Anime With Best Character Design

There are a lot of different qualities in which to rate anime. There's the story that builds the core of the content. There's the art style that defines the most superficial yet accessible experience. There's the very animation that defines the medium itself. But if there was a quality that is arguably underrated yet ever crucial for defining one's thoughts on the characters themselves, it would be character design.

Character design is the specific art style and details of the characters. This covers the body types, facial structures, typical body language, and the various costumes that commonly dictate how viewers feel about a particular character. Not all are designed equal, though. In the wonderful world of anime, some character designs truly stand above the rest.

10 My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia has character design embedded into its culture. For a series that is inspired from and models itself after Western comics, My Hero Academia utilizes every bit of dynamic styling and color design that comics are famous for. This means having costumes— as well as hairstyles— that accentuate powers and personality.

In a world where heroes compete with each other for popularity and marketability, everyone— even those who have giant limbs or purple skin— try to communicate as much personality as possible with just a look.

9 Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid

Kyoto Animation may focus a lot on high school anime, but it gets the most out of its character designs through body language and subtle shifts in clothing. A hair flip really can be the difference between a happy go lucky character and a lazy one. With that being said, Kyoto Animation does often struggle to leave an impression with character design alone.

That is, until Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid came along. This series allowed the company to really go out with its iconic cuteness. Everything from clothing, to color schemes, to even just the glint of an eye communicates so much between this series' famous dragon girls. This not only accentuates their difference in personalities but also how different each one is as a dragon.

8 Kill La Kill

Kill la Kill really showcases Studio Trigger's art style at its best, especially when it comes to character design. Never one to be known for subtlety, Trigger portrays a lot of information between costume design, color, and even line work.

One can feel just how edgy Ryuko is or how silly Mako is with just their outlines, and each member of the Student Council looks more different than the last. The costumes themselves are every bit as over-the-top and colorful as they are in a fight. While Trigger is known for its animation, they have done a great job with even just their frames.

7 Naruto

Of Shonen Jump's iconic Big Three, Naruto likely stands as the best of the bunch in terms of cosplayable characters. One Piece's world is vibrant but is a little too cartoonish for some people's liking. Bleach has some cool artwork but leans more towards stereotypically edgy designs. In Naruto, there is a variety of character designs that not only communicate personality but also culture and ability.

This means the robe-based clothing of the Village Hidden in the Sand; the iconic, green vest of Konoha; or even just the scarves of the Village Hidden by Sound. The main characters themselves also have some distinct and memorable designs, and the Akatsuki will likely remain for years as some of the most cosplayed characters around.

6 Monogatari

The Monogatari series may take place in a high school, but it does a great job of standing out from every other high school anime. This may mostly be because Studio Shaft absolutely refused to make this series look like anything else, but it may also be due to the fact that the characters communicate much more than other student characters.

Despite just being high school students, each Monogatari character gets to communicate a lot with their basic body language and distinct clothing choices— from Kiss Shot's extravagant dress to the yellow track suit and egg braid on Karen or the vastly different looks between Senjougahara and Hanekawa's eyes. No two heroines can ever be confused with each other or with any other heroine out there.

5 Hunter X Hunter

Hunter x Hunter is a great example of weird character design just for weird character design's sake. While this group is comprised of some of the Hunter Association's greatest members, each one has such an extravagant look based solely on the animal themes set by the chairman, such as Cheadle looking like a dog.

If anything, what stands out here are the people who don't dress like animals who communicate so much with just their attitudes, such as Ging's dirty, vagabond look and Pariston's unnervingly clean demeanor. This strange yet strong sense of extravagant character design is carried over to the Phantom Troupe's dark designs, the Zoldyck's casual dress yet deathly stares, and the Chimera Ants' lack of any biological similarities.

4 Akame Ga Kill!

Akame Ga Kill! may go down as one of the most popular anime series ever that most people just don't talk about. The story itself wasn't bad in the slightest, but it didn't leave an impact the way that most instant classics do. However, the reason why so many people have watched the series and probably still remember it to this day is arguably because of its striking art style and character designs.

Each member of Night Raid has a drastically unique look, so much so that everyone is practically color-coded for a particular personality. This is the same for the policing forces of The Empire whose rogues list has a variety of armor and facial expressions of their own.

3 Zombieland Saga

A lot of idol series could stand as having the best character designs. Inherent to the idol industry is to look as cute yet unique as possible with one's dress and personality. Everything about idols is a curated experience meant to appeal to audiences the same way that anime characters do, an effect that is only amplified when the two industries meet.

Series likeThe iDOLM@STER, Pretty Rhythm, and of course, Love Live! each have great character designs within their own right. However, the best example of this genre in terms of character design isZombieland Saga, a series that utilizes both adorable idol designs and dark zombie aesthetics to create a funky hybrid that few can ever forget.

2 BEASTARS

BEASTARS makes a great case for the anime industry to start drawing less human characters. In perhaps Studio Orange's most talked about works since Land of the Lustrous (another series with amazing character designs), BEASTARS was able to start a grand conversation on the human form by using the plight of animals.

This is not only limited to just putting human qualities on beasts but actually using the instincts, anatomy, and culture behind different animals to define their sense of dress, posture, and countenances which get to look even more expressive with BEASTAR's designs.

1 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Some people watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure because of its Shonen format. Some watch it to understand the memes. Some even watch it just to see its its musical references. However one may have started watching the series, many have stayed just because of the characters. There's a lot going on with JoJo's character designs.

There's the widely expressive anatomy that either makes muscular characters buff as a house or thin characters slim like cranes. There's the color coding and clothing that makes everyone instantly easy to pick out and tell apart. There's the exaggerated body language and postures that make statues look even more rigid than they already are. And there are the Stands that have all of the above and more.

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About The Author

Sean Cubillas (549 Articles Published)

As a writer, auteur, and innovator, I seek to expand human potential through the creative medium, intellectually and emotionally challenging the mass audience. I seek to work in visual and written media, whether it be in film, video games, or publishing, using a variety of mediums to express the full spectrum of art. Over the years, I've familiarized myself and worked with film organizations and workshops, such as the Austin Film Society, Austin Film Festival, and Austin Film Meet, to grow my understanding of the industry and hone my craft as a writer. My interaction and networking with the Austin film community as well as my interests and studies as a Writing & Rhetoric major have contributed to a fundamental and growing understanding of trends and changes within the art and media industries. In this instance, my knowledge and research could be fundamental in creating and editing effective material. As a whole, I'm a valuable asset to any organization seeking experience and knowledge of the media industry as well as any group seeking ambitious storytelling and content creation.