Bonus points for also fighting for our freedom. So in a weird sign of anime-themed gratitude to these sexy protectors, we’re ranking some of the best soldier characters that anime has to offer. Don’t question my logic too much here, it’s just a fun list for true anime fans out there.
20. Guren Ichinose
Anime: Owari no Seraph Guren falls in that character archetype where you just can’t help but adore him. Although he’s a commander, no one ever seems as bored as he does whenever a meeting is called upon, or some strategy has to be explained. He can also be quite prone to violence when his subordinates don’t listen. Even though we all know he loves them dearly. But most importantly, he isn’t afraid to say it as it is and absolutely flame Yuu when he does something incredibly stupid. Plus, look at that smug face.
19. Levi
Anime: Attack on Titan Speaking of absolute beef-cakes who also happen to be in a position of power… Levi is probably the most well known in this archetype. His never-flinching & brooding face seems to be on everyone’s mind whenever a new season drops. He’s valued as humanity’s strongest soldier, and he truly lives up to the title. As we have seen him take out countless Titans single-handedly and even trained assassins. Like Guren, Levi also has a very direct approach to life and will kick your teeth out if you start making up excuses, or pleading to his emotional side.
18. Suzuha Amane
Anime: Steins;Gate Spoiler alerts here. Suzuha pre and post identity reveal is a big of a gap as one can make. At first she seems like a lovable goofy character who just really likes fixing her bike and tagging along with the gang. But then we learn that she’s an elite soldier from the future who can (and will) absolutely kick your butt if you interfere with her duties. Not only is she physically strong, but she also knows her away around a gun. And has shown to be extremely intelligent, even helping her soon-to-be father with the time machine. That’s what you call the whole package.
17. Saichi Sugimoto
Anime: Golden Kamuy I thought this man was going to be way meaner that he actually is. I mean, he’s a big muscular dude with more scars than you can count, who I saw under a mountain of corpses. And yet once he left the battlefield, he really chilled out. This is best seen with how he treats Asirpa, as they exchange parts of their culture like food recipes and knowledge. He always looks like a very intrigued exchange student. He also gives up on the whole killing part, at least when it’s in his control.
16. Tanya Degurechaff
Anime: The Saga of Tanya the Evil As the title might suggest, Tanya is nothing like the previous pick in terms of kindness. In fact, she’s known for her cut-throat ways, as she is willing to break the hands of those who don’t follow her properly. And that’s just her subordinates… her enemies get a far worse fate. And yet there’s something so fundamentally badass about her that I can’t stop myself from screaming along as she blasts away another platoon. I mean, she’s actually a past “he” who was killed and managed to spite God to such an extent that he put her in this new war-filled world.
15. Maes Hughes
Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Okay back to lovable soldiers! Maes is mostly used as a comic relief character in the show, to an excellent degree might I add. But he’s no spring chicken either. When times get rough, he gets rougher. The first thing you’re bound to learn about Maes is his absolute adoration and devotion to his family. His daughter and his wife never seem to leave his mind, which is just adorable as all hell. Basically impossible to hate this guy. He would totally make a ‘soldier returning home’ video in our world. And I would definitely cry.
14. Suzaku Kururugi
Anime: Code Geass Suzaku is a bit more complex that the previous choices. Being that he killed his father, Suzaku feels extremely guilty and is ready to do anything to atone for his sin. This is why, for a while, he’s the ideal soldier for Britannia: never questioning his orders and doing his duties perfectly. However, with Zero/Lelouch also being in the mix it all becomes a bit muddy, leading Suzaku to now wish to kill his former friend so that true peace can be achieved. And if you watched the series you know how that ends up unfolding.
13. Tadaomi Karasuma
Anime: Assassination Classroom Unlike every other prominent character in the show, Tadaomi is not an assassin, but rather an agent for the Ministry of Defence. He’s basically tasked to both babysit and guide the students so they can kill Koro-sensei. His emotional range is nearly zero, however, as he is always serious. Never even getting phased by Irina, even though driving men crazy is her specialty. But I guess that’s the type of attitude a proper agent should have, so good on him. And let’s face it: even though he never smiles or shows emotion, nobody disagrees with Irina and her taste in men.
12. Laura Bodewig
Anime: Infinite Stratos Laura technically isn’t a full-fledged soldier yet. But she is definitely on her way, being a first year student in the IS academy. And I believe that she’s going to be a monster once she finishes the academy, as not only does she have the skills needed, but even her attitude is perfect for climbing up the ranks. For the first time in anime history we have a heroin that kissed a boy the second she realised she liked him, in front of everyone mind you! The only part that worries me is her superiority complex. Especially because she does come from Germany, and not to stereotype but we saw how that ended up last time.
