35 Hilarious Anime Characters That Can Brighten Anyone’s Day

By Jishnu B

Over the last few years, the anime community went through astronomical growth. Younger millennials and older gen Zs know the pain of being an anime fan in the early 2000s; anime was a niche market back then. Very few people gave them the time of day or the rightful appreciation, and those who did, often had a hard time sharing their interests with others as anime was quite uncommon.

Thankfully, anime is gaining mainstream acceptance these days. More and more people are starting to understand that, unlike Western cartoons where the audience is generally children, anime is so much more. It is well-crafted work that portrays a wide range of storytelling and emotions and can be made for adults to enjoy. But that doesn’t mean that it’s all serious all the time. In this listing, we will highlight the belly-achingly funny characters of several anime series. But, be warned, there are spoilers below.

Zenitsu Agatsuma (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Even if you don’t watch the super hit Demon Slayer, you are probably familiar with Zenitsu. He is quite the meme material. First of all, this boy’s design is hilarious. Zenitsu thinks he will die young. Therefore, he is determined to find a wife before then. His woman-crazy behavior creates hilarious situations.

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Zenitsu is often seen being cowardly. He’ll whine and beg pretty women to marry him. He can also be surprisingly upfront, sometimes, even with his superiors. His signature dialogue is a love-sick “Nezuko-Channnn!” Spoiler alert: this funny-looking blonde can literally kill you in his sleep.

Saitama (One Punch Man)

One Punch Man by ONE is a tale of a young man who sacrificed his hair to become the strongest entity in the world. Meet Saitama, the bald hero who is so mighty that nothing can phase him — except for grocery discounts. He hilariously depicts how being overpowered can lead to apathy and boredom.

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You’ve probably seen at least one Saitama meme saying, “okay.” His ridiculous bright yellow outfit paired with the shiny bald head create a hilarious character. He also frequently mispronounces people’s names. Despite Saitama’s enormous power, he fails to enjoy a fight as he always finishes the fight with a single punch.

Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail)

Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima got a bad rep in the anime community for its excessive fan service. However, if you watch the series, you have to admit that it’s a top-notch entertaining anime. There is rarely a dull moment. Aside from the colorful cast, the protagonist, Natsu Dragneel, is an absolute joy to watch.

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Natsu is your typical shonen protagonist. He is a good-natured hothead who is always up for a decent fight. Despite being a skilled magician, Natsu has a hilarious case of motion sickness. It’s a problem as Natsu and his guild mates have to travel around the country on various missions and adventures.

Iori Kitahara (Grand Blue)

Grand Blue by Kenji Inoue is nothing less than an unhinged slice-of-life anime. You start watching this anime, thinking it’s about the ocean and the sport of diving, but you’ll quickly realize it’s way more than that. The protagonist, Iori, came to the same conclusion when his rose-colored college dreams went haywire very quickly.

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To be perfectly honest, every character from the Grand Blue cast is hilarious. However, Iori’s rational reaction to ridiculousness makes things much more comical. The poor boy was forcefully inducted into the diving club, which was basically a frat house. Iori develops a love/hate friendship with Kōhei, whom he gets involved with in various shenanigans.

Aoi Toudou (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Jujutsu Kaisen is arguably the most anticipated Shonen Jump release in recent years. The anime did not miss the mark at all. It gave us a colorful cast and some of the finest action scenes. If you’ve watched the anime, there is no way you have forgotten Toudou. This beefcake was designed to be memorable.

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Initially, he would seem like just another oversized eccentric character. However, as the show progressed, he quickly solidified himself as more than comic relief. Toudou has the tendency to judge people around him according to the women they like. He beats up people with boring crushes and befriends those with similar lady preferences.

Inko (Toradora!

Toradora is a classic in the eyes of shoujo manga lovers. At first, it seems like just another rom-com high school anime. However, the more you watch it, the more you are surprised by the complex emotions the characters deliver. This is the perfect anime for beginners. It will make you laugh, cry, be angry, and feel fulfilled.

