Top 10 Best Big Brother Characters in Anime and Manga

There are a lot of them out there, some awesome and some less awesome. Who's your favorite big brother from the anime and manga world?

The Top Ten

Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)

Itachi Uchiha is a character from the anime and manga series Naruto. He is a member of the criminal organization Akatsuki. He is known for killing almost every member of his clan, the Uchiha, leaving only his younger brother, Sasuke, alive.

Itachi is not only the best anime big brother but also one of the best anime characters overall. He went through so much pain and sorrow just to protect his little brother. He chose to live as a traitor instead of a hero, accepting disgrace in place of honor.

He is like the brother I never imagined until I saw the episode of his death. He is not only the best brother but also a great man who died for his clan and his village. He is truly a hero behind the scenes!

Like the good big brother he is, Itachi made a deal with the council to spare Sasuke's life. In the end, he sacrificed everything to protect his brother and make him stronger.
Portgas D. Ace (One Piece)

Portgas D. Ace, born as Gol D. Ace and nicknamed "Fire Fist" Ace, is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise. He was created by Japanese manga artist Eiichiro Oda. Ace is the adopted older brother of the series' protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, and possesses the ability to control fire using the... read more

Ace might not be Luffy's biological brother, but he treats Luffy as his little brother along with Sabo. Ace died saving Luffy and died protecting him because he knew Luffy would achieve his goal of becoming the Pirate King. Do you know why? Because he believed in Luffy.
Besides, Ace doesn't worry about his devil fruit because someone else inherited it.

A rough and tough demeanor shadows Ace's caring heart. He and Sabo adopted Luffy into their band of brothers out of love, not blood. The experiences they shared and their willingness to sacrifice everything for each other truly show how family can be made, and how "monsters" can change with love.
Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Edward Elric, commonly nicknamed Ed, is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa. He is a State Alchemist who searches for the Philosopher's Stone to restore his brother's body after a failed alchemical experiment... read more

Edward is amazing. He made a mistake that cost his brother everything: the ability to feel, the ability to eat, the ability to sleep, the ability to dream. Instead, Alphonse has to live in the body of armor. He's treated like an adult and freaks people out. He has to spend his nights alone with his thoughts (and he did that for years).
All of that, Edward takes on his shoulders (let's be honest and say it was partially his fault). Edward strives not to make his life better, but Alphonse's. He takes the guilt he feels and pushes forward to bring Alphonse back to normal. Edward cares deeply for Alphonse and would give up anything for him.
Edward also believes in Alphonse and his abilities and doesn't try to hinder them. They argue and fight, but they love each other so deeply. Edward is the best older brother. He made a mistake that cost Alphonse a lot, but he would sacrifice anything to fix it.
Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)

Lelouch Lamperouge is the alias used by Lelouch vi Britannia, the protagonist of the anime series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion created by Sunrise. He is a former prince of the Holy Britannian Empire who seeks to overthrow the oppressive regime using his alter ego, Zero. The series explores themes... read more

Lelouch is a highly intelligent individual who is also calm, sophisticated, and arrogant due to his aristocratic upbringing. Despite his coldness and ruthlessness in battle, he can be a rather compassionate person to his friends and loved ones.
His younger sister Nunnally was the reason Lelouch began his quest to overthrow the Britannian Empire. For most of the series, creating a world where she can live peacefully is his driving motivation.
Lelouch loves his sister above all others, and her safety and comfort were always his number one priority, to the point of him abandoning his allies to save her when she was captured.
Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

A human who has Shinigami powers, Ichigo is stubborn, short-tempered, strong-willed, and impulsive, but also genuinely compassionate and empathetic toward others. He's extremely protective of his friends and family, especially his two little sisters.
Killua Zoldyck (Hunter × Hunter)

He's the only one who accepts his sister. For example, Alluka being trans was never really accepted by the family, but Killua says she is a girl, not a boy.

Killua accepted Alluka for who she is and was even ready to go against his entire family for her sake. He is the greatest older brother in Alluka's eyes and the greatest friend to Gon.

Killua is the only one who truly understood Alluka in the Zoldyck family. He loves his sister very much and is very close to her.
Light Yagami (Death Note)

Light Yagami is a fictional character and the protagonist of the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.e is a high school student who gains the power to kill anyone by writing their name in a supernatural notebook. The story follows his transformation from... read more

Not gonna lie, despite being evil, he always did seem to have somewhat of a soft spot for his little sister.
Hashirama Senju (Naruto)
Sabo (One Piece)

Sabo might not be the best brother to Luffy. He had amnesia, which is why he was not in Marineford to help Ace. But when he sees Luffy in Dressrosa, he feels joy or something similar. Sabo helped Luffy a lot in Dressrosa, even forgetting his position as a revolutionary just to help his little brother.
"If Luffy needs help, I'll forget my position and help Luffy no matter what!"

He inherited Ace's powers from the Flame Flame Fruit after winning the colosseum challenge.

He tried his best to win the Mera Mera no Mi to inherit Ace's will and protect Luffy. He is also willing to abandon his position to help his brother.
Trunks (Dragon Ball GT)

Trunks is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball Z anime and manga series, created by Akira Toriyama. He is the son of Vegeta and Bulma and is known for traveling back in time to warn the Z Fighters of future dangers. Trunks is one of the series' most prominent characters and appears in several major... read more

The Newcomers

?
Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Because he cares for his sister.
?
Kamina (Gurren Lagann)

Kamina is a fictional character from the anime series Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, which is known in English as Gurren Lagann. The series was animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and Konami. It was directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by playwright Kazuki Nakashima.

