Favorite Anime Characters

Anime is considered a diverse art form using distinct techniques in the production process that continue to evolve with new technologies. Here are just some of the favorite anime characters of all time.

Shinji Ikari

The Shinji Ikari character is a young boy who first appeared in Gainax Co., Ltd.’s Neon Genesis Evangelion in 1995. He was asked by his father to pilot a mecha known as the Evangelion Unit 01 to protect the city of Tokyo-3 from creatures that threaten to destroy all humankind.

Unlike stereotypical heroes, Shinji Ikari is more relatable to regular people. He shows human failings such as being scared, whiny, and a lack of confidence in himself and his capabilities.  These characteristics are often felt by 14 year old boys. His character gives the audience an uncensored look at what they would most probably feel or react if they were in a similar situation.

The writer and creator of the Evangelion series, Hideaki Anno, was said to have been struggling with bouts of depression when he created the popular anime which led to him pouring out all his emotions into his work, and some of  his own fears and struggles reflected in Shinji Ikari. The character is said to mirror the struggles of people who are battling depression, making Shinji Ikari one of the most emotionally true-to-life characters in anime history.

Kenshin Himura

Kenshin Himura appeared in Ruroni Kenshin in 1996. His character was created to be the exact physical opposite of creator Nobuhiro Watsuki’s “Crescent Moon in the Warring States” manga character, Hiko Seijūrō. Kenshin Himura’s character story is set during Japan’s Meiji era. He is a legendary assassin known as “Hitokiri Battōsai”  who becomes a wandering samurai at the end of the tokugawa shugunate’s reign. He wields a katana with the cutting edge on the inwardly curved side of the sword called a sakabatō  or “reverse-blade sword,” which makes it a challenge to use for killing.

His character is known as a killer who would not kill anymore, a unique trait for an anime character. After many years of being a hired killer, Kenshin Himura makes a vow to stop. His vow is however tested time and again throughout his story. He shows exemplary qualities such as being polite and respectful and putting others before himself. He is the epitome of a nice guy, a refreshing perspective for a warrior who has a beast hidden deep inside of him with a fear that he will revert to his former self.

Spike Spiegel

Spike Spiegel first debuted in 1998’s Cowboy Bebop. Spike and his partner are legalized bounty hunters pursuing criminals across worlds. During his adventures on board the Bebop, he is drawn back into a bitter feud with Vicious, a rival from the Syndicate who seeks to kill him. He also remains haunted by the tragic end of his relationship with his love interest, Julia.

His character is a combination of cultural influences from all around the world by creators Shinichirō Watanabe and Toshihiro Kawamoto. Spike Spiegel was designed to be someone who would expect others to follow his lead. Yet, Kawamoto deliberately designed him to appear “uncool” to create the opposite effect for viewers.