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Every character in the show has their own brand of hilarity. However, Inko the parakeet, the pet of the protagonist, somehow stands out despite being given little screen time. The running gag is that Inko can speak many complicated syllables — just not his name, as other parakeets might do.

Tamaki Suoh (Ouran High School Host Club

OHSHC still remains at the top of reverse-harem anime ranks despite it being nearly two decades old. The series tends to exaggerate human interactions and is all-around ridiculous, but that’s why it’s so hilarious. The plot is: a girl gets roped into a club to pay off her debts.

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Even if you haven’t watched the show, you have probably heard their iconic opening song, “Kiss Kiss, Fall In Love.” Every character is funny in their own way, but the primary love interest, Tamaki, is especially hilarious. He is a flamboyant gentleman who has a heart of gold. His dramatic flair always makes us laugh.

Rudeus Greyrat (Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation)

The isekai genre took the anime community by storm in the last few years, and fans agree that Mushoku Tensei is the pinnacle of isekai. In addition to its well-developed plot and complex characters, it also has amazing animation and music.

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The protagonist Rudeus Greyrat and his inner monologues provide the ultimate comedy. Do keep in mind that Rudeus is mentally a man in his mid-30s, despite being stuck in a prepubescent body. He has questionable perverted moments, such as stealing underwear and grooming his future bride. However, he still managed to be a well-written character.

Ristarte (Kono Yuusha ga Ore Tueee Kuse ni Shinchou Sugiru)

Many people find The Hero Is Overpowered But Overly Cautious to be extremely redundant; they think this is just another isekai anime with an OP protagonist. Well, they are not wrong. This anime has repetitive, extensive training arcs. However, the chemistry between the protagonist and the female lead just makes the show worth it.

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The goddess Ristarte summons the protagonist Seiya. Understandably, she is enamored by the hero. Sadly, he does not reciprocate. Thus begins a saga of Ristarte chasing Seiya and Seiya ignoring her advances. It sounds simplistic, but it’s so fun to watch.

Rak Wraithraiser (Tower of God)

Up until recently, it’s only Japanese-produced manga that had the honor to have an anime adaptation. However, Korean manhwas, like Tower of God, are slowly breaking the monopoly Japan has over the industry. Tower of God goes through intense world-building and has many complex characters. However, the most lovable of them is definitely Rak.

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Initially, no one would dub Rak’s dinosaur-like stature “adorable.” However, everyone falls in love with him within the first few moments of his screen time. Rak is simple-minded yet intelligent. He gets angry when people think he is an alligator, meanwhile, he keeps calling everyone a turtle. He is 11/10, the best boy.

Jiraiya the Toad Sage (Naruto)

Naruto will forever be a classic in the hearts of anime lovers. Many lifelong anime fans entered the genre with Naruto as the “gateway anime.” The fans have literally grown up alongside the characters. To this day, it remains in Shonen Jump’s top three shonen anime.

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It’s impossible to admire the protagonist without giving credit to his master — Jiraiya the Toad Sage. He is dubbed as one of anime’s most beloved teachers for a reason. Though his views are often single-minded and focused on the ladies, he still manages to be genuinely funny yet a wise mentor to his students.

Excalibur (Soul Eater)

Even people who aren’t fans of anime know about Excalibur, King Arthur’s sword. But this version is unlike any other. Rather than being wielded by a legendary monarch, this version is a ranting, irritating, character. He is “animated” in every sense of the word.

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With catchphrases like “FOOL!” and a list of 1,000 dos and don’ts, Excalibur is always the star of whatever scene he’s in. Not to mention the theme song he gives himself. After watching Soul Eater, you’ll never read the legend of King Arthur the same way again.

Arataka Reigen (Mob Psycho 100)

Mob Psycho 100 will immediately capture you with its unique, explosive art style. It was created by ONE, the same creator(s) of One Punch Man. There is rarely anything to complain about this masterpiece. Many often dub this series as the modern anime classic. The story is about a powerful young esper named Mob.

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Arataka Reigen is the mentor of Mob, even though he is nowhere near as strong as the latter. He is a fraudulent con man who can buy your dog from you and sell it to you again with 15x the profit. Although he should be disliked, you can’t help but find him charming and hilarious.

