18 Kindest Anime Characters, Ranked

Highlights

• Anime characters like Shirayuki, Hinata, and Emma teach viewers the power of kindness, determination, and friendship.
• These characters show that being strong doesn’t mean sacrificing kindness, as they prioritize others and stay well-meaning.
• From fairy tales to sports anime, these characters inspire and motivate fans by being selfless, brave, and standing up for what’s right.

Anime series have always been serving fans with creative stories, epic fights, as well as beautiful and detailed worlds. One of the best things about these shows is that in anime, being kind doesn’t mean that a character can’t be one of the strongest anime characters as well.

Anime fans had the pleasure of getting inspired and motivated by some of the most charming, selfless, and impactful characters ever created. From action series to shonen anime and the best slice-of-life anime series, there are plenty of heroic characters to be found in all types of anime. These well-crafted characters always think of others before themselves and stay strong and well-meaning even during the toughest times.

Updated November 3, 2023 by Via Erhard: Anime is a colorful world where fans can meet all sorts of cool and interesting characters. While some of them are strong fighters, there are also really funny and kind-hearted ones too, since kindness is also a superpower in the anime world. However, these iconic characters aren’t simply nice but are brave heroes who always stand up for their friends, help out in tough situations, and sometimes even manage to be nice to bad guys.

These beloved kind anime characters warmed fans’ hearts and taught them a thing or two about being good to others.These characters often come from different worlds, but they all show viewers the real power of kindness, determination, and friendship.

18 Shirayuki – Snow White with the Red Hair

Fans who love charming and feel-good anime based on fairy tales already know about Snow White with the Red Hair. This anime is set in a world where Shirayuki’s rare red hair makes her stand out and gets her unwanted attention in her home kingdom. However, thanks to her kindness and exceptional skills in herbalism she’s able to help people.

Shirayuki is constantly looking out for others, even if it puts her in danger. Even after she met Prince Zen, she wasn’t seeking his protection but instead, they became true partners. As viewers follow their adventures, they learn that kindness is also about being brave, understanding, and standing up for what’s right. Her story teaches anime fans that real strength comes from caring for others, not just from power or status.

17 Hinata Shoyo – Haikyuu!!

There are plenty of anime characters who are underdogs but none of them are as kind and passionate as Hinata Shoyo. He’s a volleyball enthusiast but unfortunately, he is pretty short compared to other players. However, instead of giving up, Hinata uses his size as an advantage. Despite being passionate he’s also always ready not only to learn from others but also to help everyone in need.

Hinata never holds a grudge, not even when his opponents try to bring him down. Thanks to his unwavering spirit and determination, he not only inspires his teammates but also anime fans all over the globe. Hinata teaches viewers that no matter how big the obstacle is, with a kind heart and sheer determination one can achieve just about anything.

16 Chika Fujiwara – Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

Chika Fujiwara is certainly one of the funniest characters in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War but she’s also its kindest one. While Fujiwara has a mischievous side and sometimes acts a bit clueless she’s also always ready to help her friends and anyone else in need.

Fujiwara is also the only character in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War whose intentions are always pure and good-hearted. No matter who asks for her help, Fujiwara always does her best to help them out or offer honest advice to her friends even when she’s annoyed or tired. Thanks to her upbeat and cheerful personality and trustworthiness she’s not only thought of by fans as a kind and hilarious character but also a loyal one.

15 Tomo Aizawa – Tomo-chan Is A Girl!

Tomo Aizawa is one of the most caring anime characters who quickly became many anime fans’ favorite. She’s not only a physically but mentally strong teen girl who is not afraid to speak her mind and protect those around her.

She’s Tomo-chan Is A Girl!‘s kindest character who is always there for her old and new friends. Even though most of her schoolmates first thought that she was rather intimidating once they got to know her they always realized that she’s a fun, nonjudgmental, and thoughtful person who is protective of her loved ones.

14 Najimi Osana – Komi Can’t Communicate

Komi Can’t Communicate is one of the most motivational new slice-of-life anime series with many inspiring and kind characters. However, none of them are as fun and friendly as Najimi Osana. She’s a hilarious and extroverted young girl who loves making new friends and can get along with just about anyone.

What makes Najimi so special is that she’s not only fun to be around, but she’s also there for her many friends when they need help or advice. Najimi also loves to tease her friends and has a playful demeanor that makes her truly likable. Thankfully there are more and more non-binary characters featured in anime but only a few of them are as complex and hilarious as Najimi.

13 Kotaro Sato – Kotaro Lives Alone

Even though the young Kotaro Sato rarely shows his emotions he’s still known to be one of the most wholesome anime characters of all time who despite his young age is a reliable and caring person. Even though Kotaro experienced many hardships he still managed to stay compassionate and kind to those around him.

He is no doubt, Kotaro Lives Alone‘s most admirable character who always goes out of his way to help others including his neighbors, other kids, as well as animals. Kotaro has shown viewers many times that he is wise beyond his years and is inspiring millions of anime lovers to be super strong and super kind no matter how tough things get.

12 Banagher Links – Gundam

Banagher Links is one of the best Gundam main characters who is easily the kindest of them all. He’s even more thoughtful than Kira Yamato and shows caring towards not only his people but also his enemies. While Kira Yamato might be one of the best Gundam protagonists with better piloting skills Banagher outshines her when it comes to kindness.

He’s also one of the most talented pilots in Gundam who always takes care of others and is very concerned with the safety and general well-being of others around him. He’s also one of the few Gundam main characters who always motivate others to do their best and doesn’t care about where someone came from as long as they’re good people.

