ranma ½ (1989). Ranma's lazy father, who turns into a giant panda and talks by holding up signs.
  • Genzo Wakabayashi Captain Tsubasa (1983). Star goalkeeper who starts out as Tsubasa's rival and becomes his teammate.
  • Goemon Ishikawa XIII Lupin the Third (1971). Thirteenth heir of a samurai line, whose sword cuts through almost anything.
  • Goku Dragon Ball (1986). Cheerful martial artist with a monkey tail who rides a flying cloud.
  • Heidi Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974). Orphan girl sent to live with her gruff grandfather high in the Swiss Alps.
  • Hikaru Ichijyo Macross (1982). Stunt pilot who ends up flying a transforming Valkyrie fighter in a war against giant aliens.
  • Hyakkimaru Dororo (1969). Young swordsman with blades in his false arms who hunts the demons that took his body parts.
  • Inspector Zenigata Lupin the Third (1971). Interpol detective who has made catching Lupin his life's work.
  • Jiji Kiki's Delivery Service (1989). Kiki's talking black cat, more cautious than she is.
  • Juzo Okita Space Battleship Yamato (1974). Ailing captain of the Yamato on its long voyage to the planet Iscandar.
  • Kaori Makimura City Hunter (1987). Ryo's partner, who keeps him in line with an enormous hammer.
  • Kenshiro Fist of the North Star (1984). Wandering martial artist with seven scars who strikes hidden pressure points.
  • Kiki Kiki's Delivery Service (1989). Thirteen-year-old witch who starts a flying delivery service by the sea.
  • Kimba Kimba the White Lion (1965). White lion cub who wants the jungle's animals and humans to live in peace.
  • Koji Kabuto Mazinger Z (1972). Teenager who pilots the giant robot Mazinger Z from a craft that docks in its head.
  • Kojiro Hyuga Captain Tsubasa (1983). Fierce striker from a poor family whose trademark is the powerful Tiger Shot.
  • Kyoko Otonashi Maison Ikkoku (1986). Young widow who becomes manager of a run-down boarding house full of nosy tenants.
  • Lum Urusei Yatsura (1981). Alien princess in tiger stripes who can fly and calls Ataru 'Darling'.
  • Lynn Minmay Macross (1982). Girl who becomes a pop idol aboard the Macross, and whose songs help to end a war.
  • Maetel Galaxy Express 999 (1978). Mysterious woman who offers a poor boy a pass for the space train 999.
  • Mei Kusakabe My Neighbor Totoro (1988). Curious four-year-old who follows two small spirits and finds Totoro asleep.
  • Minami Asakura Touch (1985). Girl next door to the Uesugi twins, who wants to be taken to the Koshien baseball tournament.
  • Misa Hayase Macross (1982). By-the-book bridge officer of the Macross who clashes with a cocky young pilot.
  • Nausicaä Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984). Princess who rides a glider and studies a toxic jungle's insects.
  • Nobita Nobi Doraemon (1973). Lazy, unlucky schoolboy in glasses whose descendants send him a robot cat.
  • Oscar François de Jarjayes The Rose of Versailles (1979). Noblewoman raised as a son, who commands the Royal Guard at Versailles.
  • Pazu Castle in the Sky (1986). Young mining-town worker whose late father once photographed the floating castle.
  • Pegasus Seiya Saint Seiya (1986). Young warrior in bronze Pegasus armour sworn to protect the goddess Athena.
  • Piccolo Dragon Ball (1986). Green, pointy-eared fighter who starts out as Goku's sworn enemy.
  • Racer X Speed Racer (1967). Masked rival driver who is secretly Rex, the older brother who left home.
  • Ranma Saotome Ranma ½ (1989). Martial artist cursed to turn into a girl when splashed with cold water.
  • Raoh Fist of the North Star (1984). Kenshiro's towering eldest brother in training, who rides a giant black horse.
  • Ryo Saeba City Hunter (1987). Crack-shot fixer for hire in Shinjuku, reached by writing XYZ on a station message board.
  • Ryoga Hibiki Ranma ½ (1989). Rival with no sense of direction who turns into a small black pig when he gets wet.
  • Satsuki Kusakabe My Neighbor Totoro (1988). Older sister who moves to the countryside to be near her mother's hospital.
  • Sayla Mass Mobile Suit Gundam (1979). Medical student turned pilot aboard the White Base, and Char's long-lost sister.
  • Sazae Fuguta Sazae-san (1969). Cheerful, forgetful housewife at the heart of a three-generation household.
  • Seita Grave of the Fireflies (1988). Teenage boy trying to keep his little sister alive in wartime Kobe.
  • Senbei Norimaki Dr. Slump (1981). Goofy inventor of Penguin Village who builds a robot girl and passes her off as his sister.
  • Setsuko Grave of the Fireflies (1988). Seita's four-year-old sister, who treasures a tin of fruit drops.
  • Shampoo Ranma ½ (1989). Chinese Amazon warrior who becomes a cat in cold water and is set on marrying Ranma.
  • Sheeta Castle in the Sky (1986). Girl whose glowing crystal pendant points the way to a lost floating castle.
  • Shizuka Minamoto Doraemon (1973). Kind, clever girl next door whom Nobita hopes to marry one day.
  • Shotaro Kaneda Akira (1988). Leader of a teenage biker gang in Neo-Tokyo who rides a famous red motorcycle.
  • Speed Racer Speed Racer (1967). Young driver of the Mach 5, a race car run from buttons on its steering wheel.
  • Suneo Honekawa Doraemon (1973). Rich, fox-faced boy who shows off his toys and tags along behind Gian.
  • Susumu Kodai Space Battleship Yamato (1974). Hot-headed young officer on a battleship rebuilt as a starship.
  • Takeshi Goda Doraemon (1973). Neighbourhood bully known as Gian, who loves to sing and is terrible at it.
  • Tatsuya Uesugi Touch (1985). Easygoing twin who takes up pitching to carry his brother's dream of reaching Koshien.
  • Tetsuo Shima Akira (1988). Kaneda's childhood friend, who gains psychic powers after a crash and cannot control them.
  • Tetsuro Hoshino Galaxy Express 999 (1978). Poor Earth boy who boards the space train 999 hoping to win a machine body.
  • Tombo Kiki's Delivery Service (1989). Aviation-mad boy in round glasses who is fascinated by Kiki's flying.
  • Totoro My Neighbor Totoro (1988). Huge, furry forest spirit who sleeps in a camphor tree and waits at a bus stop.
  • Tsubasa Oozora Captain Tsubasa (1983). Football-mad boy who treats the ball as his friend and dreams of the World Cup.
  • Vegeta Dragon Ball Z (1989). Proud prince of the Saiyan race who arrives as an invader and stays as a rival.
  • Yusaku Godai Maison Ikkoku (1986). Struggling student in room 5 who falls for the new manager of his boarding house.

1990s 82

  • Ai Haibara Detective Conan (1996). Former Black Organization scientist who took her own shrinking drug to escape.
  • Ami Mizuno Sailor Moon (1992). Shy genius of the group, who fights with water and ice as Sailor Mercury.
