Characters who originate from video games. Their manga or video game adaptations may be what made me really like them, but I made them their own category just so the previous one wasn't too big.
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At this point, I'm just copying everything my friend does on his MAL. But I'm doing it better, both by my opinions and by including video game characters.
Loyal to the End
They'll stick with you until the very end, assuming you're the protagonist. These types of characters fall under both the categories of "Best Friend/Bro" and "Servant/Follower." Regardless of which category it is, their belief in whoever or whatever they follow earns my respect, even if they follow someone or something questionable. (That is to say, I like the Camus archetype in Fire Emblem.) Friends/Bros Ex: Ryuji "Skull" Sakamoto, Persona 5; Ryouta Watari, Your Lie in April; Anzu Hoshino, Romantic Killer Servant/Follower Ex: The Straw Hat Crew, One Piece
Pure-Hearted Hero
Characters that put the good of others over their own lives and safety. I like superheroes, and they would fit perfectly in an older superhero film, along the lines of 1978's Superman. Truly, the paragons of humanity, and I wish I could be that selfless. Ex: Mumen Rider, One Punch Man; Kyojuro Rengoku, Demon Slayer; Leonardo Watch, Blood Blockade Battlefront
The Big Three Protagonists
I feel like a lot of people nowadays look down on the Big Three for being "bad," but I don't really see it. All three, despite their flaws, do have good stories overall, and plenty of likable characters, starting with their lead stars. Each of them has their own charms and moments, and without them, anime probably would look very different today.
Naruto Uzumaki, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Monkey D. Luffy
Objectively Precious
"Perhaps it is my bias speaking, but there are certain characters that just radiate "good" and constantly uplift others around them, whether intentionally or not. Even if they do not end up becoming your favorite characters, you'd have to try really hard to pinpoint something that is wrong with them (assuming you yourself are not morally flawed, or just petty I guess). Personally, I look forward to seeing these characters on the screen because they simply make the overall watching experience so much better, and put a smile on my face." -Cartier117 Ex: Tohru Honda, Fruits Basket; Platelets, Cells at Work!; Gatekeeper, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Divas/Idols with a Hidden Sensitive Side
Celebrities have a lot of crap to deal with, and they can't always make their weak side public. Whenever you get to see a character break down and show their sad side, especially someone whose public face is super upbeat and happy, it makes me feel for them. And whenever it's someone in an RPG opening up to the avatar (you), it makes it feel even more special. Ex: Dorothea Arnault, Fire Emblem: Three Houses; Rise Kujikawa, Persona 4; Ai, Oshi no Ko
Glad They're Fictional
There are some characters I like who... aren't the best people. I have my own personal lines, but there are plenty of antagonists and even some protagonists with qualities that are, at best, morally gray. Of course, if they were real, they would most likely be in jail, but in the realms of fiction they're great, especially if they have more to their character. Ex: Ryunosuke Uryu, Fate/Zero; Makima, Chainsaw Man; Berkut, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
The Trump Card
In terms of shounen anime, these are the strongest fighters among the protagonists, excluding only the protagonist because of course. They have the coolest fight scenes, and going by the usual formula, the only characters allowed to beat them in a fight are the main protagonist and the Big Bad. Ex: Levi Ackermann, Attack on Titan; Saitama, One Punch Man; Satoru Gojo, Jujutsu Kaisen
Over-the-Top Comedian
Laughing is fun, and sometimes, more is better. If a character can toe the line between extreme and too much, then that's where I start crying from laughing too hard. Ex: Narrator (dub), Kaguya-sama: Love is War; Headmaster Henry Henderson, SpyxFamily; Vanir, Konosuba
Too Cool for School
These characters just have an aura around them that makes them super cool. Even if they're in a situation where they're surrounded by enemies, they can make it out without getting worked up at all. The only times they do get worked up, it's usually for a serious moment in the story or for a comedic bit. And if they're a male character with spiky dark hair and a suit, that makes them even cooler. A lot of Bleach characters could fit into this category. Ex: Yoruichi Shihoin, Bleach; Spike Spiegel, Cowboy Bebop; Steven A. Starphase, Blood Blockade Battlefront
The Strong, Silent Type
Basically, somewhere between "Too Cool" and a tsundere. I don't like the typical tsundere, especially nowadays when they're so exaggerated, but when a character's aloof tendencies come from their backstories or motivations, it works well. Of course, over time they start to open up and accept others, and it feels more natural than when a stereotypical tsundere does it. And usually, those characters will be sword wielders, which makes them even cooler. Ex: Guts, Berserk; Maki, Jujutsu Kaisen; Felix Hugo Fraldarius, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Laura Bailey
Laura Bailey is my favorite voice actor, and so a lot of her characters are my favorites. Even if they're a side character with not much going on in the story, they still rank high for me just because she voices them. And that's why I tend to watch in dub over sub. Ex: Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto; Rakshata Chawla, Code Geass; Nodoka Manabe, K-On!
