Guest Post by Louis Toms (owner of Carolina Comic Geek, a Pinterest board which catalogs birthdays of anime, cartoon, comic, and manga characters).
Greetings!
This post is the second in our two-part series identifying your favorite anime characters with an August birthday. Don’t forget to also check out part one of this series: Top 10 Anime Character Birthdays for August 1-15!
There are dozens of reasons why someone falls in love with anime. Maybe it’s the storytelling or artwork? Whatever your reason, most anime fans would agree that character development and design top their list of reasons to appreciate anime. This diverse horde often makes it difficult to create a list of ten amazing entries.
Over the past couple of weeks, a lot of care went into identifying and assembling entries. The result is an evenly balanced catalog of anime personalities who, according to their creators, have a birthday in August.
As you review this post, please feel free to let me know if I overlooked one of your favorite anime characters. Leave a comment below and let me know your picks.
10. Guren Ichinose
- Birthday: 28 August 1996
- First Anime Appearance: Seraph of the End Ep. 1 “The World of Blood Legacy” (2015)
Guren Ichinose is a Lieutenant Colonel within the Japanese Imperial Demon Army and squad leader of the Guren Squad. A Namanari, he is able to summon two demons to fight off the vampire horde taking over Japan.
Trained to fight vampires, Guren’s first conflict comes while attending the First Shibuya High School. He uses a combination of mystical spells and swordsmanship to repel the menace. His abilities lead him to enlist in the Japanese Imperial Demon Army to become the leader of the Vampire Extermination Unit’s Moon Demon Company. Guren is able to use the demon weapon, Mahiru-n-Yo to handily defeat the vampire leaders ‘The Great Mikaela’ and Krul Tepes.
On the surface, Guren Ichinose comes off as a lazy individual. This idle façade masks his strategic approach to engaging vampires and superiors. Countless times, he proves himself to be a caring and capable leader. Guren Ichinose’s combination of leadership style and fighting prowess has earned him a spot as an August fan favorite.
9. Shino Asada
- Birthday: 21 August 2009
- First Anime Appearance: Sword Art Online Ep. 2:1 “The World of Guns” (2014)
Username Sinon, Asada Shino is a skilled virtual reality gamer in both Gun Gale Online and Alfheim Online MMO environments. She plays these first-person shooter games as a mechanism to cope with personal trauma.
There were two tragic events shaping Asada’s childhood and exploration of MMO gaming. These incidents were an accident that took her father’s life and experiencing an armed robbery that resulted in a bystander’s death. Frightened by the world around her, Shinkawa Kyouji suggested that she overcome her trauma by playing Gun Gale Online. Asada has become a proficient sniper, adopting the ‘Sniper’s Creed’ of ‘One Shot, One Kill’ as her motto. Her marksmanship earned her co-winner of the third Bullet of Bullets alongside Kirito.
Asada Shino is an emotionally complex, supporting character within the Sword Art Online universe. Her character provides inspiration for overcoming personal hardship. Asada’s contribution to the franchise has made her one of our favorites for August.
8. Emma
- Birthday: 22 August 2034
- First Anime Appearance: The Promised Neverland Ep. 1 “121045” (2019)
A caring and extroverted child, Emma is the protagonist of The Promised Neverland anime and manga. She is one of the smartest children living in the sinister Grace Field House.
Emma and her fourteen foster siblings were under the care of the House’s caretaker, Isabella. Corralled into the plantation setting, Emma’s athleticism and intelligence made her ‘premium quality goods.’ Her inquisitive nature would uncover Grace Field House’s true purpose behind its foster classification system. Fugitives from the farm, Emma assumes the role of her foster sibling’s guardian. Her ultimate desire is to locate William Minerva so he can lead the children to safety.
Emma is a popular character, with both anime and The Promised Neverland series fans. She is actually the 8th most popular anime girl with green eyes according to MaL.
She is motivated and uncompromising in her dedication to care for her siblings. A child herself, Emma demonstrates the qualities that make her a great central character and fan favorite.
7. Ritsu Tainaka
- Birthday: 21 August 1991
- First Anime Appearance: K-On Ep. 1 “Disband the Club” (2009)
A source of hilarity, Ritsu ‘Ricchan’ Tainaka is a student at Skuragaoka Girl’s School and president of the school’s Light Music Club. This charismatic girl prefers engaging in activities over casual conversation.
Ritsu is not academically gifted but finds success in music and physical activities, such as Physical Education. Blending her sporty nature with athleticism, she is the Light Music Club’s Ho-kago Tea Time band’s drummer. She favors playing rock music and idolizes the drum abilities of Keith Moon. Her bandmates describe Ritsu as someone who will go the extra mile for her friends. Ricchan’s dogged determination led to the survival of the Light Music Club at Skuragaoka.
Ritsu Tainaka is an honest character, who never betrays her personal motivations and friendships. In many respects, she is the heart and soul of the Ho-kago Tea Time band. Her authenticity as an individual is the reason why so many fans like President Ritsu as a character.
6. Mephisto Pheles
- Anniversary: August 28
- First Anime Appearance: Blue Exorcist Ep. 2 “Gehenna Gate” (2011)
The King of Time, Mephisto Pheles is the mysterious Principal of True Cross Academy. A powerful demon king, he delights in creating chaos among the exorcists.
A wayward traveler, Mephisto roamed Assiah for eons before linking up with the Vatican and True Cross Academy. He has used various names along the way but his true identity is Samuel. The trickster sees his surroundings as a personal game where people are ripe for his sacrificial amusement. His yearning for bedlam serves as motivation for enrolling the story’s protagonist in the Academy. A bit peculiar, Mephisto loves Japanese culture and proudly refers to himself as an otaku.
