Almost every anime has its share of memorable characters. As a result, it's often the case that fans of an anime will gravitate towards a range of characters that they enjoy. Since the protagonist is usually burdened with carrying the core plot on their back, it's not surprising to see that many fan-favorite characters are not the lead hero.
That said, there are plenty of anime that go against this trend in an emphatic fashion. By creating an unusual plot or situation for a lead character to deal with, these anime create main characters with wonderful personalities and striking designs that define the anime itself.
10 The Goblin Slayer Only Cares About One Thing (Goblin Slayer)
The Goblin Slayer is a man of few words. He lets his actions do the talking, and just like his namesake, that means slaying an endless number of goblins.
The Goblin Slayer has his reasons for his vendetta against the race of monsters, and his understanding of their battle tactics allows him to prepare for combat meticulously. While there are colorful characters around him, anime would be far less intriguing without the Goblin Slayer leading it.
9 Gearless Joe Is A Loveable Underdog (Megalobox)
Boxing stories are all about the underdogs, and in the retro-futuristic setting of Megalobox, there are no underdogs more obvious than those without Gear. These mechanical arms form the basis of Megaloboxing in this atmospheric sports anime, and Gearless Joe is the perfect character to go against the mold.
Joe is a true fighter who enjoys the challenge of a tough match, and by going into each match without any augmentations, he makes a name for himself as a loveable underdog to root for.
8 Onizuka Eikichi Is The Best Teacher His Students Could Have Asked For (Great Teacher Onizuka)
At first, audiences may think that Onizuka Eikichi is ill-equipped to be a middle school teacher. He’s a former gang member himself and a generally brash and eccentric individual.
Yet, despite all of his obvious problems, his life experience and upstanding morals allow him to provide his troubled students with greater life lessons than they ever would have had under the guidance of a normal teacher. Onizuka is often aggressive and impulsive, but the way he balances this with his genuine heart is fascinating.
7 Yumeko Jabami Won’t Let Anything Stop Her From Gambling (Kakegurui)
In Kakegurui, Hyakkaou Private Academy is a den of high-stakes gambling. An imposing student council rules above all, and students who falter in their gambling endeavors become “house pets” to the school. Amidst all of this, Yumeko Jabami transfers in and upsets the balance.
She seems calm and kind on the surface, but underneath lies an intelligent gambling addict who cares about the raw thrills of gambling more than any potential loss thrown at her. She feels unshackled by any rules, and her unhinged personality is a joy to watch as it rises to the surface.
6 Sakamoto Is Always The Coolest Character In The Room (Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto)
Some anime characters are arrogant about their abilities, appearance, or their social status. It’s usually unearned, but in the case of Sakamoto, his confidence makes complete sense.
The tall glasses-wearing teenager is the talk of every student and teacher in his school for good reason. His every action somehow causes things to work out perfectly for himself and those in his vicinity, and he does everything in such style that it’s hard to not be as enamored with him as his classmates.
5 Tanya Degurechaff Will Do Whatever It Takes To Earn Her Peace (The Saga Of Tanya The Evil)
The Saga of Tanya the Evil presents a fresh spin on the isekai genre by thrusting a Japanese salaryman into a new life as a young girl in the middle of a world war.
Much like in his original life, Tanya Degurechaff is spiteful and egotistical to a tee. Her actions as a prominent figure in the war bring about tremendous results thanks to her tactical mind. However, make no mistake, Tanya is self-serving above all else. Her signature smile and no-holds-barred personality are the best possible reasons to watch this anime.
4 Violet Evergarden Learns About The Meaning Of Love (Violet Evergarden)
Learning the meaning of love and what it means to be human are two tasks that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Violet Evergarden dedicates herself to understanding both, and that’s because she’s only ever known war and tragedy in her life thus far.
She’s intelligent and willing to learn, but also charmingly unaware of many things society takes for granted. In delivering important mail for a variety of people, she learns how to feel true empathy, and her journey towards becoming more human is beautiful to watch unfold.
3 Rintarou Okabe Is The Only Self-Proclaimed Scientist Who Can Save The Day (Steins;Gate)
It’s important to feel a sense of stability during times of stress, and for the lab members of Steins;Gate, that can only come from Rintarou Okabe. The self-proclaimed scientist is eccentric to a fault.
However, when his bizarre make-believe conspiracies prove to have some basis in truth, it's up to him to keep his lab members safe from unimaginable threats. His internal struggles eventually manifest, but he does his best to maintain his persona for the sake of his friends and his own sanity.
2 Haruhi Suzumiya Refuses To Be Bored (The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya)
Haruhi Suzumiya is unpredictable. She’s a high school girl who isn’t content with the normal definitions of how people keep themselves entertained, so she constantly seeks out her own fun. That might involve an impromptu getaway with friends, or even a live stage performance for the ages.
At times, her spontaneity causes problems, particularly for Kyon, but it’s impossible to say that being Haruhi’s friend won’t lead to an abundance of fun stories to tell. It’s impossible to feel bored while watching Haruhi in action.
1 Lelouch Lamperouge Is Ruthless In His Ambitions (Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion)
Fighting a war takes extreme measures, and the charismatic Lelouch Lamperouge understands that. His extreme intelligence and the mind-controlling power of his Geass allow him to use his Zero persona to guide the Japanese rebels in their fight against Britannia.
Lelouch hides his true self when he is with his high school peers, and this double life leads to some of his greatest struggles. Watching Lelouch’s ruthless "ends justify the means" approach to both sides of his life is compelling throughout Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.