In no particular order, just make sure you prioritize them over everything else.
Aka protectors of the above category
Aka lieutenants of the GIGACHADS
All lists used are on tierlistmaker.com. I'll also include links to all the specific tier lists I use in case you want to make your own. Also, if there's anyone not on the tierlist, I left them off because I just forgot who they were.
One Piece
Honestly, it's a little hard to rank all the characters. Whenever I dislike a character, it's because that's how they're designed, so maybe they should be in S-tier.
All the different ways I rank the ten main characters. Tierlist here
Basic:
By Joining Arc:
For clarification, since it's not always their first appearance:
Luffy- first chapter
Zolo- first appearance
Nami- Arlong Park arc
Usopp- first appearance
Sanji- first appearance/Baratie arc
Chopper- first appearance/Drum Island arc
Robin- Skypiea arc
Franky- Water Seven/Enies Lobby arc
Brooke- Thriller Bark arc
Jimbei- Fishman Island arc
Persona 4 and 5
Admittedly, this is less of an anime tierlist and more based on the game, though the anime have infuenced my opinions in some ways. Also, I added the characters from Golden and Royal, just because.
Edward Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
"There's no such thing as a painless lesson. They just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary. You can't gain anything without losing something first. Although, if you can endure that pain and walk away from it, you'll find that you now have a heart strong enough to overcome any obstacle. A heart made full metal"
"WHO'RE YOU CALLIN' A PIPSQUEAK?!"
Saitama, One Punch Man
"I'm just a guy who's a hero for fun"
"Not again! All it took was one punch! DAMMIT!!!!"
"If heroes run away, who's left to help?"
"Nice fight, man. Should be proud of yourself"
"First two naked dudes, then a dog and cat, and now... I don't know what this is. Why are you living under my neighborhood?"
"It's not about winning or losing! It's about me, taking you on! Right here and right now!" -Mumen Rider, One Punch Man
"Tell Mumen Rider... that victory will be ours!! The victory of heroes who rose from their hospital beds!!" -Tank Top Master, One Punch Man
"Just try and kill me! I'M THE IMMORTAL SUGIMOTO!!!!!" -Saichi Sugimoto, Golden Kamuy
Kyojuro Rengoku, Demon Slayer
"Set your heart ablaze!"
"I am the Flame Hashira: Kyojuro Rengoku! Ninth Form: RENGOKU!"
"I will fulfill my duty! No one will die here!"
"Tasty!"
"As you can see, I'm a box lunch vendor. Which isn't suspicious at all!"
Narrator, Kaguya-sama: Love is War
"Several hours later"
"Three entire days have passed! Aaaaand nothing's happened. Shock shock, surprise surprise"
"She's right, you know. And that's why she's best girl"
"That's what you call a swing and a miss!"
"At that moment they knew: Fujiwara was scum. ...Yeah, they're scum too"
"Concentration! A game where you concentrate. Yeah~"
"No. No! No, no, no, no! No. No, no no no NO NOOOO!"
"Reality. It sucks but it's what we've got"
"Shojo MANGA Brain!<3"
"Did they get locked in because the building is so decrepit? Or did somebody passing by accidentally lock the door? Either way, a circumstance in which potential love interests get trapped in a room together call for a title. The Accidental Lockup Hookup"
"Each is convinced that the other has finally gathered up the courage to make a move and the anticipation is KILLING THEM! Something's bound to happen! I can feel it!"
"Oh, Kaguya! You tsundere you!"
"THE YAAAY BRIGAAADE!"
"That day, Yu Ishigami became a cheerleader. His story continues in 'Victory and Defeat at the Sports Festival!'"
"Kei Shirogane is a mutha-flippin tsundere!"