The Contenders

Elfman Strauss (Fairy Tail)
Komui Lee (D.Gray-Man)

Komui is shown as a very whimsical and goofy character, as well as being somewhat sadistic and occasionally borderline maniacal. After his and Lenalee's parents were killed by Akuma when they were children, Komui took over the responsibility of raising Lenalee.
Lenalee, however, was found to be an Accommodator and was forcibly taken from Komui's side. Almost three years later, Komui joined the Order to follow her.
Throughout the series, he is shown to have an extreme sister complex.
Byakuya Kuchiki (Bleach)

Byakuya acts in an aristocratic manner. He always seems serene and apathetic toward other people, even while deeply conflicted. He generally acts indifferent, bordering on arrogance, in most situations he faces.
In spite of his icy and regal manner, Byakuya cares for and protects those important to him. When his adoptive sister Rukia was sentenced to death, he was torn between the oath to his parents to follow and defend the rules or the promise to his wife Hisana to protect Rukia.
In the end, thanks to Ichigo, Byakuya admits the law isn't perfect and decides to uphold the promise to his wife, becoming more lenient toward Rukia.
Sora (No Game No Life)

Sora (Japanese: 空) is the main male protagonist of the anime and light novel series No Game No Life. He is the calculating and strategic half of the sibling duo known as Blank, which he forms with his step-sister Shiro. Sora and Shiro are both brilliant NEET hikikomori gamers who rely entirely on each... read more

He and his little sister have to be together 24/7 and even share the title of legendary gamer. He's protective and loving toward his sister while pretty much bullying everyone else so the two can rule the world as king and queen. He even became part master to an angel of death!

Of course! He and his sister freak out whenever the other goes to another room.
Souichirou Kurebayashi (Dengeki Daisy)

The deceased older brother of Teru Kurebayashi. Despite being a university dropout and referred to as an idiot by his coworkers, he was well-respected and admired as a notable genius computer engineer.
Souichirou cared greatly for his sister and Kurosaki (a coworker) and was always affectionate toward them. While he is depicted as a cheerful and somewhat idiotic man, he was capable of being serious and upstanding.
Before his death, Souichirou forced the role of DAISY onto Kurosaki to make sure someone would take care of his little sister after his death. When Souichirou died, he left only a cell phone to Teru, promising her that if she needed anything, she would have DAISY to help and protect her.
Kei Takishima (Special A)

Kei has a very bad relationship with his younger brother because Sui thinks he's a robot in human flesh. Sui feels inferior to Kei, who is perfect. But thanks to Hikari, their relationship improves. Sui later develops a brother complex.
Shuusuke Fuji (The Prince of Tennis)

Fuji generally seems very relaxed and in control, but he is particularly protective of his younger brother Yūta (probably to make up for past disagreements that almost drove them apart). As displayed throughout the series, he actively tries to "destroy" and punish those who have defeated his younger brother or have made him go through something dangerous.
Gilbert Nightray (Pandora Hearts)
Zeref Dragneel (Fairy Tail)

Zeref Dragneel is a character from the anime and manga series Fairy Tail, created by Hiro Mashima. He first appears in chapter 200 of the manga and episode 96 of the anime. Zeref is known as the most powerful Dark Wizard in the series and is afflicted with the Curse of Contradiction.... read more

Zeref is very misunderstood. He is cursed to unintentionally kill everyone he loves, which is a punishment for trying to revive his little brother.
Gohan (Dragon Ball GT)

Son Gohan is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. He was introduced as the first son of Goku and Chi-Chi in chapter 196, titled Kakarrot, which was first published on October 8, 1988, in Weekly Shōnen Jump.... read more

He would give up his own life for his little brother Goten.
Rin Okumura (Blue Exorcist)

Rin Okumura is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Blue Exorcist, created by Kazue Kato. He is the son of Satan and is determined to defeat him. Rin is the main protagonist of the series and is known for wielding a sword that unleashes blue flames when he fights.

Rin is a very good brother who protected his younger twin brother since childhood. Even when his younger brother tried to kill him, he still protected him and did not harm him in any way.
Though the younger brother also changed and no longer tried to kill him, instead choosing to protect his older brother, Rin would still go to any length to protect his younger brother Yukio. I liked this brotherly bond very much, and this is by far the best brotherhood I've ever seen.

Rin is a phenomenal older brother, despite acting a little immature at times. There is nothing he wouldn't do for his brother, even though Yukio doesn't always deserve it.
Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

Seto Kaiba may be cold-hearted to everyone, but when it comes down to it, there's nothing he wouldn't sacrifice to save his little brother. He will do everything to make sure his baby brother comes home safely, even if it means putting his life on the line!

He always has to save his little brother. (But Yugi saves them all.)
Tenka Kumo (Laughing Under the Clouds)

I MEAN come on, people... if we're talking about brothers' love for each other, just watch this anime and cry.
Braz D. Blood (Blood Lad)
Tatsuya Shiba (The Irregular at Magic High School)