11 Emma – The Promised Neverland

Emma is one of the kindest anime characters of all time, with the most heartbreaking story. While The Promised Neverland has plenty of sad character arcs, few made fans cry as much as Emma’s. She’s one of the smartest and most loving characters in the anime who treats all other orphans as sisters and brothers.

Even though she was still just a kid and had to deal with horrifying things, she always showed strength and caring toward others. She used her wits and strength to save not only herself but as many innocent orphans as she possibly could. Emma was The Promised Neverland‘s strongest and bravest character who put herself in deadly situations and didn’t mind sacrificing herself for her loved ones.

10 Yuji Itadori – Jujutsu Kaisen

Even though Yuji Itadori is one of the most powerful students in Jujutsu Kaisen he never became egotistic or arrogant. He’s one of the kindest anime characters who showed deep caring toward his comrades and even toward people he barely knew.

He’s one of the most talented and strongest warriors in the anime, but he would always avoid ending his foes’ life as long as he could. Yuji proved his bravery many times and sacrificed himself for others, even in deadly situations. While he’s one of the funniest and most good-natured anime characters, he also loses his temper when someone physically or verbally abuses others.

9 Naruto – Naruto

Naruto is one of the most popular anime characters of all time and is famous for his immense powers and good heart. While Naruto might not be one of the sharpest tools in the shed, he is definitely one of the funniest and kindest anime characters ever.

While he always loved pulling pranks on others, his actions were always well-intentioned and never malicious. As his skills and abilities increased, Naruto showed increasing caring toward everyone around him and made sure to always protect the innocents. Naruto not only followed his dreams but always inspired and motivated others in a kind and thoughtful way.

8 Tanjiro Kamado – Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer‘s wholesome protagonist is a true hero in every sense. The young Tanjiro is not only one of the greatest demon slayers, but thanks to his kind nature, he’s also one of the most honorable characters of the series.

Tanjiro not only showed selflessness and love towards his sister and the people he cared for but even showed kindness towards his demonic enemies. His kind nature, determination, and exceptional fighting skills helped him become one of the most beloved anime heroes of all time.

7 Megumi Tadokoro – Food Wars

While Megumi was one of the most disliked characters in Food Wars she was also one of the kindest ones in the entire series. Megumi was an often annoying character who seriously struggled with self-confidence and needed the most encouragement, but she was also always there for others.

She was one of the most reliable characters who might be very clumsy, but she was also kind and polite to everyone around her. Thanks to Soma, she slowly started to trust herself and became a much more balanced person who was able to support herself and others.

6 Luffy – One Piece

One Piece is one of the most popular anime of all time, thanks to the show’s incredible characters, great plot twists, and fascinating storyline. There are also plenty of secrets in the series that keep fans guessing and make One Piece’s vibrant world much more exciting.

Luffy, the show’s protagonist, is one of the funniest and most liked anime characters ever. While he doesn’t necessarily care about being good or bad, he’s generally a pretty friendly guy with a contagious smile. Unlike other pirates, Luffy is compassionate and kind. These fundamental traits will surely help him become the greatest Pirate King the world has ever seen.

5 Mob – Mob Psycho 100

Mob Psycho 100 and its most powerful psychic Mob does a great job at teaching its viewers about the importance of being a good person. Mob does everything in his power to surpass his psychic abilities to avoid hurting others.

He’s a caring and open-minded character who always shows compassion toward others. While Mob was capable of great things, thanks to his special abilities, he never chose to use them for evil or to hurt others on purpose. While he was struggling with his own emotions and learning how to handle his powers, he was always ready to help those around him.

4 Shouko Nishimiya – A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice is one of the most well-known anime movies with one of the saddest yet inspiring stories. This heartbreaking anime has great characters and deals with serious themes including depression, suicide, and bullying. Shouko is a young deaf girl who struggles to communicate with those around her and gets bullied by her classmates who are led by a popular boy named Ishida.

While Shouko is struggling she never stops being a kind and caring person towards others or lets others pity her. Eventually, Shouko even forgives her childhood bully and the two build a strong and loving relationship. This beloved anime teaches viewers the importance of choosing forgiveness and love over hatred.

3 Izuku Midoriya – My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia‘s protagonist is a strong and kind warrior who always helps others in need. Thanks to some of his strongest powers, diligence, and selflessness, Midoriya quickly became one of the most beloved anime heroes of all time.

Even before he would have any quirk power, Midoriya was already a courageous character who was ready to put others before himself. These traits helped him to be chosen by All Might and become the successor of One For All. Thanks to his determination and pure heart, Deku will surely become one of the most successful heroes of all time and will save many lives.

2 Edward Elric – Fullmetal Alchemist

Edward is not only one of the most powerful alchemists in the series but also one of the kindest and most caring ones as well. While he likes to act tough and gets way too easily annoyed, he’s also always ready to risk his own life to save others.

While he’s a skilled and respected alchemist, he never uses his abilities and rank to hurt or treat others badly. Despite the many physical and mental hardships this young boy had to endure, he stayed compassionate towards his loved ones and everyone else he met during his journey to redemption.

1 Tohru Honda – Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket is one of the most wholesome anime series with creative characters who are cursed with special powers. The show’s success is also thanks to Tohru, the kindest and most empathic anime character ever created. Despite having an exceptionally hard life, Tohru never stopped showing love toward everyone around her.

While her understanding and caring nature helped her build strong relationships, she also tried to put her life back together instead of feeling sorry for herself. Tohru’s special warmth, kindness, and positive way of thinking influenced everyone around her, who all ended up becoming the best versions of themselves.

MORE: Best Villains Turned Heroes In Anime, Ranked