"But in this particular custody battle neither of them are willing to let the poooooooor boooooooy goooooooo!"
"The battle rages on! And on! And on, and on, On, ON, ONWARD AND into... yeah, you get the idea"
"Results for today's battle:"
"I wanna die so I'm going home" -Yu Ishigami, Kaguya-sama: Love is War
"I ask for help when I'm in a jam. But I also help other people in return. Humanity's most important social construct is the concept of mutual aid so we can ask other people for help without feeling guilty about it" -Miyuki Shirogane, Kaguya-Sama: Love is War
"I will hunt you down wherever you're hiding and I WILL eliminate you! I am (I am) Justice!" -Light Yagami and L, Death Note
"I may have exaggerated about the time a little bit. I'm a man after all; we do show off sometimes" -Free, Soul Eater
Excalibur, Soul Eater
"FOOL!"
"My legend begins in the twelfth century of our era. It was a bright summer day, the sunlight streaming down upon my face... Or was it? No... it was a chilly day in autumn. At the time, I was something of what you might call a "ruffian"... No, now that I think of it, it might have already been winter. I was quite the ruffian and known all thoughout town as such. You might say I was a notorious ruffian. Every nefarious and shady character in town was my friend. And all of the most beautiful women were fighting amongst themselves to see who would be mine. No... I do believe it was summer after all. It was a very hot day at the height of summer. That much I remember. Unlike the man you see before you today, at the time I was a sharp-edged knife of a fellow. I truly was. But even so, there was a sense of refined elegance about me. Everyone said as much. Of course, they still say so. On the other hand, though I say this now, it is possible that at the time it was not said of me to the extent I now suppose it was. I believe it was just beginning to be said about me, in dribs and drabs, as it were, that I was kinder than one might be inclined to assume. But thinking back on it, I daresay it is quite possible that I gave off a sense of refined elegance. Hence it was said about me. I was a truly amazing specimen of a man. Of course, I am still rather amazing, but then I was also a ruffian. All in all, it was a wintry day filled with elegance and refinement. Now then, allow me to begin relating my legend."
"I have always been a man without roots, a man "like the wind," as so many have aptly observed over the years... Yes, and I daresay a fickle man who, whenever he comes upon a new home, as indeed one will, almost at once feels the call to move again and again again. Would you fain say that a new world is a frightening place? Surely you have heard it said that where one lays his head is home. Well, in my case, my dear friends, any town where I lay my head becomes so thoroughly bathed in my own character that I confess it grows utterly tiresome to me. Of course, it can't be helped--such is the nature of my character that all others are unavoidably bathed in it--but the fact remains that I long for the sight of a new land, and so it was as I sat confined in my usual cave. Of course, it would have been no great hardship to remain in that charming cave for the foreseeable future, as I'm sure you well appreciate. But then one day, a man carrying the book of Eibon appeared before me and brought me here."
"Do you know what the bare minimum requirement is for human interaction?... 'I will not kill you. So, please do not kill me.' You can replace 'kill' with anything else. Basically, you shouldn't cross any line that violates another person's dignity. You should acknowledge each other's mutual existence. That's the rule. You ignored it and fed your stupid ego." -Megumi Fushiguro, Jujutsu Kaisen
"Even now, someone might be envious of another. They may be longing for something without realizing that they already have it. Thinking about it that way makes me want to work just a little harder as I am now" -Tohru Honda, Fruits Basket
"I never go back on my word! 'Cause that's my shinobi way!" -Naruto Uzumaki, Naruto
"You're not wrong. But they're not just falling for no reason or purpose! They are to become... the nourishment for fresh green leaves! And thus the period they bridge until the new spring when said fresh leaves but... is the climax of youth! When it burns most crimson! Sekizo!! Evening Elephant!!" -Might Guy, Naruto
"God bestows upon us fate. But it is the children of men who choose it. This is my belief" -Flora, Berserk
"My soldiers, rage! My soldiers, scream! My soldiers, fight!" -Commander Erwin Smith, Attack on Titan
"Well, perhaps you don't. But I have respect for you. I'm sure those kids do, too" -Keith Shadis, Attack on Titan
"You said I could only have one miracle. So what's this?" -Ichigo Kurosaki, Bleach
"Heh... sanity? Sorry, I don't recall ever having anything like that" -Kenpachi Zaraki, Bleach
"You are just one more thunderfart in a shitstorm I don't need!" -Steven A. Starphase, Blood Blockade Battlefront and Beyond
"Aww, really sorry about that. I meant to say 'stop' but I punched you instead" -Lancer, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
"Maybe there's no such thing as coincidence in this world. Maybe everything that happens is inevitable. Destiny just goes on in its plodding way. And yet, Luffy has grown into a man even more worthy of that hat!" -Silvers "Dark King" Rayleigh, One Piece
-Roronoa Zolo, One Piece
"I'd like to get one of those salinity swords someday"
"SO JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE AN IDIOTIC HORN-DOG, I'M FORCED TO TAG ALONG AND HELP YOU FIND THAT STUPID FARTING SAMURAI?!"
