Highlight:
* Below are the factual, top 10 best anime characters of all time.
* Luffy is probably the greatest anime character of all time.
* We haven’t chosen the most popular anime characters of all time.
Anime characters are nuanced and detailed for the most part but it can be difficult to narrow down the best anime characters of all time into well- just 10 characters. But our researchers have worked hard for years and invested thousands of hours in bringing you the factual top 10 best anime characters of all time. So enjoy!
- Also Read: 10 Best Anime and Manga Based on Real Life
Edward Elric
Anime | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood |
Release Date | April 5, 2009 |
Writer | Hiromu Arakawa |
Episodes | 64 |
Edward Elric- the protagonist of the previous highest-rated anime of all time had to be mentioned in this list. Among all of the following characters here, Edward is the least extraordinary. In fact, he’s the most ordinary character on this list- and yet it is his extraordinary journey and hardships that put him on this list of best anime characters of all time.
Himmel- The Hero
Anime | Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Sousou no Frieren) |
Release Date | September 29, 2023 |
Writer | Kanehito Yamada |
Episodes | 28 |
If we had to pick out one character from the current highest-rated anime of all time, then it would have to be the one that died in the very first episode- Himmel. You’d think how a character could leave such an impact in one episode but Himmel left a long-lasting impact on his whole world. He was after all the Hero who defeated the Demon King- but he was more than that. He was a hero in the true sense of the word- and everything Frieren does and the world believes in, ties back to Himmel.
Rudeus Greyrat
Anime | Jobless Reincarnation (Mushoku Tensei) |
Release Date | January 11, 2021 |
Writer | Rifujin na Magonote |
Seasons | 2 |
If you want to see a character overcome depression and trauma in the most realistic way possible, Rudeus is your guy. Though ironically, he’s the protagonist of the most fantastical isekai anime of all time. He undergoes several character arcs and all of them connect to all of his previous character developments- and it’s all organic and poignant. He’s the greatest isekai protagonist but also one of the best anime characters of all time.
Meruem- The Ant King
Anime | Hunter x Hunter (2011) |
Release Date | October 2, 20211 |
Writer | Yoshihiro Togashi |
Episodes | 148 |
Meruem is a villain- and the only villain on this list. After all, when talking about the best anime characters of all time, one cannot just discredit the writing of villains. And most anime fans who have seen Hunter x Hunter would pick Meruem in this regard. He’s one of the few villains in anime that undergoes an authentic but tragic bad-to-good arc.
Guts
Anime | Berserk (Kenpuu Denki Berserk) |
Release Date | October 8, 1997 |
Writer | Kentarou Miura |
Seasons | 3 |
While Berserk itself as an anime might not be the best adapted of all the ones on this list, Guts’s character is enough to make him one of the best anime characters of all time- even though the manga portrays his character better. He’s had the most tragic life out of most characters on this list and despite all of that, he’s one of the strongest characters here- both emotionally and mentally.
Thorfinn Karlsefni
Anime | Vinland Saga |
Release Date | July 8, 2019 |
Writer | Makoto Yukimura |
Seasons | 2 |
Ever heard of a positive wholesome meme, especially from the anime community? If you have it’s probably because of Thorfinn. His character arc from being a revenge-hungry young child to a mature and peace-seeking adult is filled with introspection and moral revelations that we can all learn from. He truly does not have enemies and that’s why he’s one of the best anime characters of all time.
Lelouch Vi Britannia
Anime | Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch) |
Release Date | October 6, 2006 |
Writer | Mamoru Iwasa |
Seasons | 2 |
Lelouch from Code Geass has been put on this list after beating the likes of Light Yagami and Eren Yeager. His character arc from a heroic antihero to a villain is unrivaled- only for us all to find out what he had really planned for himself and the world. Lelouch’s impact on the anime community and his own world makes him one of the best anime characters of all time.
Itachi Uchiha
Anime | Naruto |
Release Date | October 3, 2002 |
Writer | Masashi Kishimoto |
Seasons | 2 |
While Itachi from Naruto would be called an anti-hero by most outsiders, to those who’ve seen his entire character arc, he’s a hero- though not a traditional one. If you search for characters who have sacrificed a lot in anime, Itachi would be up there on the list. He is the first popular anime character to play the villain and still stole the hearts of viewers- making him one of the best anime characters of all time.
Sakata Gintoki
Anime | Gintama |
Release Date | April 4, 2006 |
Writer | Hideaki Sorachi |
Seasons | 10 |
Gintoki, the protagonist of Gintama, is the heart of the story. While he may seem silly and goofy, his heart is pure like silver, and his convictions are as strong as a steel blade. There’s a reason he’s said to possess a “silver soul”. Gintoki is the reason why despite the overtly comedic nature of Gintama, fans love the show and are emotionally attached to it- making him one of the best anime characters of all time.
Monkey D. Luffy
Anime | One Piece |
Release Date | October 20, 1999 |
Writer | Eiichiro Oda |
Episodes | 1103+ |
If you’d have told me a decade ago that a character could single-handedly personify freedom, joy, and virtue- I wouldn’t have believed you. But then came Monkey D. Luffy- waving his Strawhat banner and driving the story of One Piece with his bravado and emotional intelligence. While he may seem a simple character on the surface, there’s immense depth and intentionality to him and his actions- which makes him one of the best, if not the best anime characters of all time.
So do you agree that these are the best anime characters of all time? If not you’re just disagreeing with facts. Do note that we haven’t chosen the most popular anime characters of all time- which would include the likes of Goku and Pikachu. If the above list doesn’t please you maybe you’d like to check out the top 5 best anime series of all time.