Poll: IGN Ranks 25 Best Anime Characters Of All Time

[Reklore]

Rei Ayanami? how can a character with so little character be in the top 10!?

P.S. Asuka's way better!

 

[Fruitloops89]

Vash should be higher, so should Lupin the 3rd. Surprised Vampire Hunter D was on the list. Ed and Naruto are too high up on the list. Perturbed by the lack of Guts from Berserk, Amuro Ray from Gundam series, Clare from Claymore, Akira from Eden of the East, and Haruko from FLCL. Also I was thinking Astro Boy would be 1st and Goku 2nd.

Thought it was so-so, glad to see some older stuff on the list.

EDIT: Changed Duo from wing to Amuro Ray from original seeing as he was from the first in a looong running series

 

[Julianking93]

Its probably the best IGN list I've ever seen. At least its not full of biased bullshit.

Its got a good variety of characters although, I wouldn't put Goku at number one, but I'm not really a Dragon Ball fan but I can appreciate it, and I wouldn't even have Light Yagami on there. Maybe just because I hate him so much, but I wouldn't have him on a "best anime character" list.

Everyone else is in a good spot I think. I honestly don't know all of those anime shows, but oh well.

 

[cainx10a]

Where's Doctor Tenma?

 

[ix_tab]

It's basically a who's who of the most popular anime characters of all time.

It's fine, but takes absolutely no risks at all.

Needs more Cromartie High characters in it!

 

[silasbufu]

8. Pikachu (some Hentai) - that was pretty funny

 

[7moreDead_v1legacy]

No Brandon Heat or Bunji Kugashira?

 

[McHanhan]

8. Pikachu (some Hentai) <- I can't stop giggling at that. I must say that by the compiling criteria I find myself in agreement with the list. Screw all this noise about "what I can't believe character x is missing from that list" and "IGN are playing it safe". Like the criteria says it's IGN's opinion and they are entitled to it. I don't see anything wrong with it except for personally I would have shuffled some rankings around but all things considered good list. Quite befitting what they were after.

 

[standokan]

How in the world can luffy be so lowranked?

 

[Curious Georgie]

It's good to see Lelouch and Luffy in there, but they're way too low on the list to make it seem viable to me. Lelouch was the perfect portrayal of an evil genius anti-hero, and is undoubtedly one of the best created characters of all time. Luffy is likeable. Naruto is a bit of an idiot, and we know that, sigh and move on. Luffy is a bit of an idiot, and we love him for it. Luffy makes being stupid interesting and popular, and for this feat should definetely deserve a place in the top ten before I even consider accepting this list.

 

[Curious Georgie]

Well taking into account "effect on the anime scene", I suppose I can understand why Goku and Naruto rated so high when their characterisation is shit.

Even then, Luffy should be above Naruto. One Piece is much more influential as a show than Naruto, despite it's low profile in America. Naruto and Bleach might be more influential on the scene in the english speaking world, but that doesn't feed back into anime itself in a major way. If you included influence in manga, you couldn't possibly argue for him being lower than the top two, because One Piece is the first series to actually cause Shonen Jump sales to increase since Dragonball ended.

In terms of influence on the medium and characterisation, I'd say there's a good argument for having Luffy at the top, because he's not a boring invincible brick like Goku, who doesn't even stop when he's dead (the same problem as Superman, basically).

Also, there are no giant robot shows on the list other than Eva. No Char, no Amuro, no Roy Fokker (who even in America is generally remembered as the first person people ever saw die in a cartoon, like a more badass version of Bambi's mother, not influential or a good character?), no Gundam characters at all. I mean fucking seriously, a list supposedly based on characterisation and influence within the medium and there is no Gundam?.

This is obviously a list compiled by idiots.

This. Definetely this.

 

[zombiesinc]

I'm happy to see some familiar names on the list, but can't really offer much of an opinion as I haven't seen many of those series. But this list will help me get more acquainted at least.

Also, Jeremy Clarkson FTW Skarin!

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

All lists are flawed. Media ones doubly.

 

[ZeroDotZero]

This list is missing some damn excellent characters:

Lucy - Elfen Lied
Haruko Haruhara - FLCL
Kamina - Gurren Lagann

Also, the hatred for the second half of Death Note was a little uncalled for. I think it's just as good as the first.

 

[GloatingSwine]

It's good to see Lelouch.

Lelouch is a demonstrator of the influence of Light from Death Note, not an influential character in his own right.

 

[Nazulu]

Oh God! This list is cancer to my eyes!

I have seen many anime with far more interesting characters than Goku, and Naruto up the top? He is one of the most annoying characters ever, sure he can be very entertaining sometimes and he gives out very good messages but hes nothing compared to Edward Elric. This list sucks ass if you ask me.

I'm pissed me off because there are no Hunter X Hunter characters are up there. A show far superior to most of these anime.

 

[Zersy]

I kinda agree.

 

[Gralian]

Well taking into account "effect on the anime scene", I suppose I can understand why Goku and Naruto rated so high when their characterisation is shit. When people say "Best character" I generally assume they mean "With the most depth" or "Most interesting character development." At least they qualified what criteria they were using. Can't fault them in that regard.

Still though, this reeks somewhat when Rei Ayanami is ranked clear and above Shinji Ikari, with Asuka not even showing up. Might just be me, but the first character I think of in Evangelion is Unit 01, then Asuka. Rei being so high reeks of personal taste rather than actual impact and depth, although this may just be me complaining because I didn't find Rei terribly interesting.

Further, it's interesting that Haruhi rated so low considering she has a fanbase following that's larger than...a really large thing. Again though, I feel I'm somewhat *glances at avatar* biased.

I'm a little disappointed that I've heard of every anime on there and watched almost all of them. Was hoping for some more...obscure things, but I suppose when one of your criteria is effect on the medium and popularity it shouldn't come as a huge surprise.

This.

I suppose since IGN is very much a mainstream review site (they don't just review games, but movies and TV shows too etc) you can't really blame them for focusing on the mainstream anime and which had lasting impact rather than deep characterisation. We all have our favourite obscure animes, but we also have to appreciate what's really helped to push the medium forward and retain its influence today, even if mainstream isn't really our 'thing'. Although the lack of mention of Char Aznable or Amuro Ray is really suspect. I'd have thought that'd be up there seeing as how crazy mainstream that got, they even used to play the English dub on the TV for kids shows here in England for a time.

[sup]Von from Escaflowne would've been in my list...[/sup]

 

[Toriver]

As for Luffy against the likes of Naruto and Ichigo - you have to remember that Lasting Fame was also a criteria. While One Piece is popular (and there is no doubt about that), I feel that both Bleach and Naruto are still far more publicised and 'famous' than One Piece are. I'm not saying you're wrong, just offering possible insights into why IGN chose to go the way they did.

In the English speaking world.

In Japan they're also-rans.

This being a list made by English-speakers for English-speakers, it makes sense for them to be there, and in those positions for that audience. If this list were made taking their current popularity in Japan into account, it could look vastly different. So they made the list taking their audience into account.

Also, while it is true that One Piece is much more popular and longer-lasting than Naruto or Bleach as an anime, they both still heavily compete with One Piece as manga in Japan. One Piece has a longevity advantage, but when all three are done and we look back they may be seen differently. But purely by anime standards, One Piece is the biggest.