Many anime heroes conduct their business with class and elegance. Whether by respecting other peoples' boundaries, showing integrity when no one else does, or even dressing to impress, such characters stand out from their peers for their charisma.
Classy anime characters are ubiquitous throughout multiple series, surpassing audience expectations with flying colors and quickly becoming fan favorites. Many adore the way they interact with the surrounding world, maintaining their composure in spite of the direst circumstances. Such restraint inspires many in the real world and illustrates that it is possible to stay classy regardless of how bleak one's circumstances become.
Updated March 20th, 2023 by Declan Lowthian: A classy anime hero is hard not to love. We've updated this list with even more info about the classiest heroes anime has to offer.
10 Alucard (Hellsing)
Despite being an ancient vampire in Hellsing, Alucard was surprisingly professional. When Seras teetered on the brink of death, he refused to transform her into a vampire without her explicit consent. He understood that his condition wasn't right for everyone and that some would prefer to pass away peacefully.
Between Alucard's respect for boundaries and his dapper silk attire, he was perhaps the most classy hero of his dark series. He never killed the innocent and remained loyal to Integra's commands for her entire life.
9 Hanayama (Baki)
Despite being a ruthless member of Baki's Yakuza, Hanayama was a class act. He never endangered the innocent regardless of his criminal background, which cast him in a more favorable light Baki himself. Hanayama was also surprisingly merciful.
Hanyayama spared Spec even after the villain detonated high-caliber police explosives in his mouth. This illustrated an incredible amount of restraint, arguably more than the villain deserved given his history as a serial killer. Regardless, Hanayama's balance of gentleness and strength was classy and rendered him a local hero.
8 Sabo (One Piece)
One Piece's Sabo practically had a formal education in class. Raised in a noble household, he was taught how to dress and act in ways that socially behooved him. This made him significantly more fashionable than Ace or Luffy, regardless of how hard he tried to integrate as a pirate.
After joining the Revolutionary Army, Sabo proved just as classy in character as he was in appearance. Despite the Blackbeard Pirates' role in Ace's death, he spared Jesus Burgess. Sabo was also instrumental in the Dressrosa arc, helping Luffy foil Doflamingo's worst machinations.
7 L (Death Note)
Although an opponent of Light Yagami, L was the closest thing Death Note had to a hero. He risked his life when solving the Kira case, going as far as to reveal himself to Light despite suspecting his true intentions.
What made L particularly classy was that he refused to settle for anything less than objective, incriminating evidence that would convict Light as Kira. Moreover, he entertained casual conversations with his nemesis despite being completely aware of the peril it placed him in. Should Light have been working alone, L's delicate but direct approach might have been a success.
6 Tanjiro (Demon Slayer)
Tanjiro treated his enemies with respect and dignity despite suffering worse than most other Demon Slayer characters. He balanced the necessity of killing his foes with trying to understand their condition. Many didn't choose to be transformed, so they deserved to be put down as gently as possible.
Tanjiro's classy approach toward battle was likely due to his sister, Nezuko. She constantly reminded him of his endgame and that no one was truly irredeemable. Nezuko may have put Tanjiro at odds with the Hashira, but he would never betray his family.
5 Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
As All Might's successor, few had greater expectations heaped upon them than My Hero Academia's Izuku Midoriya. Regardless, he exceeded his mentor's wildest dreams time and again, showing class in all his professional endeavors.
For example, Midoriya attempted to save Bakugo from a sludge monster regardless of how the young boy mistreated him in the past. Midoriya was similarly classy during the Chisaki raid, saving Eri and delivering Overhaul to justice.
4 Bruno Bucciarati (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Bruno Bucciarati was one of the most influential mafioso in the Golden Wind arc of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Although serving Diavolo at first, Bruno's sense of chivalry compelled him to turn against the villain for a number of reasons.
Not only did Bucciarati find Giorno's dream of keeping drugs from kids admirable, but he was also unwilling to let Diavolo execute his own daughter. Even after being dealt a fatal blow, Bucciarati staved off death with willpower alone, continuing to help the heroes until he was no longer needed. His stoicism was classy to the max.
3 Captain Obi (Fire Force)
Captain Obi was the leader of Company Eight in Fire Force. An upstanding man, he conducted himself with cordiality, strength, and class. Obi balanced the need for brawn with compassion for others, which helped to mend a grievously fractured Tokyo.
For example, Obi endured Benimaru's flames when appealing to his sense of reason and attempting to prove his company's innocence. Similarly, he embraced Lisa with open arms despite the fact that she had recently betrayed them to the White-Clad. Obi's flexibility was classy and a major asset to the heroes.
2 Erwin (Attack On Titan)
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Commander Erwin Smith was the leader of the Scouts in Attack On Titan. He showed incredible strength and character throughout his relatively short life, refusing to put his soldiers through anything he wouldn't undergo himself. This was seen during the battle for Shiganshina when he led the charge against Zeke Yeager.
Erwin also put people before duty when helping to depose the corrupt government of Paradis. He briefly made himself a fugitive for the sake of all Eldia and to give their future a fighting chance.
1 Nico Robin (One Piece)
Nico Robin is the Straw Hat Pirates' archeologist. Unlike most of the crew, she carries herself with class, seldom buying into the others' zany festivities. Toward this end, she refused to join the Franky robot in Thriller Bark even though it allegedly increased their chances against Oars.
Soft-spoken but confident, Robin possesses so much grace that she was even selected to attend Orochi's courts personally. The villainous shogun failed to realize that she was a spy all along, thanks in part to her extreme class.