Top 10 Coolest Anime and Manga Characters

Cool isn't just about slick outfits or steely stares. It's how a character walks into a room and instantly makes the whole plot look like it's waiting on them. It's about the ones who don't just steal scenes. They walk off with the whole show and leave the rest of the cast wondering what just happened.

You know the type. They barely speak, but when they do, the room gets quieter. They might not always be the strongest or the smartest, but they're the ones you keep your eye on. Maybe it's the attitude. Maybe it's the unshakable calm. Or maybe it's just that they somehow make brooding on a rooftop look like an Olympic sport.

This list is your chance to push those unforgettable characters up where they belong.

The Top Ten

Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z)

Vegeta is a fictional character from the anime series Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. He is the prince of the fallen Saiyan race and initially appears as an antagonist before becoming one of the series' main protagonists. Vegeta is known for his rivalry with Goku and his relentless drive to... read more

Vegeta is the coolest character ever in Dragon Ball Z. He's so powerful, and his arrogant personality makes him strangely likable. Go Vegeta!

Vegeta is the coolest character in DBZ, GT, Super, and probably DB if he was in it.

He's the coolest, sexiest, hottest, and most badass character in DBZ.
Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)

Itachi Uchiha is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Naruto, which was created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a member of the Uchiha clan and plays a key role in the series' storyline. Itachi is widely recognized for his complex character and significant influence on the plot.

His style with the Akatsuki is unreal. His look with the markings makes him look cool without any conditions. He is calm and very wise with all of his quotes. His Mangekyou has the coolest look. His Susanoo looks the best. The way he uses Amaterasu is badass. He made crows cool and popular.
Finally, his story surpasses anything in anime. Killing everyone you care about, besides your brother, whom you torture for his own good, and then dying for your brother and for the people of the village that hate you - Itachi Uchiha is the definition of cool.

If someone murders their family for a mission, watch out. He's a badass. He can use his eyes to summon black flames and cast illusions to mess people up. He can summon a Susanoo (a giant made of chakra). He's the most badass character in Naruto and should definitely be higher on this list.
L (Death Note)

L Lawliet, known exclusively by the mononym L, is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note. He was created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata. L is a highly intelligent and eccentric detective who takes on the challenge of capturing the mysterious killer known as Kira.

He taught me that weirdness can be a type of charm too! He's my favorite anime male character!

He made being weird not just normal, but cool and badass.

He is so damn intelligent, which makes him cool as well as smart.
Roronoa Zoro (One Piece)

Roronoa Zoro, nicknamed "Pirate Hunter" Zoro, is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. He is a master swordsman who uses a unique three-sword fighting style. Zoro is one of the main members of the Straw Hat Pirates and serves as one of the crew's primary combatants... read more

Bruh, just LOOK at his pic. If that's not the definition of badass, I don't know WHAT is.
Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

Levi Ackerman is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Attack on Titan, which is also known by its Japanese title Shingeki no Kyojin. He joins the main characters during the second half of the first season. Levi is especially known among fans for his exceptional combat skills and is often... read more

All my friend's conversations are about Levi. There are ten different Levi Ackerman fan clubs in my school. For Halloween, almost everyone in my neighborhood was dressed as Levi and doing fabulous kicks around the block. Levis, Levis everywhere (it was beautiful).
Levi is so chill. If badass were a person, it would be him. Even saying his name is cool. I could say it one million times and wouldn't get tired of it. Levi Ackerman x 1,000,000.

Always annoyed, always angry, looks badass, always calm, and cares about his comrades more than himself. Despite being short, he is by far the most skilled. Levi, the fictional character who has more fangirls than any celebrity (except some).
Goku (Dragon Ball Z)

Son Goku (Saiyan name Kakarrot) is the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise created by Akira Toriyama in 1984. He possesses many powerful abilities, including super strength, ki control, flight, teleportation, super speed, enhanced reflexes, and Super Saiyan transformations that increase his... read more

He's naive and innocent, but on the battlefield, he's the most badass and formidable being in the entire world. Just look at his SSJ3 appearance with all those sparkling lightnings, majestic hair, and cool face! He's the kindest friend but is also the most dangerous enemy ever.

