The Hottest Male Anime Characters: As Compiled By You

The aloof noble guy you always lust after from a distance. Like Prince Harry -- only animated.

Updated 12 years ago, July 28, 2012

This might be getting out of hand. So many of you chastised the original lists (Part 1, Part 2) for the lack of anime and sure, there was almost none on there. Like I said, I don’t know anything about anime. So I asked the people who do! This list is a compilation of suggestions from the group of y’all who emailed me wanting your anime babes represented. I removed anyone underage (sorry Ash from Pokemon and Li Syaoran) and anyone whose face is usually covered by a mask (Oh, anime. You are so anime-like).

Thanks for the help! Here’s a list of some of the hottest male anime characters — as chosen by you guys.

Reader Laura Crook suggested: Sanosuke Sagara from Rurouni Kenshin

Laura: “Sanosuke has this cocky, renegade sort of style. He has this sort of half-smile that’s equal parts smug and flirtatious. He’s a total hothead, but that just adds to his charm (and sexiness). He has these weird bandage-pants going on and his hair makes him look like a rooster, but my little fifteen-year-old heart just went ker-thump for him.”

Spike from Cowboy Bebop

Laura: “Spike is mysterious and laid-back. He has a half-smile too, but it’s like he’s sharing a private joke with you (and only you). He moves like a cat–all liquid grace and it just makes you wonder dirty things that you probably shouldn’t wonder about an animated character.”

Reader Katy Hudson suggested: Prince Zuko from Avatar

Katy: “Honestly, how could you have made two lists without including Prince Zuko from the original animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender? The Nickelodeon show does kind have an anime flavor so I think it would count for an anime list. But really. Google him circa season 3 and you’ll see. Plus he is voiced by Dante Basco aka Rufio from Hook. You can’t tell me that skunk headed, pan-replacement wasn’t at least a little attractive.”

Reader Joshua Jornales suggested: Itachi Uchiha from Naruto

Joshua: “He’s like the big secretive, protective, not-so-affectionate brother of your friend that you secretly lust for.”

Kenshin Himura from Samurai X

Joshua: “A reformed killer. Wandering soul. Like the stray cats that sometimes find their way into your hearts.”

Kurama from Ghost Fighter

Joshua: “His human and fox form are both androgynous so if you’re into that well…”

Seto Kaiba from Yu-gi-oh!

Joshua: Same as Itachi!

Bykaya Kuchiki

Joshua: “The aloof noble guy you always lust after from a distance. Like Prince Harry — only animated.”

Ichigo Kurosaki

Joshua: “The down-to-earth guy that seems to be always there to save you. Best friend-ish kind of crush.”

Shuhei Hisagi

Joshua: “The guy has 69 tattooed on his cheek! Go figure.” (Gaby: “LOL.”)

Reader Wyatt Blank suggested: Sebastian Michaelis

Wyatt: “He is a seemingly perfect demon butler. He has an extremely dark side, but he is also kind. As a bonus, he loves cats!”

Tamaki

Wyatt: “Tamaki is the leader of the Ouran Academy Host Club. It is a club where gorgeous boys entertain girls. He is a princely type. Pretty much any of the members from the club could be on this list, but Tamaki is my favorite.”

Akira from Dance in the Vampire Bund

Wyatt: “Akira is the werewolf protecter of the child-like vampire queen. He is an amazing character, but I can’t reveal too much about him without spoiling the show.”

Vash the Stampede

Wyatt: “This might just be me, but I love Vash. He is funny, kind, loving, smart, and just all around perfect.”

Reader Moon Temple suggested: Alphonse Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist

Moon: “Alphonse is hot because he’s sweet, doesn’t know his own strength (his soul is trapped in a suit of armor), and has a tragic history (the whole suit of armor thing). Plus in the scenes with his emaciated human body he’s pretty damn cute, and when he gets his body back he’s even cuter.”

Tsukasa from .hack//sign

Moon: “Tsukasa is dark and mysterious–his aversion to socializing is attractive. He’s also pretty androgynous which is cool, I like that.” (Gaby: “He is 17 so technically underage, but I’ll allow it using the precedent Bieber vs. Bieber.”)

Togusa from Ghost in the Shell

Moon: “Togusa is really hunky in a really classic family-man kind of way. He’s the only cop in section 9 that doesn’t have robotic/cyber body parts except for his brain, which gives him some kind of wholesome allure if you know what I mean. Also just look at him.”

And I have one!