Characters are the life and blood of a story, which remains true in all media, including anime. Some shows have a vast array of characters, like One Piece, while others focus on a small cast, such as Girls’ Last Tour. No matter how many there are or their role in the story, each character has a part to play, but some prove to be more iconic and influential than others.
This list highlights ten of the most legendary anime characters who have redefined the genre. Not only must each person on this list be iconic, but they must also have inspired, influenced, or redefined the anime and character type. Whether they were the first of a trope, popularized an archetype, or are simply iconic, these ten characters altered the history of anime, creating an unforgettable legacy.
10
Raoh
‘Fist of the North Star’ (1984)
Most anime villains derive from three particular characters, and two of them are on this list, with the first being Raoh from Fist of the North Star, one of the best network TV anime shows. Raoh is a surprisingly complex character, and more than his tough and cruel exterior, he is also capable of feeling love and fear. Only sorrow and love can defeat him, as they are the emotions he abandoned in pursuit of strength.
Raoh may not be iconic anymore, as Fist of the North Star is considered old and outdated, but back then, he was one of the most iconic anime villains. Despite his fading popularity, fans have unknowingly experienced his legacy. He popularized the motivated, ruthless brute archetype that fans can see in almost every anime. It may be simple now, but he was the first to utilize this character type to the fullest.
- Release Date
-
1984 – 1988
- Directors
-
Toyoo Ashida
- Writers
-
Hiroshi Toda
- Franchise(s)
-
Fist of the North Star
9
Spike Spiegel
‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998)
Shin’ichirō Watanabe is a legendary director renowned for his influential anime series, including his magnum opus, Cowboy Bebop. Spike Spiegel and his crew are bounty hunters who clean up the galaxy one criminal at a time, but when his dark past resurfaces, he must face his demons or prepare to lose him and his friends.
It is hard to say whether Spike popularized the cool and laid-back protagonist, but he certainly contributed to its fame due to the show’s immense popularity and his character’s appeal. However, he is more than just a badass; he also has a complex backstory and a stoic personality that helped make Cowboy Bebop an action anime masterpiece.
8
Usagi Tsukino
‘Sailor Moon’ (1992)
Female characters have a controversial history in anime, often criticized for their underrepresentation in popular stories, which tend to focus on male-oriented narratives. However, that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of well-written females such as Usagi Tsukino from Sailor Moon. Despite being a klutz, Usagi becomes a powerful guardian of Earth, protecting the planet from threats every day.
Female-oriented stories were mostly dramas and romances, but Sailor Moon shifted the focus to action, featuring strong female characters who could serve as role models and be relatable. Usagi popularized the magical girl genre and many archetypes, including the adorable klutz. However, she means so much more, serving as an influential character who pioneered powerful female characters and became one of the best anime heroes.
7
Sasuke Uchiha
‘Naruto’ (2002)
There are so many iconic Naruto characters that it’s hard to pick just one, considering the main trio popularized that format as well. While Naruto aims to become the Hokage, he must first save his best friend/rival Sasuke Uchiha from falling into darkness. Sasuke is obsessed with revenge after his brother murdered his entire clan and is the driving force of Naruto Shippuden‘s plot.
While the titular hero is more iconic and well-known, Sasuke had a bigger influence on his type of character. Sasuke didn’t create the cool, badass, talented, and emotionless deuteragonist, but he certainly popularized it, making it a common trope in future anime, such as Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen. Sasuke is the definitive side character because of his revolutionary role in the story and personality.
6
Atom
‘Astro Boy’ (1963)
Astro Boy is an important anime, popularizing the medium and serving as the first anime. Its legacy is undisputed, but that also goes for its protagonist, Atom. After a scientist made him replace his deceased son, he discarded Atom, who eventually became a protector of good.