Because Goku is so naive and innocent, people keep forgetting how badass and cool he can become when he gets serious in fights. When he's angry, his Super Saiyan mode looks really cool and formidable. Not to mention his badass SSJ3 transformation as well.
Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
Kenpachi Zaraki (Bleach)

Kenpachi Zaraki is a fictional character and an antihero in the anime and manga series Bleach, created by Tite Kubo. He is the captain of the 11th Division in the Gotei 13 and is known for his immense strength and love of combat. Kenpachi is one of the most powerful and feared Soul Reapers in the series... read more
Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)

Sasuke Uchiha is a fictional character from the Naruto manga and anime franchise, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a member of the Uchiha clan and one of the main characters in the series. Sasuke is portrayed as Naruto Uzumaki's rival and follows a complex path throughout the storyline.

Sasuke and Itachi are the only characters in Naruto that make me keep watching it. Honestly, I don't care about the other characters. He isn't annoying, he isn't useless, and he doesn't care about anyone. Cool, calm, and keeps moving forward to accomplish his goal.

Sasuke is the eye candy, cool, strong guy of the show who played a great role in captivating the interest of the viewers.

This guy right here is the true definition of what an anime bad boy truly is. So go screw yourselves, haters!
Trunks (Dragon Ball Z)

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

Why wasn't he added before? He's the 3rd coolest DBZ character after Vegeta and Piccolo, and the smartest kid.

The Newcomers

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Shoto Todoroki (My Hero Academia)
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Revy (Black Lagoon)

Rebecca Lee, commonly known as Revy and sometimes called Two Hands, is the main female protagonist of the anime and manga series Black Lagoon. She is known for her combat skills and use of dual pistols. Revy is one of the most prominent and violent characters in the series.

The Contenders

Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan)

Mikasa Ackerman is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Attack on Titan, also known by its Japanese title Shingeki no Kyojin. Created by Hajime Isayama, she is one of the main characters and serves as a close companion and protector of Eren Jaeger. Mikasa is known for her exceptional combat... read more

She is the first female character that is badass.

The coolest female character ever!

Mikasa should be WAY higher on the list.
Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

Ichigo Kurosaki is the fictional protagonist of the Bleach manga and anime series created by Tite Kubo. He is a teenager who accidentally obtains Soul Reaper powers and defends the world from ghosts and supernatural threats. The Bleach franchise includes manga, multiple anime adaptations, films, and... read more

The gruff and rebellious attitude, yet caring side, make Ichigo so cool. He has a cool and unique sense of street style, plus he just exudes badass.

I just can't think Pokemons are cooler than him. He's just so cool, funny, smart, and caring. And I'm not a groupie. I just say that Ichigo is one of the best characters I have ever seen.

In fact, this should be Top 5. But you know, orange hair. If his hair were black, then I would put him in the Top 5.
Kakashi Hatake (Naruto)

Kakashi Hatake is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He serves as the leader and mentor of Team 7, which includes Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. Kakashi is known for his mastery of the Sharingan eye and his calm, analytical approach... read more

This whole list seems preposterous. For starters, Might Guy? Really? His whole character is based upon being outshone by Kakashi in a "cool-factor" kind of way. I hate to be one of those people who does/says this, but Kakashi should definitely be above him!
I don't want to push Kakashi onto you people, but I do want you to think about this list a little bit. Are these people really "cool"? Or are they just your favorite characters?

The king himself. Calm, smart, and kind. Being tortured by life, he still didn't go mad and join the darkness. And his style is exceptional. Still to this day, he is cosplayed by thousands.
Sanji (One Piece)

Vinsmoke Sanji, commonly known by the nickname "Black Leg" Sanji, is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. He is the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates and previously served as the sous chef at the floating restaurant Baratie.... read more

He is the coolest in One Piece. He is a bit less strong than others, but he is strong, flirty, cool, badass, stylish, and everything a character should be.

Everything about him is so cool. The way he talks, the way he dresses, the way he fights, the way he smokes, the way he looks, the way he cooks, etc.

The way he respects and treats women... This guy is the best!
Gaara (Naruto)

Gaara is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is the jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Shukaku and possesses the ability to manipulate sand, which he stores in a large gourd carried on his back. Gaara later becomes the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure.