  • Anthy Himemiya Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997). Quiet student known as the Rose Bride, the prize in her academy's duels.
  • Ash Ketchum Pokémon (1997). Ten-year-old trainer from Pallet Town who sets out to become a Pokémon Master.
  • Ashitaka Princess Mononoke (1997). Last Emishi prince, cursed by a boar god, who journeys west in search of a cure.
  • Asuka Langley Soryu Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995). Proud, fiery, red-haired pilot of Unit-02, raised in Germany.
  • Batou Ghost in the Shell (1995). Burly cyborg of Section 9 with lens implants where his eyes used to be.
  • Conan Edogawa Detective Conan (1996). Teenage detective shrunk to a child's body, solving cases in a bow tie.
  • Doremi Harukaze Ojamajo Doremi (1999). Third-grader, self-styled unluckiest pretty girl, who becomes a witch apprentice.
  • Eikichi Onizuka Great Teacher Onizuka (1999). Former biker gang leader, aged 22, set on being Japan's greatest teacher.
  • Ein Cowboy Bebop (1998). Welsh corgi with enhanced intelligence, known as a data dog.
  • Faye Valentine Cowboy Bebop (1998). Bounty hunter with a gambling habit and a mountain of debt, woken after decades frozen.
  • Gendo Ikari Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995). Cold commander of Nerv and Shinji's distant father.
  • Gon Freecss Hunter × Hunter (1999). Country boy who takes the Hunter Exam to find his absent father.
  • Gourry Gabriev Slayers (1995). Kind, dim-witted swordsman who appoints himself Lina's guardian.
  • Hanamichi Sakuragi Slam Dunk (1993). Red-haired delinquent who joins the basketball team to impress a girl.
  • Heero Yuy Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995). Cold teenage pilot sent from the space colonies with the Wing Gundam.
  • Hiei Yu Yu Hakusho (1992). Short, sword-carrying fire demon with a third eye.
  • Himawari Nohara Crayon Shin-chan (1992). Shin-chan's baby sister, who loves shiny things.
  • Himura Kenshin Rurouni Kenshin (1996). Wandering swordsman with a cross-shaped scar who has sworn never to kill again.
  • Hiroshi Nohara Crayon Shin-chan (1992). Shin-chan's father, an office worker famous for his smelly feet.
  • Hisashi Mitsui Slam Dunk (1993). Former junior high MVP who returns to the team as a three-point shooter.
  • Hisoka Morow Hunter × Hunter (1999). Magician in jester's clothes who fights with playing cards.
  • James Pokémon (1997). Team Rocket grunt, first seen with a Koffing, whose trio keeps failing to steal Pokémon.
  • Jessie Pokémon (1997). Team Rocket grunt who, with James and Meowth, keeps trying to snatch Ash's Pikachu.
  • Jet Black Cowboy Bebop (1998). Former police officer with a mechanical arm who owns the ship Bebop.
  • Kaede Rukawa Slam Dunk (1993). Silent, gifted rookie of Shohoku and Sakuragi's rival on his own team.
  • Kaito Kid Detective Conan (1996). Gentleman thief whose cape turns into a hang glider.
  • Kamiya Kaoru Rurouni Kenshin (1996). Young instructor of a Tokyo kendo school who takes the wanderer in.
  • Kazuma Kuwabara Yu Yu Hakusho (1992). Yusuke's loud rival turned loyal friend, who fights with a sword made of spirit energy.
  • Kero Cardcaptor Sakura (1998). Guardian beast of the cards, stuck as a small winged toy with an Osaka accent.
  • Killua Zoldyck Hunter × Hunter (1999). Skateboarding runaway heir of a famous family of assassins, and Gon's best friend.
  • Kogoro Mori Detective Conan (1996). Bumbling private eye who gets the credit for cases Conan solves while he sleeps.
  • Kurama Yu Yu Hakusho (1992). Fox demon reborn as a human boy, who fights with plants and a whip grown from a rose.
  • Kurapika Hunter × Hunter (1999). Last of the Kurta clan, whose eyes turn scarlet, hunting the Phantom Troupe.
  • Lady Eboshi Princess Mononoke (1997). Leader of Irontown, who shelters outcasts and clears the forest to mine iron.
  • Lain Iwakura Serial Experiments Lain (1998). Shy fourteen-year-old drawn into the Wired by an email from a dead girl.
  • Leorio Paradinight Hunter × Hunter (1999). Loud would-be doctor in a suit who wants to treat the poor without charge.
  • Lina Inverse Slayers (1995). Teenage sorceress with a huge appetite, a bad temper and a spell called the Dragon Slave.
  • Luna Sailor Moon (1992). Talking black cat with a crescent moon on her forehead who recruits the Sailor Guardians.
  • Mamoru Chiba Sailor Moon (1992). College student who turns up in a top hat and cape as Tuxedo Mask, throwing roses.
  • Maruko Chibi Maruko-chan (1990). Lazy, sharp-tongued nine-year-old based on her author's own 1970s childhood.
  • Matt Ishida Digimon Adventure (1999). Cool, guarded member of the group, protective of his little brother T.K.
  • Meryl Stryfe Trigun (1998). Insurance agent sent to follow Vash and keep down the damage he causes.
  • Miaka Yuki Fushigi Yûgi (1995). Schoolgirl pulled into an old book, where she becomes the priestess of the god Suzaku.
  • Milly Thompson Trigun (1998). Meryl's tall, sweet-natured partner, who carries a heavy stun gun.
  • Misae Nohara Crayon Shin-chan (1992). Shin-chan's mother, a bargain-hunting housewife with a short fuse.
  • Misato Katsuragi Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995). Nerv's operations chief, who takes Shinji in as his guardian.
  • Monkey D. Luffy One Piece (1999). Rubber-bodied pirate captain in a straw hat who wants to be King of the Pirates.
  • Motoko Kusanagi Ghost in the Shell (1995). Cyborg major who leads the agents of Public Security Section 9.
  • Myojin Yahiko Rurouni Kenshin (1996). Orphan of a samurai family who becomes a student at the Kamiya dojo.
  • Nami One Piece (1999). Navigator of the Straw Hat crew, who loves money and means to map the whole world.
  • Nicholas D. Wolfwood Trigun (1998). Travelling priest who carries a giant cross that is really a stash of guns.
  • Porco Rosso Porco Rosso (1992). First World War flying ace cursed with a pig's face, who hunts air pirates.
  • Radical Edward Cowboy Bebop (1998). Barefoot teenage hacker genius from Earth who invites herself aboard the Bebop.
  • Ran Mori Detective Conan (1996). Karate champion who looks after little Conan while her friend is missing.
  • Rei Ayanami Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995). Pale, quiet pilot of Unit-00 with blue hair and red eyes.
  • Rei Hino Sailor Moon (1992). Shrine maiden with a fiery temper who becomes Sailor Mars.
  • Roronoa Zoro One Piece (1999). Swordsman who fights with three swords, one held in his teeth, and gets lost on any route.
