One certain factor behind the skyrocketing fame of anime is its unavoidable badass characters.
It’s a considerable beauty of anime; whether you look at the main protagonist or supporting cast, you always find something intriguing about characters.
Characteristics of Most Badass Anime Characters!
Badass anime characters exhibit extraordinary strength, skill, and confidence. They face insurmountable odds with unwavering determination, possess unique abilities, and often sport a mysterious, cool demeanor. Their indomitable spirit, coldness, and fearlessness make them the most unforgettable badass anime characters.
Let me make it clear that these aren’t your run-of-the-mill heroes; they’re the epitome of coolness and power.
So buckle up, because we’re diving into a world where explosions, epic battles, and unbreakable spirits reign supreme. Get ready to meet the ultimate badasses of the anime universe, where awesomeness knows no limits!
30: Doma
Anime: Demon Slayer
As we are beginning our hunt for the most badass characters in anime history, we already have the most cruel and cold antagonist, “Doma of Demon Slayer Anime.”
Yup, I agree that Demon Slayer is already overflowing with OP characters such as Sanemi, Kokushibu, and Yorichi, but Doma literally fits in the list of badassery.
Despite being less powerful than the upper rank 1 demon, Doma never fears pissing off Demon King Muzan. Therefore, he’s the least favorite upper rank of Muzan.
Doma would never hesitate to brutally kill anyone. He has created his own eternal paradise, where he feasts on beautiful women. With insane power and a cruel personality, Doma is a terrifying badass.
29: Gabimaru
Anime: Hell’s Paradise
Scowling under a mop of scraggly white hair, Gabimaru’s ruthless gaze sends a chill through all who meet his steely or dead eyes. Gabimaru has been quite popular with the fearsome nickname “The Hollow.“
He has been raised by an emotionless Shinobi clan to accomplish mercenary tasks, and until he marries his wife, he has done his shady work without a single regret.
Apart from being insanely powerful and brutal, Gabimaru thinks rationally while navigating through a mysterious island. If he finds a solid reason, there’s no stopping the rampage of this cold MC.
28: Ken Kaneki
Anime: Tokyo Ghoul
If we had ranked these characters according to the Manga storyline, believe me, Ken Kaneki would have found way higher than this position.
Besides blaming him, we have witnessed enough material to determine his level of badassery. From a wholesome sadistic boy to becoming the super badass Half Ghoul, Ken has suffered a lot of torture and drama throughout the storyline.
For me, the most badass and cold scene of Ken Kaneki was his white hair color transformation after suffering the insane, ruthless torture by Jason.
27: Mereoleona Vermillion
Anime: Black Clover
Believe me, I really wanted to pick Yami Sukehiro for this list but somehow ended up picking Mereoleona Vermillion, commonly known as the most badass female character of the Black Clover anime.
Her short temper, loud voice, aggressiveness, and lack of moral sense of sexuality give her the upper hand over Yami. We have seen even Yami fear talking about this troublesome lady.
Recently in the movie “Black Clover; The Sword of the Wizard King,” we have seen the sparkling dual of Mereleona and former Wizard King, which proves she’s a more reliable contender on the list of most badass anime characters than Yami.
26: Andy
Anime: Undead Unluck
This patch-faced freak is so insanely reckless that if he didn’t have the unique ability of UNDEAD, he would have died countless times.
Before meeting Fuuko, Andy’s only motive was to find some new method to get himself killed because his unique ability doesn’t let him die.
Even a nuclear missile is not enough to kill this perverted maniac. He would be ranked much higher in this list, but as he is quite an honest and righteous person, he’s a little less competent to rank any higher in the list of the most badass anime characters.
25: Naofumi Iwatani
Anime: Rising Of The Shield Hero
If we ignore the caring side of Naofumi for his party members, he is the epitome of badassery when it comes to hatred and a self-centered approach.
The reason for Naofumi’s coldness and selfishness is the betrayal and humiliation by the Kingdom’s Elite and his fellow Hero members. That leads Naofumi to become the most powerful and reliable unsung shield hero.
Naofumi was the only one who got appraised by the other world hero, “Glass,” who defeated the other three cardinal heroes with ease. Talking about boldness and hatred, we have seen even the dreadful dragon consider Naofumi’s hatred denser than his.
With a cursed shield and blood-sacrificing powers, this zero to hero anime character is really something to be praised for.