"Sanji! Cut it out! Just stop thinking! YOU COULD DIE!" -Tony Tony Chopper, One Piece
Random Navy Soldiers, One Piece
"Dang, my mind was so blown, I forgot to do anything!"
"Just tell us when you're going to drop a meteor, Issho! (Pardon, folks. I dropped one.) BEFORE you do!!!"
Brook, One Piece
"...But I'm a skeleton, so I don't have a face! Yo ho ho! Get it?! Another skull joke!"
"My name is not important: it's Brook!"
"I thought I was about to die! Actually... I am dead."
"If I am 'solid' anything, then I am this country's solid rage, HERE TO VANQUISH YOU!!!!" Kyros, One Piece
"Rot in hell, Doflamingo... Our star, Lucy... will sink you in one hit!!!" Gyats the Coliseum Announcer, One Piece
"You mean the dragon collided with a sneeze, and the sneeze won?!" Quentin, Eminence in Shadow
"It sent chills down my spine, like someone stuck an icicle up my as!!" Joseph Joestar, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part III: Stardust Crusaders
"Mr. Joestar! I respect you from the bottom of my heart but I can't follow orders this time! We came here for a reason! I'm not here to play fair! I'd even do things that would damn me to hell in order to defeat him! But running away isn't an option... I just CAN'T!" b]Jean-Pierre Polnareff, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part III: Stardust Crusaders[/b]
Roy Mustang defeats Lust, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Saitama's Dream, One Punch Man
Mumen Rider stands up to the Deep Sea King, One Punch Man
Rengoku vs Akaza, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train
The Last Push, Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc
Uotani opens up to Kyoko, Fruits Basket
Ending, Fruits Basket
Itadori and Toudou vs Hanami, Jujutsu Kaisen
Baseball, Jujutsu Kaisen
End of the Bishamon Arc, Noragami
Death of Mordred and Shishigou, Fate: Apocrypha
The Last Concert, Your Lie in April
Ending, A Silent Voice
The Duel, Star Wars Visions
L and Light declare war on each other, Death Note
End Credits and Epilogue, The Last: Naruto the Movie
Rider vs Saber Alter, Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel III. Spring Song
For clarification, if an image takes up an entire page of a manga, it still counts for me as a single panel.
Yes, I enjoy dubbed anime. Not only does it allow me to put a show on in the background while doing something else, there are also a lot of great performances. It's okay to prefer the original Japanese voices, but quit hating just because "DuB iS bAd."
