Respect is earned, not given. Although several anime characters don't really do anything to merit admiration, there is an equal number of them who are worshipped by viewers. That said, emotions such as fear and love are constantly misinterpreted as respect, so it's important to make that distinction before selecting the most revered characters.
Simply put, those who demand deference don't deserve it, whereas characters who recognize their own limitations and struggle to better themselves can and should be respected. Further, while two-dimensional concepts like heroism, honor, integrity, and virtue often overlap with admiration, anime heroes don't necessarily need to exhibit any of these traits in order to earn the audience's esteem.
10 Casca's Leadership Earns The Undying Respect Of Her Subordinates
Berserk
Berserk's Casca earns the undying admiration of her subordinates as well as the fandom, when she singlehandedly keeps the Band of the Hawk from falling apart. Her teammates respect both her leadership qualities and her maternal instincts, explaining why they refer to her as "Onee-san," or "esteemed big sister."
Casca further proves her mettle during the mission to save Griffith from the nightmarish Tower of Rebirth. Griffth coldly triggers the Eclipse, which kills most of his devoted deputies and transforms Casca into a shell of her former self. Fortunately, Farnese and Schierke help restore her personality during the Fantasia Arc.
9 Jet Black Keeps His Beloved Crew From Spiralling
Cowboy Bebop
Jet Black is easily the most levelheaded main character in Cowboy Bebop, especially when compared to Spike's casual nonchalance, Faye's gratuitous pride, and Edward's extreme eccentricity. Jet consistently displays his seriousness and wisdom, but he's most respected for treating Spike's outrageous attitude with an almost sage-like tolerance.
Although he hates being referred to as the crew's surrogate father, Jet's limitless compassion helps them deal with the effects of their trauma. The Bebop would have fallen apart instantly without Jet Black.
8 Kagome Higurashi Is Living Proof That Honor And Strength Aren't Interchangeable Concepts
Inuyasha
Inuyasha is a stereotypical shonen protagonist: a belligerent punk with a penchant for getting into trouble. Kagome, on the other hand, frequently manages to knock some sense into Inuyasha and actively discourages his reckless tendencies.
As Team Inuyasha's moral barometer, Kagome makes sure that they never sway from the right path, even if it delays the fulfillment of their goals. Further, the nightmarish landscape of the Sengoku jidai doesn't bother her whatsoever, illustrating her unflappable willpower. Kagome's existence is proof that strength and honor aren't interchangeable concepts.
7 Erina Nakiri Learns That Self-Esteem Is The First Step Toward Universal Respect
Food Wars!
Erina is born with the greatest gift imaginable. Her 'God's Tongue' allows her to experience food on a scale beyond anyone else in the show, justifying her membership with the Elite Ten Council. While Erina's special background makes her somewhat apathetic to the concerns of her less-privileged peers, her personality undergoes a rapid metamorphosis after meeting Soma.
Most importantly, Erina breaks the cycle of abuse instilled by her overly conceited father. She subsequently appreciates her talents for what they are, and not what Azami expects her to be. Erina learns that self-esteem is the first step on the path toward universal respect.
6 Mugen May Never Be Cherished By Fans, But He's Certainly Admired
Samurai Champloo
Mugen intentionally tries to portray himself as antiheroic — his general demeanor is hostile, boorish, surly, and somewhat irrational. Viewers find it very difficult to like him in the beginning, but their stance changes over the course of the story.
Mugen's cutthroat attitude can also be interpreted as an act of self-preservation; he rejects the idea of defeat because it offsets his core philosophy. Despite Mugen's innumerable failings, Jin and Fuu eventually come to respect his unyielding dedication. Mugen may never be cherished by the Samurai Champloo fandom, but he's certainly admired.
5 Olivier Mira Armstrong Has The Eternal Respect Of Amestris And The Fandom
FMA: Brotherhood
Mangaka Hiromu Arakawa's masterful character development has received widespread acclaim. There are countless female role models in Fullmetal Alchemist, including Pinako Rockbell, May Chang, Izumi Curtis, and Trisha Elric.
However, few characters radiate as much raw power as Olivier Mira Armstrong, the living embodiment of the Northern Wall of Briggs. Olivier's harsh disposition extends to her younger brother, but she openly celebrates Alex's courage when he refuses to back down against Sloth. Olivier has the eternal respect of her soldiers, Amestris, and the overall fandom.
4 Momo & Appa Might Be Comic Relief, But They Deserve Just As Much Respect
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Momo joins Team Avatar a few episodes after Appa, but these two fluffy creatures are nothing less than war heroes. Together, they have accomplished more than nearly everyone else in Avatar. Momo and Appa save their friends on numerous occasions — at the Fire Temple, during "The Storm," and even after the Hundred Year War.
That said, Momo and Appa are best known for their adorable food-based altercations, providing audiences with some much-needed comic relief. Besides, it can be argued that jesters deserve the same amount of respect as their dignified counterparts.
3 Satsuki Kiryuin's Candor And Courage Are Extremely Admirable
Kill La Kill
Satsuki Kiryuin is introduced as Kill la Kill's indestructible nemesis, the draconian Student Council president who instills terror into the quivering hearts of the students at Honnoji. She's famous for her egregious Orwellian declarations, like "Fear is freedom! Subjugation is liberation! Contradiction is truth."
However, Satsuki doesn't enjoy her exalted position in the slightest. She secretly plans to overthrow her villainous mother, but her coup fails spectacularly. When Satsuki discovers that Ragyo is her long-lost sister, she immediately tries to build a new relationship with her. Fans can't help but respect Satsuki Kiryuin's candor.
2 Nezuko Kamado Raises Her Siblings And Protects Her Friends
Demon Slayer
Tanjiro Kamado is undeniably brave, principled, and trustworthy. He spends most of his time caring for his incapacitated sister and keeping her from harm. Nezuko eventually returns the favor by protecting Tanjiro, Zennitsu, and Inosuke. Before her unfortunate transformation, Nezuko helped her mother raise her younger siblings, much like her big brother.
At this point in the story, she has no choice but to rely on her demonic blood. However, she ensures that her powers will never be used to take innocent lives. Nezuko has a long way to go before she can resume her former life, but she's definitely on the right path.
1 Razor Is A Shining Example Of The Wonders Of Rehabilitation
Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter's Razor is a shining example of the wonders of rehabilitation. Despite his criminal past, Ging Freecss offers him a chance to demonstrate his atonement. Razor would have been executed for his crimes, but Ging's faith saves both his life and his future.
Razor proceeds to live up to his friend's expectations — as one of Greed Island's chief Game Masters, he runs his ship with dignity and fairness. Gon respects and admires Razor deeply, if only because the latter refuses to go easy on him. It's practically impossible for audiences to dislike this endearing character.