With dozens of examples to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down best bishounen anime hero. In a typical anime cast, there will most likely be at least one bishounen, although anyone unfamiliar with the term may not even realize it. This is a kind of famous oriental character that literally translates as “beautiful youth”. The Western equivalent of handsome, although there is a notable difference that bishounen beauty is more androgynous and often otherworldly. This type makes for an interesting way to analyze gender-nonconforming characters, and besides, they’re easy on the eyes.
There are many villainous and immoral bishounen in anime — such as Sesshomaru in Inuyasha, Griffith in Berserk, and Shitennou in Sailor Moon. In fact, white hair on bishounen is often abbreviated as morally questionable. Equally interesting, however, are the bishounen heroes, an underrated subgroup in anime. Although they have less consistent traits, some good indicators include cuteness and sincerity. Although bishounen heroes have become popular in shoujo manga, bishounen heroes also appear in shounen works.
10 Richard Ranashinha de Vulpian (The Case File of the Goldsmith Richard)
Name aside, Richard is a handsome and unattractive jewelry appraiser who came from England to set up shop in Japan. Although he may be as cold and sparkling as the gems he values, deep down inside he has a warmth towards him (not to mention a bit of tragedy from his past). he). Richard’s relationship with his apprentice, Seigi, and his journey to open up more to loved ones, are the best at alleviating hurt feelings. Anime fans are encouraged to try reading Nanako Tsujimura’s light novels, as her Richard is much less composed and sometimes even a bit pompous.
9 Yue (Sakura Card Leader)
Although he doesn’t appear in the first two thirds of the series, Yue is a favorite among fans of CLAMP’s card leader Sakura. He resides in the temporary human form of Yukito Tsukishiro, appearing when Sakura needs help catching a particularly elusive card. He has a cold exterior at first, but Yue secretly has a kind heart and is always loyal to those he loves, including his creator, Clow Reed, and Sakura herself. Yue also created an amusement for her companion Kero-chan, who teased him mercilessly and insisted that he wore his heart on his sleeve without even realizing it.
8 Fai D. Flourite (Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle)
CLAMP has made a name for itself in the long-legged bishounen world, and that has never been more evident than with Tsubasa’s Fai. Although he lost his twin at a young age and had an alleged abusive father, it would be difficult for others to notice, as Fai often has a big smile on his face. . It was only thanks to the strong love from her close friend Kurogane that Fai began to open up more about what she was going through. For those who like their characters to have a bit of a lore, look no further, as Fai has hidden depths that could fill many books.
7 Kaoru Sakurayashiki (Sk8 Infinity)
Also known by his skateboarding alias Cherry Blossom, Kaoru is many things – fiery, nervous, and passionate in the best sense of the word. He even created his own AI, named Carla, to help him develop more sensible skating technique. Kaoru is so handsome that fangirls often express their love for him when he shows up at the secret underground skateboarding deck, S. Even his childhood friend Kojiro can’t help but fall in love. him in the beach episode of the movie. When part 2 of Sk8 the Infinity was officially confirmed, fans were overjoyed that there would be more Cherry Blossom content to look forward to.
6 Makoto Tachibana (Free!)
Kind-hearted, soft-spoken and always with a sleepy look, Makoto is one of the top four swimmers of Iwatobi High. A backstroke swimmer and mother of the group, it’s impossible not to love Makoto. He’s almost the opposite of his stubborn and aloof best friend, Haru, but that makes their friendship one of the warmer things in Free! If this bishounen has any fault, it’s that he’s so permissive with others that he doesn’t think to ask for what he needs. Watching Makoto grow emotionally and attached to his team is as healthy an experience as one would expect.
5 Ash Lynx (Banana Fish)
As the leader of a street gang, Banana Fish’s Ash is a bit more of a bishounen to him, but he still qualifies for the title. He uses his appearance similar to a fat woman to trick his enemies and gain the upper hand over those who threaten him and his companion, Eiji Okumura. Ash replaces the trio of empty-headed beautiful boys with an IQ of 180 and is always a few steps ahead of the goal. However, he has a complicated relationship with his appearance, as it has been the source of unspeakable trauma to him throughout his life.
4 Viktor Nikiforov (Yuri on Ice)
Former figure skating champion and current mentor to Yuri Katsuki, Viktor’s unusual beauty is remembered by everyone in its heyday. He sported an androgynous look to his routine, sporting long hair and wearing a floral crown. Even after cutting his hair and retiring from skating, fans still can’t deny that Viktor is still very good looking. Is it any wonder that Yuri has had a crush on him for so long? Now Viktor and Yuri reign as one of the greatest LGBTQ couples in anime. Not much is known about his past yet, but hopefully that will change with the release of the Ice Adolescence prequel.
3 Yuki Sohma (Fruit Basket)
Yuki is one of the three main characters in the extremely popular Fruits Basket. He was such a bishounen poster kid that his classmates called him the “prince” of the school, although it was later revealed that he felt nothing. Yuki spends most of the series grappling with how he sees himself, as well as unpacking the trauma that has haunted him since childhood. In terms of emotional development in the anime, this bishounen has made amazing strides. He’s also a source of comic relief, as the main character Kyo knows how to wriggle and cause hilarious fights.
2 Arataka Reigen (Mob Psycho 100)
No less stupid and manipulative, Reigen is the owner of such Spirits and Counseling Offices despite practically not having any psychic abilities. An internet favorite, Reigen’s appearance in the Mob Psycho 100 anime caters to more bishounen fans than in ONE’s manga. While there’s no clear reason for the change, fans of Mob’s mentor are very pleased with the choice. Looking aside, Reigen’s bubbly personality and exaggerated expressions make him appear quite interesting on screen. Although the third and final season of the anime ends in late 2022, the obsession with Reigen is still here.
1 Tamaki Suoh (Ouran High School Owner Club)
A list of the best bishounen heroes wouldn’t be complete without the humorous and flamboyant Tamaki, the self-proclaimed “king” of host club Ouran. A golden retriever in human form, his ferocity often pushes his owners into a corner, but deep down they love him dearly. Often surrounded by roses or sparkles, he’s not known for being sophisticated, but that’s what makes him so charming. Like many other bishounen, he has much more depth than first impressions suggest, including the fact that he ranks second in his class academically only behind Kyoya. Pour in a cup of instant coffee in honor of this iconic handsome guy.
Bishounen can serve many purposes in anime. Usually, they are funny people – so blinded by their own good looks that they don’t realize how ridiculous they are. As usual, their physical beauty makes the audience wonder what is going on underneath that strange appearance. Sometimes, this beautiful archetype is simply a beautiful ornament in a unique and visually rich medium. It cannot be denied that the best bishounen anime hero has solidified bishounen as an important character archetype, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.