24: Tsukasa Shishio
Anime: Dr. Stone
You can consider Tsukasa Shishio physically the most powerful and badass anime character in the post-apocalyptic world of Dr.Stone.
He’s the anti-villain of the Dr.Stone anime for the first two animated seasons. We witnessed a glimpse of his monstrous power when he knocked out a gigantic lion with a single punch.
A horrible act that solidifies his cold nature is when he shatters statues of criminals to prevent their revival. This merciless act of his is well-considered a mass murder.
23: Jiren
Anime: Dragon Ball Super
Quite from the outside and blazing from the inside, Jiren is the unavoidable character of Dragon Ball Super that even gods were afraid of.
Man, I should really have shown some respect to this quiet-ass dude, who has given the tough time to Goku in its supreme form, “Mastered Ultra Instinct.”
He was quite famous in the tournament of power, with the title “Only mortal stronger than gods.” Jiren was really something else in terms of power and coldness,
Even with the combined efforts of Goku, Vegeta, and other formidable fighters from Universe 7, this dude appeared to be practically invincible.
22: Kiyotaka Ayankoji
Anime: Classroom Of The Elite
This dude is the definition of a badass protagonist! Kiyotaka’s coldness is legendary; it’s like nothing can rattle him. For reference, the boy has never lost a fight or mental battle.
From the beginning of season 2, the way he used his admirers for his own good has confused fans with his anti-heroic vibe.
He unexpectedly excels in athletics, and he possesses a complex strategic mind along with tactical fight skills enough to overthrow triple his size opponents.
In anime, we have seen Kiyotaka give tough times to the school council president in a race. Also, we have seen him obliterating Ryuuen and his mighty gang without any trouble.
As a whole, he’s got a calm and composed vibe that makes him stand out among the most badass anime characters.
21: Ryuga
Anime: Beyblade Metal Masters
The Beyblade Metal Saga’s Ryuga is an antagonist who has become an anti-villain. Ryuga wasn’t a villain initially, but the Bey Lightning L-Drago possessed him and corrupted him with its destructive powers.
Ryuga possesses the most important trait of being a badass, which is working alone in distant and horrifying areas to master his bey blade skills.
To highlight his powers from the perspective of anime, his Beyblade was the only one that could soak up the opponent’s power and spin endlessly.
20: Osamu Dazai
Anime: Bungo Stray Dogs
While most mortal men quake at the thought of death, Osamu Dazai simply shrugs—after all, he can kick the Grim Reaper’s scythe out of his bony hands any day of the angsty week.
This lazy-looking, hot anime character is always 10 steps ahead of his foes. Honestly, Dazai is a super mysterious man who was born to rule the Mafia of Bungo Stray Dogs.
I remember his badass quotes, which send chills down my spine whenever I remember them. Wanna feel! Check out what he was saying when the gun was pointing at his head from close.
Quote: “I hope you can see the joy in my eyes. With just a single press of your finger, you can give me what I desire most.”
19: Kishibe
Anime: Chainsaw Man
Well, it’s easy to pick Makima or our boy Denji for this rank, but remember, sometimes supporting characters exude a much more monstrous aura than the main cast.
The same happens here with Kishibe, the dead-cold strongest member of Special Division 4, as stated by Makima herself.
For instance, the way Kishibe chopped Denji and Power on the first day of their training was horrifying, and all thanks go to Mappa for such a showcasing of Kishibe’s dominance.
You can judge the level of his badassery by such a quote of his: “You know, the devil hunters that devils are scared of are the ones with the most screws loose.”
18: L Lawliet
Anime: Death Note
No doubt! L is a genius detective with this quirky and mysterious vibe that just hooks you in. L’s got this poker-faced coolness that makes you wonder what’s going on in his head all the time.
He consistently stays one step ahead of everyone else because of his exceptional deductive abilities.
While playing mental dual with the main protagonist, “Light Yagami,” L stays calm and collected throughout, playing mind games like a boss, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Total badassery right there!
17: Zoro Roronoa
Anime: One Piece
Let’s praise the swordsman with mad skills and scars, Zoro Roronoa of the One Piece anime, who has been giving us top-tier fights with a no-nonsense attitude for almost a decade now.
Zoro’s dream is to become the world’s greatest swordsman, and he’ll cut down anyone who stands in his way. His loyalty to the crew and Captain Luffy is unwavering, and he’s always ready to lay down his life for them as the most reliable crew member.
