10 Most Popular Anime Characters in the Last 10 Years, Ranked

Whether fans prefer plot, animation , or action in their anime , the only way to effectively portray those aspects is through characters — the lifeblood of any story. Sometimes they are the purpose of a series, or sometimes they are only a tool to drive it forward, but either way, they are an essential part that fans can attach to .

While there are many popular characters, such as Luffy from One Piece or Naruto from, well, Naruto , there are countless modern anime characters for fans to discover and fall in love with. This list will rank the most popular anime characters of the last ten years (since 2015) based on fan opinion, writing, importance in the story, characterization, and how iconic they are .

10

Hitori Gotou (Bocchi)

‘Bocchi the Rock!’ (2022–)

The music genre has always been surprisingly popular, but one of the shock hits of the last decade is Bocchi the Rock! It follows Hitori Gotou, commonly known as Bocchi, an introverted guitarist whose new friends drag her into a band . While she enjoys it, her anxiety and awkwardness restrict her from being open.

Bocchi isn’t a typical character or falls into any archetypes; instead, she is a relatable mess who is trying her best, and that is what makes her so endearing. Many viewers can see themselves in her, and this reliability has created a swarm of fans who want to protect her at all costs while rooting for her to open up. Bocchi is a wonderful character, but because the show isn’t popular with the mainstream crowd, she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves.

9

Sung Jin-woo

‘Solo Leveling’ (2024–)

The anime on everyone’s mind is Solo Leveling , which became a worldwide phenomenon after the second season dazzled the audience with epic fights and stellar animation. The protagonist, Sung Jin-woo, was initially the weakest Hunter, but after gaining the ability to level up, he rose in the ranks to become one of South Korea’s most powerful fighters .

The quickest way to make a character popular is by having them be overwhelmingly cool and badass, and so far, that formula has worked for Sung Jin-woo in Solo Leveling . Boasting some of the best episodes in anime , fans couldn’t help but root for Jin-woo after his epic transformation. He may not be nuanced or have depth, but sometimes all a character needs to be popular is to be cool.

8

Rem

‘Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World’ (2016–)

The Isekai genre is slowly on its way out, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t popular, with classics such as Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World at the top of their game. While many would think the protagonist would be the most popular, it is actually the side character Rem, a blue-haired twin who works as a maid .

Best girl is a conversation that happens every year with new anime, and for a while, it was Rem. Fans fell in love with her shy demeanor, timid nature, and tragic backstory. Rem is also a caring person who takes care of Subaru, helping him and showcasing her kind personality, which has made her a fan-favorite of this past decade.

7

Thorfinn

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019–2023)

Historical anime have become increasingly popular over the years, and it all started with Vinland Saga, an epic journey about Vikings, self-discovery, war, and peace. After the Vikings murder his father, Thorfinn joins their crew with the plan to kill their leader. However, he is not yet strong enough and must train with them in order to exact his revenge.

While many fans prefer Askeladd, Thorfinn became more popular after the second season, but the former earns an honorable mention on this list. He may have just been an angry screaming kid in the first season, but his character development in the second season upgraded him to a fan-favorite with a memorable quote and profound growth, which makes him an excellently written character.

6

Arataka Reigen

‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016–2022)

It was tough choosing between Shigeo (Mob) or Arataka Reigen for Mob Psycho 100, but the latter is arguably more popular. Reigen may be a conman, untrustworthy, and a fraud, but he is also a good person whom Mob and fans looked up to. He is a self-proclaimed psychic and mentor to Mob, helping him with self-improvement and ghost hunting.

The other quickest way to make a popular character is to make them funny, and while Reigen puts on air that he is cool and badass, he is a hilarious character who fans love all the same. His comedic timing, gags, and jokes are among the funniest in Mob Psycho 100, but at his core, he is a lonely and kind person, which shines through in his actions, making him a beloved character.

5

Nezuko Kamado

‘Demon Slayer’ (2019–2024)

Demon Slayer blew up in 2019, becoming one of the greatest modern anime of all time, and bringing in a wave of new fans. While the final arc begins in 2025 with a trilogy of movies, fans can look forward to the action and see if Nezuko Kamado will become human again. After a demon turns Nezuko into one, her brother travels the world to kill Muzan and restore her to her normal state.

Her popularity may not be as great as it was in 2019, but Nezuko is still a cherished character who has evolved from just a cute companion to a badass fighter who significantly contributes to the story’s development. Demon Slayer has some dark arcs, but Nezuko was the brightness in the series, adding wholesome content and humor alongside her thrilling transformation.

4

Saitama

‘One-Punch Man’ (2015–)

After over five years, One-Punch Man will return with its third season, and while fans are skeptical, they at least get to see their boy, The Caped Baldy. Saitama got too powerful for his own good, and now he ends every fight with one punch. Despite searching for a worthy opponent, he usually accidentally or jokingly defeats any powerful villain and foils their heinous plan.

Saitama just barely qualifies for this list, as One Punch Man was released in 2015. Still, there is no way he wouldn’t be on here, having become a timeless gag character with an iconic design and a significant role in the anime community. He is a staple powerscaling character, and his gag moments have become a landmark in anime, making him the best and most popular overpowered character.

3

Frieren

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–)

Although the series may have only recently been released, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is already a fantasy anime masterpiece. The titular protagonist may live thousands of years, but she doesn’t understand basic relationships, and when her friends die, she travels to Auberst to say the things she has always felt, but never communicated.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End features many beloved characters, such as Himmel, Fern, and Stark, but as the protagonist, Frieren has more standout moments, making her the standout character in the series. However, her calm demeanor, combined with a bit of immaturity, makes her a uniquely well-written female protagonist who has conquered the decade with her charm, personality, and powers.

2

Anya Forger

‘Spy x Family’ (2022–)

Spy x Family returns for a third season in October 2025, bringing the Forger family back into action with whatever misadventures or serious missions they have. However, standing as the most popular is Anya Forger, the telepathic daughter who can read the minds of her spy father and assassin mother .

Writing children is a tricky task in anime, as many writers make them annoying, bland, or unrealistic. Anya, on the other hand, is arguably the best kid in anime , drawing fans in with her adorable personality and will to help her parents, even though she often fails. She is cute, funny, hard-working, and learns from her mistakes, but fans love her because she is the driving force of the story with her charm .

1

Satoru Gojo

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–)

While fans eagerly await Satoru Gojo’s fate in the anime, they know he is the heart and soul of Jujutsu Kaisen . He is one of the main characters and serves as a mentor to the protagonist , Yuji. Gojo is also the strongest character in the series, making him a target for villains and his own comrades.

The best way to make a character popular is to have all genders like them, and Jujutsu Kaisen nailed that with Gojo, who is handsome, funny, badass, goofy, serious, and has a great design and personality to boot . He checks off all the boxes for a lovable character, and in turn, has become one of the most popular anime characters of all time.

NEXT: The 10 Greatest Anime Episodes of All Time, Ranked