44 of the Internet’s Favorite Badass Anime Characters

Annie Leonhart

Attack on Titan / Shingeki no Kyojin

Cold demeanoured fan-favorite turned antagonist Annie Leonhart proved to be one of the series’s most badass anime characters. Her skill is no question and her Titan form definitely proves her place on this list.

Saeko Busujima

Highschool of the Dead

Saeko is considered the most reliable of all fighters. Many rely on her sick combat skills to pull them out of a tough spot. She is a talented combat specialist whose forte is in melee attacks.

Sakura Haruno

Naruto

Sakura Uchiha is the tritagonist of the Naruto franchise. She develops her Tajutsu and masters the “Strength of a Hundred Seal Jutsu” under Tsunade’s tutelage, making her one of the most powerful shinobi ever.

Yoruichi Shihoin

Bleach

As a person, Yoruichi Shihoin is very intelligent and witty, holding an intimate knowledge of the Soul Society and its workings. She can shapeshift into a black cat to which she can channel her spiritual energy and move at insanely fast speeds.

Mikasa Ackerman

Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin)

It may be difficult to meet an anime fan who doesn’t recognise this black-haired anime character. Mikasa only wanted a peaceful life but followers her friend to the survey corps, where has proved herself as one of their best soldiers.

Izumi Curtis

Fullmetal Alchemist

Izumi is an extremely skilled and knowledgeable alchemist, excelling in both alchemical research and combat using the conscious manipulation of matter and natural energy. From creating a wall to control the overflow of water to knocking out opponents by disrupting the flow of ions in their nerves.

Ryuko Matoi

Kill la Kill!

Ryuko Matoi is the main protagonist of Kill la Kill. This character is stubborn and fierce and carries her dark hair with a lot of iron will.

Maki Oze

Fire Force

Despite being physically strong and very determined at her job, Maki is a hopeless romantic and fairly sensitive at heart. She is even afraid of the dark!

Nico Robin

Bleach

Nico Robin is the archaeologist of the Straw Hat Pirates. Nico Robin, as an Ohara archaeologist, can read Poneglyphs (which the World Government forbids). She has great durability from the pain of Spandam, Monet, and Diamante.

Kiryuuin Satsuki

Kill la Kill

This may be one of the most memorable badass anime characters. A tall, slim woman with long black hair, Satsuki is a prideful woman. She is intelligent and iron-fisted.

Touka Kirishima

Tokyo Ghoul

Touka is the most badass anime character in the Tokyo Ghoul series. She has recently acquired a second wing, however. During her fights, she has incredible speed and endurance.

Clare

Claymore

Clare is the main protagonist of the manga/anime series Claymore. She is a Claymore, the only known one to have taken the flesh and blood of a fellow Claymore.

Mereoleona Vermillion

Black Clover

Mereoleona has a hostile attitude and a short temper. She is a loud and aggressive woman who believes actions speak louder than words. In terms of strength, she possessed tremendous physical strength, was extremely skilled in hand-to-hand combat, had tremendous raw speed, extraordinary endurance, and was skilled in sensing mana. 

Esdeath

Akame ga Kill!

Esdeath is the secondary antagonist of the manga Akame Ga Kill!. She is a high-ranking general and the most dangerous warrior in the Empire. She also serves as the biggest physical threat in the series.

Andrioid 18

Dragon Ball

Android 18 was first introduced as a villain but then switched and joined the good fight alongside Goku. She is a badass anime character with her cool and confident character and raw strength.

Motoko Kusanagi

Ghost in the Shell

Motoko is a cyborg who works for Japan’s National Public Safety Commission as a squad leader. Her ruthless nature and extraordinary skills with countless types of weapons give her the top spot on our list of badass anime characters.

Maka Albarn

Soul Eater

Maka Albarn is known to be very intelligent, smart and hardworking. Despite being one of the most badass anime characters in the series, she is very modest and makes excuses for her power.

Morgiana

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Not many humans can hold their ground against this Fanalis. Her silent yet cute demeanour is always a fan-favorite. Her true desire is to be useful to Alladin and Alibaba Saluja and she works endlessly hard to be a better version of herself.

Kugisaki Nobara

Jujutsu Kaisen

Kugisaki Nobara’s abilities in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen make her a character to be weary of. She can easily attack her opponents without getting close to them with her doll technique. Not to mention she has a ridiculous pain threshold!

Tatsumaki

One Punch Man

Tatsumaki only cares for people who are equally as powerful. It’s no surprise she’s the second strongest hero in the show. With telekinetic abilities, she is untouchable and can send waves of bullets or missiles raining back towards the attacker.

Rebecca “Revy” Lee

Blue Lagoon

Revy is a bit impulsive and dangerous, and is always ready to kill anyone that pisses her off and this is the reason why she is the person responsible for the military might of the Lagoon. She knows her way around a gun and is fast enough to dodge attacks coming her way. Her insane skills in combat land her a spot on our list of badass anime characters.

Usagi Tsukino

Sailor Moon

Maybe we’re biased here. Usagi is able to balance the huge weight of saving the world, loving and caring for her friends and helping the world – all without her heart of gold getting tarnished? There’s nothing more badass than that.

Akane Tendo

Ranma 1/2

This list may get a little vintage now, but Akane can’t be forgotten! As the deuteragonist of the hugely popular classic anime Ranma 1/2, she had to match Saotome’s attitude and keep him in place. Not to mention she is a talented and accomplished martial artist. It’s only fair that this tomboy gets her spot on the list.

Erza Scarlet

Fairytail

Erza takes no bullshit. She is a very strict person who often criticizes the bad behavior of other guild members. Erza’s fighting skills are far too many to count. Swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, archery are only some of the list of talents which earn her a spot on this list.

