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There’s nothing quite like the power of youth and all its innocence and naïve glory.
And in anime, young characters usually fall into three groups: cute as all hell, a moral beacon greater than any saint, or a little psychopath. And I think each has its charm, honestly.
So let’s take a look into some of the greatest anime whippersnappers this side of the great otaku river! And to be clear, any character 13 or younger counts as a kid in my book.
25. Alluka Zoldyck
Anime: Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Coming off the absolute hype house masterpiece that was the Chimera Ant arc, I wasn’t expecting much.
But man was Alluka a good plot device and character.
I never knew whether to be happy or terrified when she was on screen, as she was both adorable and one of the most powerful characters we’ve seen in the anime.
I’m not going to spoil anything. But the vibe I get from her is like if you combined Hisoka, a chibi, and God.
And if that doesn’t sound like a stellar concept then we’re very different people.
24. Mayoi Hachikuji
Anime: Bakemonogatari
I cannot put into words how glad I was that my favorite snail girl was not a one-off character.
Every time Araragi and her interacted, I could feel my heart glow with warmth. It’s also nice to see just how much Araragi cared for her, in his own older brother figure way.
She’s so sassy, so genuine, and the fact that her backpack is so big makes her even cuter somehow.
Her past isn’t the sweetest, but she sure is!
23. Naru Kotoishi
Anime: Barakamon
Naru was such a selling point for this show because no one could contrast Sei’s crankiness quite as well as her.
She’s just always so chipper and full of energy. No amount of Honda Civic Sei’s warnings could ever slow her down.
And at the end of the day, that’s what Sei needed: a relentless little angel character that would make his heart grow three sizes.
22. Eri
Anime: Boku no Hero Academia
Any tragic backstory hits a lot harder when a kid is involved. So needless to say that from the very first encounter Buff and Buffer had with Eri, I was at the edge of my seat.
The fact that she was prepared to throw her happiness away to save others was so admirable and tragic. You just couldn’t help but cheer when Overhaul got Saitamad into the ground.
And don’t get me started on the festival scene. That was enough to make a grown man cry.
21. Maria Takayama
Anime: Haganai: I don’t have many friends
She’s a ten-year-old nun with a bad temper. I mean, how does that not sound like the most lovable character ever?
Her outbursts make her funny. Her naivety makes her precious. And her willingness to survive solely on junk food makes her such a mood.
Bonus points for her rivalry with Kobato. I feel like those scenes just write themselves, like the ultimate battle of good versus evil where both sides just scream a lot and cling to Kodaka.
20. Ayumi Otosaka
Anime: Charlotte
Ayumi could honestly commit mass genocide right in front of my eyes and I still couldn’t hate her.
I mean, just look at that face and those puffy cheeks! Plus, she was right there alongside the anime community in the shipping of Yuu and Nao. And we have to take care of our own kind!
She was definitely a bit cheeky here and there, and her makeshift troll face should be used as a reaction GIF in every situation where it is applicable.
19. Dororo
Anime: Dororo
It’s fascinating how Dororo manages to be a side character and the protagonist all at the same time.
Sure, when things get bloody it’s mister scissor hands who’s in the spotlight. But when it comes to making that smooth transition from one massacre to the next, Dororo is the central stage.
It’s also worth mentioning that were it not for Dororo, god only knows how demonic Hyakkimaru would have gotten.
So the lovable twerp, whose gender you should not question, really gives the show its more human side.
18. Suika
Anime: Dr. Stone
I’m surprised Suika is not like the central mascot of the show. She has a watermelon on her head and rolls around like damn Sonic, for god’s sake!
And I just love that she remains useful. Even in a group as talented as the Kingdom of Science, she manages to find her strong suit and contribute.
Not only is she like a little detective, but she possibly has the funniest face when she takes off her signature helmet and tries to look at something.
God, just imagine if the Hyuga looked like that.