1. Laura Bailey
Anime : Tohru Honda, Fruits Basket (center); Lust, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood; Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto Shippuden
Video Games: Lucina, Fire Emblem Awakening (right); Rise Kujikawa, Persona 4; Abby Anderson, The Last of Us Part II (Yes, I said it)
2. Cherami Leigh
Anime: Airi Katagiri, Erased; Kimi Toudou, Fruits Basket (center); Patty Thompson, Soul Eater (right)
Video Games: Mae, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia; Lady Rhea, Fire Emblem: Three Houses; Makoto Niijima, Persona 5
3. Elizabeth Maxwell
Anime: Arisa Uotani, Fruits Basket (center); Bishamon, Noragami (right)
Video Games: Sae Niijima, Persona 5; Zephia, Fire Emblem Engage; Urbosa, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
4. Ian Sinclair
Anime: Narrator, Kaguya-Sama: Love is War; Saichi Sugimoto, Golden Kamuy; Kureno Souma, Fruits Basket (center)
Video Games: Berkut, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (right); Bunet, Fire Emblem Engage
5. Robbie Daymond
Anime: Mumen Rider, One Punch Man (center); Shouya Ishida, A Silent Voice; Vanir, Konosuba (right)
Video Games: Tobin, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia; Goro Akechi, Persona 5; Hubert von Vestra, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
6. Erica Lindbeck
Anime: Kaori Miyazono, Your Lie in April (center); Mordred, Fate/Apocrypha
Video Games: Celica, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia; Futaba Sakura, Persona 5 (right)
7. Max Mittelman
Anime: Saitama, One Punch Man (center); Kousei Arima, Your Lie in April
Video Games: Ryuji Sakamoto, Persona 5 (right); Gray, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
8. J. Michael Tatum
Anime: Rintarou Okabe, Steins;Gate (center); Steven A. Starphase, Kekkai Sensen (right); Scar, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Video Games: Louis, Fire Emblem Engage
9. Stephanie Sheh
Anime: Kayo Hinazuki, Erased (center); Orihime Inoue, Bleach; Illyasviel von Einzbern, Fate/stay night: UBW and Heaven's Feel Trilogy (right)
Video Games: Tharja, Fire Emblem Awakening; Mikan Tsumiki, Danganronpa 2
10. Johnny Young Bosch
Anime: Lelouch vi Britannia, Code Geass (center); Ryuunosuke Uryuu, Fate/Zero; Ichigo Kurosaki, Bleach
Video Games: Yu Narukami, Persona 4 (right); Tohru Adachi, Persona 4; Hajime Hinata, Danganronpa 2
11. Kaiji Tang
Anime: Tetsudou "Poppo" Hisakawa, Anohana (center); Satoru Gojo, Jujutsu Kaisen (right); Dazai Osamu, Bungou Stray Dogs
Video Games: Gonta Gokuhara, Danganronpa V3; Owain Dark, Fire Emblem Awakening
12. Todd Haberkorn
Anime: Betelgeuse Romanée-Conti, Re:Zero (center); Ling Yao, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood; Death the Kid, Soul Eater (right)
Video Games: Korekiyo Shinguji, Danganronpa V3; Metodey, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
13. Cristina Vee
Anime: Vivy, Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song (center); Sakura Matou, Fate/stay night: UBW, Heaven's Feel Trilogy (right); Darkness, Konosuba
Video Games: Tatiana, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia; Merrin, Fire Emblem Engage
14. Allegra Clark
Anime: Maki, Jujutsu Kaisen (center); Elizabeth, Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song; Archer of Red, Fate/Apocrypha
Video Games: Dorothea Arnault, Fire Emblem: Three Houses (right); Shamir Nevrand, Fire Emblem: Three Houses; Hecate, Stray Gods
15. Erika Harlacher
Anime: Violet Evergarden, Violet Evergarden (center); Crusch Karsten, Re:Zero
Video Games: Ann Takamaki, Persona 5 (right); Kaede Akamatsu, Danganropna V3
Honorable Mentions:
Matt Mercer: every NPC in Critical Role; Leorio, HunterxHunter; Ganondorf, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Travis Willingham: Free, Soul Eater; Roy Mustang, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Kyle McCarley: Ryouta Watari, Your Lie in April; Gatekeeper, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Ben Diskin: Satoru Fujinuma, Erased; Caspar von Bergliez, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Laura Post: Akari Kawamoto, March Comes in Like a Lion; Kasumi/Sumire Yoshizawa, Persona 5 Royal
Kayli Mills: Hinata Kawamoto, March Comes in Like a Lion; Emilia, Re:Zero
Xanthe Huynh: Momo Kawamoto, March Comes in Like a Lion; Marianne von Edmund, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Lucien Dodge: Waver Velvet, Fate/zero; Felix Hugo Fraldarius, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Mark P. Whitten: Kyojuro Rengoku, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train; Seteth, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Billy Kametz: Rui, Demon Slayer; Ferdinand "I am Ferdinand" von Aegir, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Alexis Tipton: Kaguya Shinomiya, Kaguya-Sama: Love is War; Clair, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Michelle Ruff: Rukia Kuchiki, Bleach; Satoru Fujinuma, Erased
Dan Woren: Byakuya Kuchiki, Bleach; Hanneman von Essar, Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Amalee: Ai Hayasaka, Kaguya-Sama: Love is War; Marin Kitagawa, My Dress-Up Darling
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