No matter when or how anime came to America one thing is certain, it has become a staple of modern
American entertainment. Today we’re gonna hike up our boots and take a look at the top 30 American anime characters from all different genres and timelines. From the bold, fearless protagonists to the villainous masterminds, these characters bring an added dose of flavor to a genre that’s already filled with plenty of action and emotion. So hop aboard the s-class rocket and join us on a journey through the ranks of the greatest top 31 best American anime characters!
31. Jolyne Cujoh – JoJo’s Bizarre
When it came to the universe of Jojo’s Bizarre adventure we had chefs, gangsters, and bubble blowers, femboys, yet there was one character that I had completely overlooked! Not only did I overlook her but this Italian is a true representation of the melting pot that is America. Jolyne Cujo has a touch of Italian and a chunk of Japanese, but we’re not here to talk about Japan, or Italy, we’re here to talk about the best American anime characters, and Jolyne squeezed into this list mainly because of captain obvious, this is a character named after Dolly Parton’s Jolene and I just can’t think of anybody more American than Dolly!
30. Alexandra Garcia – Kuroko No Basket
Alexandra is a beautiful and athletic American anime character. She was Himuro and Kagami’s basketball mentor and a former college basketball champion and WNBA player. Pretty darn cool. Alex embodies many exaggerated tropes about the ways Westerners look and act, namely, being blonde, blue-eyed, and very shameless and sexually open. Jolyne Cujoh – JoJo’s Bizarre
29. Angela Burton – Genshiken
Angela Burton is a college student who is majoring in English literature. She grew up in the Midwest, and she came to Tokyo to attend university. She’s very passionate about literature and languages—and she’s always ready to discuss her favorite topics. But, she’s also a very private person. She doesn’t like to talk about her personal life—and she’s always ready to shut down any conversation about herself.
28. Claudia LaSalle – Super Dimension Fortress Macross
Macross’s Claudia is special, she is one of the rare American black female anime characters. She first appears in Macross 7 as the leader of the Diamond Force, a mercenary group hired by Basara Nekki to protect the city of Eden. Claudia is a kick-ass pilot and fighter and is fiercely loyal to her team. She is also a gifted singer and often uses her singing voice to calm people down or lift their spirits.
27. Amanda O’Neill – Little Witch Academia
Little Witch Academia is like Harry Potter except instead of everyone being British, we get characters from all over the world. One of those is Amanda O’Neill which is a name that Japanese people think Americans would have. To dive further into the stereotypes Amanda is a New Yorker with Irish ancestry, she is loud, brash, and gets the poorest grades among a group of witches.
On a more positive note, she is the best broom flyer. She’s got spunk though and is always willing to fight for the people she cares about, so overall not a terrible representation of a New York girl.
26. Chitoge Kirisaki – Nisekoi
Chitoge Kirisaki is the main female protagonist of the manga series Nisekoi. She is a half-Japanese, half-American teenager who transfers to Japan from America after her father gets remarried a Japanese woman. Chitoge is shown to be a tomboyish and strong-willed girl, often getting into fights with the boys in her class. It is later revealed that Chitoge’s father and Raku’s father are heads of two rival yakuza groups and that Chitoge and Raku have been arranged to marry each other to peace between their respective families.
25. Wiley William Nelson – Jormungand
Wilee, a bespectacled former American soldier with the 20th Engineer Brigade of the XVIII Airborne Corps and veteran of the First Gulf War, is currently a communications specialist for Lutz and works as a spotter. Additionally, one of the two team members is on the FBI’s blacklist, meaning he can’t enter the United States (Koko is also on the FBI’s blacklist). He also specializes in demolition and rewiring bombs so he can turn the tables on the bombers. It’s not hard to guess where Willie got his name inspiration.
24. Teletha Testarossa – Full Metal Panic
Tessa is the clumsy but charming captain of the Mithril anti-terrorist organization’s revered TDD-1 Tuatha de Danaan. Despite being born American, Tessa has spent most of her life on submarines and military bases. She also rose to her relatively high rank at the age of 16 after using her Whispered power to design the submarine.
23. Rosette Christopher – Chrono Crusade
A young American nun. Rosette is a typical American character considering the period of the ’50s landscape. She is a nun who works for the Magdalene Order, a religious organization tasked with the mission of hunting down and exorcising demons. Rosette is depicted as a strong-willed, determined, and compassionate individual, with a fierce sense of justice and a deep commitment to her faith. Despite her religious background, she is not above using force when necessary, and she is often seen battling demons with her trusted partner, Chrono.
22. Gemini Sunrise – Sakura Wars
As the main female lead of Sakura Wars V, Gemini is a cheerful American cowgirl with a tendency to be clumsy. Her master’s last words bring her from Texas to New York with her animal companion, Larry. Although she saved America, she starts as a janitor. She is a vigilante who hunts down criminals but is a bit ruthless in her methods. She is violent even against innocents.