When Zoro’s party was ambushed by a swarm of adversaries, he simply took on an entire army by himself, slicing through them like butter. Yup, I am quoting an entire army!
16: Cid Kagenou
Anime: The Eminence In Shadow
Under his seemingly lame exterior dwells the soul of a true shadow mastermind. I am talking about the badass and OP anime protagonist, Cid Kagenou, who possesses an incalculable hunger for power.
On the surface, he looks and acts like a dumb sidekick, but from the shadows, he pulls the strings, guiding nations to dance to his sinister tune.
This cold freak has built a whole organization of hot chicks named Shadow Garden, yet he’s quite an unromantic and emotionless character who gets lusty only to show off.
15: Koro Sensei
Anime: Assassination Classroom
Koro Sensei from Assassination Classroom is hands-down one of the most badass anime characters.
He is a strong and mysterious creature with superhuman strength and speed, making him nearly invincible.
He is a cold-hearted and calculating teacher who does not show pity to those who attempt to kill him. Well, he’s the one who has tasked his students to assassinate him in the first place.
You may have remembered the event when the government sent an elite team to take him down, but Koro Sensei effortlessly parried each of their blows, leaving them dazed.
Apart from being the most badass anime mentor, Koro Sensei is well known for his profound life lessons.
14: Garao
Anime: One Punch Man
Garao is one heck of an anti-villain in One Punch Man. It’s not odd to call him a total powerhouse packed with mad martial arts skills.
But what’s really nuts is how he faced Saitama in the manga and made him sweat for real. Jokes apart, Saitama has a hard time dealing with this guy.
Garao took on a whole bunch of S-rank heroes; he thrashed ’em like they were beginners. That event cemented his reputation as the badass dude around.
13: Hei
Anime: Darker Than Black
Hei is known as the Black Reaper, a gifted man with electric-based abilities who works as a contractor. Just don’t let his unassuming appearance fool you, as he has some epic combat skills and powers that can fry anyone who gets in his way.
He’s quite a complex character who might seem like a self-centered protagonist, but there’s more to his story. His icy exterior hides a conflicted and caring heart.
A defining event that showcases his badass nature is when he infiltrates the Syndicate, a powerful organization behind the contractors. In this intense arc, Hei faces off against other formidable contractors, showcasing his incredible combat prowess.
12: Toji Fushiguro
Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen
It would be fair to call Toji Fushiguro a nasty beast when he sliced fans’ adored Satoru Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 episode 3.
He’s got insane combat skills. They clashed in a short but intense battle that shook the ground damn hard.
Everyone was in awe of Toji’s strength and persistence as he pushed Gojo to the edge. Toji is unquestionably a creepy badass in the Jujutsu Kaisen world.
11: Lelouch V Britannia
Anime: Code Geass
Lelouch V Britannia from Code Geass is one epic protagonist, and he’s got some serious badass vibes going on. What makes him stand out is his unique Geass power—he can command anyone to obey him without question.
But such Op powers become handy as our protagonist is not all goody-two-shoes. Lelouch is incredibly egotistical and motivated by retaliation against Britannia for mistreating him and his sister.
He becomes the masked vigilante “Zero” to lead the rebellion against Britannia in order to build a better world for his dear ones.
10: Hisoka Morow
Anime: Hunter X Hunter
Mark my words; he’s not your typical hero looking to save the day. No, this tall anime character is all about personal gain and satisfaction.
We are talking about the creepy, cool, and crazy powerful Bungee Gum ability possessor, “Hisoka Morow.” This list of badass anime characters is spiceless without this sadistic clown.
He’s willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his desires, even if it means betraying or manipulating others. Hisoka is a fan favorite due to his twisted bloodthirsty personality.
9: Light Yagami
Anime: Death Note
You can surely say that people begin to root for anti-heroes because of Light Yagami’s sensational character.
Light found a book called Death Note that gives him the power to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. He immediately assumes the roles of judge, jury, and executioner without showing any reluctance.
You have to admit that his god complex is off the charts, and he stops at nothing to achieve his vision of a crime-free world, even if it means sacrificing innocent lives.
As an overpowered protagonist, he sees himself as the savior of humanity, but the lines between justice and tyranny blur as he becomes a merciless villain.
8: Youjiro Hanma
Anime: Baki
Youjiro Hanma from Baki is an absolute beast of an antagonist. He is renowned as the most powerful creature on Earth.