Yato (Noragami)

Noragami seems like another rom-com/action anime, initially. However, after watching it, you will understand it’s way more than that. All of the characters are complex and likable. The pacing and action scenes are top-tier. There is rarely a dull moment in this anime.   

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We cannot discuss the beauty of Noragami without bringing up Yato. He is single-handedly the most recognizable character of the show. You have probably seen his meme-able face somewhere. He is like that annoying friend of yours that you hate, yet can’t help but find endearing. He is quite childish and understandably greedy.

Konata Izumi (Lucky Star)

If you are looking for a stress-free, heartwarming show, Lucky Star is perfect for you. There isn’t any gore, revolutionary plot twist, or dark theme in this anime. It is an enjoyable slice of life that depicts the daily life of four high school girls. It’s a great entry point for novice anime watchers.  

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While Lucky Star has an interesting cast, Izumi stands out from the rest. Despite being a human, she is somehow everyone’s spirit animal. Izumi is a lazy, mischievous little gremlin. She likes to tease and pull pranks on her friends. There is never a dull moment when she is on the screen.

Gintoki Sakata (Gintama)

We could make this whole list about Gintama characters, and that would be completely fine. There are very few anime, or any other variant of media, that could rival the hilarity of Gintama. This anime will make your sides hurt from laughing hard. They do not hold back at all when it comes to comedy. 

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Gintoki Sakata, the protagonist, is probably the father of anime comedy. His facial expressions are more than enough to land him in this listicle. Despite being smart, he comes up with the stupidest and crudest of solutions. Gintoki also breaks the fourth wall frequently. His nonchalant attitude toward life makes him the perfect comedic protagonist.

Usui Takumi (Kaichou wa Maid-sama!)

This anime will forever have a special place in all of our hearts. There is a good reason why it is still considered one of the best shoujo anime of all time. The plot is not overly complicated — it is about a high school president who is also secretly a part-time worker at a maid cafe.

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The male lead, Usui Takumi, might be why some women are still single. He set the bar too high! Takumi is very calm and sarcastic. His hobby is to tease and help his love interest, Misaki Ayuzawa. He often proudly introduces himself as her stalker.

Hachiman Hikigaya (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru)

Despite being named My Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu, this anime proved itself to be way more than a simple rom-com. You go into this anime expecting some good ol’ love triangle. However, you come out of it with deep knowledge of the human psyche and society. Watch this if you’re into romance and societal analysis.

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Hachiman Hikigaya isn’t one to miss. He is not some quirky, charismatic dude who will make you laugh with one-liners. Rather, it’s his internal monologue that makes him so funny. Hachiman’s dry humor and sarcasm shine through, and it’s hard not to love him. His banter with Yukino is especially hilarious.

Might Guy (Naruto)

We have already established that Naruto is a timeless classic in the anime industry. Mashashi Kishimoto blessed us with some of the greatest action scenes in anime history with this series. The world-building of Naruto is top-tier. It also has a wide cast with various personalities. Some you hate, some you absolutely adore.

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Might Guy is another one of Naruto’s many beloved characters. He might give the impression of an obnoxious teacher, but trust us when we say this — Might Guy will grow on you. Guy is very enthusiastic and passionate. He runs around in his ridiculous green spandex and preaches about “the springtime of youth.”

Kusuo Saiki (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.)

This list would be incomplete without mentioning Saiki. This is one anime that can hurt your belly from laughing too much. The protagonist Saiki Kusuo was born with immense supernatural power. Despite the numerous benefits, it proved to be a huge problem as the protagonist was robbed of many life experiences.

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Saiki almost never says a word out loud; however, the audience is graced with his internal monologue continuously. To say it’s hilarious is an understatement. Saiki’s monologues are brutally honest. It’s hard not to laugh at his dry humor. He tries hard not to attract attention from others, and his one true love is sweets.

Nendou Riki (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.)

Since we are already on the topic of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., it would be unwise not to discuss Nendou Riki. There is no lack of wacky characters in this anime. All sorts of human emotions and stupidity are portrayed through the various cast, yet Nendou Riki somehow stands out. He is basically a dumb giant.

