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Japanator's Top 25 most popular anime characters
by BGFUSAB, 11/07/2009
Japanator's Top 25 most popular anime characters photo

[The results of your votes are in, and BGFUSAB tallied them all. They turned out pretty surprising, especially when compared with IGN's list. Read, enjoy, and discuss! -- Brad]

So the votes are all tallied, and 271 total character received votes from 63 people participating. There were a couple things I found interesting but maybe you all didn't.

The lowest ranked person getting at least 5 votes was Gene Starwind somewhere around 49. Haruhi Suzumiya was around 38, her 6 votes only got her 21 points. The list seems to me mostly to be a list of characters one could describe as "badass" with the occasional funny person thrown in. I suppose I expected more out of Konata and Kagami.

Enjoy. Debate.

Name (series) (first place votes) Total Points (total votes)

1. Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop) (8) 232 (30)
2. Kamina (Gurren Lagann) (8) 212 (30)
3. Vash the Stampede (Trigun) (2) 101 (15)
4. Makoto Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell) 74 (13)
5. L Lawliet (Death Note) (1) 69 (11)
6. Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga (Azumanga Daioh) (2) 64 (10)
7. Light Yagami (Death Note) (1) 63 (11)
8. Himura Kenshin (Ruroni Kenshin) (1) 59 (10)
9. Konata Izumu (Lucy Star) (1) 54 (10)
10. Haruhara Haruko (FLCL) 51 (8)
11. Eikichi Onizuka (Great Teacher Onizuka) (1) 50 (8)
12. Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass) (2) 48 (9)
13. Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece) (1) 46) (6)
14. Edward Elric (Full Metal Alchemist) 40 (10)
15. Char Aznable (UC Gundam) (3) 42 (5)
15. Mugen Champloo (Samurai Champloo) 42 (7)
17. Itoshiki Nozomu (Sayounara Zetsubou Sensei) 35 (9)
17. Shinji Ikari (Evangelion) (1) 35 (6)
19. Kaneda (Akira) (1) 33 (5)
20. Kyon (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) (1) 32 (6)
21. Gendou Ikari (Evangelion) (1) 31 (6)
22. Kagami Hiiragi (Lucky Star) 29 (6)
22. Ryougi Shiki (Kara no Kyoukai) 29 (4)
24. Lupin III (Lupin III) (2) 28 (3)
24. Shenjougahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari) 28 (4)


Gallery Images:
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Legacy comments:

Mandril

A great improvement over IGN's list. Then again, any list would be better than theirs.

It's nice to see the varying tastes of Japanator combined into a single list.
Also, thank god Kamina did not steal the nr 1 spot from Spike.
 
BGFUSAB

Mmmm, I love my typos and complete lack of commas there. This is why you should not type first thing after waking up, it's a bad idea.

Yeah, Kamina kept is close. Apparently I need to watch Gurren Lagann though. I had never even heard of the guy and when I started added up the votes I couldn't help but think, "Who is this Kamina guy?"

Really, I'm just glad to see Osaka up there. The more I thought about my own votes the most I kind of wished I had put her first.
 
BGFUSAB

And again with the typos. I request an edit button, lol.
 
xsirhc

Much better list then IGN's, not just because Kagami is on it. Watch Gurren Lagann, 27 episodes of awesome madness with Kamina at the helm.
 
Brad Rice

@BGFUSAB Sorry, your mistakes must be laid bare for the world to see.

The list largely surprised me, I must admit. I'm glad to see the likes of Osaka, Onizuka, and Haruko up there. Those are names I wasn't really expecting to hear from this crowd.
 
Gee-Man

Ha ha, I'm not surprised by this list. Kamina has just made too much of a mark on the anime world to be forgotten, and to think he was able to keep up with Spike, the epitome of badass from anime in the 90's is quite impressive.

I'm really surprised Makoto Kusanagi made it so far up the list despite not being ranked #1 on anybody's list though. I guess she's just that awesome.

I'm also glad Osaka (someone I forgot to put on my list), Onizuka, and Mugen made it on the list as well. The latter two are pretty underrated despite being awesome characters. In Mugen's case, I guess it's hard to be noticed when you're constantly standing in Spike's shadow.

@BGFUSAB- I'm going to assume based on your icon that you liked Bang Shishigami. If that's the case, you'll LOVE Kamina.
 
Zepwich

But no Goku!
 
Josh Tolentino

Good to see The Major in the top five.
 