21. Patricia Martin – Lucky Star
Martin is typically portrayed as an American carefree and cheerful girl, with a fondness for food and fashion. However, she is also shown to be somewhat ditzy and prone to making comical mistakes. Despite this, she is fiercely loyal to her friends and always ready to lend a helping hand. Her catchphrase, “mou sukoshi…!” (“just a little more…!”), reflects her determined nature.
20. Jodie Starling – Detective Conan
A beautiful American English teacher. While many believed her to be the Vermouth of the Black Organization, she is an FBI agent named Jodie Starling who is investigating its location; unaware that the real Vermouth uses her image as a disguise to hunt for Ai Haibara. Her FBI status is revealed after she resigns from teaching and she begins participating in cases involving the Black Organization
19. Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald – Bungo Stray Dogs
Francis Fitzgerald is a member of “The Guild,” an American criminal organization. His manual suggests a sadistic and violent American. He’s often seen carrying a large sword with him and enjoys using it on his victims, Reservoir Dogs style. His Ability is very typical for an American anime character, activated by spending lots of dollars. The more money he spends, the stronger he becomes physically, and the longer it lasts. Talk about the Benjamins!
18. Raye Penber – Death Note
Raye Penber – Americn! He is an FBI agent sent to Japan to capture the mastermind behind a series of mysterious deaths. Jdrama Penber (RIP) is a different character with a different race and a different personality. All in all, Raye was a good family man with goals and dreams of being with his wife and having kids. Things turned out very unfortunate for him.
17. Barnaby Brooks Jr. – Tiger And Bunny
Barnaby is a veteran superhero with a strong sense of justice, he likes to take the approach of a no-nonsense attitude when fighting evil. The entire concept of the superhero is fundamentally rooted in American beliefs. The belief in the individual hero always holds more power than the group, one for all, all for one.
16. Michelle K. Davis – Terra Formars
Michelle is an American astronaut and member of a mission to colonize Mars. She is the captain of the Earth Special Forces, and she leads a team of elite warriors who are tasked with fighting off a race of mutant bugs that are planning to take over the planet.
She’s an incredibly strong female character. When faced with impossible challenges, she never backs down—she’s willing to fight to the death to protect the earth. But, at the same time, she’s also vulnerable. She wears her heart on her sleeve and I think that makes her relatable.
15. Asuka Langley Sohryu – Neon Genesis Evangelion
Asuka is a 14-year-old girl who pilots the Eva Unit 02 in Neon Genesis Evangelion. She is brash and cocky, often picking fights with her fellow pilot, Rei Ayanami. Asuka’s parents are both renowned scientists working on the Evangelion project. Her father is also the chief designer of the Eva Units.
Asuka was born in Germany, but she holds an American passport. She enrolls in Tokyo-3 Middle School at the beginning of the series. Asuka is a skilled pilot and strategist, but her biggest weakness is her overconfidence. This often leads to her downfall in battle, as she rushes into things without thinking them through.
14. Dan Eagleman – Guilty Crown
Dan Eagleman is a member of the resistance group Funeral Parlour and is one of the main characters in the series. Dan is a skilled fighter and pilot and is also very intelligent. He is one of the few people who knows about the existence of the “King’s Chair”. Dan is a bit of an anti-hero. He was raised in a military colony, and he has a complicated and traumatic past. He’s a classic American superhero—just with a twist!
13. The Heybo- Heroman
Heroman is an anime about a teenage hacker named Joey who gets involved in a government conspiracy when he accidentally discovers that a secret organization is using a powerful republican android to fight off an alien invasion. Yes, that’s right! The robot in Heroman wears the American flag as its symbol. Yep, America is still seen as a beacon of hope and justice—even in the anime world! Even though the robot isn’t human, it still represents the same values that America stands for. And I think that’s powerful.
12. Chibodee Crocket – Mobile Fighter G Gundam
Chibodee is not a typical Gundam pilot—he’s not as skilled or as experienced as most of the other characters. So, in a way, he’s like the underdog—the unexpected hero. He is a fighter pilot representing the nation of Neo America. He is confident, brash, and patriotic. What’s so wrong with a passionate man who loves his country?
Chibodee IS determined to prove the strength and superiority of Neo America through his victories in the Gundam fights. Sounds familiar? He is a skilled mobile suit pilot, with a powerful and aggressive fighting style that reflects his bold and confident personality.
11. America – Hetalia Axis Powers
Alfred Jones, also known as America, is a loudmouth, and somewhat boisterous. He values freedom and justice and is often portrayed as a hero who wants to save the world. He has a strong sense of patriotism and is portrayed as being somewhat naive and obsessed with heroes and superheroes. Despite this, he is shown to have a kind heart and good intentions, although his actions are not always successful.