Faye Vallentine

Cowboy Bebop

This female assassin is so much more than the media’s typical portrayal of a femme fatale-type character. She is funny, lazy, tempermental, but also lonely. Her growth and depth of character earned her a place in the family and a place in fans’ hearts since 1998.

Kallen Kozuki

Code Geass

It takes an enormous amount of strength and courage to turn down a life of comfort and privilege in order to stand up against the oppressive system that gave you said privileges. Kozuki worked her way up and became one of the key figures of the new world following the Brittania’s downfall.

Levi Ackerman

Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin)

Levi is the squad captain of the Special Operations Squad. Many call him Humanity’s Strongest Soldier. Furthermore, his complex character arc earned this black haired anime character a top spot on Attack on Titan fans’ character lists!

Kaneki

Tokyo Ghoul

Kaneki has had a very long and difficult storyline, earning himself many battle scars and even more mental scars. Additionally, his signature eyepatch look complements his design greatly and earns himself on the list of iconic black haired anime characters.

Yami Sukehiro

Black Clover

The dude never seems to worry much in battle, as he always just knows that he can surpass his limits and look any foe in the eye if given enough time to ramp up. And when he does turn up the dial, it’s a brutal sight to see. With the combination of dark shadow magic and a sick katana, Yami definitely is one of the most badass anime characters.

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji

Classroom of the Elite

Kiyotaka Ayanakouji is the main protagonist of the anime, Classroom of the Elite, and the show starts with him enrolling as a student in Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School. On the surface, Ayanokouji appears like a lazy, average high school student, but in reality, he is an intelligent sociopath with little or no emotions towards other people.

Zoro Roronoa

One Piece

Among the more serious members or the crew, Roronoa Zoro has a stoic demeanour and epically sick skills with the blade. His badass factor has been likened to Kenpachi Zaraki of the same series.

Jotaro Kujo

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

Jotaro of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders is a delinquent who lives an ordinary life until the Joestar Family’s old enemy returns. He’s the definition of brooding badass. Despite his huge frame, Jotaro usually wins not by force, but by wit.

Killua Zoldyck

Hunter x Hunter

Don’t let his cute vibe deceive you,

However, when he is angry, he happens to be ruthless when angry.

And that’s why Killua is here. Killua Zoldyck is one of the main characters in the anime Hunter x Hunter. He stars alongside signature badguy Hisoka Morow in Hunter x Hunter.

Itachi Uchiha

Naruto

Despite somewhat limited screen time, Itatchi became one of the stipend figures in the Naruto franchise. From his will to his fighting technique to his epic backstory, there is something about Itachi that the fans just loved.

Mugen

Samurai Champloo

A little unconventional for this list, but Mugen’s blunt and somewhat lazy personality has a shine to it when paired with being a sword prodigy. There’s no room for argument when it comes to his swordsmanship, and the fact that his personality is so unique makes him a badass anime character for just living his life!

Spike Spiegel

Cowboy Bebop

This badass anime character’s charm has made him a staple of anime for decades now. His dualism for being laid back when off the job vs going at all jobs guns-blazing is a titular aspect of his personality which makes him so attractive to the audience.

Sebastian Michaelis

Black Butler

Sebastian is the demon butler of the Phantomhive household. He is entirely devoted to Ciel and dutifully carries out all of Ciel’s orders. Moreover when Ciel tells him to attack enemies.

Dabi

My Hero Academia

His first appearance was so badass, we couldn’t not put him on this list. Dabi has control over the blue flame and has one of the most eye-catching character designs of an anime character to date, even within the magic high school of the show.

Ichigo Kurosaki

Bleach

Everyone knows this character – even those who aren’t Bleach fans. Ichigo was a badass anime character from Episode 1. Strong, wise and cautious, this guy is a weapon when in battle.

Ban

Seven Deadly Sins

Ban, known as the Sin of Greed, is unkillable after drinking from the fountain of youth. His fighting abilities are top-tier and his unique ability allows him to steal other attributes of his opponents. Ban is one badass anime character you don’t want to mess with!

Guts

Berserk

With a name like that as the protagonist, you can expect that this is one hell of a badass anime character. He is stoic through his past trauma and travels the world protecting people. His travels lead to him being exposed to war and death, making him a veteran fighter with a hardened shell.

Rock Lee

Naruto

Despite his … interesting character design making him somewhat of a meme, Rock Lee might actually be one of the strongest characters in the entire franchise!

Goku

Dragon Ball Z

There isn’t much to say about Goku that isn’t already common knowledge. Let it be known that we’re talking about his non-super Saiyan form on this list.

Saitama

One Punch Man

Despite being a bit of a meme in the anime community, this guy is someone you don’t want to mess with. He’s so strong that it only takes him one punch to defeat his opponents. It’s gotten to the point where he finds no thrill in battles since they all end too quickly. 

Hyakkimaru

Dororo

Hyakkimaru was born without most of his body parts. Despite his obvious difficulties, he is an excellent swordsman and is able to easily fend off demons without breaking a sweat. We think having swords attached to his prostheses earn him a place on this list of badass anime characters.

Toyohisa Shimazu

Drifters

When he’s first introduced, Toyohisa Shimazu is smack dab in the middle of the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, where he insists on staying back to fight alongside his soldiers even if it costs him his life. Once summoned to a strange new world, he’s the first person to actually try to fight for the elves who need his help despite being gravely injured. Unlike some characters in Drifters, Toyohisa isn’t power-hungry – he’s just capable of tearing his enemies a new one should it be necessary.