  • Ryota Miyagi Slam Dunk (1993). Short, quick point guard of the Shohoku team.
  • Sagara Sanosuke Rurouni Kenshin (1996). Street fighter for hire who starts out wielding a giant sword called a zanbato.
  • Sakura Kinomoto Cardcaptor Sakura (1998). Ten-year-old who scatters a book of magic cards and has to catch them all.
  • San Princess Mononoke (1997). Girl raised by wolf gods who fights the humans cutting down her forest.
  • Sanji One Piece (1999). Cook of the Straw Hat Pirates who fights only with kicks to protect his hands.
  • Shinji Ikari Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995). Withdrawn fourteen-year-old made to pilot the giant Evangelion Unit-01.
  • Shinnosuke Nohara Crayon Shin-chan (1992). Cheeky five-year-old from Kasukabe who embarrasses every adult he meets.
  • Shiro Crayon Shin-chan (1992). The Nohara family's white puppy, often smarter than his owners.
  • Shishio Makoto Rurouni Kenshin (1996). Assassin wrapped head to toe in bandages who plots to overthrow the Meiji government.
  • Shizuku Tsukishima Whisper of the Heart (1995). Bookish girl who finds the same boy's name on all her library cards.
  • Spike Spiegel Cowboy Bebop (1998). Laid-back bounty hunter and former syndicate man with a Jeet Kune Do style.
  • Syaoran Li Cardcaptor Sakura (1998). Boy from Hong Kong, a descendant of the cards' maker and Sakura's rival.
  • Tai Kamiya Digimon Adventure (1999). Goggle-wearing leader of the children swept into the Digital World.
  • Takenori Akagi Slam Dunk (1993). Shohoku's towering captain and centre, who dreams of winning the national championship.
  • Takumi Fujiwara Initial D (1998). Tofu delivery driver who learns to drift a Toyota AE86 on the mountain roads of Akina.
  • Tamahome Fushigi Yûgi (1995). Skilled martial artist, one of the seven warriors of Suzaku who protect Miaka.
  • Tomoyo Daidouji Cardcaptor Sakura (1998). Sakura's best friend, who sews her battle costumes and films every capture.
  • Tony Tony Chopper One Piece (1999). Blue-nosed reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit and serves as the crew's doctor.
  • Usagi Tsukino Sailor Moon (1992). Crybaby schoolgirl with twin buns and pigtails who becomes Sailor Moon.
  • Utena Tenjou Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997). Student in a boy's uniform who fights duels and wants to be a prince.
  • Vash the Stampede Trigun (1998). Gunman in a red coat with a huge bounty on his head, who refuses to take a life.
  • Yukito Tsukishiro Cardcaptor Sakura (1998). Gentle older student with a bottomless appetite, whom Sakura adores.
  • Yusuke Urameshi Yu Yu Hakusho (1992). Teenage delinquent who dies saving a child and returns as a spirit detective.

2000s 121

  • Allen Walker D.Gray-man (2006). White-haired teenage exorcist whose cursed left eye sees the souls inside Akuma.
  • Alphonse Elric Fullmetal Alchemist (2003). Gentle younger brother whose soul is bound to a huge suit of armour.
  • Anna Kyoyama Shaman King (2001). Yoh's strict fiancée, a spirit medium who puts him through brutal training.
  • Ayumu Kasuga Azumanga Daioh (2002). Spacey transfer student whom everybody calls Osaka, after the city she came from.
  • Azusa Nakano K-On! (2009). Serious younger guitarist who joins a year after the others.
  • The Baron The Cat Returns (2002). Dapper cat figurine in a top hat who comes to life to help those in need.
  • Black Star Soul Eater (2008). Loud ninja assassin who cannot stand anyone else having the spotlight.
  • C.C. Code Geass (2006). Green-haired immortal who gives Lelouch his power and has a weakness for pizza.
  • Calcifer Howl's Moving Castle (2004). Fire demon bound to Howl's hearth, whose flames keep the castle moving.
  • Chihiro Ogino Spirited Away (2001). Sulky ten-year-old who must work in a bathhouse for spirits to save her parents.
  • Chiyo Mihama Azumanga Daioh (2002). Ten-year-old child prodigy who skips five grades into high school.
  • Ciel Phantomhive Black Butler (2008). Thirteen-year-old earl in an eyepatch who serves Queen Victoria as her watchdog.
  • Death the Kid Soul Eater (2008). Son of Death, who fights with twin pistols and is obsessed with perfect symmetry.
  • Edward Elric Fullmetal Alchemist (2003). Short-tempered State Alchemist with a metal arm and leg who hates being short.
  • Erza Scarlet Fairy Tail (2009). Red-haired swordswoman who swaps suits of armour in the middle of a fight.
  • Eureka Eureka Seven (2005). Quiet pilot of the giant robot Nirvash, which Renton comes to co-pilot with her.
  • Fujiwara-no-Sai Hikaru no Go (2001). Ghost of a Go master from the Heian era, still searching for the divine move.
  • Fuu Samurai Champloo (2004). Teahouse waitress seeking the samurai who smells of sunflowers.
  • Ginko Mushishi (2005). Wanderer who can see mushi, life forms most people cannot, and the trouble they cause.
  • Gintoki Sakata Gintama (2006). Lazy silver-haired samurai with a wooden sword who runs an odd-jobs business.
  • Gray Fullbuster Fairy Tail (2009). Ice wizard of the Fairy Tail guild who shapes any weapon he can picture out of ice.
  • Haku Spirited Away (2001). Boy who serves the bathhouse witch and can take the form of a dragon.
  • Hamtaro Hamtaro (2000). Brave little hamster who slips out of his cage each day to meet his Ham-Ham friends.
  • Happy Fairy Tail (2009). Blue talking cat who sprouts wings to carry Natsu through the air.
  • Haru Yoshioka The Cat Returns (2002). Schoolgirl who saves a cat and finds herself engaged to the Cat Kingdom's prince.
  • Haruhi Fujioka Ouran High School Host Club (2006). Scholarship student who breaks a vase and works off the debt as a host.
  • Haruhi Suzumiya The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006). Restless girl who founds the SOS Brigade to find aliens and espers.
  • Haruko Haruhara FLCL (2000). Pink-haired alien on a Vespa who swings a bass guitar like a club.
  • Hikaru Shindo Hikaru no Go (2001). Sixth-grader who finds a haunted Go board in his grandfather's attic.
  • Hinata Hyuga Naruto (2002). Shy heiress of the Hyuga clan who has quietly admired Naruto since childhood.
  • Holo Spice and Wolf (2008). Wolf harvest deity in a girl's form who loves apples and wants to go home north.
  • Honoka Yukishiro Pretty Cure (2004). Studious science club member who transforms into Cure White.
  • Howl Howl's Moving Castle (2004). Vain, gifted wizard who lives in a walking castle.
  • Ichigo Kurosaki Bleach (2004). Orange-haired teenager who can see ghosts and takes on the powers of a Soul Reaper.
  • Inuyasha Inuyasha (2000). Half-demon with dog ears, bound to a sacred tree by an arrow for 50 years.