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Hilariously, he is one of the few people the protagonist is scared of. Saiki can read what’s going on in people’s heads. Well, no one can do that to him since there are literally no thoughts in his head. He is full of unpredictable actions. Just like the protagonist, we are also stunned by what he does.

Anya Forger (Spy X Family)

Spy X Family is a recent addition to the anime industry, however, it already managed to gather a large fanbase in a short amount of time. It’s about a dysfunctional family made up of a spy, an assassin, and an esper. The punch line is that they are all keeping their true identities a secret from each other.

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The main attraction of this anime is definitely the adorable, mischievous little gremlin — Anya Forger. This peanut-loving child’s face has become the ultimate meme material in the last few months. Due to her abilities, she already knows the profession of her parents. She likes putting people together to create more excitement in her life.

Shinra Kishitani (Durarara!!)

We strongly believe that Durarara!! is heavily underrated. The novelist Ryogho Narita took a huge risk by incorporating various elements in one single urban setting. It could have been a hot mess, but the pacing definitely saved the show. This anime also contains one of the most diverse sets of characters with varying motives and abilities.

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Shinra Kishitani is easily the funniest character in the series. He is an underground black-market doctor. Despite his shady profession, he is immensely wholesome and hilarious. Shinra is besotted with his Celty, and he’d do anything for her. Watching the two of them on screen is a joy.

Kazuma Satou (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!)

If you are looking for a fantasy anime that will bring tears to your eyes from laughing, KonoSuba is the right choice for you. Yes, it is an isekai. No, it’s not rubbish. The plot is: a Japanese boy dies and is transferred to a fantasy world. He is tasked to defeat the demon king alongside his friends.

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Many of the viewers came to this show for the many beautiful waifus, but they stayed for the protagonist, Kazuma. He is just so fun to watch. Kazuma is super relatable. He is short-tempered and holds grudges for petty offenses. He often has comically angry outbursts, and his chemistry with his friends is superb.

Osamu Dazai (Bungou Stray Dogs)

The series is a mixture of crime, thriller, and supernatural elements. If you are a literature nerd, you’ll be especially thrilled as the characters are all named and designed after renowned authors. The interaction among the characters is so entertaining to watch.

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Osamu Dazai is undoubtedly the most popular figure in the franchise. He is based on the Japanese author Osamu Dazai. Despite his unhinged behaviors, Dazai managed to be a superbly charming and humorous person. He likes teasing his coworkers — especially Chuuya. He often takes serious situations light-heartedly and speaks casually.

Present Mic (Boku no Hero Academia)

My Hero Academia is currently the most popular shonen anime of the modern age. Opinions regarding this are quite subjective; most Gen Z anime fans swear by it. Meanwhile, seasoned anime veterans often find the series underwhelming. But we will recommend that you give it a chance. They have a decent storyline and spectacular action scenes.

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Present Mic is one of the many teachers and pro heroes showcased in the series. It’s a tragedy that he does not get enough screen time. In every scene he is in, he manages to stand out. His loud voice and brutal honesty are iconic.

Hirotaka Nifuji (Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku)

This anime is one of a kind. We have already established that life is hard for the average anime watcher due to its bad rep. This show is about the anime enthusiasts who grew up to be working adults and are struggling to find love. Give this one a try if you’re sick of high school romance.

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The male protagonist, Hirotaka, is the gem of this anime. Unlike his coworkers, he doesn’t care if anyone knows about his interests. His apathetic, blunt behavior will crack you up. Nifuji often gets into banters with his childhood pals, all of which are comedic gold.

Inosuke Hashibira (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

We have already established what a masterpiece the Demon Slayer franchise is. It had broken multiple records despite its short existence. Even if you are not attracted to their plot and world-building, you should definitely give them a try solely because of their action scenes. They probably made the finest fight scene in animation history.

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Inosuke definitely has one of the most unique character designs ever. It’s comical how, under that boar mask and feral voice, lies the prettiest face ever. Inosuke is simple-minded and socially inept, courtesy of being raised in the wilderness. He says and does whatever comes to his mind, and it’s hilarious to watch.