Anime and manga are chock-full of characters whose primary goal is to manipulate people and delight in the ensuing chaos. Sprinkle in a bit of finesse, the trickster and their motivations will elevate the story’s narrative and sometimes overshadow its protagonist. Mephisto Pheles is one such character, which is why he lands on our August birthday list.
5. Temari Nara
- Birthday: August 23
- First Anime Appearance: Naruto Ep. 20 “A New Chapter Begins: The Chūnin Exam!” (2003)
Temari Nara is a highly intelligent kunoichi, who specializes in long-range combat techniques. Her fighting style employs a Japanese war fan or ‘tessen’ in tandem with her Wind Release abilities.
Temari is the eldest child of Karura and the Fourth Kazekage. Raised in the Village Hidden by Tree Leaves, the family’s status made it difficult for Temari to make friends among her peers. In spite of her ranking, neither she nor her younger brother were able to become a jinchūriki. A military strategist, she would successfully lead the Fourth Division during the Fourth Shinobi World War. Following the war, Temari would marry Shikamaru Nara and give birth to a son.
Temari once stated, “Sacrifice is an inevitable part of missions… Didn’t you receive emotion training?” A warrior at heart, her stoic philosophy, and fighting prowess are captivating. This shōnen fighter has a well-deserved fan base who have chosen Temari Nara as one of their favorite characters born in August.
4. Shinya Kogami
- Birthday: 16 August 2084
- First Anime Appearance: Psycho-Pass Ep. 1 “0101 Crime Coefficient” (2012)
Shinya Kogami is an anti-hero and the anime’s first season protagonist. Addicted to nicotine, this skilled detective serves as Tactical Advisor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Operations Department.
Shinya is highly intelligent and methodical, with a strong sense of humor. These traits become a necessary asset for his survival as one of the Criminal Investigative Department’s Inspectors, and later as one of its Enforcers. His risky and obsessive investigative style would take a toll on his wellbeing. He would eventually leave the Public Safety Bureau to become a mercenary aiding oppressed populations in Southeast Asia. Upon returning to Japan, Shinya would join the Japanese government’s anti-terrorism efforts.
‘Be gentle to others, but strict with oneself,’ Shinya Kogami’s motto perfectly encapsulates his approach to career and life. He undertakes the herculean task of protecting colleagues from physical and mental harm while sacrificing his own health. His desire to shelter others from harm is relatable and is one of many reasons why fans recognize Shinya Kogami as a favorite anime character.
3. Tomoe
- Birthday: August 19
- First Anime Appearance: Kamisama Kiss Ep. 1 “Nanami Becomes a God” (2012)
Over 628 years old, Tomoe is the abandoned shinshi of the land god’s dilapidated shrine. He is a powerful white-haired fox yokai. His cunning and physical power make Tomoe attractive to the gods and yokai.
The fox yokai was a companion of the demon king. Akura-ou and Tomoe thrived off their love of chaos and death. Critically wounded, Tomoe would come under the care of the land god. Mikage is able to heal Tomoe’s physical and spiritual wounds. He loathed humans until Mikage blessed Nanami Momozono to become the new land god. Tomoe would come to deeply care for the human land god.
Whether fictional or not, life’s journey is about the growth of character. Tomoe’s story fully embraces this sentiment. His interpersonal interactions force him to evolve his worldview. Tomoe’s evolution and seriously but funny interactions with all make him one of our picks for August.
2. Renji Abarai
- Birthday: August 31
- First Anime Appearance: Bleach Ep. 15 “Kon’s Great Plan” (2005)
The ‘red pineapple,’ Renji Abarai is the dynamic lieutenant of the Sixth Division in the Gotei 13. He is sometimes judgmental but his intentions are good. This trait is especially true when it comes to his initial impressions of the story’s protagonist.
A childhood friend of Rukia Kuchiki, Renji grew up in the Soul Society without a family. Streetlife offered little option for the young Shinigami, so he enrolled at the Shin’ō Academy. Upon graduation, he became a member of the Fifth Division before transferring to Kenpachi Zaraki’s Eleventh Division. Renji’s primary weapon of choice is his zanpakutō Zabimaru or ‘Snake Tail,’ which evolves into the Bankai Sōō Zabimaru or ‘Twin Kings Snake Tail.’
Tite Kubo’s Bleach established some of shōnen’s most unique and iconic characters. The fans’ ability to wade through the torrent of extraordinary personalities is noteworthy. Renji Abarai’s unwavering loyalty is reason enough for anime fans to place him on our list of favorite characters having an August birthday.
1. Nate ‘Near’ River
- Birthday: 24 August 1994 (reference) / 24 August 1991 (anime) / 24 August 1997 (live action)
- First Anime Appearance: Death Note Ep. 26 “Renewal” (2007)
The true successor of L, Nate River heads the Special Provision for Kira. His unorthodox criminal investigative style leads to the Japanese Task Force’s unmasking of Kira’s true identity.
An orphan, Near, grew up in the Wammy’s House in the English town of Winchester. He is one of the three gifted investigators sent to examine the strange deaths of world criminals and enemies of Kira. An analytical mind, Near chooses to play board games and build puzzles in seclusion. The adverse result is his inability to emotionally connect with peers. This is demonstrated when he remarks, “If you can’t win the game if you can’t solve the puzzle, you are just a loser” upon hearing of L’s death.
Manga artist, Takeshi Obata believes Near is the smartest character within the Death Note universe. Death Note fans might find it hard to argue Obata’s viewpoint. Nate River’s well-earned admiration is why he is our favorite anime character with a birthday in August.