  • Jin Samurai Champloo (2004). Calm, bespectacled ronin trained in a traditional sword school.
  • Joey Wheeler Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (2000). Yugi's scrappy best friend, a duelist who leans on luck and nerve.
  • Johan Liebert Monster (2004). Charming, soft-spoken young man behind a trail of deaths across Germany.
  • Kagome Higurashi Inuyasha (2000). Modern schoolgirl who falls down a shrine well into feudal Japan.
  • Kagura Gintama (2006). Alien girl of enormous strength and appetite who carries a parasol against the sun.
  • Kakashi Hatake Naruto (2002). Masked teacher of Team 7, always late and nearly always reading a paperback.
  • Kallen Stadtfeld Code Geass (2006). Half-Britannian student who is the ace pilot of the resistance.
  • Kamina Gurren Lagann (2007). Brash leader in pointed sunglasses who drags Simon up to the surface.
  • Kenji Koiso Summer Wars (2009). Shy maths whiz who is asked to pose as an older student's fiancé at a family gathering.
  • Kenzo Tenma Monster (2004). Japanese brain surgeon in Germany who saves a boy and later hunts the man he became.
  • Keroro Sgt. Frog (2004). Frog-like alien sergeant sent to invade Earth, who builds Gundam models instead.
  • Kisuke Urahara Bleach (2004). Shopkeeper in a striped bucket hat and clogs who was once a Soul Reaper captain.
  • Konata Izumi Lucky Star (2007). Short, blue-haired otaku who is good at sports but prefers games and anime.
  • Kraft Lawrence Spice and Wolf (2008). Travelling merchant who dreams of owning a shop and gives a wolf deity a lift.
  • Kyo Sohma Fruits Basket (2001). Hot-headed Sohma possessed by the cat, the animal left out of the zodiac.
  • Kyon The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006). Sarcastic narrator whose real name is never given.
  • Kyoya Ootori Ouran High School Host Club (2006). Cool, calculating vice-president who really runs the club.
  • L Death Note (2006). Reclusive detective who crouches on chairs and lives on sweets.
  • Lelouch Lamperouge Code Geass (2006). Exiled prince with the power to make anyone obey, who rebels as the masked Zero.
  • Light Yagami Death Note (2006). Top student who finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it.
  • Lucy Heartfilia Fairy Tail (2009). Celestial wizard who summons spirits with golden keys and dreams of writing a novel.
  • Madara Natsume's Book of Friends (2008). Powerful spirit who guards Natsume in the shape of a round lucky cat.
  • Maka Albarn Soul Eater (2008). Hard-working scythe meister at Death Weapon Meister Academy.
  • Makoto Konno The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006). High school girl who learns she can jump back in time.
  • Megumi Noda Nodame Cantabile (2007). Messy, gifted piano student known as Nodame, who plays by ear.
  • Mikuru Asahina The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006). Timid older student who is secretly a time traveller.
  • Mio Akiyama K-On! (2009). Shy, easily scared left-handed bassist who writes the band's lyrics.
  • Miroku Inuyasha (2000). Flirtatious monk with a Wind Tunnel in his right hand that swallows whatever it faces.
  • Misa Amane Death Note (2006). Famous model devoted to Kira who owns a notebook of her own.
  • Mugen Samurai Champloo (2004). Wild swordsman from the Ryukyu Islands whose style looks like breakdancing.
  • Nagisa Misumi Pretty Cure (2004). Sporty lacrosse player who transforms into Cure Black.
  • Nana Komatsu Nana (2006). Trusting small-town girl who ends up sharing apartment 707 with a singer of the same name.
  • Nana Osaki Nana (2006). Punk singer who moves to Tokyo to make it with her band, the Black Stones.
  • Naota Nandaba FLCL (2000). Bored twelve-year-old whose forehead starts sprouting robots after a blow to the head.
  • Naruto Uzumaki Naruto (2002). Loud orphan ninja in orange with a nine-tailed fox sealed inside him, set on becoming Hokage.
  • Natsu Dragneel Fairy Tail (2009). Fire-eating wizard raised by a dragon, who gets motion sickness on anything that moves.
  • Natsuki Shinohara Summer Wars (2009). Popular student who brings Kenji to her great-grandmother's 90th birthday.
  • Near Death Note (2006). White-haired boy detective raised at Wammy's House, who thinks while playing with toys.
  • No-Face Spirited Away (2001). Silent masked spirit who offers handfuls of gold and swallows whoever takes it.
  • Orihime Inoue Bleach (2004). Warm-hearted classmate whose power, Shun Shun Rikka, shields and heals.
  • Ponyo Ponyo (2008). Goldfish princess who longs to become a human girl.
  • Reborn Reborn! (2006). Infant hitman in a fedora sent from Italy to train the next Vongola boss.
  • Renton Thurston Eureka Seven (2005). Fourteen-year-old mechanic's grandson who joins the renegade group Gekkostate.
  • Ritsu Tainaka K-On! (2009). Energetic drummer and club president who keeps forgetting the paperwork.
  • Riza Hawkeye Fullmetal Alchemist (2003). Sharpshooting lieutenant and Mustang's most trusted aide.
  • Roy Mustang Fullmetal Alchemist (2003). Ambitious colonel known as the Flame Alchemist, who makes fire with a snap.
  • Rukia Kuchiki Bleach (2004). Soul Reaper who lends Ichigo her powers and explains things with bad rabbit drawings.
  • Ryoma Echizen The Prince of Tennis (2001). Cocky twelve-year-old tennis prodigy who joins Seishun Academy.
  • Ryuji Takasu Toradora! (2008). Gentle, house-proud boy whose fierce-looking eyes make everyone take him for a delinquent.
  • Ryuk Death Note (2006). Bored god of death who drops his notebook into the human world and craves apples.
  • Sakaki Azumanga Daioh (2002). Tall, quiet, athletic girl who secretly loves cute things, cats above all.
  • Sakura Haruno Naruto (2002). Pink-haired member of Team 7 who grows into a medical ninja with crushing strength.
  • Sango Inuyasha (2000). Demon slayer who throws a giant boomerang made of bone and rides the cat demon Kirara.
  • Sasuke Uchiha Naruto (2002). Brooding last survivor of his clan, who lives to take revenge on his older brother.
  • Sawako Kuronuma Kimi ni Todoke (2009). Sweet, shy girl nicknamed Sadako because she looks like a horror film ghost.
  • Sebastian Michaelis Black Butler (2008). Flawless butler who is in fact a demon bound to his young master by contract.
  • Sena Kobayakawa Eyeshield 21 (2005). Timid errand boy whose running speed makes him the secret star of the Deimon Devil Bats.
  • Sesshomaru Inuyasha (2000). Inuyasha's full-demon older half-brother, cold and proud, who looks down on humans.
  • Seto Kaiba Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (2000). Young head of KaibaCorp who treasures his three Blue-Eyes White Dragon cards.
  • Shigure Sohma Fruits Basket (2001). Easygoing novelist who is the dog of the zodiac and owns the house Tohru moves into.
