Throughout the years, anime has provided viewers with overused character tropes. Some of them were well-liked, while others were despised. So, in this article, we've covered the 20 best anime character tropes from your favorite shows that you should know!
If you're unfamiliar, anime character tropes are the recurring personality types of protagonists, antagonists, and supporting casts in every show.
Maybe you noticed them as you were watching one show after another!
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Otaku
"Otaku" is an anime character trope that refers to a person's enthusiastic attitude toward the anime industry.
They collect not only anime figures, plushies, and music, but also manga and video games. In anime, they either hide this personality or are open about it.
Examples: Konata Izumi (Lucky Star), Yu Ishigami (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War), Marin Kitagawa (My Dress-Up Darling)
Japanese Delinquents
Japanese delinquents are a common anime character trope. They have a distinct style that makes them stand out from the crowd.
Japanese delinquents are remembered for their angst, humor, and camaraderie, as well as their pompadour hair and baggy outfits.
Not to mention that they are occasionally accurately referenced in anime!
Examples: Tokyo Manji Gang (Tokyo Revengers), Sakuragi Hanamichi and friends (Slam Dunk), Yusuke Urameshi and Kuwabara (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Magical Girls
Magical girls are one of the most common anime character tropes. These characters appear in a plethora of anime shows.
These magical girls, from Sailor Moon to Puella Magi Madoka Magica, frequently transform and cast magic to defeat bad guys.
They also have a strong sense of justice and a strong dislike for evildoers. They do, however, have a very caring attitude, especially toward those they care about.
Examples: Madoka Kaname (Puella Magi Madoka Magica), Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), Sakura Kinomoto (Card Captor Sakura)
Cute Sports Club Manager
This anime character trope can be found in almost any sports anime. They are adorable, bubbly, and occasionally short-tempered individuals who support the team in everything they do.
She is constantly making comments about the players she manages, whether they do something amazing or are in a slump. They are the center of attention for every team in a sports anime.
Examples: Shimizu Kyoko (Haikyuu!!), Matsuoka Gou (Free!), Momoi Satsuki (Kuroko’s Basketball)
Yandere
Yandere is a well-known anime character trope. They are usually young girls who appear normal on the outside but are bloodthirsty on the inside.
When they have their heart set on someone, they will go to any length to have them by their side.
They will go to considerable extents to express their love and will do anything, including murder, to do so.
Examples: Yuno Gasai (Mirai Nikki), Nina Einstein (Code Geass), Kotonoha Katsura (School Days)
Ojou
Ojou is a sophisticated anime character trope that deals with affluent and wealthy girls. They can appear condescending and look down on people in lower ranks at times.
They are usually quiet and elegant in some shows, and they are frequently accompanied by bodyguards or knights.
They are also easily impressed or disgusted by conventional things such as fast food, small houses, and clothing choices.
Examples: Erina Nakiri (Food Wars), Satsuki Kiryuuin (Kill la Kill), Kuroko Shirai (A Certain Magical Index)
Loli
The Loli is one of the cutest anime character tropes. They are so youthful and adorable that people frequently mistake them for being younger than their actual age.
They are not only obsessed with childish hobbies, but also with sweets and pastries. In addition, they sometimes give nicknames to people they care about.
Examples: Popura Taneshima (Working!!), Wendy Marvell (Fairy Tail), Platelets (Hataraku Saibou)
Deadly Chef
In every anime, there is a deadly chef hiding among the show's characters.
They usually prepare food that appears normal on the outside but tastes lethal on the inside.
Their food sometimes has a dark aura oozing from it. The main characters are frequently victims of their cooking!
Examples: Yor Briar (Spy x Family), Chitoge Kirisaki (Nisekoi), Nanachi (Made in Abyss)
Foreigners
Foreigners have been so well animated in anime shows that it has become an anime character trope.
They typically have blonde hair and speak rudimentary Japanese. Despite their foreign status, their English is frequently broken.
They typically come from the United States and attend a Japanese high school. In terms of personality, they are typically outgoing, carefree, and love to converse!
Examples: Sylphynford Tachibana (Himouto Umaru-Chan), Irina Jelavic (Assassination Classroom), Takumi Aldini (Food Wars)
God Complex
Have you ever seen an anime character who believes he is equal to God? If this is the case, they are god-complex anime characters.
They are typically seen in supernatural shows dealing with otherworldly powers and abilities.
They also feel significantly superior to those who expect everyone to pledge in front of them and patronize them.
