Now that 2019 is coming to the end it’s time to settle the REAL question: Who is the best anime boy of 2019?
I created this list based on MAL‘s most favorited characters based on ratings from real users – anime lovers like me and you!
These anime boys have certain characteristics in common – they are all interesting, handsome (in their own way), powerful and really, really likable. I will go into depth on why this character is so popular in the list I constructed below, so let’s go!
10. Gintoki Sakata
Anime: Gintama
Age: late 20s
Users: 46,842
This White Demon (yes, that’s literally his nickname due to his insane swordsmanship and white appearance) is probably the most relatable person on this list. Gintoki is actually fairly carefree and lazy (I know that’s now how you imagine a samurai, but here we go) with a huge liking of magazine Weekly Shounen Jump. I think I’m also guilty of daydreaming about becoming a certain hero from Jump (Killua, hello!).
Even though he might not be the most determined person he is highly skilled with swords and willing to protect people around him, proving this multiple times during series.
9. Naruto Uzumaki
Anime: Naruto + Naruto Shippuden, Boruto
Age: 17 (in Shippuden)
Users: 51,568
The majority of people who don’t even watch anime or Naruto know what Naruto is or at least heard about it, that’s how hyped up Naruto is. As the most popular shounen, it was more than obvious that the main protagonist of the story, Naruto, would end up in this top 10 list.
Why is Naruto so likable? Well, he does not give up – on anyone or anything. Even when it comes to enemies! Naruto just naturally believes that everyone has a good side in them, no matter how deeply hidden it is. He is so determined to follow what he believes in that he is willing to put up a fight for it. One he sets his mind on something he won’t give in no matter what until he achieves it. Oh, and I forgot to mention that he wields many unique and insanely powerful abilities that would definitely get you hooked on the Naruto anime (and make you love Naruto as a character). Naruto is the one who proves that hard work can beat talent.
8. Zoro Roronoa
Anime: One Piece
Age: 21 (after time skip)
Users: 55,541
And here we have another character from One Piece! Zoro might not be the biggest sweetheart (if we compare him to Luffy), but he is an honest, confident, humble and determined person. He shows us personality qualities which we all opt for in life. Zoro can easily be considered special because of his unique style of fighting called three katana fighting. He is actually highly skilled with swords. Who would not love Zoro?
7. Rintarou Okabe
Anime: Steins; Gate
Age: 18
Users: 59,090
Okabe, or a Crazy Mad Scientist as he calls himself seems like a truly childish character despite being introduced as 18 years old. He can strike you as an overdramatic, boastful youngster who is full of ambitions; later though it seems that these traits are actually only the shallow top layer of his personality. He is relatable – a University student, somewhat naive and socially inept but intelligent and not hesitant to help those who need it. The reality hits you hard with this one and might resemble the fact that we all have some “persona” or “mask” we wear in our society which might be also one of the reasons why is Okabe so popular.
6. Levi Ackerman
Anime: Attack on Titan
Age: over 30
Users: 60,175
Levi is another shortie on this list! Despite being only 160 cm tall, he is considered the most powerful human soldier with a rank of Captain of the Scouting Legion division. He can easily catch your attention with his epic fighting style, making that scene the highlight of the whole anime despite not even being the main character. Levi is absolutely obsessed with cleanliness (should not we all be?) and despite appearing distant and unapproachable he deeply cares about his own comrades and survival of humanity. It’s actually really hard to not fanboy over Levi, isn’t it?
5. Light Yagami
Anime: Death Note
Age: 17
Users: 61,513
The third and final genius on this list is no one else than Light Yagami. Except for being the main antagonist of Death Note, I must admit that Light is actually a very cool character. He is not flat and has many layers when it comes to personality, which might appeal to many people. Light is not black and white. He is both. He is actually fairly mysterious despite taking most of the time on the screen.
There are three main factors why is Light probably so popular:
1) He is highly intelligent. Light is actually considered a mastermind and can pinpoint the opponent’s weak points without a problem.
2) Light created a vision of the world without evil. And is willing to do everything he can to ensure that it will also happen.
3) Whether you like it or not, despite how twisted and psychopathic Light seems, his motives are actually good – but the course of action is very wrong. He is becoming evil to create a perfect world of justice.
4. Edward Elric
Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist franchise
Age: 16 in series, 18 in the movie
Users: 63,260
Edward Elric might be small when it comes to height (149 cm) but he has proven his incredible skill in alchemy and is considered an alchemical prodigy. Moreover, he is also a very selfless boy – he focuses solely on returning his younger brother’s AI body to a normal state after failed human transmutation, disregarding his own discomfort (Edward lost some parts of his body too). Edward is also the type of person who will help others unconditionally just because it’s the right thing to do in his eyes. In many people’s eyes, he could be considered a role model. I also have to include the fact that Fullmetal: Brotherhood is the top-rated anime series on MA, so it’s not really a surprise that he is placed in the top 5.
3. Monkey D. Luffy
Anime: One Piece
Age: 19
Users: 68,992
Luffy might not be the brightest or smartest, but he has a heart of gold – he values his comrades more than anything and is willing to stand up for his friends in any situation. He usually shows empathy even to his enemies and never aims to kill them because of his beliefs. Pretty relatable, right? What Luffy lacks when it comes to “smartness” is compensated by his strong will, fearlessness, and positive attitude. We all should take this lesson from Luffy!
2. L Lawliet
Anime: Death Note
Age: 24
Users: 83,959
There is no wonder that L ends up as the second most popular male character. Again, this one is a no brainer – Death Note ranks as #1 in popularity on MAL. Apart from that, L is a very weird, mysterious and unusual detective with insanely high IQ and extreme capability to make the right deduction and provide insight. The accuracy of those has been proven multiple times in the series. And we all know that everyone loves masterminds!
1. Lelouch Lamperouge
Anime: Code Geass
Age: 17 (S1), 18 (S2)
Users: 103,009
It’s actually really easy to determine why is Lelouch the most popular bae among anime watchers. He is a very attractive high-schooler who is everything but ordinary – Lelouch wields the power of Geass and is able to control other people not just thanks to Geass, but also because he is a true mastermind. Lelouch has undoubtedly high IQ and is able to analyze situations quickly and use it to his advantage when it comes to planning how to defeat the enemy forces. On top of that, Lelouch has a strong sense of justice but is also driven by hatred/revenge which is creating an inner conflict seen in many scenes. He is not the typical “hero”, he is both hero and villain which is very appealing.
The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed. – Lelouch Lamperouge
Where’s goku ???
Goku actually ended up 40th 🙂