  • Shinichi Chiaki Nodame Cantabile (2007). Perfectionist music student who longs to conduct in Europe but fears flying.
  • Shinpachi Shimura Gintama (2006). Bespectacled straight man of the odd-jobs trio and heir to a failing dojo.
  • Shota Kazehaya Kimi ni Todoke (2009). Friendly, popular boy who is the first in class to treat Sawako like anyone else.
  • Simon Gurren Lagann (2007). Timid young digger from an underground village who finds a small drill-shaped key.
  • Sophie Hatter Howl's Moving Castle (2004). Young hat maker turned into an old woman by the Witch of the Waste.
  • Sosuke Ponyo (2008). Five-year-old boy living on a cliff by the sea who finds a goldfish trapped in a jar.
  • Soul Eater Evans Soul Eater (2008). Maka's partner, a boy who turns into a scythe and cares about being cool.
  • Suzaku Kururugi Code Geass (2006). Son of Japan's last prime minister, who joins the Britannian army.
  • Taiga Aisaka Toradora! (2008). Tiny, ferocious classmate known as the Palmtop Tiger.
  • Takaki Tono 5 Centimeters per Second (2007). Boy, then man, who drifts apart from his childhood friend Akari.
  • Takashi Natsume Natsume's Book of Friends (2008). Boy who sees spirits and inherits a book of their names.
  • Tamaki Suoh Ouran High School Host Club (2006). Flamboyant, soft-hearted president of the host club.
  • Tohru Honda Fruits Basket (2001). Kind-hearted orphan living in a tent who is taken in by the secretive Sohma family.
  • Tsumugi Kotobuki K-On! (2009). Wealthy, gentle keyboardist who brings tea and cake to every practice.
  • Tsunayoshi Sawada Reborn! (2006). Hopeless schoolboy nicknamed No-Good Tsuna who learns he is heir to a mafia family.
  • Tyson Granger Beyblade (2001). Loud, big-hearted blader who battles with the dragon spirit Dragoon.
  • Uryu Ishida Bleach (2004). Bespectacled Quincy archer who shoots arrows of spirit energy.
  • Winry Rockbell Fullmetal Alchemist (2003). Childhood friend and automail mechanic who builds and mends Edward's limbs.
  • Yoh Asakura Shaman King (2001). Laid-back shaman in headphones who teams up with the ghost of a samurai, Amidamaru.
  • Yoichi Hiruma Eyeshield 21 (2005). Devilish quarterback who builds his American football team with blackmail and bluff.
  • Yoko Littner Gurren Lagann (2007). Sharpshooter from the neighbouring village of Littner who carries a long rifle.
  • Yubaba Spirited Away (2001). Big-headed witch who runs the bathhouse and controls her workers by taking their names.
  • Yugi Mutou Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (2000). Shy boy who solves the Millennium Puzzle and hosts a pharaoh's spirit.
  • Yui Hirasawa K-On! (2009). Airheaded beginner who joins the light music club and gives her guitar a pet name.
  • Yuki Nagato The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006). Silent bookworm who is really an alien-made humanoid interface.
  • Yuki Sohma Fruits Basket (2001). Reserved school 'prince' possessed by the spirit of the rat.

2010s 144

  • Ainz Ooal Gown Overlord (2015). Office worker stuck in his online game as a skeleton overlord.
  • Akane Tsunemori Psycho-Pass (2012). Rookie inspector in a future where a computer system scores everyone's criminality.
  • All Might My Hero Academia (2016). The number one hero and Symbol of Peace, who always arrives with a smile.
  • Anna Sasaki When Marnie Was There (2014). Withdrawn twelve-year-old with asthma sent to spend the summer by the sea.
  • Aqua KonoSuba (2016). Vain, useless water goddess whom Kazuma drags along as the one thing he may take with him.
  • Arata Wataya Chihayafuru (2011). Quiet grandson of a karuta master, who first shows Chihaya the game.
  • Arataka Reigen Mob Psycho 100 (2016). Self-styled psychic with no powers at all who employs Mob for very little pay.
  • Armin Arlert Attack on Titan (2013). Physically weak but brilliant strategist and childhood friend of Eren and Mikasa.
  • Arrietty Arrietty (2010). Young Borrower who lives under the floorboards of a country house.
  • Askeladd Vinland Saga (2019). Cunning commander of a Viking band, half Danish and half Welsh.
  • Asta Black Clover (2017). Loud orphan born without magic who receives a five-leaf clover grimoire.
  • Asuna Sword Art Online (2012). Rapier fighter known as the Flash and second in command of the Knights of the Blood.
  • Atsuko Kagari Little Witch Academia (2017). Non-magical girl, known as Akko, who enrols at Luna Nova witch academy.
  • Ban The Seven Deadly Sins (2014). Immortal thief who carries the Fox's Sin of Greed.
  • Celty Sturluson Durarara!! (2010). Headless rider from Ireland who works as a courier in Ikebukuro on a black motorcycle.
  • Chihaya Ayase Chihayafuru (2011). Girl who aims to become Queen, the top woman player of competitive karuta.
  • Chika Fujiwara Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2019). Bubbly council secretary who wrecks the others' careful schemes.
  • Dandy Space Dandy (2014). Alien hunter with a pompadour, described by his own show as a dandy guy in space.
  • Diana Cavendish Little Witch Academia (2017). Top student at Luna Nova and heir to an ancient family of witches.
  • Diane The Seven Deadly Sins (2014). Member of the Giant Clan who bears the Serpent's Sin of Envy.
  • Dimple Mob Psycho 100 (2016). Scheming evil spirit who once ran a cult and now hangs around Mob.
  • Dio Brando JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012). Jonathan's adopted brother, turned vampire by an ancient stone mask.
  • Eijun Sawamura Ace of Diamond (2013). Loud left-handed pitcher who leaves the countryside for Seido High.
  • Elizabeth Liones The Seven Deadly Sins (2014). Third princess of Liones, who sets out to find the Seven Deadly Sins.
  • Emilia Re:Zero (2016). Silver-haired half-elf candidate for the throne of Lugnica.
  • Emma The Promised Neverland (2019). Cheerful eleven-year-old orphan who refuses to leave any child behind.
  • Eren Yeager Attack on Titan (2013). Hot-blooded boy who joins the Survey Corps to fight the Titans beyond the walls.
  • Galo Thymos Promare (2019). Hot-headed rookie of the firefighting team Burning Rescue.
  • Gen Asagiri Dr. Stone (2019). Smooth-talking mentalist and stage magician who sides with whoever is likely to win.
  • Genos One-Punch Man (2015). Earnest teenage cyborg who becomes Saitama's disciple and writes down what he says.
  • Hakase Nichijou (2011). Eight-year-old professor who built a robot girl and loves sharks and snacks.
  • Hana Wolf Children (2012). College student who falls in love with a wolf man and raises their two children alone.
  • Hange Zoë Attack on Titan (2013). Survey Corps scientist with an alarming enthusiasm for studying Titans.
  • Haruka Nanase Free! (2013). Water-loving swimmer who only swims freestyle.
