5 Most Iconic Anime Characters of 2025, Ranked

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The last year was fantastic for anime fans! After a slower period a few years ago, 2025 delivered a huge wave of exciting new releases and returning favorites, exceeding expectations. Looking ahead to 2026, anticipation is already building, but first, fans are reflecting on the past year to highlight the shows that really stood out from the crowd.

We’ve seen a lot of great conversations about anime shows, but not as much focus on the characters who truly stood out. Anime fans know a strong story relies on compelling characters – their design, how they interact, and how they grow throughout the series. While it’s impossible to definitively name the best anime characters of 2025, the five examples below are strong contenders based on their impact over the past year.

5) Rudo (Gachiakuta)

Premiering in July 2025, Gachiakuta rapidly gained popularity as a standout dark fantasy anime. Both fans and critics loved it, with many predicting it would become the next major shonen hit, filling the void left by series like My Hero Academia that recently ended. The story takes place in a grim, futuristic city suspended above a colossal landfill, which also serves as a place of exile for the city’s outcasts.

Rudo is the main character in Gachiakuta, and his story begins when he’s wrongly accused of killing his father and exiled to a dangerous underground place called the Pit. There, he learns the Pit is full of monsters, and it’s the job of people called Cleaners to fight them off. What makes Rudo a great character is his unique goal: he’s driven by revenge, not by a desire to be a hero. His flaws actually make him more relatable and show how much empathy and determination he has, potentially making him one of the best heroes in recent stories.

4) Makima (Chainsaw Man)

Many fans consider Chainsaw Man a standout dark fantasy anime of recent years. It first aired in 2022, and a movie, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, followed, even performing well against Western films in theaters. The series is famous for being part of Shonen Jump’s “Dark Trio,” and it definitely earns that reputation with its mature and intense content.

Chainsaw Man centers around Denji, a young man who fuses with his devil dog, Pochita, and becomes the powerful Chainsaw Devil. This transformation leads him to join the Public Safety Devil Hunters, where he encounters Makima, a high-ranking official. Makima has quickly become a standout and unforgettable villain in modern anime. She doesn’t just rely on brute strength; instead, she expertly controls and manipulates those around her – including Denji – to get what she wants.

3) Momo & Okarun (Dandadan)

It feels a little like grouping characters together, but it was difficult to choose just one standout from the popular 2025 supernatural anime, Dandadan, so we’ve included them as a unit. Since its 2024 debut, Dandadan has steadily gained popularity among anime fans, and its second season premiered in July 2025. The show skillfully blends a fantastical sci-fi story with humor, while also exploring serious themes like acceptance, connection, overcoming past trauma, and the power of belief.

One of the biggest reasons people love Dandadan is the engaging relationship between its two main characters, Momo and Okarun. They become friends because they both believe in the supernatural, and initially try to prove each other right. This leads to some wild events – Momo develops psychic powers after being abducted by aliens, and Okarun gets possessed by a powerful spirit named Turbo Granny! Both characters feel incredibly relatable, with realistic fears, hopes, and imperfections, and they truly come alive when they’re together.

2) Sung Jin Woo (Solo Leveling)

Over the last ten years, Solo Leveling has become a hugely popular fantasy action series, and its popularity with anime fans continues to grow. Originally released in 2024, the second season recently aired. While a third season hasn’t been officially announced, talk of a possible movie in 2026 has excited fans. The series stands out for its impressive action, smooth animation, and unique way of showing character power growth.

The popularity of Solo Leveling is largely thanks to its main character, Sung Jinwoo, a classic underdog story that resonated with viewers worldwide. In a world where people called Hunters brave dangerous dungeons filled with monsters, Jinwoo starts out as the weakest of them all. But after surviving a mysterious, unmarked dungeon, he gains the unique ability to rapidly improve his skills through combat and training. Jinwoo’s incredible potential and the show’s exciting action sequences make Solo Leveling a truly captivating anime.

1) Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)

Many fans consider My Hero Academia a modern anime classic, and it’s expected to become a long-term favorite for shonen anime enthusiasts. The series, which began in 2016 and concluded in December 2025 after eight seasons, consistently maintained its popularity and is credited with revitalizing the superhero genre in anime. Its appeal stems from a large and engaging cast of characters, a complex storyline, and exciting action sequences.

Izuku Midoriya, also known as Deku, is central to the popularity of My Hero Academia. He begins the series as one of the few people born without a superpower, but dreams of becoming the world’s greatest hero. After a meeting with the hero All Might, Izuku receives All Might’s powerful ability, One For All, and begins training to fulfill his dream. The show follows Izuku’s journey as he learns to control his new powers, works with his classmates, and fights against evil. His story as an underdog has connected with audiences worldwide, inspiring them with his courage and heroism.

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2025-12-19 22:13