Jaken (InuYasha)

Just hearing the name InuYasha will send many ’90s kids into a nostalgia-induced coma. How many of you remember the frustrating love triangles and soul-shatteringly beautiful soundtracks? Fun fact: InuYasha was almost all hand-drawn. This anime may not be as appealing to the younger generation, but we still implore you to give it a go.

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InuYasha is filled with many interesting characters. Surely, you remember Jaken? There is rarely a dull moment with him. Even when he is being a jerk, he still manages to seem funny. Sometimes when he talks too much, his master will casually step on him. His comedy is a stark contrast to the majestic Sesshomaru.

Kon (Bleach)

Bleach by Tite Kubo is one of the greatest shounen action anime ever. We wouldn’t be daring enough to claim it’s the best anime ever, however, there is a reason why it was in the top 3 shounen anime in the early 2000s. Bleach previously made waves with better action scenes and superior music quality.

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Bleach had its fair share of funny moments from its vast cast members, but Kon somehow has a special place in our hearts. He mostly stays within a lion plushy, and his dream is to be smothered by women. Kon often gets into banters and pranks with Ichigo.

Grell Sutcliff (Black Butler)

In our humble opinion, Black Butler is quite underrated. Most people come to this anime for the devilishly handsome butler — Sebastian Michaelis. However, they end up staying for the intricate plot. It’s a story about an orphaned young boy who made a deal with the devil in order to avenge his family.

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Grell Sutcliff is personally our favorite character from the anime. Despite being a sadistic grim reaper, he is still shockingly hilarious. A big credit for this will go to his Japanese voice actor. His sinister laughter is contagious. Grell is also relatable as he adores Sebastian and gets jealous when the former is around other women.

The Hitachin Twins (Ouran High School Host Club

We have previously established what a gem this anime is. It’s hard not to binge-watch the whole series in one sitting. Despite how dramatic and exaggerated this show is, OHSHC still manages to be relatable. This is the show to watch when you’re having a bad day. All of the cast are vastly entertaining.

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The Hitachin Twins are definitely the most famous pair of twins in any anime. The two of them, Hikaru and Kaoru, are literally the personification of the star sign Gemini. They are extremely intelligent and equally mischievous. They like to tease their club members, especially Tamaki and Haruhi, and they often communicate without saying a single word.

Sasha Blouse (Shingeki no Kyojin)

There is no doubt that Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama is a masterpiece. The intricate storytelling and morally gray characters of this series are widely praised in the mainstream media. Attack on Titan isn’t the sunniest of anime. However, if you are willing to have your mind blown, this is the show for you.

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AOT contains dark themes, however, among all these depressing motifs, you will find great joy in Sasha. You will probably recognize her as the infamous “potato girl.” She is a ball of sunshine who adores eating. Sasha’s a great friend and often causes mischief with her buddy Connie.

Amatsuyu Kisaragi (ORESUKI Are you the only one who loves me?)

The rational part of the weeb population finds the concept of beautiful high school girls falling for an oblivious, average guy to be repulsive. It’s just not realistic. Meet Oresuki, the modern-day harem anime that basically parodies that concept. Instead of an oblivious average nice guy, you are given a manipulative, two-faced “nice guy.”

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The protagonist, Amatsuyu Kisaragi, is a true piece of work. He is a self-proclaimed “background character,” but that’s not gonna stop him from achieving a harem. For that, he puts on a “nice guy” act to beguile the women around him. Watching him act gently outwardly while inwardly cussing at everyone is so fun to watch.

Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Last but not certainly not least, we have to talk about the iconic and legendary One Piece. Even those who don’t venture into the realm of anime know about this masterpiece of a shounen anime. The show is still running despite it being 23 years old. The anime still has fans captivated through this long period.

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Monkey D. Luffy is definitely one of the greatest anime protagonists. His headstrong, yet naive character design was used as an archetype in many shounen anime. Although he is the captain of his ship, he is a rather laid-back leader. He does not care much for consequences, which often leads to hilarious situations.