It is not uncommon for popularity to fluctuate, even among the most popular anime characters and shonen series. Every year, there are new top-tier shonen that emerge, accompanied by characters who garner frequent discussions and grow a large fanbase. However, these same anime and characters may also quickly fall out of the top 10 rankings.
Despite the passage of time, certain elements of their storyline have contributed to the long-standing success of fan favorites like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and One Piece, making them chart-toppers for years to come.
This list is not in any particular order and will include spoilers for all the shonen anime mentioned, as well as the fates of the characters. The opinions reflected here solely belong to the author and may also align with those of fans and fan popularity polls.
20 Iconic Characters from Classic Shonen Anime Series
1) The Sky (Chills: Beyond Journey’s End)
Starting off this list is a surprise entrant, The Hero of the Hero Party Himmel from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, a popular anime character. Among the recent new generation of anime, Frieren has currently surpassed Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and claimed the top spot on Myanimelist.
In the second popularity poll, Himmel won over Aura The Guillotine by a margin of approximately 200,000 votes, and in the first poll, they surpassed main protagonist Frieren by a significant margin of 5 million points.
Despite being deceased by the time Frieren begins her journey, Himmel’s popularity comes as a surprise. Upon further examination, it becomes apparent that he is not your typical hero or leader. Instead, his relatable qualities such as openly expressing his doubts, not retrieving the Sword of Heroes, and facing criticism as a “false one”have contributed to his popularity. Additionally, his unreciprocated romance with Frieren adds to his relatability.
2) The Young Alchemist: Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist/Brotherhood)
Sometimes, the main character of an anime can become the most popular among all the characters.
Despite having ended over 13 years ago, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood remains highly regarded as a top-tier anime with almost flawless review scores. The most recent popularity poll conducted by Crunchyroll in 2016 still listed Edward Elric as the fan favorite character.
Edward is a protagonist who is highly likable. He is known for his outspoken nature, fiery temper, and character development throughout the series. Fans admire Elric for his tendency to get upset when teased about his height, his growth throughout the story, and his role as a responsible older sibling to Alphonse.
3) Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
Despite being one of the Big Three, it comes as no surprise that One Piece remains one of the most popular shonen anime even after 25 years of being on-air. The top favorite among many fans worldwide may change according to the 7th worldwide poll, but since the series’ first popularity poll in 1998, there is one character that consistently holds the top spot – Monkey D. Luffy.
It is easy to understand why Luffy is consistently chosen by fans as One Piece’s top anime character, and why he remains one of the most beloved anime characters overall. From his contagious enthusiasm and extraordinary rubber-based abilities to his numerous displays of determination, Luffy stands out as a truly one-of-a-kind protagonist, even among other shonen anime.
4) Yuuji Itadori (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Since its release in 2020, Jujutsu Kaisen has established itself as a highly popular anime. Megumi Fushiguro, the deuteragonist of the series, has also consistently topped popularity polls in both 2022 and 2023.
It is challenging to explain the reason for his popularity. Both Gojo and Yuji are equally popular, ranking third and second, respectively. However, Megumi has numerous commendable moments that earn him respect from fans, leading to arguments that he is a better-developed character than Yuji and therefore, justifying his popularity.
5) Aki Hayakawa (Manga: Chainsaw Man)
Chainsaw Man is another shonen anime known for its intense action, and its standout character Aki Hayakawa has gained a strong following. This was evident in the recent 2021 popularity poll, where Aki received over 80,000 votes, surpassing Power’s first-place victory in the previous poll by about 50,000 votes. The poll received an impressive 600,000 votes overall.
One possible explanation for Aki’s status as the most beloved anime character could be attributed to similarities with Megumi from Jujutsu Kaisen. Both serve as the voice of reason amidst their eccentric friends, although Aki’s role seems to be more prominent than Megumi’s. Additionally, Aki’s responsibility of not only dealing with Denji but also Power, combined with his heartbreaking past and determination to avenge the Gun Devil, may have contributed to his widespread popularity.
6) Bakugo Katsuki (My Hero Academia)
Despite facing competition from other popular anime, My Hero Academia’s popularity remains strong and it continues to be a controversial choice for the top spot. While the 9th popularity poll results have not yet been released, Katsuki Bakugo has consistently been named the most popular character in both Japan and the US since the second poll.
Despite being a polarizing character in both his home anime and fanbase, Bakugo’s popularity may initially seem puzzling. However, a deeper examination reveals the reasoning behind it: he serves as the complete opposite of a character like Sasuke, known for his rivalry. Despite his brash and confrontational nature, Bakugo consistently showcases his heroic abilities in My Hero Academia.
7) Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)
Despite its manga’s widely disliked ending and other criticisms, Attack on Titan remains one of the most beloved shonen anime. This can be attributed to the stellar animation, music, and voice acting by Wit Studio, as well as the later contributions of MAPPA’s animation and talent. The anime’s enduring popularity is well-deserved.
Levi Ackerman’s widespread popularity among fans is hardly unexpected. While he was only once beaten for the second spot in the third poll by Erwin Smith, his reputation as a comedic yet serious character and his intense focus on cleanliness is well-known. Additionally, his tragic past and effortless defeat of Titans have solidified his role as a standout character in Attack on Titan. The ongoing conflict between him and The Beast Titan is often cited as a standout moment in the series.
8) Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
Even though the manga for Demon Slayer concluded in 2020, the anime continues to air in 2024. Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Hashira Training Arc, with the most beloved character in the series being Zenitsu. While Tanjiro won the first popularity poll in 2019 with 6,742 votes, Zenitsu’s dedicated fans secured his victory in the second popularity poll in 2020 with over 17,451 votes.
Zenitsu’s popularity is attributed to his complex nature: While he may appear to be a timid and fearful individual who would rather perish than confront any demon, he also possesses a fierce and composed side that allows him to effectively slay demons. Additionally, he is recognized as the swiftest member of Tanjiro’s group.
9) Minato Namikaze – The Fourth Hokage (Naruto)
Even though it has been seven years since its conclusion and a sequel series has been released, many anime fans still consider the original Naruto as one of the greatest anime series. According to the results of the worldwide NARUTOP99 poll, which took place from December 2022 to January 2023 and received 792,257 votes, the best character in the show is The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Despite facing tough competition from Itachi Uchiha and a surprise improvement from Sakura Haruno, Minato stood out among the rest. As Naruto’s father and one of the most highly regarded Hokage, he possessed incredible speed. It is clear that Naruto inherited his attitude and talent for the Rasengan from his father.
10) Vegeta – Prince of the Saiyans (Dragon Ball Z)
Despite the fact that the Dragon Ball franchise has been ongoing since 1984, there have been numerous character polls conducted, some of which date back to 2004. While both Goku and Vegeta, the main characters and rivals, have consistently ranked highly in terms of popularity, Goku has a wider appeal to mainstream audiences. Nevertheless, the most recent and officially conducted poll by Viz in 2021 has placed Vegeta in the top spot.
Despite being a villain during the Frieza Saga, the self-proclaimed Prince of all Saiyans had a significant following, which only grew as the series progressed. His character transformation from a typical villain to a repentant individual, caring father, and redeemed man in Super only added to his popularity.
11) Rukia Kuchiki’s Role in the Bleach Series
Despite being a part of the original Big Three of Shonen, Bleach was not included on this list until the recent Thousand Year Blood War arc. The latest popularity poll for the series, conducted during this arc, was released by Viz Media in October 2022 and revealed Rukia Kuchiki as the top-ranked character among fans.
Ever since the start of Bleach, both Rukia and Ichigo have consistently ranked high in popularity polls. Rukia, who was one of Ichigo’s earliest comrades from Soul Society, is not only a formidable character in her own regard, but also plays a significant role in the overall story. Her strong-willed and serious demeanor provides a refreshing contrast to Ichigo’s personality and serves as a necessary balance to their dynamic.
12) Kazuma Kuwabara (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Despite being a shonen anime airing in the 1990s, Yu Yu Hakusho was highly regarded by the older anime audience. Hiei, the former antagonist, emerged as the fan favorite among all the characters throughout the show’s run and in various popularity polls.
Despite being defeated twice by Yusuke and undergoing a gradual transformation towards good, Hiei’s popularity remains unwavering due to his similar qualities to Vegeta: the rebellious demeanor, dark apparel, and formidable abilities. Fans continue to admire his power and shenanigans with Team Urameshi, solidifying his position as the most beloved anime character.
13) Killua’s Deadly Skills (Hunter x Hunter)
Despite its relatively short run from 2011 to 2014, Hunter x Hunter is often credited as one of the pioneers of the new wave of shonen anime. Its highly acclaimed Chimera Ant arc concluded the series on a high note, with enough content for three separate popularity polls.
Despite only narrowly winning against Kurapika by about 230 votes in the first poll, Killua has solidified his status as the most popular character in Hunter x Hunter. In subsequent polls, he maintained a significant lead of over 2,000 votes in the second poll and 1,700 votes in the third. Killua’s appeal lies in his dynamic friendship with Gon and his struggles to break free from his manipulative family, which add depth to his character.
14) Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes series)
Despite it being uncommon for an antagonist to claim the top spot in popularity polls for anime characters, both Light Yagami and L Lawliet from Death Note consistently vied for the number one position. While Light’s captivating story and charm won over many fans, L was often seen as his intellectual match and even excelled in certain situations.
Despite L’s death towards the end of Death Note, it was still viewed as a satisfying and impactful conclusion to the narrative. The main factors contributing to L’s greater popularity compared to Light stem not only from the reversal of their typical roles in the story, but also from L’s unique mannerisms, quirks, and personality, all of which distinguish him from Light.
15) Jotaro Kujo – “Star Platinum” (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders)
Despite not achieving Big Three status, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure gained a substantial following during its 10+ years on-air. As a result, even the characters in the storyline have developed dedicated fan bases.
Ultimately, the debate for the Best Jojo Character centered around the question of “Which Jojo reigns supreme?”and included contenders such as Jonathan Joestar, Joseph Joestar, Jotaro Kujo, Jolyne Cujoh, and Girno Giovanna. Given the continued popularity of Jotaro and the widespread acclaim for Stardust Crusaders, it is safe to say that Jotaro Kujo holds the title of the best Jojo character.
16) Kenma Kozume (Haikyū!!)
Undoubtedly one of the most popular sports anime of recent years alongside Blue Lock, Haikyū!! has amassed a large fan base and consistently ranks high in popularity polls. The series’ two central characters, Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama, are consistently placed in the top spot on official polls.
Tobio was the winner of the first poll with 6,639 votes, while Hinata garnered 12,720 votes in the second poll. As his tally was higher, Hinata was chosen to be on this list. Unlike the typical sports star, Hinata is portrayed as a determined and tenacious individual in the series, struggling to collaborate with others. This relatable aspect of his character has resonated with many fans, contributing to his widespread popularity.
17) Asta (Black Clover)
Despite not being as highly regarded as Jujutsu Kaisen or My Hero Academia, Black Clover remains a popular series. While main character Asta dominated popularity polls from 2017 to 2021, the tables turned in 2022 and 2023 when deuteragonist Noelle Silva won consecutive polls.
Noelle Silva is highly regarded by fans for being a well-developed female character in a shonen anime. Unlike Asta and Yuno, who are either used for comedic relief or remain static throughout the series, Noelle goes through a significant character arc from beginning to end. She has been likened to Maki Zenin from Jujutsu Kaisen, both of whom are seen as characters with potential who were given the opportunity to shine and showcase their growth.
18) Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
Despite being primarily known for its comedy and parody, Gintama has proven to have a strong hold in the anime community, as confirmed by Myanimelist and other sources. It continues to hold its place alongside other popular shonen anime such as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Steins;Gate.
The statement also applies to the main character, Sakata Gintoki. Although he is known to be lazy, Gintoki has proven himself to be capable of being serious, as seen in the later story arcs. In addition, he has consistently topped every popularity poll in Gintama, consistently taking first place with a comfortable lead of at least 1,000 votes. This solidifies his position as one of the most beloved characters in anime.
19) Senku Ishigami – Genius Scientist and Rebuilder of Civilization (Dr. Stone)
Many of the top anime characters featured on this list rely on brute force or sheer determination to solve problems. However, Dr. Stone offers a refreshing alternative by showcasing a main character who uses clever thinking and improvisation, similar to the character MacGyver, to overcome challenges.
Despite being a shonen protagonist, Senku Ishigami stands out from the rest due to his lack of magical powers and his emphasis on critical thinking. In both Japan and the US, he has consistently ranked first in popularity polls conducted by Weekly Shonen Jump for Dr. Stone. His intelligence not only aids in finding a cure for the petrification virus, but also earns him a devoted fan following for his ability to create innovative inventions from scrap materials.
20) Saitama (One Punch Man)
Despite the numerous examples on this list, it is clear that the bad boy archetype remains a fan favorite in the world of anime. While Assassination Classroom boasts a diverse cast of characters in class 3-E, the 2016 popularity poll in volume 12 of the manga revealed that Karma Akabane surpassed even Korosensei and Nagisa in popularity.
Karma’s popularity stems from the same factors that make many other “bad boy”types on this list popular: his attitude and character development. Beneath his tough exterior, Karma has layers that can only be fully understood by giving him multiple chances to prove himself, which he does throughout the series when he reveals his empathetic side.
Additional contenders for this compilation are figures from Food Wars, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and Spy x Family, but were unable to be featured due to their recent release or lack of sufficient official popularity polls.
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