Some anime characters just seem to be cool no matter what they do. Their mannerisms, their swagger, their clothing, their cadence - all factor into their unbridled coolness. Anime characters often follow a series of tropes and cliches that writers of the shows will expand upon through backstories and unique personalities. And as such, some characters are just designed to be coolness personified.
The personified “cool” character is always a fun one to watch when the going gets tough for the other characters in the show. They keep a level-head and focus on the task at hand. As a result, anime fans can’t get enough of these cool cats.
8 Spike Spiegel
What would a list of the coolest anime characters be without Spike from Cowboy Bebop? Spike is the definition of cool in anime, he fights like a flexible dancer, talks like he doesn’t care about anything at all, and always seems to be sleeping or eating.
With that said, Spike has his own set of morals and ethics he adheres to, and when the time comes for him to step up and take action, he always does without hesitation.
7 Sakamoto
An obvious choice, but a critical one at that. Sakamoto from the series, Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto is essentially the personification of cool - even when he isn’t trying to be cool, he can’t help but do something awesome that impresses everyone at school.
Even when jealous students try to sabotage his aura of cool, Sakamoto bounces back and does something unexpectedly radical. He seems to embody the idea that being cool doesn’t require purposefully doing cool things.
6 Fuu
Fuu is a different kind of cool from the typical anime brawler. Fuu is pretty darn cool because she carries herself and her spirit boldly throughout Samurai Champloo. She isn’t afraid to get emotional, nor is she afraid of a good fight.
She thinks on her toes and is always helping others, not to mention she can eat more food than humanly possible. When all is said and done, Fuu’s strongest skill is inspiring others, which she exemplifies throughout the entirety of the show.
5 Kibagami Jubei
Dark and brooding, Jubei is one of the originators of the cool, but disturbed, action hero in anime having starred in the 1992 anime film, Ninja Scroll. As a mercenary and an ex-ninja, Jubei is well-versed in battle, but his quick-thinking and even quicker movements are what give him an edge over the demons he battles.
Jubei might be a typical anti-hero, but given the edgy nature of the film and its dark subject matter, Jubei is still pretty cool.
4 Motoko Kusanagi
As a cyborg, Kusanagi is well-equipped to deal with just about any threat, but her human intellect and reliance on gut feeling is what gives her character the coolness personified element. Her gadgets and wicked cool uniform only help her in the coolness department, especially her hacking abilities.
Kusanagi has a dedicated personality that shines when she is assisting her team or tackling terrorist threats in both the Ghost in the Shell films and the anime series.
3 Twilight
Twilight, AKA Loid Forger, is a masterclass spy who is loyal to his mission objective until the end. But, he’s also an amazing Dad for a made-up family that is integral to him successfully completing his mission in the hilarious new anime series, SpyXFamily. Twilight is cool beyond cool, having both the fighting chops and mental fortitude to be dangerous and covert at the same time.
A man of mystery, Twilight makes everything he does seem cool; even his analytical thought process is unbelievably cool to his adopted psychic daughter.
2 Jotaro Kujo
The strong silent type, Jotaro is usually five steps ahead from his foes. Fans of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure adore Jotaro for his snarky commentary, insane fighting abilities, and resilience in the face of evil. The man does not mess around and anyone that screws with him gets a fistful of Platinum Star.
Jotaro is also a man of few words, and for this, his coolness levels shoot through the roof. Not to mention his various outfits are astoundingly cool each season of the show he is in.
1 Ryuko Matoi
One of the roughest and toughest, and of course, coolest, anime characters to exist - Ryuko is the personification of badass. Like many cool anime characters, Ryuko trusts herself, but she also isn’t afraid to rely on others when the going gets tough, even for her.
Ryuko is her strongest when she is with her friends, especially since she can get hot headed when left unattended. But, that doesn't really matter, because once she learns to control her inner rage and aim it towards the various threats Kill La Kill throws her way, she is unstoppable.