Who has the most Fans among Anime Characters in 2025: Total Ranking
If you are an anime fan, you must have asked yourself which anime character has the largest number of fans globally. Is it the mighty Goku from Dragon Ball? Perhaps it is Naruto with his ninja abilities? Or perhaps a more recent character such as Satoru Gojo? This article will provide an answer to this burning question using the most recent statistics from 2025, revealing to you precisely which anime characters enjoy the largest fan bases globally.
The Official Rankings: MyAnimeList Data
Based on MyAnimeList, one of the world's largest anime databases, the most popular anime character with the largest number of fans is Lelouch Lamperouge of Code Geass1. To date, in February 2025, Lelouch boasts an impressive 172,683 favorites on the site1. This officially makes him the most popular anime character based on this criterion.
The top five characters based on MyAnimeList favorites are:
- Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass) - 172,657 likes
- Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece) - 142,870 likes
- Levi (Attack on Titan) - 142,848 likes
- L Lawliet (Death Note) - 127,950 likes
- Roronoa Zoro (One Piece) - 112,628 likes
From the figures above, it can be seen that Lelouch clearly leads over other top anime characters. His mixed personality as a genius planner and his development from student to revolutionary leader captured the hearts of fans all around the globe.
Beyond Numbers: Cultural Impact
Although MyAnimeList gives us hard numbers, there are measures of popularity aside from hard figures. Some characters have had a greater cultural influence beyond the enthusiast communities of anime.
As reported by the Times of India, heroes such as Goku in Dragon Ball Z enjoy enormous followings that surpass mainstream anime enthusiasts2. Goku's "tireless pursuit of power and unyielding spirit have touched millions, earning him a global icon of perseverance".
In the same way, Naruto Uzumaki's journey "from a shunned orphan to the well-respected Hokage has won a huge fan base". His life is filled with themes of development and acceptance that have mass appeal.
Current Polls and Trends
One current 2024 poll highlighted by ANIKINGZ on YouTube indicates somewhat varying results with their top five most popular anime characters:
- Naruto Uzumaki
- Son Goku (Dragon Ball)
- Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)
- Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
- Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)
This survey records that Levi Ackerman "was voted the most popular anime character in a Japan-based poll with 170,000 votes". This is an indicator of how popularity differs according to geography and the nature of the population being surveyed.
Fan Communities and Merchandise
Another method of gauging the popularity of a character is by sales of merchandise and sizes of fan groups. On Reddit forums, users argue that such characters as Pikachu, Doraemon, or Goku may have the largest aggregate fan bases if one considers international popularity.
One Reddit commenter notes that "Luffy is the protagonist of the most widely popular manga/anime in the world. Probably him or Doraemon. Doraemon is ubiquitous in East Asia". This is how regional popularity can contribute so much to a characters fan base as a whole.
Mainstream Recognition vs. Devoted Fans
There is a significant difference between characters who are mainstream popular and those who have devoted fan bases. As one Reddit user describes of Goku: "Goku is internet popular not popular in terms of pop culture. Some characters like Superman, Batman, Supergirl and Flash are pop culture they are so iconic".
But others do not see it that way, saying: "Goku is popular in pop culture, ofc he isnt as popular as superman because superman is 80 something years old, while Goku is half of that". This argument illustrates how comparing the popularity of anime characters can be complicated.
What Makes These Characters So Popular?
All of these popular characters have some things in common that make them appeal to fans:
- Compelling Growth: Characters such as Naruto and Luffy demonstrate extensive growth across their series.
- Unique Personalities: Lelouch's intelligence, Goku's optimistic resolve, and Levi's calmness are all distinctive.
- Iconic Designs: These characters have instantly identifiable appearances that render them ideal for merchandise and cosplay.
- Relatable Struggles: Most fans relate to these characters' emotional struggles and dilemmas.
- Long-Running Series: Characters from long-running series such as One Piece, Naruto, and Dragon Ball have had a longer duration to establish their fan base.
Rising Stars in the Anime Universe
Although the old favorites remain on top, new characters are gaining ground very fast. Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen has quickly developed a gigantic fan base "due to his vast amount of power, charismatic aura, and striking face".
Likewise, characters such as Kiyotaka Ayanokouji of Classroom of the Elite have been rising up the popularity charts, with Ayanokouji currently at #34 on MyAnimeList with 36,298 favorites.
Regional Differences in Character Popularity
It's also notable that popularity can differ greatly from region to region. In Japan, a character such as Doraemon could be more globally recognized than they would be in Western nations. As one user on Reddit says: "Feels kinda weird seeing Doraemon gets some mentions here and there. I mean, I grew up with Doraemon but I doubt most western people (which I believe is the majority of the people here) ever heard of him here".
Likewise, shonen show characters such as those from Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto have larger worldwide fan bases than characters in shows that could be more successful among certain anime groups.
Conclusion: Who Really Has the Most Fans?
Based on the most recent data available in 2025, Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass holds the title for most favorites on MyAnimeList with 172,683 fans officially registering him as their favorite character1. However, when considering global recognition and cultural impact, characters like Goku, Naruto, and Pikachu might have larger overall fan bases.
The reality is that quantifying which anime character has "the most fans" largely hinges on your definition of fandom. Is it the devoted followers who count a character as their all-time favorite? Or is it wider recognition and cultural reach?
What we can assure is that characters such as Lelouch, Luffy, Levi, Goku, and Naruto are the epitome of character popularity in anime. Their tales have reached millions of fans globally, leaving lasting legacies that continue to expand as new generations discover these legendary characters.
Who is your favorite anime character? Do you have any disagreement with these rankings? The best thing about anime is that there's a character out there for everyone, whether they're popular or not.