11. Yōji Itami
Anime: Gate This man is the most average and yet extraordinary character that the anime military has ever seen. Being that he has a very tragic family life, he turns to anime and becomes an otaku. He then somehow manages to get into the military by just barely passing all of his tests, just so he could spread the otaku virus to other soldiers. At this point you would think that he’s just a gag character and would be promptly kicked out of the army, but nope! Using his ingenuity, he manages to climb up the ranks and becomes the bridge between humans and the supernatural. What a guy.
10. Griffith
Anime: Berserk Understanding Griffith is a feat few mortals can achieve. From his introduction we see that he has his charisma stat maxed out, while also leaving a lot of room for mobility and swordsmanship. Everyone in his crew was willing to put their lives in his hands, and even the higher ups who hated him couldn’t avoid his cunning tongue, piercing stare, and artificial charm. It’s precisely because he was this big of a man that any setback had drastic consequences, crushing all those beneath him. Did he do it for world peace, his own ego, for Guts? I don’t have the slightest idea.
9. Mikasa Ackerman
Anime: Attack on Titan In a lot of ways, Mikasa is basically Levi but eligible to be a waifu. She’s also an extremely good fighter, second only to Levi himself, and can handle extremely stressful situations without losing her head. That is, as long as Eren isn’t involved. That boy is both her weakness and her strength, and she will absolutely face 100 titans if it means saving him. Military-wise this isn’t the best trait, as she’ll go against orders if they don’t guarantee Eren’s 56th retrieval from captivity. But for us watchers it’s hype as hell to see her angry.
8. Esdeath
Anime: Akame ga Kill! The fact that Esdeath leads an army is the most hilarious thing ever. Because it doesn’t matter how heavily armed or skilled they are, she simply doesn’t need them. If she wants to she’ll just freeze an entire invading army and be done with it. But even with this amazing power she’s a surprisingly good soldier, in the sense that she doesn’t go against her king and does his dirty work even when it bores her. He did try and be a wingman in return, but that didn’t really work out.
7. Rudol von Stroheim
Anime: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Battle Tendencies This man is an absolute maniac in every way, shape, and form. And I love him for it. Okay he is a Nazi so I should probably rephrase that last part. Rudol is cruel, no two ways about it. And he’ll use innocent civilians as lab rats for his experiments. But he’s also incredibly brave and never backs away from a fight, even if it means blowing himself up or chopping off a leg. And at the end of the day he was a significant contributor to the finale defeat of the Pillar Men, so he isn’t all bad.
6. Kallen Stadtfeld
Anime: Code Geass I have said this many times, but Kallen is just the ultimate babe. She has that tsundere mentality of pushing down her feelings and occasionally throwing a fit. But when it’s time to do business, she’s a perfect soldier in both ability and loyalty. We also have to acknowledge her strong independent woman vibe, as she will throw hands even if she’s completely naked. And of course, when she does have her sentimental moments it’s the most wholesome and touching experience ever.
5. Ikta Solork
Anime: Alderamin on the Sky Ikta is the character every lazy person wants to be. The man can’t be bothered to actually attend classes and just naps all day. And if he’s not napping, he’s hitting on some spicy senoritas. He also sucks at fighting even though he is in the army. But guess what? It doesn’t matter, because Ikta has that big brain and is playing 3D chess while the opponent is playing checkers. And thus the Invincible Lazy General was born.
4. Roy Mustang
Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood In a lot of ways, Roy reminds me of Ikta. On the surface level he seems to always push all the paperwork onto his lackies and just daydreams in his high and mighty colonel chair. He’s also a notorious flirt and has probably seen quite a lot of action. But when you strip all that away, you see a caring tactician, constantly thinking of his next move and gathering info. In this sense he has an aura of Ikta, but with a few more years under his belt.
3. Heinrich Lunge
Anime: Monster Okay, lunge is on paper just a detective for the BKA. But considering the situations he gets himself involved into, I think calling him a soldier is no stretch. He’s a very meticulous man who tries to look at everything objectively by air-typing everything he deems as valuable information. He’s also tenacious as hell and will absolutely chase you down until the ends of the Earth if it means solving a case. His family life does suffer because of that mentality, but boy does he have a good character arc.
2. Willem Kmetsch
Anime: WorldEnd (What Do You Do at the End of the World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us?) God, light novels and their titles. Anyway, Willem is a fairy tragic and yet sympathetic hero. He’s literally the last of his race. And if that wasn’t bad enough, people aren’t that glad that he even survived! This makes him start off with some serious survivor guilt. But luckily that soon melts away into a caring and passionate heart. He also grew up in a foster home, so little children are his little angels of joy. Even though a certain someone keeps insinuating more lewd interpretations of his fondness for children.
1. Yoko Littner
Anime: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann For a little change of pace at the very top of the list here, I want to look at a revolutionary army and the babe that honestly carried them to many victories: Yoko. Science has yet to determine whether it’s possible to not like Yoko. She’s a funny, cute, and badass female lead who will take out mechas with her sniper one day, and then be an exemplary teacher the next. Some even speculate that her genetic code is so perfect that the writers had to make sure it didn’t get passed down to save the future generations.