Contrary to popular belief, the protagonist’s name isn’t Astro Boy, but Atom. Regardless of his name, his impact remains the same. There is nothing particularly special about Atom, except that he is the main character in one of the most revolutionary anime series, making him groundbreaking by extension. He gets credit for being the first anime protagonist and remains a staple in Japanese and animation culture.
- Release Date
-
1963 – 1964
- Network
-
Fuji TV
- Directors
-
Osamu Tezuka, Fred Ladd
- Writers
-
Yoshiyuki Tomino
5
Char Aznable
‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ (1979)
This list previously mentioned three villains who are the main source of inspiration for all other villains, and Char Aznable is the other character on this list. Mobile Suit Gundam follows a war between Earth and its colonies in the future, with Char Aznable serving as the main villain, siding with Earth and hell-bent on enacting revenge on those who killed his father.
Anime is known for its manipulative villains, including Johan Liebert, Sosuke Aizen, and DIO, all of whom are inspired by Char Aznable. He was one of the first manipulative and charismatic anime villains, popularizing the archetype. His complex blend of villainy and morality makes him a fascinating and deep villain who revolutionized what it means to be evil in anime, becoming more popular than the anime protagonist.
4
Doraemon
‘Doraemon’ (1979)
While Western fans may not be familiar with this show, Doraemon is a highly influential anime and an iconic children’s series. Nobita is a normal kid now, but he causes a great calamity in the future, prompting the titular blue cat to come from the future with a series of gadgets and help him get his life on track so he doesn’t destroy the world in the future.
He may just be a weird-looking blue cat to many fans in the West, but he is one of the most iconic faces in Japan, with most children growing up with this iconic furry creature. He is a mascot of anime and Japan itself, with his influence reaching most authors and fans from the country. He also created the trope of a weird animal possessing futuristic gadgets, which influenced countless future series.
3
Lum and Asuka Langley Soryu
‘Urusei Yatsura’ (1981) and ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995)
Dere is an iconic character form with many archetypes, such as yandere and kuudere, meaning hundreds of characters who popularized them could be on this list. However, this list will only include the most iconic, which is the tsundere —a character who is initially hostile but becomes more friendly over time. While it may be cheating, this list includes two characters, Lum from Urusei Yatsura and Asuka Langley Soryu from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
It would be incorrect to include one without the other, which is why they are paired in this entry. This duo created and established the most popular archetype in anime, the tsundere. Lum may not have been the first, but she was the first credited tsundere, and Asuka popularized the trope to an immense extent, making it what it is today with its vast popularity. Whether in a romance or action setting, every tsundere owes a debt of gratitude to Lum and Asuka.
2
Ash Ketchum and Pikachu
‘Pokémon’ (1997)
Right after Lum and Asuka, there is another anime duo, which actually makes sense this time. Ash and Pikachu are an inseparable duo from Pokémon, an anime based on the video games and the most popular franchise in the world. They are the dual protagonists who travel to new regions and battle different Pokémon and trainers in hopes of becoming that region’s champion.
Like Doraemon, Pikachu is also a mascot of Pokémon, anime, video games, and Japan, becoming a worldwide figure that most people know. This is the definition of redefining the genre through sheer popularity and cuteness, becoming an iconic character who is instantly recognizable. He is easily the most popular Pokémon, and when paired with Ash, they become a timeless and beloved duo.
1
Son Goku
‘Dragon Ball’ (1986)
There are only two correct answers to the question of who the most legendary anime character is who redefined the genre: Pikachu from Pokémon or Son Goku from Dragon Ball. Crash landing on Earth, Goku aimlessly wandered the planet seeking strength, which brought him on countless journeys, from collecting the titular wish-granting orbs to battling aliens seeking to destroy the world.
While he may be generic now, Goku is the blueprint for an anime protagonist, which One Piece and Naruto have followed, making them some of the best manga series of all time. From the oblivious and dumb personality to the goal of getting stronger to an endless appetite, Goku redefined what it means to be a protagonist. He also has a recognizable design that has cemented itself in anime history.
