Celebrating my ten years of anime fandom, I’m counting down my current 100 favorite anime characters. Here’s 90 to 81…
90. Balsa (from Seirei no Moribito)
Balsa is one of the toughest and most independent female characters of all. She’s strong, honorable, but also kind in her duty of protecting Chagum.
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89. Sayuri Kurata (from Kanon)
Of all the Kanon characters, I’m not sure why I like Sayuri the best. Her relationship with Mai was very touching; she just seems like one of the best friends you could have – cheerful, loyal, and thoughtful.
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88. Mao (from Darker than Black)
What I liked most about Mao is that you can tell he fears the Syndicate and wants to be the emotionless Contractor he should be, and yet he can’t help but care (albeit subtly) about Hei and his other companions. He’s torn between forced loyalty to the Syndicate and truer loyalty to his friends. He sometimes offers a bit of good comic relief in the series too, and makes some pretty funny facial expressions.
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87. Ryoko (from Tenchi Muyo!)
Although the characters and continuity in Tenchi Muyo! are disjointed because of the many different spin-off series, Ryoko has always been a bad ass but likable gal. Despite her amazing strength, her love for Tenchi and her sensitivity to his feelings about her are genuine. In the Tenchi Muyo! manga series, which is what I was mostly interested in, she even displays care and concern for the other girls as well. She may be aggressive and vulgar, but she definitely knows what love is.
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86. Vivi (from One Piece)
Vivi is not your stereotypical weak, submissive princess. She was willing to risk her own life to save her kingdom, and no matter what emotional and physical hardships she had to face, she was determined to put an end to Crocodile. Her strong kindness to her people, and of course to the Straw Hats, is perfectly fitting for a respectable princess. I wish she would have joined the Straw Hats, but her kingdom needs her.
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85. Ellis (from El Cazador de la Bruja)
Ellis is a cute but naive girl whose cuteness and naivety isn’t shoved down our throats. Despite her amnesiac, childlike demeanor, her love for Nadie is sincere. She’s one of Bee Train’s only amnesiacs who is not overtly gloomy and depressing. The way she would always say “Yes sir!” brought a smile to my face.
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84. Lelouch (from Code Geass)
Lelouch is one character whose outrageous actions and downright eccentric personality will probably be immortalized in anime fandom. No one does what needs to be done the way Lelouch does, and no one can finish his thrill ride of a series with epic martyrdom the way he does. From the beginning to the end of the Code Geass saga, Lelouch never ceased to amaze me.
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83. Sheryl Nome (from Macross Frontier)
I felt that Sheryl’s character development was handled real well. She went from arrogant and relatively unlikable idol to sad, bitter, and strangely sympathetic has-been. And out of her eventual gloom, she’s able to sing and shine brilliantly again. The scene where she forces herself out of her depression and sings “Yousei” in the bomb shelter is one of my most favorite anime scenes of all.
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82. Lina Inverse (from Slayers)
Lina’s wild, fiery personality and hilarious antics are endlessly entertaining in the comedic world of Slayers. But despite her violence, hot-temper, and unmatched magic powers, like all good characters, she’s has a soft, sensitive side too in the form of her love for Gourrey and her other companions.
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81. Shampoo (from Ranma 1/2)
Shampoo’s crazy antics and the eccentric customs of her clan never cease to amuse. And yet, her feelings for Ranma are real and I can’t help but like her. Her ideals and methods may be a bit backwards, but she sure is funny and one of the most entertaining Ranma characters.
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Click here for characters 100 to 91.
Click here for characters 80 to 71.
I’m pretty amazed that Lelouch is at the 84th position. He’s a very great character indeed, and most of otaku would like to have him on top of the list, but why 84 in yours?
@ sonic_ver2
I like Lelouch and I respect him for being a good character, but personally I just can’t bring myself to adore him as much as others. There are lots of other characters I feel more attached to, but I definitely wanted him on my list. Digital Boy ranked him as #100, so he’s higher on my list actually. He’s already the #1 most popular character on MAL so he gets plenty of love =) For as many people who love him, there are just as many who think he’s overrated. That’s just how it is with the really popular ones.
Wow!!!! Impressive! :-D One of my favorites is: Ryoko #87 (Tenchi)
Like Sonic, I’m amazed that you’ve ranked certain characters as low as you have. I can’t wait to see who is actually in your top ten.
@ Saere
Yeah, my list is probably unlike anyone else’s. Believe me, I’m constantly second guessing myself on the order of the list, but I have to decide on something eventually. Characters I rank higher than others and vice versa will shock some people. Guess I’m just different ~_^ Not sure what you’re expecting for my top 10 but I hope I don’t disappoint you too much.
More great choices! Balsa and Leluoche are always great, and Shampoo is a bunch of fun. I am most impresed by your excellent write-up on Mao though! Good lookin’ out!
I’m already making my own list – you’ve inspired me. ;) However, I know I can’t possibly come up with 100 characters. My list is going to be 10 only. I’ll post it on my blog sometime in the next few weeks…
@ Jan Suzukawa
Glad I’m passing the inspiration on =) Looking forward to your picks (though I think I already know most of them XD)
“Not sure what you’re expecting for my top 10 but I hope I don’t disappoint you too much.”
Watch number one be Pikachu.
@ Saere
Hahah! XD I’ll tell you, Pikachu’s on the list but he’s not number 1.
Oh, drat. And I was so sure! XD
Wow, Ryoko at 87? Top 20 for me probably.