  • Hina Amano Weathering with You (2019). Girl who can clear the sky for a while by praying, known as a sunshine girl.
  • Hiyori Iki Noragami (2014). Schoolgirl whose soul keeps slipping out of her body after a bus accident.
  • Hodaka Morishima Weathering with You (2019). Sixteen-year-old runaway trying to get by in rainy Tokyo.
  • Homura Akemi Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011). Cool transfer student who keeps warning Madoka never to make a contract.
  • Inosuke Hashibira Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019). Wild boy raised by boars who wears a boar's head as a mask.
  • Izaya Orihara Durarara!! (2010). Information broker who stirs up trouble in Ikebukuro because people fascinate him.
  • Izuku Midoriya My Hero Academia (2016). Boy born without a power in a world of heroes, chosen to inherit One For All.
  • Jinta Yadomi Anohana (2011). Former leader of a group of childhood friends who has stopped going to school.
  • Jonathan Joestar JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012). Gentlemanly English heir who learns the breathing art called Hamon.
  • Joseph Joestar JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012). Trickster grandson of Jonathan who predicts his opponent's next line.
  • Josuke Higashikata JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012). Pompadoured teenager whose Stand, Crazy Diamond, repairs what it hits.
  • Jotaro Kujo JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012). Stoic delinquent in a cap and long coat whose Stand is called Star Platinum.
  • Kaguya Shinomiya Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2019). Wealthy student council vice-president too proud to confess first.
  • Kaori Miyazono Your Lie in April (2014). Free-spirited violinist who drags Kosei back onto the stage as her accompanist.
  • Karma Akabane Assassination Classroom (2015). Clever, mischievous troublemaker who joins Class 3-E after a suspension.
  • Katsuki Bakugo My Hero Academia (2016). Explosive-tempered rival whose sweat lets him make blasts from his palms.
  • Kazuma Sato KonoSuba (2016). Shut-in gamer reborn in a fantasy world, where his best stat is luck.
  • Kei Tsukishima Haikyu!! (2014). Tall, sarcastic middle blocker in glasses who pretends not to care.
  • King One-Punch Man (2015). Feared S-Class hero who is really an ordinary man who loves video games.
  • Kirito Sword Art Online (2012). Solo player in black, trapped in a virtual reality game where death is real.
  • Kohaku Dr. Stone (2019). Sharp-eyed warrior of Ishigami Village whom Senku nicknames the lioness.
  • Koro-sensei Assassination Classroom (2015). Grinning yellow octopus-like teacher who moves at Mach 20.
  • Kosei Arima Your Lie in April (2014). Piano prodigy who can no longer hear his own playing after his mother's death.
  • Kumiko Oumae Sound! Euphonium (2015). Euphonium player who joins the concert band at Kitauji High School.
  • Kun Mirai (2018). Four-year-old jealous of his new baby sister, who meets an older version of her in the garden.
  • Kusuo Saiki The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (2016). Pink-haired psychic who only wants a quiet life and coffee jelly.
  • Kyojuro Rengoku Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019). The Flame Hashira, a booming, big-hearted swordsman.
  • Kyubey Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011). Small cat-like creature who grants a wish in return for a contract.
  • Legoshi Beastars (2019). Tall, gentle grey wolf who works on the stage crew of his school's drama club.
  • Levi Ackerman Attack on Titan (2013). Short, clean-obsessed Survey Corps captain, known as humanity's strongest soldier.
  • Lio Fotia Promare (2019). Young leader of Mad Burnish, a band of flame-wielding mutants.
  • Lotte Jansson Little Witch Academia (2017). Soft-spoken Finnish witch who can talk to the spirits living in old objects.
  • Louis Beastars (2019). Proud red deer who is the star of the Cherryton drama club.
  • Madoka Kaname Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011). Gentle middle schooler offered any wish if she becomes a magical girl.
  • Makoto Tachibana Free! (2013). Gentle backstroke swimmer and captain of the Iwatobi swim club.
  • Makoto Tsukimoto Ping Pong the Animation (2014). Quiet table tennis talent nicknamed Smile because he never smiles.
  • Mami Tomoe Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011). Veteran magical girl who fights with muskets and ribbons.
  • Marnie When Marnie Was There (2014). Blonde girl who appears at the window of an empty mansion across the marsh.
  • Megumin KonoSuba (2016). Young wizard who knows only Explosion magic and collapses after one cast a day.
  • Meiko Honma Anohana (2011). Ghost of a childhood friend, nicknamed Menma, who comes back asking for a wish to be granted.
  • Meliodas The Seven Deadly Sins (2014). Childlike captain of disgraced knights who runs a tavern called the Boar Hat.
  • Mikasa Ackerman Attack on Titan (2013). Eren's adoptive sister, a soldier of rare skill who always wears his scarf.
  • Mio Naganohara Nichijou (2011). Seemingly normal girl with cube-shaped hair ties who secretly draws manga.
  • Mitsuha Miyamizu Your Name (2016). Shrine family's daughter in the mountain town of Itomori who wishes she were a Tokyo boy.
  • Miyuki Shirogane Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2019). Hard-working student council president, top of his year.
  • Mumen Rider One-Punch Man (2015). Hero with no powers, only a bicycle and the nerve to face any monster.
  • Nadeshiko Kagamihara Laid-Back Camp (2018). Bubbly newcomer who falls for camping after seeing Mount Fuji at night.
  • Nagisa Shiota Assassination Classroom (2015). Quiet member of Class 3-E who notes down his teacher's weaknesses.
  • Nano Shinonome Nichijou (2011). Robot schoolgirl with a wind-up key on her back who just wants to be ordinary.
  • Naofumi Iwatani The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019). Student summoned as the Shield Hero, the one hero who cannot attack.
  • Naru Kotoishi Barakamon (2014). Lively island first-grader who treats the calligrapher's house as her base.
  • Nezuko Kamado Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019). Tanjiro's sister, turned into a demon, with a bamboo muzzle.
  • Noelle Silva Black Clover (2017). Royal of House Silva who struggles to aim her water magic.
  • Norman The Promised Neverland (2019). Gentle genius with the top test scores at Grace Field House.
  • Ochaco Uraraka My Hero Academia (2016). Cheerful classmate who makes whatever she touches weightless.
  • Platelet Cells at Work! (2018). One of the child-sized platelets who repair wounds.
  • Princess Kaguya The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013). Tiny girl found in a glowing bamboo stalk who grows up fast.
  • Raphtalia The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019). Raccoon-like demi-human girl who becomes Naofumi's sword.
  • Ray The Promised Neverland (2019). Bookish, cynical boy who is one of the orphanage's three brightest children.
  • Red Blood Cell AE3803 Cells at Work! (2018). Rookie red blood cell who keeps getting lost while delivering oxygen.
  • Rei Kiriyama March Comes In like a Lion (2016). Lonely teenager who turned shogi professional in middle school.
  • Reina Kousaka Sound! Euphonium (2015). Proud, gifted trumpet player who wants to become special.
  • Rem Re:Zero (2016). Blue-haired maid at the Roswaal mansion and twin sister of Ram.