This dude is on a whole other level of power and badassery, as he can crush bones and take on multiple opponents without breaking a sweat. His historic fight with his own son Baki is one of the highlights that shows Yujiro’s unrelenting quest for strength, even at the expense of his family.
In the manga series, it was once defined that “Yujiro Hanma was good enough to defeat the entire United States of America.” Even though it is distant from reality, it still sends chills down listeners’ spines.
7: Alucard
Anime: Hellsing
If you’re looking for a protagonist specifically tailored to look like the most badass anime character, Alucard is probably the top recommendation.
I bet you can watch this whole series with ease, as Alucard rules every scene of the anime like a creepy-looking Superman with glowing eyes. Alucard has superhuman strength, uncontrollable regeneration, and the ability to control and shape shadows into weapons.
His cold and unyielding nature complements his powers perfectly, making him a fearsome and enigmatic vampire, feared by enemies and allies alike in the dark and violent world of Hellsing.
6: Guts
Anime: Berserk
“Guts” from Berserk is an absolute legend, at least in the manga storyline. Because the anime adaptation has ruined the whole image of my legendary protagonist.
He is a vengeful character, holding a huge sword and dispatching demons and creatures with ease. His journey to accomplish his mission is downright terrifying, but that’s what makes Guts so loved by manga readers.
His character development is top-notch, and the way readers connect with his struggles makes him one of the most relatable and iconic protagonists in manga and anime history.
5: Levi Ackerman
Anime: Attack On Titan
Being an only anime fan, I was amazed at how the hell Levi was not only surviving but dominating the whole show when other characters were struggling to even survive a season.
This depressed anime character is a one-man wrecking crew, slicing through titans with unmatched skill and precision. His lightning-fast moves and cold, calculated demeanor are downright legendary.
In many events, like slicing through the beast titan and escorting his whole squad from the dreadful trap of Kenny Ackerman, “a badass gunner, Levi’s badassery shines like a supernova.
4: Satoru Gojo
Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen
A boy whose presence on Earth is much like that of a guardian angel. He is Satoru Gojo, a little dumb character with insane capabilities.
Apart from being an overpowered magical user blessed with sheer talent, Gojo reflects an unavoidable charisma that captivates everyone who lays eyes on him.
Without mentioning his powers and capabilities, this single line is enough to prove the solidifying badassery of Gojo: “Everyone and literally everyone is afraid of being caught in the cursed domain of Gojo.”
In honor of Gojo’s prideful badassness, I want to give you goosebumps with his quote. “Throughout Heaven and Earth… I alone am the honored one.”
3: Madara Uchiha
Anime: Naruto Series
It was surely a tough competition for me to choose between Madara Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha for this rank.
What gives Madara the upper hand is the power scale. In battles, Madara is like a juggernaut who can take on multiple powerful opponents with ease. As a Uchiha, he’s got the Sharingan and later awakens the Rinnegan, which means he can control minds, cast illusions, and unleash some god-like abilities.
Overall, this long black-haired man’s unrivaled skills and desire to transform the world make him a top-tier badass antagonist in the anime world, and he’s made an indelible impression on Naruto fans everywhere.
2: Sukuna
Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen
In a world of curses and sorcerers, none instill more primordial fear than the dread king of curses himself. I am talking about the honorable father of all badass anime characters, “Sukuna.”
Even now, shackled and minimized, Sukuna toys with lesser beings, as an eternal emperor might deign to amuse himself with mere playthings.
I am honestly forced to put this badass antagonist on this list after witnessing his manga fight another prodigy, Satoru Gojo. I don’t want to spoil it, but if you know, you know what I meant here.
1: Eren Yeager
Anime: Attack On Titan
To consider Eren Yeager as anime history’s most badass anime character, you need just one line to satisfy yourself: My boy initiates mass genocide just to bring peace to his loved ones.
Attack on Titan, renowned as history’s most depressing anime, has blessed us with the proper character development of an anti-hero, Eren Yeager. Just picture Eren’s approach in Marley’s arc, and you’ll find the undisputed king of badassery.
Eren’s journey to achieve power was one of constant struggle and growth, but we have witnessed a whole new version of Eren Yeager in the Marley Act, a version of Eren who can commit any horrible act just to obtain so-called freedom.
On our way to wrapping up this list of the most badass anime characters, I really want you to feel the badassery of Eren Yeager with a quote.
“I don’t have time to worry if it’s right or wrong; you can’t hope for a horror story with a happy ending.”
