Anime characters come in a dazzling variety of personalities, lots in life (from kings to street urchins), magical powers, and more. These characters often express themselves through their appearance as well, from distinct "anime hair" to their accessories, and most of all, their outfits. Some anime characters have a truly impressive wardrobe.
Clothes make the man, as they say, and the same is true for anime ladies, too. Many anime characters put a lot of work into their appearance, and it can pay off in big ways. Some characters are effortlessly classy, while others just reach into the laundry hamper and throw on whatever's convenient. Who are the best-dressed anime characters, and who's a bit slobbish or unfashionable?
10 DRESSES TO IMPRESS: Mirajane Strauss, The S-Ranked Demon Wizard (Fairy Tail)
The wizard guilds of Fiore don't issue uniforms. Instead, wizards such as Mirajane Strauss, Gray Fullbuster, and the others can dress up as they please when embarking on a mission, and Mirajane sets a high standard for ladies' fashion.
Mirajane is beauty and the beast, combining her powerful demonic magic in battle with elegant gowns and charming accessories during her bartending hours. No matter the occasion, Mirajane looks stunning with red and pink outfits or a black dress that contrasts well with her silvery hair.
9 DOESN'T DRESS WELL: L, The World's Best Detective (Death Note)
The world's best detective, L, is designed to be an eccentric genius whose appearance completely belies his ultra-sharp mind and observational skills. He makes a poor impression on others, so he tends to interact with other parties via his assistant Watari (this also protects him from his enemies).
L has messy, dark hair and dark bags under his eyes, which only reinforces his "I just crawled out of bed at noon" appearance. L wears no shoes or socks, and he is often found in a plain white T-shirt and jeans. He contrasts sharply with the well-dressed NPA detectives who aid him.
8 DRESSES TO IMPRESS: Narumi Momose, The Secretive Otaku (Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku)
Most of the main characters in this charming rom-com series are 20-something office workers who, when they aren't filling out spreadsheets, are watching cool anime shows or reading spicy manga volumes. That includes Narumi Momose, a huge BL manga fan.
Narumi is popular due to her outgoing personality and good looks, and she has a wardrobe to match. She has simple but stylish hairdos, lovely accessories, and all kinds of fun but classy outfits for the weekend. She also wears suits that compliment her well.
7 DOESN'T DRESS WELL: Katsuki Bakugo, The Explosive Boy (My Hero Academia)
Katsuki Bakugo tends to wear various uniforms, since he is a student at U.A., and his hero costume is among the most stylish of all. But Bakugo is a sloppy dresser otherwise, since his school uniform is the wrong size, and his pants are a bit baggy.
Not only that, but his shirt's top few buttons are often undone, and he sometimes forgoes the uniform's red tie entirely. His street clothes are a little better, but not by much, and he doesn't make much of an impression with his everyday clothes.
6 DRESSES TO IMPRESS: Momo Yaoyorozu, The Creation Girl (My Hero Academia)
Meanwhile, Bakugo's classmate Momo Yaoyorozu can easily wow her friends and associates with her refined sense of fashion. As a student, she's usually seen in a uniform, but once in a while, Momo shows off how elegantly she can dress up.
Momo comes from a wealthy family, but she doesn't go overboard with pearl necklaces or funny hats. Instead, she has a good eye for relatively tame but charming outfits that make her stand out, and her classmates have given her a compliment or two to that effect.
5 DOESN'T DRESS WELL: Jean Pierre Polnareff, Wielder Of Silver Chariot (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
It's possible that Jean Pierre Polnareff does care a little about his appearance, but he went in the completely wrong direction. He is usually seen wearing white pants and black boots, which is a decent but plain start to his wardrobe.
Then he wears a truly bizarre top, a form-fitting leather... thing that includes a strap over his left shoulder. In the context of this wacky action anime, this outfit doesn't stand out that much, but anywhere else, it's an eyesore.
4 DRESSES TO IMPRESS: Mr. Yoshimura, Anteiku's Owner (Tokyo Ghoul)
Ghouls hide in plain sight in human society, and that includes Mr. Yoshimura, a kind elderly ghoul who runs the coffee shop Anteiku. While some ghouls run around in punkish goth outfits, Mr. Yoshimura dresses exactly the way someone would expect a coffee shop owner to dress himself.
Mr. Yoshimura never fails to wear a timeless outfit consisting of dress pants and shoes, a button-up white shirt, a pinstriped gray vest, and a flower-like tie to add a little color. His clean-shaven face and slicked-back hair help complete this visual package.
3 DOESN'T DRESS WELL: Gabi Braun, The Warrior Candidate Of Marley (Attack On Titan)
Gabi Braun is one of several children who are undergoing intense training to prove themselves worthy of inheriting one of the Nine Titans under Marleyan control. Gabi is a practical and headstrong girl, and she cares little for high fashion or decorum.
Gabi's outfit may not be tacky or eccentric, but it is certainly plain. She wears a long skirt and dark shoes (without socks), a white shirt, and a coat, making it easy for her to blend into a crowd if need be. That might actually be the whole point.
2 DRESSES TO IMPRESS: Van Hohenheim, The Wandering Sage (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
This anime has a World War I-era setting, where gentlemen wear ties and coats and get their shoes shined regularly. Van Hohenheim, the immortal wanderer, makes an effort to keep up, even though he will easily outlive all the people around him.
Hohenheim is always looking his best, with a brown suit and pants, a black best, a green tie, and a neatly trimmed beard while his long hair is bound in a ponytail. Interestingly, his son Edward Elric would closely mirror this appearance at the series' end, allowing the Elrics to come full circle. Ed becomes quite the fashionable young man.
1 DOESN'T DRESS WELL: Neji Hyuga, During Part 1 (Naruto)
Many Naruto characters changed their outfits between part 1 and Naruto Shippuden, and many of these changes were for the better. Neji Hyuga dressed rather oddly in the anime's first series, making him stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Neji had two long straps on his headband, probably just to make them flutter around while he's spinning. It's an odd look otherwise, and his parka-like top is a hideous beige color while looking strangely bulky for a ninja to wear. Neji rounds out this ill-advised outfit with knee-length dark shorts and standard ninja sandals, making him look a bit top-heavy.