10. Franky – One Piece
Coming to my top 10 American anime characters is Franky, he is like an American anime character straight out of a comic book! With his jagged metal frame, he’s got a rugged exterior that’s tough as nails. Franky loves machinery and he is a master of his craft, always tinkering with his own cyborg body and creating incredible contraptions to help out his friends in the Straw Hat Pirates. He’s got a larger-than-life personality, always shouting at the top of his lungs and cracking jokes in the face of danger.
9. Naomi Misora – Death Note
Naomi Misora is a brilliant FBI detective who works for the Japanese National Police Agency. She’s a key character in Death Note, as she is one of the few people who can figure out that Light Yagami is the eponymous Kira.
Her backstory is pretty tragic—she had a very difficult childhood, and she was always a bit of an outsider. But, she managed to push through all of that. Naomi is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, with a touch of sophistication and a hint of danger. She’s the type of person who can slip into any situation unnoticed, and then strike with the precision of a master assassin.
She’s got a sharp mind and an eye for detail, making her the perfect detective. Whether she’s chasing down a suspect, analyzing clues, or piecing together a puzzle, Naomi is always one step ahead of the game.
8. Rally Vincent – Gunsmith Cats
Rally Vincent, is a bounty hunter who uses her vast weapon arsenal to take down criminals. She’s a tough tomboy and a resilient individual, and she’s always ready with a witty one-liner. But she’s also got a soft side—she loves cats and she’s always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. Her story is complex, the whole world of Gunsmith Cats is very rich and intricate. But, at its heart, it’s a story about justice and doing what’s right—even if that means fighting against impossible odds. The funny thing about Gunsmith Cats is that it’s illegal to Bounty Hunt in Illinois and nearly impossible to have a gun shop in Chicago.
7. Revy – Black Lagoon
“Two Hands” is a Chinese American descendant, there is no birth certificate I could find, but Revy is an incredibly American anime character. She embodies many of our national values: she’s tough, she’s independent, and she’s got a quick wit. Plus, she uses guns (lots and lots of guns), so that’s Americana.
6. Ash Lynx – Banana Fish
Ash Lynx is full of drama and violence, he is a typical American teenager and a handsome gang leader and assassin. Ash’s childhood is a brutal cliche of what the Japanese see as the classic white trash. All-American character. He was given birth to a teenage mother who was a drug addict and a hippie in Massachusetts USA, she left him with his father, and he had a second younger mother who was also a drug addict, you get the idea.
5. Susanna Hopkins – Genshiken
Susanna Hopkins is an American exchange student studying in Japan and a member of the titular club, “Genshiken”. She’s young, she’s energetic, and she’s got a great sense of humor. Susanna is like a bridge between Japanese and American otaku culture, often providing unique insights and perspectives to the members of Genshiken. Despite her outgoing personality, Susanna is also depicted as being somewhat naive, leading her to sometimes misinterpret cultural differences and cause misunderstandings.
4. Joseph Joestar – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Joseph is a charismatic and cunning individual with a quick wit and a love for adventure. He is a proud American (*ck yeah!) and often incorporates his nationality into his personality and dialogue, such as using American slang and references to popular American culture. Although he inherited his grandfather’s good heart and sense of justice, he is so rude and arrogant that it can be difficult to see the good man underneath, as he starts as a cocky, aggressive douchebag who cares nothing for anyone other than his grandmother and Speedwagon.
3. Panther – Eyeshield 21
Football is king in America! Eyeshield 21 doesn’t really follow the rules of football too well, but damn if it isn’t one of the best sports anime of all time! It wouldn’t be an anime without an incredibly American team name – the NASA aliens. The aliens are coached by Leonard apollo, he is prejudiced aggressive, and filled with envy for athletes that are superior to him. He is a former NFL player and my top American anime character, Panther is his victim. But panther still works to prove his worth. Slowly he earns the respect of his teammates. Panther is one of those characters that sticks with you from the moment you first see him.
2. All Might – My Hero Academia
Let’s just get this out of the way I know he’s Japanese, I get that but look at this glorious
creature, he is the living embodiment of the golden age of American comic books his attacks are all named after American cities and states, and his most powerful move is the united states of smash, hell he even lived and trained in America for several years depending on how to lose you want to be with canon. All Might is an iconic American anime character! The man rocks red white and blue. The only reason he is number two on this list is merely due to the semantics of, you know, him being from Japan.
1. Bandit Keith – Yu-Gi-Oh!
The first season of Yu-Gi-Oh might be some of the most mind-meltingly stupid television I have ever watched, its characters were even more beautifully disastrous. Of those characters however only one rocks the stars and stripes 24 hours a day eight days a week that man is Bandit Keith a great anime American character. He’s the LeBron James of duel monsters. Keith is a rough and aggressive individual who will stop at nothing to win, often cheating and using underhanded tactics to gain an advantage in duels. Regardless of him being a generally useless person and all-around major butthole, Bandit Keith is still the only anime character on this list that wears the American flag on his head for 200 episodes straight and that’s just enough to squeeze him onto the number one spot on this list.