Psycho Soldier

A great list but still sad face no Alucard
 
GokuLovr

The second I saw Shinji Ikari on the list I realized how flawed this list must be.
 
gendo7

Now THAT'S a Top 25 anime characters list. Sad to see no Lupin, Astro (Atom) or Black Jack... but yeah, still a way better list than IGN's.
 
kamanashi

Great list, especially because Spike is number one. Also, nice to see Kyon, Haruhara Haruko, Mugen, and The Major.
 
zeroduality

i was surprised to see some flcl on the list even though i voted for haruko. also i was hoping to see kazuma from s-CRY-ed seeing as how most of steven blum's most badass characters made it to the list
 
zeroduality

ohh and also roger smith from big o, he's badass
 
Mad March Harris

Why do people like Vash? He looks cool but he's a really terrible character. And I really mean that he's a completely terrible character in almost every aspect.
 
Jon Snyder

Hah, only one Haruhi character made the list. I'm beginning to think that Haruhi's impact on otakudom was greatly overrated.

Anyhoo, this is probably the best anime character ranking I've ever seen. I think your method came up with results that were much more accurate than a simple vote or poll.
 
synaptic flow

Glad to see somebody from Samurai Champloo made it. Too bad nobody from Macross did.
 
Mr. Dapper

Why is Spike such a liked character, he barely has any character at all.
 
raasbo

I guess it's better. Could you post the complete list??? I'd be very interested.
 
Rewarp

@ Mr. Dapper

As Dale North once wrote:

1. He's good with kids.
2. He's good with dogs.
3. He's good with the ladies.
4. He fights classy.
5. He seems like he'd be a better wingman.

He also treats his friends kindly, and is an all round good guy with a propensity for making violence look as smooth and as cool as the jazz music Kanno Yoko wrote for him.

And yes, I am saying Tank! is better than Libera Me/from hell.

And this list is certainly much more agreeable than the IGN list.
 
PBz0r

What, Kamina didn't win?

This is why I love Japanator and everyone who visits here.
 
XElectrastarX

Am I the only one who didn't get Gurren Lagann...I honestly don't think it was that good and that it deserves that much credit...
 
Mandril

@XElectrastarX

You are most certainly not the only one. However, Gurren Lagann is simply the hot new thing. Give it a year and there will be a newer anime hogging all the spotlights.


 
Gee-Man

@XElectrastarX- Yes, you are the only one who didn't get it. Perhaps your spirit isn't burning enough? (Kidding of course)
 
Urufu

This is the first "top __ most popular anime characters" list that didn't make me face palm. GOOD JOB, JAPANATOR.

 
nagato yuki

It looks like I'm not the only one who wants Senjougahara as their waifu.
 
Nihon Freak

Okay.
1: Why is Shinji there, and not someone from Eva who's more fun?
2: It's *Motoko* Kusanagi, not Makoto. Makoto is typically a male name. Kenshin fans might remember it's Shishio's first name, even. That repeated typo has been bugging the crap out of me.

There. Done ranting.

 
Rewarp

I placed Senjougahara Hitagi quite high on my list, but I wouldn't call her waifu material.

That place is reserved for Shimako Todo, who did not make my list.

Now that Spike has confirmed his position as the best anime character among his peers, can we have Joss Whedon direct his live-action movie?
 
Mike LeChevallier

This list spawns much chin-rubbing.
 
Splee84

I like this list a lot more than ign's. Only person I don't like on that list is shinji
 
BoukenLou

This is exactly what a list of this magnitude should look like. Great job, guys.

Now someone should maybe do a "Top 25 Anime series list," hmm?

 
Fernandohyde

Char Aznable should be way higher, Char is a better character then all of the characters that are above him. I will say it Char Aznable should be undisputed number 1. Obviously most of the people who contributed to this list lack variety in their anime, opting for the mainstream.

But seriously Vash is a stupid character in a way overrated show. If you are responsible for making Vash so high, congratulations, I hate you.

And fucking Shinji from Evangelion? Seriously?
 
EvilThoughts

I'm pretty content with this list. I'm not surprised that Spike won since he's popular with multiple generations of anime watchers. And for people with complaints, like the title says, it's a list of most "popular" characters; if who you liked isn't on there, that just means they weren't popular enough by the voters here. It's rare to find an unbiased popular list (sorta an oxymoron).
 
Marlin Clock

I'm in despair, the fact that Itoshiki isn't higher on this list has left me in despair!

Makes me regret putting off voting until I forgot about it, still I'm pleasantly surprised to see him that high seeing as SZS really seems like a love it or hate it show.
 
spinseffingcool-kun

i strongly agree with the top 4 but L just didn't do it for me...
 
Batthink

I find Shinji being placed in the top twenty quite intriguing, in spite of the fact that we wasn't meant to be a likeable character...
 
Rewarp

I have only watched the re-imagined Evangelion movie, and I have a great distaste for Shinji as well. Why then? Perhaps because he represents some part of us all? The low self-esteemed kid who realises he just isn't cut out for this life?

And in response to Fernandohyde, it's a collective input of everyone here, so since we are not all derivatives of your preferences, it's not always likely that your favourite choice will top the list.