  • Retsuko Aggretsuko (2016). Red panda office worker, aged 25, who lets out her rage by singing death metal at karaoke.
  • Rimuru Tempest That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (2018). Office worker reborn as a slime that absorbs others' skills.
  • Rin Matsuoka Free! (2013). Rival back from Australia, chasing his dream of Olympic swimming.
  • Rin Okumura Blue Exorcist (2011). Teenager who draws blue flames from a sword and vows to become an exorcist.
  • Rin Shima Laid-Back Camp (2018). Quiet girl who likes camping alone out of season and rides there on a scooter.
  • Saitama One-Punch Man (2015). Bald hero for fun who beats any enemy with one punch and is bored stiff because of it.
  • Sakamichi Onoda Yowamushi Pedal (2013). Anime fan who cycles to Akihabara every week and proves a born climber.
  • Satoru Fujinuma Erased (2016). Manga artist sent back to 1988, into his own childhood, with a chance to save a classmate.
  • Sayaka Miki Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011). Madoka's blue-haired best friend, who fights with swords.
  • Seishu Handa Barakamon (2014). Young calligrapher sent to the remote Goto Islands after punching a critic.
  • Senku Ishigami Dr. Stone (2019). Science-mad teenager who wakes after 3,700 years as a statue to rebuild civilisation.
  • Shigeo Kageyama Mob Psycho 100 (2016). Quiet middle schooler nicknamed Mob who bottles up enormous psychic power.
  • Shinra Kusakabe Fire Force (2019). Rookie fire soldier who shoots flames from his feet and grins when he is nervous.
  • Shinya Kogami Psycho-Pass (2012). Former inspector demoted to enforcer, working as a hunting dog for the police.
  • Shizuo Heiwajima Durarara!! (2010). Bartender-suited man of monstrous strength who hates violence and throws vending machines.
  • Shoko Nishimiya A Silent Voice (2016). Deaf girl who talked to her new classmates through a notebook.
  • Shoto Todoroki My Hero Academia (2016). Top hero's son with ice on his right side, fire on his left and two-tone hair.
  • Shoya Ishida A Silent Voice (2016). Former bully, now an outcast himself, who learns sign language to apologise.
  • Shoyo Hinata Haikyu!! (2014). Short volleyball player with a huge jump, inspired by a player called the Little Giant.
  • Subaru Natsuki Re:Zero (2016). Shut-in in a tracksuit pulled into another world, where dying sends him back in time.
  • Sucy Manbavaran Little Witch Academia (2017). Deadpan witch who collects poisons and mushrooms and tests her potions on Akko.
  • Suzu Urano In This Corner of the World (2016). Dreamy young woman who loves to draw and marries into a family in Kure.
  • Taichi Mashima Chihayafuru (2011). Chihaya's gifted, well-off childhood friend, who helps her start a school karuta club.
  • Taiga Kagami Kuroko's Basketball (2012). Powerful forward back from America who teams up with Kuroko at Seirin High.
  • Taiju Oki Dr. Stone (2019). Senku's tireless, big-hearted best friend.
  • Taki Tachibana Your Name (2016). Tokyo high schooler who wakes up some mornings in a country girl's body.
  • Tanjiro Kamado Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019). Kind charcoal seller's son with a keen sense of smell.
  • Tetsuya Kuroko Kuroko's Basketball (2012). Easily overlooked 'phantom' sixth man whose passes nobody sees coming.
  • Thorfinn Vinland Saga (2019). Young Icelander who serves the man who killed his father, waiting for a duel.
  • Tobio Kageyama Haikyu!! (2014). Genius setter once nicknamed King of the Court for his bossy play.
  • Toru Oikawa Haikyu!! (2014). Aoba Johsai's popular captain and setter, with a fearsome jump serve.
  • Victor Nikiforov Yuri on Ice (2016). Five-time world champion from Russia who turns up to coach Yuri.
  • Violet Evergarden Violet Evergarden (2018). Former child soldier with metal hands who writes letters for other people.
  • White Blood Cell U-1146 Cells at Work! (2018). Neutrophil who hunts down germs and keeps running into one lost red blood cell.
  • Yami Sukehiro Black Clover (2017). Gruff captain of the Black Bulls, who tells his squad to surpass their limits.
  • Yato Noragami (2014). Minor god in a tracksuit who takes any job for five yen and dreams of having his own shrine.
  • Yu Ishigami Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2019). Gloomy first-year treasurer who loves video games.
  • Yu Nishinoya Haikyu!! (2014). Tiny, fearless libero of the Karasuno team.
  • Yugo Hachiken Silver Spoon (2013). City boy who enrols at an agricultural high school in Hokkaido.
  • Yukine Noragami (2014). Teenage spirit who becomes Yato's weapon, taking the form of a sword.
  • Yukio Okumura Blue Exorcist (2011). Rin's studious twin, already an exorcist and a teacher at True Cross Academy.
  • Yuko Aioi Nichijou (2011). Cheerful high schooler who never does her homework and keeps trying to make people laugh.
  • Yuno Black Clover (2017). Asta's calm foster brother and rival, a wind magic prodigy with a four-leaf grimoire.
  • Yuri Katsuki Yuri on Ice (2016). Anxious Japanese figure skater who finishes last at the Grand Prix Final.
  • Yuri Plisetsky Yuri on Ice (2016). Fifteen-year-old Russian prodigy with a fierce temper.
  • Yutaka Hoshino Ping Pong the Animation (2014). Cocky, snack-loving player known as Peco, and Smile's friend since childhood.
  • Zenitsu Agatsuma Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019). Cowardly swordsman who fights at his best when unconscious.

2020s 59

  • Ai Hoshino Oshi no Ko (2023). Star-eyed centre of the idol group B-Komachi, who secretly has twins.
  • Anya Forger Spy × Family (2022). Little girl adopted from an orphanage who can read minds and loves peanuts.
  • Aqua Hoshino Oshi no Ko (2023). Ai's son, a doctor reborn with his memories, who works his way into show business.
  • Bojji Ranking of Kings (2021). Small deaf prince, mocked as weak, who dreams of being the greatest king.
  • Bond Forger Spy × Family (2022). The Forger family's dog, who can see glimpses of the future.
  • Chilchuck Tims Delicious in Dungeon (2024). Half-foot locksmith who picks locks and disarms traps.
  • Chisato Nishikigi Lycoris Recoil (2022). Cheerful elite agent who works at a Tokyo café and uses only non-lethal rounds.
  • Damian Desmond Spy × Family (2022). Haughty son of Loid's target, and Anya's classmate at Eden Academy.
  • Fern Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023). Orphan raised by a priest who becomes Frieren's diligent apprentice.
  • Frieren Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023). Elf mage who outlives the hero's party and sets out to know humans.
  • Fujino Look Back (2024). Schoolgirl proud of the four-panel comic strips she draws for the school paper.
  • Fushi To Your Eternity (2021). Immortal being sent to Earth as an orb that copies the shape of what moves it.