17. Killua Zoldyck
Anime: Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Out of all the murderous children I’ve come across in anime, this zappy little assassin is by far my favorite.
First, you can’t deny that the kid is badass and metal as hell. I mean, he gouged a man’s heart out and then left it in a baggy next to him like he was picking after his dog.
Second, when a character as dangerous and cool as this actually breaks down and shows his emotions, it’s just the teariest of jerkers.
16. Nezuko Kamado
Anime: Demon Slayer
Never before has a character made me want to bite into a stick, but here we are.
Like a few characters on here, Nezuko has that double-edged quality of being literally the cutest thing to have ever been put to moving picture, and pretty powerful and badass too.
To showcase my point I’ll take two of her powers as examples: one is shrinking in size so that her sleeves drag behind her as she runs around like a little angel, and the other is making her blood explode like some type of a kamikaze hemomancer.
15. Megumin
Anime: KonoSuba
I’m gonna be honest here: I put the bar at age 13 for this list, just so I could include Megumin.
I mean just look at her!
She’s such a goofy little character that really needs to be bound by the Geneva Convention!
She can make the troll-iest of faces.
Her battle tactics against Yunyun are superb. And her entire clan needs a reality show, plus at least half of the animation budget definitely goes into her explosions.
The other half probably goes to Darkness jiggles, but that’s beside the point.
14. Phil
Anime: The Promised Neverland
Don’t worry, one of the main trio is further down the list.
In regards to Phil, I’m just so intrigued. Specifically thanks to a theory that has been circulating in the community.
It states that Phil was actually aware of everything that was going on, and that he might just be beyond the trio in terms of intelligence.
And after you dig into those, every time you see this cute little munchkin wander around… you can’t help but question “what is his plan now?”
13. Aladdin
Anime: Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Besides Morgiana’s thunder thighs, Aladdin was definitely the most interesting part of the show.
There’s something so inherently interesting about watching a genie-looking kid with a buff flute. Shout out to you Ugo, you always kept it real.
And that initial wonder just turns into amazement when Aladdin actually starts honing his power, and at one point pulls the largest scale pacifist move I have ever seen in my life.
12. Konohamaru Sarutobi
Anime: Naruto
When Konohamaru was first introduced, I somewhat hated the little brat.
But boy did he grow on me.
There was something refreshing about seeing someone look up to Naruto for a change, before Pain made sure everyone was social distancing, that is.
Speaking of which, can we just appreciate how Konohamaru stepped up in that fight? As a genin no less!
He knew a hero when he saw one, and was even able to somewhat of a hero himself. A true underdog story!
11. Son Gohan
Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Gohan was such a wild card in his youth. From when he headbutted his uncle to his training with Piccolo.
His random bursts of pure power were always a satisfying plot point.
And in the Cell saga he just stole the entire show!
But most of all, I respect Gohan because holy mother of child counseling is Goku a terrible father, second only to the tsundere king himself.
I mean, it takes a lot of strength to love your absent father who just healed your enemy.
10. Shikadai Nara
Anime: Boruto
To be frank, I don’t like Boruto. But Shikadai really makes me want to watch it!
I mean, Shikamaru was one of the best characters Naruto had. So Shikadai basically being his clone (only with a lot more screen time) is a major plus!
And even though Boruto completely wronged my boy in a certain fight, their friendship seems legit. And makes Boruto more tolerable.
I’m just waiting for the day that he inherits all of his father’s laziness. Now that will be a treat.
9. Shiro
Anime: No Game No Life
The Sora Shiro combo has been a staple in anime for a long time.
The two brainiacs who can seemingly take over the world through sheer brilliance.
While Sora is the mouthpiece of the dynamic duo, Shiro is definitely the face and appeal. She has those kuudere vibes down to the tee. She is absolutely adorable, and despite her age, she’s both assertive and kind of a savage.
Plus legends have it that if I put this show in enough lists, we will finally get a new season.
