8 Universally Loved Anime Characters

Discover 8 universally loved anime characters, adored for their personalities and actions in their respective series.

8 Universally Loved Anime Characters
Gintoki and Hashida as seen in the Gintama anime (Image via Studio Sunrise)

Anime is a treasure trove for characters that resonate with fans worldwide. By embodying traits of bravery, humor, care, and many more, these figures are loved by viewers across the globe.

While countless such characters are found in different stories, there are those that manage to stick out from the rest.
Here are 8 anime characters that are universally loved, presented in no particular order.

Note: The list below reflects the author’s personal choice and taste.

8 Universally Loved Anime Characters

1) Monkey D. Luffy – One Piece

8 Universally Loved Anime Characters
Luffy as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The protagonist of One Piece, Luffy, is the epitome of friendship and camaraderie. Luffy is a cheerful figure who enjoys living life in the most free way possible.

For his goal of becoming the Pirate King, he discovers a band of individuals just as unique as him. On their adventures through the seas, Luffy is determined to address any injustice while being loyal to those who trust him. His goofy side is appropriately balanced by the switch to turn serious when the situation demands it. 

Right from epic battles to touching moments with his crew and allies, Luffy is a person who draws admiration from both characters and fans.  

2) Levi Ackermann – Attack on Titan

8 Universally Loved Anime Characters
Levi as seen in the Attack on Titan anime (Image via Studio MAPPA)

For a good part of Attack on Titan, Levi was consistently more popular than the actual protagonist. This is deserved appreciation for humanity’s strongest soldier, who seems apathetic but is very caring.

Ever since his introduction, Levi seemed to be a cold and intimidating person. We soon find that his personality had been carved through his traumatic past, and very few cared about humans as much as he did. Levi has always pushed himself to the limits for his comrades, especially Erwin.

Whenever he shows up on screen, fans can expect a visual treat. Through his battle prowess, he is feared by the likes of the Beast Titan. Levi’s leadership and no-nonsense attitude make him a shining hope during dark times. 

3) Gintoki Sakata – Gintama

8 Universally Loved Anime Characters
Hijikata and Gintoki as seen in the Gintama anime (Image via Studio Sunrise)

Gintoki is the hilarious main character of Gintama whose antics never grow old. As the leader of the Odd Jobs trio, he gets into all sorts of trouble daily with Kagura and Shinpachi. At the same time, Gintoki is very compassionate.

He is the first one to step on the frontlines whenever his friends are in trouble. Even for people like Otose, who he fights with frequently, he was willing to fight, putting his life on the line. His comedic acts and witty one-liners are his exterior, but Gintoki has a more serious interior as well.

This alludes to a tragic past of a warrior with unshakeable principles. By juggling both absurd humor and emotional depth, he is an instant fan favorite.

4) Anya Forger – Spy x Family

Anya as seen in the Spy x Family anime (Image via Studio WIT and Studio CloverWorks)

The cute Anya is next on our list. As a telepath, she is adopted into the lives of a spy father and an assassin mother. This only adds to the excitement as Anya is the only one who knows of everyone’s professions and believes herself to be part of a crucial mission for world peace.

This leads to her taking innocent yet chaotic actions that cause uproar in the story. Her earnest efforts to help her parents and carry out tasks of her own inevitably lead to us falling in love with her character. 

Additionally, Anya’s expressions of different situations add charm to the series and have formed a cult following of its own.

5) Killua Zoldyck – Hunter x Hunter

Killua as seen in the Hunter x Hunter anime (Image via Studio Madhouse)

Even a cold-blooded assassin has made the list. Killua has a multifaceted personality in the anime and is a testament to good character development.

During the introduction, he is a cocky person who trusts his skills more than anyone else. After befriending Gon, Killua learns the value of relationships. He forms more connections through Hunter x Hunter and is willing to put his life at stake to protect friends. Despite facing intense familial pressure, Killua never bows down and lives life on his terms. 

His journey of self-growth and adorable bond with Gon is one of the standouts of the series. Additionally, Killua is a very cool character who is smart and applies Nen in creative ways. He is quick to learn and mesmerizing to watch. 

6) Tanjiro Kamado – Demon Slayer

Tanjiro as seen in the Demon Slayer anime (Image via Studio Ufotable)

In a world filled with darkness and violence, Tanjiro is a welcoming presence of warmth and comfort. Having lost his family to demons, he takes care of his sister Nezuko while avenging his loved ones.

Tanjiro never fully gets lost in his goal of revenge, as he remains aware of his surroundings. He is resilient, kind, and just. Tanjiro knows his shortcomings and works hard to improve, staying true to his moral compass.

Even though demons killed his family, Tanjiro does not fully discriminate against them. He recognizes that they have personalities of their own and is willing to be empathetic if necessary. Nevertheless, if left with no choice, he stuns audiences by displaying breathtaking swordsmanship to defeat enemies.   

7) Shoyo Hinata – Haikyuu!!

Hinata and Kenma as seen in the Haikyuu Movie: The Dumpster Battle (Image via Production I.G)

Hinata is an extremely inspiring character who shows that with enough grit and determination, anyone can achieve their dreams. Despite his short stature, Hinata is completely driven to reach the pinnacle of volleyball.

Making up for his height with amazing jumping ability, he stuns all his opponents during matches. Simultaneously, Hinata faces his fair share of hurdles and losses. However, his infectious energy and relentless optimism keep pushing him and his teammates forward.

As a testament to hard work and perseverance, Hinata’s bright personality and growth are universally cherished.

8) Kento Nanami – Jujutsu Kaisen

Nanami as seen in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime (Image via Studio MAPPA)

Several deaths occur in the Shibuya Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, but nothing stung fans as much as Nanami’s. He is a pragmatic individual who is reserved but very kind to others.

In a world of eccentric personalities, Nanami brings maturity and relatability, something that stuck with fans. He treated his sorcery job similar to a regular salaryman but was fully aware of the dangers associated with it.

Due to this, he was very caring with characters such as Itadori, training him to survive in this world. His unique calculative fighting style and compassionate side make him one of the most beloved characters in anime. Even before dying, he was thinking about Itadori’s feelings. This was heartbreaking for all anime fans who had grown attached to him.

Conclusion

These 8 characters, drawn from vastly different worlds and genres, share a common thread—they’ve touched the hearts of fans worldwide. From inspiring journeys and relatable quirks, to simply being adorable, they leave lasting impressions that transcend the screen. 


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