The evil who turned good. His story says it all. He was the definition of evil, turned into a broken hero.
Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

Spike Spiegel is the central protagonist of the 1998 anime series Cowboy Bebop. He is a bounty hunter and former member of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate. The series, known for its blend of science fiction, western, and noir genres, remains critically acclaimed and influential.
Byakuya Kuchiki (Bleach)

Byakuya Kuchiki is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Bleach, created by Tite Kubo. He is the captain of the 6th Division in the Gotei 13 and the head of the noble Kuchiki clan. Known for his calm demeanor and strong sense of duty, Byakuya is a key figure in the story, especially during... read more

He's plainly awesome, great at strength, and should get a higher position.
Madara Uchiha (Naruto)

Madara Uchiha is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. He first appears in "Part II" of the manga and the Naruto: Shippuden anime adaptation as one of the main antagonists.... read more

He's a god compared to Hashirama.
Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Monkey D. "Straw Hat" Luffy is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the One Piece manga and anime franchise. He was created by Eiichiro Oda. Luffy is the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and seeks to find the legendary treasure known as the One Piece and become the Pirate King.

For those saying that Luffy "just ate a fruit and instantly got stronger," please watch more of One Piece. When he was a child, his grandpa, who is considered to be the hero of the marines, trained him. It wasn't just training. It was extreme training for a child (maybe 8-10 years old, I forgot). Like what, you say?
Being thrown into the forest alone at night, tied to a balloon to the sky, fighting wild animals (tigers, lions, etc.), being thrown into a bottomless pit, and more.
If you watch more of OP, you'll see a lot of characters who ate the devil fruits didn't get strong because they didn't have training or didn't know how to use their power and were defeated easily.
Guts (Berserk)

Guts is the main character in the manga series Berserk, created by Kentaro Miura. He is a skilled swordsman known for wielding a massive weapon called the Dragon Slayer. The series follows his journey through a dark fantasy world as he battles demons and struggles with his traumatic past.
Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach)

Rukia Kuchiki is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Bleach, created by Tite Kubo. She is a Soul Reaper who begins as the lieutenant and later becomes the captain of the 13th Division. Rukia is the adoptive sister of Byakuya Kuchiki, a close friend to Ichigo Kurosaki, and eventually... read more

I love how she can be serious on some occasions, yet cute on others. She's been through hard times in her life, but she's pulled through them without much assistance.
I also love that even when she needs to be saved, she won't be dependent on anyone. She doesn't cry out for anyone to help her. I hope we see more of her in the manga and see her get stronger.

Love her! She shows that women are capable of being badass as well. She's unlike the ordinary heroines that are being portrayed. She's more of the independent type of girl and not like the ones all with the puppy-dog eyes who cry when in trouble.
Pain (Naruto)

The way Pein carries himself with an air of confidence and emotionlessness is super cool. On top of that, he's got crazy powers that he uses while barely moving, and he has the Rinnegan. Too cool if you ask me - way cooler than Sasuke.
I think he should either be number one or number two, right behind Itachi.

A super cool guy. Tendo is sharp-looking, deep-voiced, imposing, and masterful. An Akatsuki leader who controls gravity.
Jellal Fernandes (Fairy Tail)

Jellal Fernandes is a childhood friend of Erza Scarlet. After losing his memory, he became a Dark Mage determined to resurrect Zeref using the R-System. He was the primary antagonist of the Tower of Heaven arc and later became a co-founder and member of the independent guild Crime Sorcière.
Alucard (Hellsing)

Alucard is a fictional character who serves as both the protagonist and antihero of the Hellsing manga and anime series created by Kouta Hirano. He is a powerful vampire employed by the Hellsing Organization to combat supernatural threats. Alucard is known for his immortality, his shape-shifting abilities... read more

"Open Sesame! Good work, soldiers. Now good night." - Alucard from Hellsing Ultimate
Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Naruto Uzumaki is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the anime and manga series Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He first appeared in 1999 in Weekly Shōnen Jump and has since become one of the most iconic characters in anime and manga. Naruto's journey from a mischievous outcast to... read more

Well, the one who no one believed in but became the one who saved everybody. Cool also, thanks to his hair combined with his power.

He is cool because not only is he powerful, but he uses his power for good and is so great at it.