Many anime fans enjoy the genre because of how relatable the protagonists are. However, while fans relate to some characters' personalities, it's hard to find common ground with anime's richest figures. From simple demonstrations of wealth to international displays of influence, the richest anime characters perform some of the most grandiose acts seen in the history of fiction.

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Some of anime's richest characters are rulers over an empire, self-made entrepreneurs, or something else entirely. They have no problems accumulating wealth and often make their status known to others. Benevolent or greedy, caring or haughty, anime's wealthiest characters are often fascinating to watch.

Updated on June 8, 2023, by Kennedy King: Regardless of the genre, a variety of anime series feature characters with staggering amounts of wealth. As these shows progress and new titles pop up, the hierarchy of the medium's richest characters continues to shift.

20 Elf Yamada (Eromanga Sensei)

Elf Yamada, a best-selling light novel author, during the events of Eromanga Sensei

The protagonist in the controversial anime Eromanga Sensei, Masamune, is an award-winning light novel author, despite the fact that he's only 15 years old. However, his talents seem insignificant next to Elf Yamada, a rival author that moves in next door to him at the beginning of the series.

Although Elf Yamada is known for completing novels close to her deadlines (and occasionally even missing them), she's sold over two million books at an astoundingly young age. This allows her to buy the abandoned mansion beside Masamune's house, which ultimately makes them neighbors.

19 Faris NyanNyan (Steins;Gate)

Faris NyanNyan, an extremely affluent cafe owner, during the events of Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate's Faris NyanNyan (also known as Rumiho Akiha) is a part-time employee and owner of her own maid café. However, while this business certainly produces its fair share of profits, the wealth she inherited from her family truly qualifies her as an extremely wealthy individual.

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Because Fairs and her family are so wealthy, she rarely tells anyone about her fortune, fearing she'll be ostracized or targeted if others found out. As a result, Faris' childhood is crushingly lonely. Only her butler, Kuroki, provides Faris true companionship.

18 Kei Takishima (Special A)

Kei Takishima, the number one student at Hakusenkan Academy, during the events of the Special A anime

Released in 2008, Special A follows a group of elite students as they survive the rigors of Hakusenkan Academy — a high-dollar institute that predominately caters to wealthy families. One of the series' main characters, Kei Takishima, is the No. 1 student at Hakusenkan and arguably the most affluent student in the entire school.

Kei's family runs the Takishima Group, a powerful corporation that engages in a variety of businesses in Japan. From giving out blank checks to buying a house on a whim, Kei's actions make it clear he's far wealthier than the average high schooler.

17 Tamaki Suoh (Ouran High School Host Club)

Tamaki Suoh, a main character from the Ouran High School Host Club anime, sipping tea

Ouran High School Host Club introduced many young anime fans to the world of fictional fame and riches. The entire series revolves around a club for affluent students. However, at the top of the food chain is Tamaki Suoh. Even by the standards of Ouran Academy, Tamaki's extremely wealthy.

Tamaki's father, Yuzuru Suoh, is the Chairman of the Board at Ouran Academy. Besides his wealth, Tamaki also enjoys more liberties at school than the average student. Thankfully, despite the status of his family, he demonstrates a kind heart and slowly learns how to relate to other students throughout the course of Ouran High School Host Club.

16 Yumeko Jabami (Kakegurui — Compulsive Gambler)

yumeko jabami, the protagonist of Kakegurui — Compulsive Gambler

Kakegurui — Compulsive Gambler tells the story of Hyakkaou Private Academy, an elite school where students prove their worth by demonstrating skills in gambling. Yumeko Jabami, the series' protagonist, is a gambling addict. Thanks to her natural aptitude, she makes a name for herself within the confines of Hyakkaou.

Yumeko sports ten million yen in her school bag when she first fights Mary Saotome at the beginning of Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler. Her prolific gambling only grows from there. By the end of the series, Yumeko proves herself to be the most talented — and therefore the richest — student in her academy's history.

15 Bulma (Dragon Ball)

Bulma, a main character throughout the Dragon Ball franchise, winking off-camera

As the most prominent female character in the Dragon Ball franchise, Bulma is hard to forget. Even harder to gloss over is her unbelievably wealthy background.