8. Nora
Anime: Noragami
In regards to Nora, I want to include her on this list not because I love her as a character. But because I love her as a concept.
I mean, she brings so much turbulence to the world and showcases both Yato and Yukine’s character.
In regards to the Nora we see, she definitely tells a very sad tale. And one where can’t help but feel sorry for her, especially if you try and put yourself into her shoes.
7. Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV
Anime: Cowboy Bebop
Ed is such a chaotic character that it’s really hard not to fall in love with her.
The fact that she’s always barefoot and hardly ever walks in a normal fashion gives her strong Jungle Book vibes. And since she’s a genius on top of that, it just makes her boatloads of fun.
Her constant rhyming really nails her free spirit attitude. And sometimes she drops some real nuggets of wisdom! Like always following strangers, and that a hot dog bun is in fact not too young.
Man, what I would give to have her outlook on life.
6. Filo
Anime: The Rising of the Shield Hero
The family dynamic of Naofumi, Holo the Second, and Filo, has to be one of the rare positive aspects of the show.
Not in terms of quality. But the absolute absence of positivity and happiness.
As the youngster of the trio family, Filo brings us that pure innocence the show has deprived us of.
Plus she gets to kick the winnable playboy on multiple occasions, which is always a sight for sore eyes.
So as long as you don’t think about how a one-year-old is pulling the wagon when the trio is traveling, it’s very wholesome. Bonus points for being extremely fluffy when transformed.
5. Thorfinn
Anime: Vinland Saga
Fair warning here: spoilers ahead!
And this guy really didn’t stay a kid for long, that’s for sure.
Initially he was just your average snot-nosed brat who wanted to go on adventures and be a warrior. But that quickly changes once he sees his father turned into a shish kebab in front of his eyes.
From that point on, even though he’s still very young in age, he’s barely a kid. The innocence is drained from his eyes and murder is an everyday task.
I swear it’s like watching a slightly better off Guts struggle through adolescence.
4. Norman
Anime: The Promised Neverland
You can choose anyone from the main trio to fit this spot.
I just personally liked Norman the most. Especially during the latter part of the show.
Ray and Emma seemed a bit more human and were more prone to snapping. But Norman’s cool and collected demeanor just oozed confidence.
Okay, except that one time he saw beyond the wall.
But what really pushed him over the edge (in regards to being my favorite of the three) was his scene with Ray, when he learned his little secret.
Chills, just pure chills.
3. Tanya Degurechaff
Anime: Youjo Senki
Reincarnations are a true hassle when it comes to lists like this.
But Tanya holds a special place in my heart, so I will let it slide.
There’s just something about watching a little girl massacre entire platoons while laughing like an unhinged psychopath that makes my skin crawl. But in a good way.
There’s no question that she’s beyond just a capable warrior. But she is also an excellent tactician, and even a good politician.
Ironically, the fact that she’s so perfect at everything makes her end-goal of leisure a pipe dream.
2. Riko
Anime: Made in Abyss
Down in the Abyss it’s quite hard to maintain composure, or a will to live in some situations.
But Riko always manages to be that ray of sunshine that brightens up the day.
That’s hard enough as it is without the various, hmmm… incidents, she has had while exploring.
Physically she might not be as tough as Regu. But mental strength is far more important when entering the literal hell-hole that is the Abyss.
Plus, you have to respect her hustle.
I mean, becoming an apprentice at age 12 is no easy task.
1. Momo Kawamoto
Anime: March Comes in Like a Lion
Whenever Momo and Rei have any type of a bonding scene, and I hear that BG piano, I don’t even fight the tears.
They come in like, I don’t know, a school of fish.
The other two sisters are adorable enough as it is. But then having Momo who’s just as cute, but also just a little kiddo who looks at the world with so much amazement and has those tiny hands and innocent voice… I can’t man.
She was created with sugar, spice, and everything nice. And I am definitely here for it.
