While some anime characters are known for their power, strength, good character, or likability, they may not always have book smarts. Some are intelligent enough, or even incredibly smart, but lack the drive to succeed in school, and some are completely hopeless. Others try their hardest but either can't focus or can't succeed, despite trying.
As a result, these characters make low marks and are notorious within their classes for their bad grades and their disapproval of school. So, whether it be due to laziness, unwillingness, or just a pure dislike of academics, there are quite a few anime characters who hate their studies.
10 In Academics, Naruto Lives Up To His Title, "The Number One Knucklehead Ninja"
When fans first meet Naruto Uzumaki, they are introduced to a goofy character who cannot seem to win. He struggles with making clones—any attempts result in comically formed failures—and he has bad grades. On top of that, he often causes a ruckus in class, gets in trouble for his pranks and practical jokes, and angers the adults with his disrespectful attitude.
Though Naruto has no desire to succeed in his studies, he does have a strong drive to get stronger and to protect his friends. Thus, he begins to truly shine when he finally graduates from the Ninja Academy.
9 Naruto's Pal, Shikamaru, Does Poorly In The Academy Because He Can't Be Bothered
Shikamaru, on the other hand, is a genius, but he is lazy (hence his catchphrase "what a drag"). He does not do well in the Ninja Academy simply because he has no drive for studying at all. His grades were poor, and he was written off by some of his instructors.
However, once he graduates and joins Asuma Sarutobi's team, it is quickly made apparent that Shikamaru is a true genius. This really shows during the Chunin Exams when he bests a Sound Village ninja and Temari during the third stage. His tactical prowess continued to see him through the series, and he eventually became the Hokage's advisor.
8 Konata Of Lucky Star Is A Cram Queen With A Penchant For Procrastination
Konata Izumi is another character exuding the lazy trait. She is much more concerned with reading manga than reading a textbook, but she tries her best to make up for it by cramming before every test.
She procrastinates due to her general apathy surrounding her studies, as well as her passion for manga, and she doesn't participate in extracurriculars because she would rather go home and watch anime. In Episode 16, she is even seen working at a cosplay café.
7 Asobi Asobase's Olivia Also Relies On Cramming But Can't Master English
Olivia is the blond-haired, blue-eyed member of the Pastimers Club and she starts the anime with a secret. She pretends to be an American transfer student who cannot speak Japanese well. She is found out when she is asked to tutor in English.
Olivia not only struggles to speak and read in English, but she also has a carefree nature that sees her wait until the last minute to study for any of her exams. This, of course, does not work, and she has a reputation for being bad at her studies.
6 Akko Finds School Boring & Struggles With Magic In Little Witch Academia
Atsuko "Akko" Kagari wants to excel in school. Magic is, after all, her passion, and she wants to live up to the legacy of her hero, Shiny Chariot. However, Akko finds actual classwork boring, and she has a hard time focusing on her studies.
Furthermore, she has no innate magical talent and struggles in many subjects, especially flying. Despite all of this, Akko does not give up, and though she has various things working against her, she does her best to reach her goals—even if it sometimes gets her into trouble.
5 Kiba Inuzuka Thinks He Is Better Than Naruto, But They Are In The Same Boat
Kiba Inuzuka loves to pick on Naruto Uzumaki and call him a failure. During the Chunin Exam's third stage preliminaries, when he is pitted against Naruto for a fight, he noted how lucky he is to be going up against such a loser. Unfortunately for Kiba, this doesn't play out well.
Kiba's judgments of Naruto can be traced back to their academy days, where Kiba remarked on Naruto's incompetence. Kiba, however, also did not have great grades, and on top of that, he often cut class.
4 If Koichi Didn't Hate Studying Before Yukako, He Sure Hates It Now
Koichi Hirose is analytical in his fights, but he is not noted as being a necessarily stellar high school student, though he also is not notably bad. When he meets Yukako, she is determined to mold him into an excellent student.
Rather than studying normally, Yukako resorts to extreme means and locks him in a house where he has to undergo various forms of torture—including holding his bladder and eating inedible food—until he answers various quiz questions or solves trivial puzzles. While Koichi was never depicted as a hater of academics, fans can probably assume this experience lead to some trauma.
3 Sailor Moon Just Flat Out Hates School
Usagi Tsukino is an infamous crybaby and school hater. At the beginning of the series, she is constantly worried over her exam grades, which are not the best. She is notorious for irresponsibly ignoring her duties in favor of doing something she wants to do. Her personality is truly that of a petulant child.
As the series progresses and Usagi is pitted against more serious enemies, she learns how to better manage her emotions and responsibilities, and this leads to a lot of character growth, but fans doubt Usagi will ever be a lover of academics.
2 In Baka To Test To Shoukanjuu, Akihisa Yoshii Is Called The "Ultimate Idiot"
Yoshii Akihisa is problematically called the "Ultimate Idiot" in Baka to Test To Shoukanjuu, and he is generally seen as lazy and aloof. He is fittingly the representative for class 2-F, making him the defacto administrative spokesperson. He lets things fly over his head, and he misunderstands many of the situations he finds himself in.
However, too much emphasis is placed on academics and book smarts, and it makes the characters in this anime write Yoshii off. In addition, his unfortunate moniker seems an underhanded way of bullying a character who is portrayed as being such a kind person.
1 Yui Hirasawa Hates Everything But The Fine Arts In K-on
Yui Hirasawa is lazy and really only interested in the subjects she is passionate about. That passion is limited to the arts. As a result, many of Yui's other grades suffer.
However, the notion that people have to be good at every subject and put all their effort into conforming to a specific set of standards in school can be problematic, and it is Yui's love for music that sees her thrive. She has talent—as she is shown to have perfect pitch—and she has drive.