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No one knows how rich Bulma's family is,but their business, the Capsule Corporation, makes a veritable fortune from its innovative capsule technology. Dr. Brief, Bulma's father, is one of the richest men on Earth. Since Bulma provides him a never-ending stream of her own inventions, their wealth will only become more impressive.

14 Roswaal L. Mathers (Re: Zero)

Roswaal l. Mathers grinning with her hands together in Re:Zero

Re: Zero's Roswaal L. Mathers is born into the illustrious Mathers family, a noble house in the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica. His mansion is extremely huge with countless rooms. At one point in Re: Zero, it is debated whether Roswaal will let people from a neighboring village take safety in his own house.

Since Roswaal's house is big enough to fit an entire town's worth of people, it's safe to say his affluence is more than impressive. The noble's financial and magical power eventually earn him the roles of Lord of the Roswaal Mansion, the Margrave of the Mathers territory, and the Court Mage of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica.

13 Ciel Phantomhive (Black Butler)

Ciel Phantomhive, the protagonist of Black Butler, staring off-screen

Following the tragic death of both of his parents and the fire that burned their estate, Black Butler's Ciel Phantomhive became the sole heir to the Phantomhive family fortune. Subsequently, Ciel became the owner of the Funtom Corporation — a company renowned for its toys worldwide.

Though just a 13-year-old child, Ciel Phantomhive is one of the richest people in England. He strengthens his family name and wealth despite the tragedy that befalls them, only adding to the assets in his possession.

12 Daisuke Kambe (The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited)

Daisuke Kanbe, the protagonist of The Millionaire Detective Balance : Unlimited

In 2020, the trailer for The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited generated buzz all around social media platforms; however, the COVID-19 pandemic halted its production after releasing only two episodes. Thankfully, the comedy detective series returned after a brief hiatus and showcased the rich life of its main character, Daisuke Kambe.

Though he's dubbed a millionaire in the title, Daisuke is arguably in possession of even greater funds. The detective can pay one billion on the spot to a prince and still having an unlimited balance. This goes without mentioning the size of his personal jet and other similar items.

11 Robert E. O. Speedwagon (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Robert E. O. Speedwagon from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood.

Within Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Robert E. O. Speedwagon seems to possess more material wealth than anyone else. Although Robert is mostly featured in Parts One and Two of the series, his influence extends well beyond those seasons.

With money acquired from the oil trade in the United States, Robert became the founder of the Speedwagon Foundation — a powerful and influential organization with ties to the underworld and the supernatural. Using these ties, he and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure's protagonists fight back against dastardly villains like the vampire Dio.

10 Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

Seto Kaiba, antagonist of the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, next to his strongest monster, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon

For many viewers who love anime from the 1990s and 2000s, Yu-Gi-Oh! is likely a staple of their childhood. Although the series' protagonist, Yugi, is its most well-known character, Seto Kaiba stands out as the most impressive villain in the entire franchise.

After being adopted by a billionaire, Seto Kaiba forms his own bustling company before he even finishes high school. Though his smug attitude and ruthless playing style are easy to hate, there's no denying his influence extends far beyond the confines of dueling monsters.

9 Donovan Desmond (Spy X Family)

Donovan Desmond, the former Prime Minister of Ostania and head of the National Unity Party, in Spy x Family ep 25.

The plot of Spy X Family takes place in the context of an ongoing cold war between two mighty world powers. At the center of this conflict is Donovan Desmond, a former Prime Minister and the primary antagonist of Spy x Family. With his influence, he serves as a major player in the struggle between the two most powerful nations in the entire world.

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Donovan Desmond's place as the Chairman of Ostania's National Unity Party undoubtedly affords him endless business opportunities. Combined with his connections as a former Prime Minister, this arguably qualifies him as the most important man in the country.

8 Willy Tybur (Attack on Titan)

Attack on Titan's Willy Tybur, an Eldian member of Marley and the head the Tybur family

By and large, Eldians (individuals capable of transforming into Titans under the right conditions) are the most disenfranchised group in Attack on Titan. However, one specific Eldian family has benefited from the long-term oppression of their people: the Tyburs.

Despite the plight of the Eldian people, the Tybur Family uses their status to pull the strings of the world's governments, making them its most influential family. Willy Tybur, the head of the family, wields unparalleled influence, accumulating wealth while his fellow Eldians toil as second-class citizens.