Most of the time, they believe that their level of justice can change the world in which they live.
Examples: Light Yagami (Death Note), Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass), Enel (One Piece)
Orphans
Orphans are another prominent anime character trope on this list. They don't have any parents or relatives in the show's narrative, as the term implies.
They usually had a difficult upbringing, which influenced their personality and outlook on life.
They are also aloof and cold individuals who believe they do not require anyone in the world.
In some cases, orphan anime characters appear outgoing but conceal their true feelings.
Examples: Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto), Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket), Asta (Black Clover)
Dandere
Dandere is a shy and stoic character in anime. They are typically quiet and apathetic, and they do not readily open up to other characters.
They prefer to be alone and avoid socializing at all costs, believing that it is not a place where they belong. However, they frequently want to talk with people but are embarrassed to do so.
Examples: Sawako Kuronuma (Kimi ni Todoke), Hinata Hyuga (Naruto), Mio Akiyama (K-On!)
Aho
"Aho" is a Japanese slang term for someone who lacks common sense. They rely on their impulsive actions rather than their thinking.
They are stupid anime characters who frequently end up in awkward situations. They are usually the life of the party, whom people either despise or adore.
Examples: Riki Nendou (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K), Yoshiko Hanabatake (Aho-Girl), Ajimi Kiki (Pripara)
Tsundere
Tsunderes are another well-known anime character trope. On the outside, they are cold and short-tempered, but on the inside, they are soft and gentle.
They appear to despise everyone, but when complimented, they become embarrassed.
They frequently slap or punch the other person and have difficulty admitting and accepting their feelings for another person, especially if they are of the opposite gender.
Examples: Taiga Aisaka (Toradora!), Kyo Soma (Fruits Basket), Misaki Ayuzawa (Maid-Sama!)
Meganekko
Meganekko is an anime character trope that features girls wearing glasses. They usually wear oversized glasses that cover their adorable faces.
Most of the time, they are sweet girls who excel in school. Their glasses are their most distinguishing feature!
Examples: Yuki Nagato (The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya), Mirai Kuriyama (Kyoukai no Kanata), Miyuki Takara (Lucky Star)
Older Than They Look
These anime characters appear to be children or young teenagers, despite being in middle age. They are usually female characters who work as teachers, scientists, or even office workers.
They also stand out from the other characters because of their personalities, which are reminiscent of teenagers, particularly their clumsiness.
Simply put, they act in accordance with their appearance rather than their age.
Examples: Princess Kikuri (Arata: The Legend), Natsumi Kato (Bakuman), Mafuyu (Blend-S)
Dude Magnet
The term "Dude Magnet" refers to those attractive female characters who are worshipped and praised by men wherever they go. She is the type of character whose beauty makes her popular with men effortlessly.
These dude-magnet characters frequently have snobbish personalities in the sense that they are unconcerned about the feelings of the men around them.
Instead of enjoying the affection, these men irritate and bother them.
Examples: Ylva (Vinland Saga), Kurumi (Kimi ni Todoke), Ami (Toradora!)
Eyepatch of Power
The anime trope of the eyepatch of power refers to characters who wear an eyepatch to conceal their powerful abilities.
However, in some anime, the eyepatch is simply a fashion statement used to make the character more appealing to viewers. The eyepatch is also used to conceal injuries or battle scars in some cases.
They are memorable characters because of their distinctive eyepatch, which gives them the appearance of a secret badass. Also, it makes them difficult to mess around with.
Examples: Kakeru (11 Eyes), Ciel Phantomhive (Black Butler), Kenpachi Zaraki (Bleach)
Long-Haired Pretty Boy
There are a lot of anime with long-haired, pretty boy characters. They are frequently misidentified as girls due to their feminine appearance and long locks, which are sometimes more attractive than the girls in the show.
They are frequently kind and have an elegant and graceful personality that matches their appearance. They usually have long white hair and fox-like eyes, similar to the nine-tailed fox.
Examples: Griffith (Berserk), Yue (Card Captor Sakura), Kurama (Yu Yu Hakusho), Hotohori (Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play)
Big-Eaters
In every anime, there is always a character whose appetite is greater than the sum of 100 people.
They are commonly seen in shounen and sports anime, where the characters work hard in training and development only to end the day sitting on a table full of delicious food!
They also have a fast eating technique and a powerful digestive system that allows them to process food without difficulty!
Examples: Son Goku (Dragon Ball), Rengoku (Demon Slayer), Taiga Kagami (Kuroko’s Basketball)
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