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Take a look at the 10 most popular characters like Mirko from My Hero Academia who are renowned for their character design.
Character design is an integral part of any anime character’s identity. It not only defines their character but also sets them apart in the wide realm of anime. In fact, some of the most iconic anime characters are instantly recognizable due to their character design, as it helps create an everlasting image in the minds of anime fans.
Such is the case with Mirko from the My Hero Academia series, whose muscular build, confident smirk, and memorable bunny-themed Hero costume made her an unforgettable part of the series, irrespective of her limited appearances. That said, Mirko isn’t the only anime character known for her character design.
In the ever-expanding world of anime, many characters have cemented themselves as icons purely through their character designs. These are characters that, even if you have never watched their show, you can instantly recognize because of their worldwide popularity. With that in mind, let us look at the 10 anime characters like Mirko from My Hero Academia, whose character designs are so popular that they remain burned in our minds.
10 Anime Characters Like Mirko From My Hero Academia Who Are Famous for Their Character Design
1) Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Although anime fans initially saw Satoru Gojo as a mere copy of Naruto‘s Kakashi Hatake, the blindfolded sorcerer soon became one of the most popular anime characters to ever exist. While his appearance may be similar to Kakashi, his personality is anything but.
There’s not much to say about Gojo’s character design – except that it radiates coolness. He’s tall, well-built, and effortlessly stylish. Moreover, he carries himself with such confidence that it makes even casual poses look like a flex. His signature white hair perfectly complements his glowing blue eyes, making him pop visually in any scene that he’s in.
There’s no denying that Gojo’s character is well-written, but let’s face it – what truly made him such a popular figure in the anime industry is actually his mesmerizing character design, which was further enhanced in the anime adaptation (thanks to MAPPA Studios).
2) Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)
The anime adaptation of Sui Ishida’s Tokyo Ghoul is seen as a disappointment by many. That said, if there’s one thing that Studio Pierrot did right, it’s bringing Ken Kaneki’s iconic design to life – with his ghoul mask being the most recognizable accessory in the entire anime industry.
The moment Kaneki puts on his iconic mask after his “ghoulish” torture by Jason and embraces his true nature will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable scenes in anime history, irrespective of Tokyo Ghoul‘s abysmal reputation.
Every aspect of Kaneki’s character design, be it his signature white hair, his black leather mask with an eye patch and large gnashing teeth, or his black fingernails – is nothing short of iconic. It’s safe to say that few anime characters have a design as visually compelling as Kaneki.
3) Korosensei (Assassination Classroom)
Korosensei from Assassination Classroom is also one of the few characters who are instantly recognizable, even if you haven’t seen his show. This is because his character design simply makes him impossible to miss. Even among a whole roster of characters, Korosensei is the one figure who would stand out from the rest.
The beauty of Korosensei’s design lies in its simplicity and absurdity. He is basically a yellow octopus dressed in a graduation robe with tentacles for arms. His design may certainly be weird, but at the same time, it’s instantly endearing. Moreover, his goofy smile resembles a smiling face emoji, which further adds to the recognizability of his design.
4) Goku (Dragon Ball)
Let’s be honest with this one – everyone knows Goku. Even if you haven’t watched Dragon Ball, Goku is just one of those characters who float around the Internet due to his overwhelming popularity. Alongside Doraemon, Goku was probably a part of everyone’s childhood in some way or the other.
Goku’s design is also extremely simple. He usually wears a traditional orange gi, dons a bright smile, and has extremely recognizable spiky hair—perhaps his most distinguishable feature. In fact, the majority of anime fans can easily recognize Goku, even from his silhouette. There’s no denying that his popularity extends beyond the realm of anime itself. If you watched cartoons on TV as a child, chances are that you probably came across Goku at some point in time.
5) Dio Brando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Dio Brando is perhaps the best example of an over-the-top character design, albeit perfectly fitting in the abnormal world of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Everything about him screams “villain with style.” Be it his golden hair, extravagant costumes, flamboyant poses, or the sheer arrogance in his gaze, Dio’s character design is hands down one of the greatest character designs to have ever been created.
However, the most impressive aspect of his flashy design is the fact that Dio somehow pulls it off and manages to look overwhelmingly menacing and intimidating. He’s basically built like a Greek statue, walking around with such swagger that makes him impossible to forget.
6) Kakashi Hatake (Naruto)
Like Satoru Gojo, Kakashi Hatake from Naruto perfectly fits into the category of “being cool without trying too hard”. In terms of popularity, he’s the Satoru Gojo of the old era of anime, or rather, he’s Gojo before Gojo even came into existence.
Although most of his face is covered, Kakashi’s character design is instantly recognizable. In fact, his mask and signature silver hair are perhaps the most distinguishable feature of his design. Furthermore, Kakashi’s laid-back demeanor and mysterious nature further elevated the coolness of his character. Overall, he’s a character who doesn’t need flashy outfits or a loud personality to stand out – his presence alone does the job.
7) Ryuk (Death Note)
Ryuk from Death Note is basically what you get when you mix a gothic horror aesthetic with a jester-like sense of design. His character design practically screams “Fashionable Death God”, which more or less sums up his character apart from his obsession with apples.
Ryuk’s appearance certainly does justice to the supernatural aspect of Death Note, although he does stick out like a sore thumb at times. Fortunately, he’s not the only abnormally tall, lanky, and inhumanly proportioned Shinigami around. However, what makes his character even more interesting is his personality being the polar opposite of his appearance. Although he looks like a nightmare, he’s basically just a bored Death God who enjoys eating apples and watching the drama unfold.
8) Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
Ichigo Kurosaki’s design in Bleach was relatively simple at first. He had orange spiky hair, sported a black Soul Reaper uniform, and carried around a massive sword – none of which made him particularly memorable, especially in a roster full of characters with similar features. However, as Bleach progressed, so did his character design, which many consider to be one of the coolest transformations in anime.
His Hollowfied form alone makes him one of a kind—with his half-white skull mask and half of his normal face perfectly representing his internal struggle. His character design certainly doesn’t stop there but gets upgraded into several forms—including his Vasto Lorde form and Final Getsuga Tensho form being some of the most memorable ones.
9) Alucard (Hellsing)
An immortal vampire clad in classic Victorian fashion is a sight to behold. Alucard’s design, which heavily leans into the gothic, is coolness personified. He is usually seen wearing a long red trench coat, a wide-brimmed hat, and eerie yellow glasses that hide his demonic eyes.
What makes Alucard’s design even more interesting is how accurately it mirrors his personality. He’s stylish, confident, and overtly arrogant due to his immortality. His appearance may certainly give Victorian horror vibes, but Alucard somehow wears it as confidently as a modern-day rockstar.
10) Makima (Chainsaw Man)
Out of all the characters in this list, Makima is the only one who stands out the least. She doesn’t have extravagant outfits like Dio, nor does she have inhuman features like Ryuk. Instead, she dons simple clothing, usually a black-and-white suit appropriate for office workers. She also has red hair in a simple braid, and warm, golden eyes that would make you feel at ease.
However, this is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of her character. She’s basically tailor-made to look normal despite being far from it. The longer you focus on her appearance, the more you feel like something is terribly wrong with her. In fact, her calm and gentle demeanor initially lured both Denji and the audience into a fall sense of security – until she revealed her true nature and committed crimes heinous enough to scar Denji for life.
Conclusion
All of the aforementioned anime characters are undeniably some of the most perfect representations of characters whose popularity exploded in the anime industry due to their striking design. Like Mirko from My Hero Academia, each one of these characters proved that good character design isn’t just about looking unique or flashy – it’s about captivating viewers and telling a story at first glance.
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