  • Himmel Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023). Vain, kind-hearted hero who led the party that defeated the Demon King.
  • Hiroshi Odokawa Odd Taxi (2021). Blunt 41-year-old walrus who drives a taxi in Tokyo and talks with every odd passenger.
  • Hitohito Tadano Komi Can't Communicate (2021). Completely average boy who sits next to Komi and becomes her first friend.
  • Hitori Gotoh Bocchi the Rock! (2022). Painfully shy guitarist nicknamed Bocchi, a star online as Guitarhero.
  • Ikuyo Kita Bocchi the Rock! (2022). Outgoing singer and guitarist who once ran away from the band.
  • Izumi Miyamura Horimiya (2021). Gloomy-looking classmate who hides piercings and tattoos under his school uniform.
  • Jinshi The Apothecary Diaries (2023). Beautiful, high-ranking palace official who spots Maomao's talent.
  • Kafka Hibino Kaiju No. 8 (2024). Monster clean-up worker who turns into a kaiju and still joins the Defense Force.
  • Kage Ranking of Kings (2021). Last survivor of a clan of shadow assassins and Bojji's first real friend.
  • Kana Arima Oshi no Ko (2023). Former child acting prodigy, once famous for crying on command.
  • Ken Ryuguji Tokyo Revengers (2021). Mikey's tall vice-captain, known as Draken, with a dragon tattoo on his temple.
  • Ken Takakura Dandadan (2024). Shy occult fan nicknamed Okarun, who believes in aliens but not ghosts.
  • Kyoko Hori Horimiya (2021). Popular, bright student who spends her time at home minding her little brother.
  • Kyomoto Look Back (2024). Truant classmate whose drawings leave Fujino stunned.
  • Laios Touden Delicious in Dungeon (2024). Armoured adventurer who loves monsters and wants to know how they taste.
  • Loid Forger Spy × Family (2022). Master spy code-named Twilight who has to build a fake family for a mission.
  • Mahito Maki The Boy and the Heron (2023). Boy who moves to the countryside after his mother dies in a hospital fire.
  • Manjiro Sano Tokyo Revengers (2021). Small, unbeatable leader of the Tokyo Manji Gang, known as Mikey.
  • Maomao The Apothecary Diaries (2023). Apothecary's daughter sold into service at the imperial palace.
  • Marcille Donato Delicious in Dungeon (2024). Elf spellcaster who is horrified by every monster dish.
  • Mash Burnedead Mashle: Magic and Muscles (2023). Boy with no magic who muscles through magic school and loves cream puffs.
  • Megumi Fushiguro Jujutsu Kaisen (2020). Reserved first-year sorcerer who summons shikigami out of shadows.
  • Meguru Bachira Blue Lock (2022). Playful dribbler who plays to the 'monster' inside him.
  • Mitsumi Iwakura Skip and Loafer (2023). Top student from a tiny seaside town who moves to Tokyo with her life planned out.
  • Momo Ayase Dandadan (2024). High schooler who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and gains psychic powers.
  • Nijika Ijichi Bocchi the Rock! (2022). Sunny drummer who pulls Bocchi into Kessoku Band.
  • Nobara Kugisaki Jujutsu Kaisen (2020). Blunt country girl who fights with a hammer, nails and a straw doll.
  • Rin Itoshi Blue Lock (2022). Cold top-ranked striker of Blue Lock and younger brother of Sae.
  • Ruby Hoshino Oshi no Ko (2023). Ai's daughter, who wants to be an idol like her mother.
  • Ryo Yamada Bocchi the Rock! (2022). Deadpan bassist who is always broke.
  • Ryomen Sukuna Jujutsu Kaisen (2020). King of Curses, whose power lives on in twenty preserved fingers.
  • Satoru Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen (2020). Blindfolded teacher at Tokyo Jujutsu High who calls himself the strongest.
  • Seishiro Nagi Blue Lock (2022). Naturally gifted forward pulled into football by his friend Reo Mikage.
  • Senshi Delicious in Dungeon (2024). Dwarf who has spent years cooking monsters and carries his own pot.
  • Shoko Komi Komi Can't Communicate (2021). Admired beauty who is too anxious to speak and wants to make 100 friends.
  • Sota Munakata Suzume (2022). Young Closer turned into a three-legged child's chair.
  • Stark Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023). Timid young warrior with an axe, trained by the dwarf Eisen.
  • Sung Jinwoo Solo Leveling (2024). Hunter known as the weakest of all, who gains the power to level up.
  • Suzu Naito Belle (2021). Shy country girl who cannot sing in public until she becomes Belle in the world of U.
  • Suzume Iwato Suzume (2022). Seventeen-year-old from Kyushu who helps to close doors that let disasters through.
  • Takemichi Hanagaki Tokyo Revengers (2021). Down-and-out 26-year-old who leaps twelve years back to save his ex-girlfriend.
  • Takina Inoue Lycoris Recoil (2022). Serious, efficient agent transferred to the café after disobeying orders.
  • Taro Sakamoto Sakamoto Days (2025). Legendary hitman who retired, put on weight and runs a convenience store.
  • Turbo Granny Dandadan (2024). Foul-mouthed spirit who ends up stuck inside a lucky cat figurine.
  • Yoichi Isagi Blue Lock (2022). Unknown high school forward picked for a project to forge Japan's best striker.
  • Yor Forger Spy × Family (2022). City hall clerk who is secretly the assassin known as Thorn Princess.
  • Yuji Itadori Jujutsu Kaisen (2020). Athletic teenager who swallows a cursed finger and becomes host to a curse.

How this list was compiled: List chosen and every one-line description written for this site; nothing is copied from Wikipedia, a fan wiki or a studio page. Each entry was checked on 2026-09-18 against the English Wikipedia article for each series or film and, where one exists, its character list or the character's own article (index: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_anime and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Studio_Ghibli_works; each article is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ plus the title, read through the Wikipedia API). Checked for every entry: that the character belongs to the named work, the year, and each name, number, colour and role in the line. Year rule: the year the named anime first aired on Japanese television, or for a film the year it opened in Japan; FLCL is dated by its 2000 video release. A series that followed a short pilot, festival special or video is dated by the series itself, and a story animated more than once is dated by its first television version. Left out on purpose: characters who began in a video game or visual novel (from Pokémon only Ash Ketchum, Jessie and James, who were created for the anime), real people, animation made outside Japan, and series that are adults-only or led by fan service or gore, the same rule the random anime page follows; on 2026-09-18 that rule took 16 characters from six series off this list. Age caution: that rule is our judgement, not a rating. Several series still listed are dark or violent (Attack on Titan, Death Note, Jujutsu Kaisen, Monster, Psycho-Pass and Vinland Saga among them); the lines are written to be clean, but check a series' age rating before a child watches it. At most 5 characters from any one franchise, counting sequels and spin-offs together. Text only: no artwork, logos or character images. Checked against the Wikipedia articles named here on 2026-09-18: 482 characters from 191 series and films; details we could not find stated on Wikipedia were cut. Review interval: every 12 months, and sooner when a listed series is renamed or remade. Licence: own work