7 Sinbad (Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic)

Sinbad in Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Sinbad may not be the protagonist of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, but there's no doubt that he is the anime's wealthiest character. As the former King of Sindria, the World Innovator, the Head of the International Alliance, and the president of the world's most powerful trading company, Sinbad's fortune let him accomplish virtually anything he sets his mind to.

Even though there are no exact estimates of Sinbad's wealth, the fact he has so many resources, connections, and political power suggests his fortune rivals that of entire nations. His open arrogance can be a bit condescending, but considering his background, it's unfortunately well-founded.

6 Kaguya Shinomiya (Kaguya-Sama: Love is War)

kaguya shinomiya, the titular main character of Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War

In the opening scene of Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, fans quickly find out that Kaguya is filthy rich. As the daughter of one of the richest men in Japan, there's nothing she can't buy — though love doesn't seem to abide by that rule.

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Kaguya's wealth can be seen as a weakness since it leads her to live a very sheltered life. Her lack of lived experience causes her to struggle in her pursuit of love, and her wealth doesn't help the process by intimidating her romantic interest.

5 Nagi Sanzenin (Hayata the Combat Butler)

Nagi Sanzenin, the sole heir to the Sanzenin fortune, and a major character in Hayata the Combat Butler

Even among the rich, there is a threshold at which point someone becomes so wealthy that it's difficult to even quantify all the money at their disposal. In this category lies Hayata the Combat Butler's Nagi Sanzenin, one of the two surviving members of the Sanzenin Family.

As the sole heiress to the Sanzenin fortune, Nagi is so rich that 20 trillion yen means virtually nothing to her. Because of this, she is almost constantly at risk, as a long list of assailants and backstabbers would like nothing more than to commandeer her wealth for themselves.

4 Clover King (Black Clover)

Augustus Kira Clover XIII, the current Clover King, sitting on the throne in the Black Clover anime

In a traditional monarchy, the sitting ruler is the richest person in their respective kingdom. When it comes to Black Clover, this is certainly the case. The King of Clover Kingdom, Augustus Kira Clover XIII, sits atop a literal mountain of wealth in the kingdom's capital.

Although the Wizard King does most of the heavy lifting for the Clover Kingdom, the generational wealth of the Clover King far outweighs any other individual in the series. However, if the current king's success is any indication, then this character's wealth may soon start trending in the wrong direction.

3 Ragyo Kiryuin (Kill la Kill)

Ragyo Kiryuin prepared to fight her daughters in Kill La Kill.

Kill la Kill's action sequences and plot development take place at a breakneck pace, so it's easy to miss some of the iconic anime's more subtle instances of world-building. While it's clear that the final antagonist Ragyo Kiryuin is massively important, the extent of her wealth and social standing is even more astounding.

Ragyo serves as the head of the Revocs Corporation, a global superpower that sells the entire world's textile goods. Since clothes are the mechanism for power-scaling in the series, this makes Ragyo arguably the most powerful person in the entire world.

2 Mina Tepes (Dance in the Vampire Bund)

Mina Tepes, the protagonist of Dance in the Vampire Bund and Queen of the Vampires

As of now, there are few anime characters more affluent than the Queen of Vampires, Mina Tepes. Dance in the Vampire Bund's protagonist inherited the wealth of her mother, the former Queen of Vampires. After reestablishing her family's dominance, Mina reclaimed the title for herself.

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From buying an entire island off the coast of Japan to serve as her vampire kingdom to paying off the Japanese national debt worth 40 trillion yen, it's difficult to estimate just how much Mina Tepes has access to. The lavish lifestyle she maintains throughout the anime portrays that she is never in a pinch for money, and given her quantifiable feats of extravagant wealth, it's clear that her skills as a vampire aren't her only tools.

1 Imu (One Piece)

The Five Elder Stars kneeling before the secret ruler of the World Government, Imu, in One Piece

One Piece features a variety of wealthy pirates, rulers, and nobles. However, even the anime's wealthiest class of citizens, the Celestial Dragons, are largely unaware of the influence exerted by the mysterious figure who presides over the World Government: Imu.

Introduced during the Reverie Arc, Imu governs over the entire world as the supreme authority in the Grand Line. His fortune is effectively limitless, as he can erase entire cultures, civilizations, and histories off the map. With the final saga of One Piece confirmed to be underway, fans will hopefully see even more evidence of Imu's wealth in the near future.

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