The ability to listen is essential in communication. It helps to inform others that one is paying attention, which furthers a conversation and makes the speaker feel as though what they have to say is important. As a result, it is an excellent way to endear oneself to others and potentially learn valuable information for posterity.
There are many anime characters who have honed their listening abilities. Whether genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of those around them or simply trying to get an advantage, such individuals never miss a detail – whatever is said to them won't soon be forgotten.
10 Jiro's Quirk Helps Her Listen
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia's Jiro is an information-based character. Her earphone Quirk allows her to place her plugs into nearby objects in order to detect what's happening around her. Hypothetically, this means that Jiro can listen to conversations across an entire forest before relaying what was said back to her team.
The only U.A. student who's half as decent of a listener as Jiro is Shoji. However, his eyes have a limited range and are clearly visible to opponents.
9 Katara Was An Empathetic Girl
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Katara was one of the best listeners in Avatar: The Last Airbender. A naturally compassionate person, she assumed a matronly role on Aang's team and helped to talk him through his problems. Katara's ability to sympathize with others was useful when hearing about Hama's plight.
It meant that when she began attacking the innocent people of the Fire Nation, Katara was better equipped to stop her. After all, she'd been paying attention to the old woman's story of how the Fire Nation ruined her life, so the sudden turn of events was not surprising.
8 Jimbei Helped Luffy Through His Worst Trauma
One Piece
One Piece's Jimbei is among the most mature Straw Hat Pirates. Given most of the crew's immaturity, he serves an unofficial role as a counselor for the heroes' needs. When Luffy was traumatized by Ace's death in the aftermath of Marineford, it was Jimbei's ability to listen that helped him instruct the captain about the way forward.
He also heard out the other Fish-Men concerns before vouching for the Straw Hats on Fish-Man Island. His prestigious reputation as a wise and good person afforded Luffy's crew an opportunity to defeat Hody that they might not have had otherwise.
7 Annie Could Only Listen For Four Years
Attack On Titan
Attack On Titan's Annie Leonhart didn't have much of a choice to be a good listener. When Eren nearly killed her in the sudden battle for Trost, she desperately hardened her body into a crystal that no one could break.
The move may have saved her, but Annie effectively became entombed in her own ability. For four years, she was forced to listen to whoever crossed her path, whether the denizens of the Garrison Unit or even Armin. When Annie was finally released, she was a changed person.
6 Lisa Spied On Vulcan
Fire Force
Fire Force's Lisa was a White-Clad spy intended to infiltrate Vulcan's residence and discover the secrets of his technology. For years, she posed as his lover, carefully lending an ear to whatever information might be useful to her clandestine masters.
When Giovanni arrived, Lisa understood that her ruse was finally at an end. Based on her proximity to him and how closely she listened, Lisa had everything she needed in order to put the next phase of the White-Clad's plan in motion.
5 Hughes Listened Too Well For His Own Good
Fullmetal Alchemist
Maes Hughes was one of the most likable characters in Fullmetal Alchemist regardless of his relatively short life. A credit to Amestris and loving family man, he was always willing to lend others his attention when asked. Unfortunately, Hughes' exceptional listening skills were ultimately his downfall.
After overhearing about the homunculus' plan, they identified Hughes as a target and killed him. It wasn't until much later that Hughes' brutal murder was explained, though by then, the information he could have relayed to them was clear for everyone to see.
4 Killua Is An Excellent Ear For Gon
Hunter X Hunter
Despite an unusual upbringing as Hunter X Hunter's deadliest assassin, Killua is a surprisingly good listener. He listened to Gon's emphatic plans about finding his father, even following him across the world to help accomplish his dream.
Additionally, Killua listened to Kurapika's history with the Phantom Troupe and understood his friend's desire for vengeance. However, he convinced him that it wouldn't put a permanent end to the organization and to consider a different path instead. As a result, the Troupe were scattered for a significant amount of time all thanks to Killua's ability to pay attention.
3 Konan Was Nagato's Oldest Ally
Naruto
Aside from Nagato himself, Konan was the only original Akatsuki member to last into Naruto: Shippuden. Having witnessed Yahiko's death firsthand, she understood Nagato's suffering and how his new philosophy contrasted what Jiraiya taught.
As a result, Konan was more inclined to listen to him and stayed by his side throughout virtually the entire series. Whether defending him against Jiraiya or assisting him in destroying the Leaf, Konan heeded Nagato's instructions and followed them to the letter.
2 Kanjuro Listened To The Scabbards For His Entire Life
One Piece
After the death of his family, Kanjuro dedicated his life to destroying Wano and its rulers. Orochi recruited him toward this end and instructed him to join Oden's Scabbards as a retainer. Considering it the role of a lifetime, Kanjuro spent over twenty years following Oden and Kin'emon.
He listened closely for the Kozuki family's next moves, relaying everything that he heard back to the Flower Capital by using an ink messenger dove. Kanjuro's listening skills nearly cost the samurai everything during the cinematic invasion of Onigashima at the end of the Wano arc.
1 L Considered Every Detail
Death Note
As Death Note's most skilled detective, it was L's job to listen. Having suspected Light Yagami as Kira ever since meeting him, he absorbed every detail and used the things his rival said in order to extrapolate clues on how to defeat him.
By listening to what Light told him, L realized what he'd been hearing was a lie. Before death, he confronted him about it and boldly asked if he'd ever actually told the truth. Light unconvincingly denied these aspersions, making their last individual conversation melancholy and foreboding.