If there's one thing anime fans love more than anything, it's showing their loyalty and adoration for their favorite characters. However, some characters are special and stand out from the rest in fans' hearts. These characters are the ones fans consider their "waifus" or "husbandos." Just about any character can be considered a waifu or a husbando, but there's no denying that some rank higher than others.
While there are many incredible modern characters worthy of the title "husbando," there are husbandos in every decade of anime to date. The 1990s were a wild and amazing time for anime, and it's one decade, in particular, that's filled with tons of husbando-worthy anime guys. As some of the most iconic classic anime characters of all time, many of these '90s husbandos even exceed modern-day standards.
10 Mamoru Chiba Is The Suave & Mysterious Tuxedo Mask (Sailor Moon)
Everyone loves protagonist Usagi Tsukino from the classic series Sailor Moon. However, her fated love interest Mamoru Chiba has captured just as many fans' hearts. He's tall and mysterious, and despite his initial rudeness, there's just something about him that makes him very appealing.
As Tuxedo Mask, he's suave, handsome, and even more mysterious than before. While he may not be the strongest, or even the most helpful, everyone is weak to Tuxedo Mask's charms. He's one of the most iconic husbandos of '90s anime, and many fans still adore him to this day.
9 Ashitaka Is The Cursed Prince Of Emishi Village (Princess Mononoke)
Despite its title, Prince Ashitaka is the main protagonist of the Ghibli classic Princess Mononoke. He's the handsome and courageous prince of Emishi Village, who finds himself cursed after he kills a demon at the beginning of the film.
He's very stern and serious, determined to do whatever it takes to cure himself of his curse. Though he can be ruthless when he needs to be, Ashitaka has a kind nature deep within him, which especially shines through after he meets San. He's an iconic Studio Ghibli character and one of the earliest Studio Ghibli husbandos.
8 Shinichi Kudo Is A Famous Young Detective (Detective Conan)
Shinichi Kudo is the teenage detective prodigy and protagonist of the classic '90s series Detective Conan. Despite his young age, Shinichi is sharp-witted and highly skilled at deduction, known as the "savior of the police force" for the many cases he's single-handedly solved.
Though he spends a majority of the series in his child form, under the alias of Conan Edogawa, many have come to see the two as separate characters. That said, Shinichi is an iconic character of the '90s, and his intelligence and sly detective work make him a beloved husbando who fans still adore today.
7 Vash The Stampede Is An Iconic '90s Pacifist (Trigun)
Trigun is an iconic '90s anime with an equally iconic protagonist. Vash is the lovable hero of the series, known throughout the land as a merciless villain called Vash the Stampede. With a sixty billion dollar bounty placed on his head, Vash is considered one of the most dangerous criminals of all time.
However, in reality, he's nothing but a soft-hearted goofball. Despite the rumors, he's cheerful and kind, and he absolutely refuses to kill his enemies. From his style and power to his quirks, there's nothing about Vash that fans don't love. With the upcoming reboot, Trigun is once again in the limelight, and Vash's popularity is slowly returning.
6 Heero Yuy Is The Cold & Stoic Protagonist (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing)
There have been many Gundam series throughout the years, but Mobile Suit Gundam Wing is one of the most popular of all time. It was a gateway series for many fans outside of Japan, and many still have a fondness for it even decades later. One of the most iconic characters of the series is the ever-stern protagonist, Heero Yuy.
Throughout much of the series, he appears cold, cruel, and even sometimes a bit frightening. However, as the series progresses, it's revealed that he's actually a very kind and loving person deep down. He takes his role very seriously, making him one of the strongest pilots and a force to be reckoned with.
5 Goku Is One Of The Most Popular Anime Guys Of The '90s (Dragon Ball)
It's no surprise that Dragon Ball is one of the biggest, most popular anime franchises of all time. It is globally recognized and adored by fans of all ages. As the face of the series, Goku is easily one of the most beloved characters, and even non-anime fans know who he is.
He's one of the most famous anime guys of all time, so it's safe to say that he ranks pretty high among '90s husbandos. From his quirky and naive personality to his immense, god-like strength, there are plenty of reasons why fans love Goku. To this day, many adore him and consider him the strongest anime character of all time.
4 Kenshin Himura Is The Legendary Hitokiri Battosai (Rurouni Kenshin)
Before the start of Rurouni Kenshin, the titular protagonist was feared throughout Japan as the legendary Hitokiri Battosai, known for his brutal swordsmanship and many kills. However, the Kenshin fans are introduced to is the furthest thing from a killer.
Determined to atone for his past atrocities, Kenshin Himura has taken up a peaceful life as a wandering samurai, using his sword only to defend and never to kill. Despite his past, he's soft-spoken, polite, and gentle, making for a lovable character that fans still adore today.
3 Kurama Is A Handsome & Charming Fox Demon (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Kurama is one of the more complicated characters in Yu Yu Hakusho. He was born a human named Shuichi Minamino, but shortly after his birth, he was fused with the spirit of the silver fox demon known as Kurama. As he grew older, Kurama took primary control of his mind.
With his inherited demon powers and soft human features, Kurama has grown into a handsome and charming young man. He's so beautiful that he's even been mistaken for a woman before. During the series' run, he was one of the most popular characters, thanks to his abilities and good looks. With the upcoming Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series, he's sure to gain popularity once again with new fans.
2 Kaworu Nagisa Is Popular, Despite Having So Little Screentime (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
There are many iconic characters throughout Neon Genesis Evangelion, but few can compare to Kaworu Nagisa. He has less than ten minutes of overall screentime within the original series, and yet, he's one of the most wildly popular characters in the entire franchise.
Many argue he's also one of the most important, despite his minuscule amount of screentime. In these few minutes, Kaworu impacts the series in ways that change it forever, and his role influences every facet of the series from then on. He's easily one of the most iconic husbandos of the decade and still reigns supreme to this day.
1 Spike Spiegel Is The Greatest '90s Husbando Of All Time (Cowboy Bebop)
The 1990s was a decade filled with incredible anime characters and many guys who are peak husbando material. However, even the best of the decade pale in comparison to the hunky bounty hunter, Spike Spiegel. Cowboy Bebop has many amazing characters in it, and that includes the series' badass protagonist.
It's clear he's a Grade-A husbando just by looking at him, and many fans still fawn over him decades later. From his nonchalant personality to his gunslinging skills, he's a character who's just too cool for words, easily making him one of the best husbandos of the decade.