It’s a battle that will never end. Who really is anime’s best boy and girl?
While we’ll never truly have a definitive answer, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a fun topic to discuss, especially with how many wholesome and wonderful characters we’ve been gifted through anime the last ten years.
Presenting your fan-voted best girls and best boys of the decade, sorted alphabetically:
Izuku “Deku” Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Deku, the lead character in My Hero Academia, embodies the true core of Best Boy: he’s hard working, determined and goal-driven, and his reasons for wanting to be a hero are based in the need to protect everyone. So it’s only obvious we’d want to protect him too.
Deku instills into watchers a sense of purpose, a breadth of strength and a positive attitude all mirrored from the person he looks up to and admires most, All Might. We’ve seen such incredible growth in Deku’s character since season one, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.
Watch My Hero Academia on Funimation!
Killua Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)
Looking for a quick-witted, sharp-tongued character with an unhealthy love of chocolate balls? Then look no further than Killua from Hunter x Hunter. A skilled and deadly assassin, he’s surprisingly intelligent for his age. Those smarts only go so far, though. He’s not the most in-touch emotionally, often getting flustered when Gon compliments him or calls him a friend.
His complexity and growth throughout the series is what makes him such a lovable character. After all, who doesn’t love a cool kid with a dangerous bloodlust and white hair who also happens to love sweets?
Levi Ackermann (Attack on Titan)
There is no Best Boy list without Levi Ackermann and his cute resting “B” face. The captain of the Scout Regiment is arguably the best blade in Attack on Titan as a whole and he’s incredibly loyal to his commander. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a spotless house?
Levi channels his seemingly nonexistent emotions into witty sarcasm and military prowess. And on the off chance we see his true feelings come forth, we’ll recognize that he cares for and admires his peers as much as they do him. For that, this seriously skilled fighter has won a spot among the Best Boys.
Watch Attack on Titan on Funimation!
Mikasa Ackermann (Attack on Titan)
Since the first time we saw Mikasa take to the air as a Scout in Attack on Titan, there’s been no question about her best-girl potential. At a time when a lot of anime girls were thought of as just eye candy, Mikasa made her debut as a strong female character who was not only cute, but could also kick some Titan ass.
As we learn about her story and motivations, Mikasa’s protection of Eren and her refusal to fail, at a time when humanity’s fate literally depends on her team, make us fall for her even more.
Watch Attack on Titan on Funimation!
Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba took the world by storm with its beautifully animated fights and a variety of protection-worthy characters. But there is none more worthy of our devotion than Nezuko Kamado.
Nezuko has held on to her humanity through the worst trials, protecting her brother Tanjiro as he looks for a way to save her. Episode after episode, even when all we can see is the box she can turn herself tiny to fit inside, we’re all looking out for Nezuko’s wellbeing. How close is she to the sun!? Or anything else that could harm her?! Tanjiro, stop jumping!
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on Funimation!
Ochaco Uraraka (My Hero Academia)
Ochaco Uraraka has so many qualities that make her a strong contender for Best Girl. She has so much love for her friends and family and she refuses to give up without a fight. She’s an amazing role model for heroes everywhere and also has a pretty awesome Quirk.
And every time we learn just a bit more of her backstory in My Hero Academia, we’re even more excited to see where she goes, as Uravity the hero or as Ochaco the kind, loving friend.
Watch My Hero Academia on Funimation!
Rem (Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-)
If this poll just covered 2016, Rem would no doubt come out on top. One of the twin maids at Roswaal’s mansion, the blue-haired demon that the anime community grew to adore is generally quieter than her sister, but don’t let her timid nature fool you. She’s more than capable of killing, a lesson Subaru learns quickly after she kills him twice.
As we see her opinions about the tracksuit-clad lead change, we learn more about her hopes and her fears. When she experienced heartbreaking rejection, the anime community rose up to support her instead.
Shoto Todoroki (My Hero Academia)
From his first appearance, it was evident that Shoto Todoroki would be a fan-favorite in My Hero Academia. He quickly made a name for himself as one of the strongest students at U.A. in using his Half-Cold Half-Hot Quirk, but we all got closer to Todoroki through his backstory.
Not to be too corny, but Todoroki is basically the pinnacle of cool, calm and collected. In even the most intense situations with villains, he stays one step ahead with his strategy — all the while impressing anyone who sees him.
Watch My Hero Academia on Funimation!
Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
If anyone can be described as wholesome, it’s Tanjiro Kamado. At just 13 years old, he lost most of his family and began an unimaginable quest to save his sister, Nezuko, and turn her from a demon back into a human. Yet Tanjiro keeps a positive attitude and makes a point to always be kind to others, even his enemies.
Time and time again he helps us see that all souls, even demon ones, have a yearning or motivation behind their actions and if we try, we might see it and understand them.
Tanjiro is as strong as he is compassionate, so even though we just met him, we can’t help but cheer him on. Loyal to his friends and most of all his sister, Tanjiro’s overall goodness is something to be celebrated.
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on Funimation!
Zero Two (DARLING in the FRANXX)
From her signature “Darling!” to her love of adding honey to literally anything she eats, Zero Two took the anime world by storm after her debut. Also known as the Partner Killer, she worked her way into fans’ hearts as she cemented herself as Hiro’s partner.
Zero Two’s eccentric and generally harmless quirks are what attracted so many people to her when DARLING in the FRANXX first began. As the story continued, her devastating backstory and deep dedication to Hiro made her even more lovable.
Watch DARLING in the FRANXX on Funimation!
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