Damn, I really should be studying for my French exam instead of checking into Japanator after every hour.
 
Rewarp

I have only watched the re-imagined Evangelion movie, and I have a great distaste for Shinji as well. Why then? Perhaps because he represents some part of us all? The low self-esteemed kid who realises he just isn't cut out for this life?

And in response to Fernandohyde, it's a collective input of everyone here, so since we are not all derivatives of your preferences, it's not always likely that your favourite choice will top the list.

Damn, I really should be studying for my French exam instead of checking into Japanator after every hour.
 
Rewarp

Crikey, sorry about the double post.
 
HyakuShiki1993

Excellent list, luvin' Char and L especially.
 
Bi

You have the major's name wrong: It is Motoko Kusanagi, not Makoto Kusanagi :)

 
Sirs Gunstash

I'm confounded that these lists have been mostly men. I mean, is it not true that 99% of all anime promo material is showing off the hot female characters?

Seems to me otaku come for the girls, but stay for the dudes.
 
Marlin Clock

Thing is, lots of anime are starred by dudes, and they're usually the ones guys can relate with most.
 
matrixdude

A very popular list indeed.
 
Arcade Ness

I'm just pleasantly surprised that Ryogi Shiki made the list. I don't like Shinji up there, and better characters than Vash could've replaced his spot on the list.
 
rhkaloge

I think my first place vote got Kyon on the list, and I think that's the only one of mine to make the cut (short term memory problems aside). Only one of mine that surprised me was that Taiga isn't in the top 25...the rest were pretty random :)
 
Heero Yuy

@Arcade Ness: *high fives* I'm with you, I'm just happy Shiki made the list. She's definitely A-list material, it's just unfortunate more people don't know about her.

I really don't understand why people like Osaka as much as they do (I can sorta see why, just not to this degree) and I don't mind her making the list, but to be ranked so highly even above Char kinda ticks me off...
 
Kid Nicky

I didn't even know this was going on,but I would have voted for Spike anyway,so it wouldn't have made a difference.

@Fenaldahide-
Are you saying we need to get away from "mainstream" anime---an start watching GUNDAM?!?!? Come on,that's hardly a niche show.
 
Heero Yuy

@Kid Nicky: Although I don't entirely agree with Fenaldahide, the original Mobile Suit Gundam is a mostly unseen show to modern otaku. It may be well known and everyone's heard of it, but if I took a poll here of the people who've commented who have seen at least half of the original series, I guarantee less than a third of them have.

Seriously though, Char Aznable should've been at least in the top 10, and Shinji Ikari has no excuse for being there at all. Whoever voted for him clearly has no taste.
 
Rank57

Don't know if I made my list in time, but almost none of my fave characters are on the top 25. And I must admit I even cheat, since I put Miria first, just to try to steal some points to an obscure character.

Everybody should know Makunouchi Ippo is the greatest character ever.

Rant: too much moe blobs and too much Shinji in this list.
 
ChubbyHuggs

I was hoping Gene Starwind would be a little higher on the list, but Vash is up there. So I'm fine. :p
 
ChubbyHuggs

@Rewarp:
Even though their aren't in the same categories I think A Deus (Sunking Mix) is on the same level or better than both those.
 
Kid Nicky

Heero Yuy-
The kids haven't seen original Gundam?!?! WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY TEACHING THEM IN SCHOOL THESE DAYS!!!!?!

Seriously though,it aired in America when Bebop and Trigun were popular,on the same channel. It's a well-known show.
 
Digishade

Lol. Not a Naruto character to be found.
Thank God. :D

Sadly, no Kibagame Jyubei from Ninja Scroll, but Mugen AND Kenshin are on there, so it almost makes up for it. (Also: No Fist of the North Star? Fail. :D)
 
Rewarp

@ChubbyHuggs
Are you referring to this piece?

If you are, then I respectfully put forward the motion that it's not really a fair contest, because I can feel no impact from it as I do from Tank!, Libera Me/from hell, and Yuki Kajiura's A Song of Storm and Fire, which is among my favourite songs.

Gundams are more of a pop-culture phenomenon to me. I have not actually watched even one episode of any Gundam series. Too many good stuff around.
 
ChubbyHuggs

@Rewarp
Yes, that's the on.

To each it own. :p

P.S. You should watch at least one Gundam series in your life.

 
Insanity-Oo

What's with all the Vash hate? I don't remember the anime so much, but in the Manga he was a damn good character.
 
NightyNight

Wow , pretty ironic for only 7 out of 25 actually ring a bell to me !
 
pollardy

nicely done
 
GorZ

9. Konata Izumu (Lucy Star) (1) 54 (10)
...
*facepalm*
 
GorZ

9. Konata Izumu (Lucy Star) (1) 54 (10)
...
*facepalm*
 


  

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