Anime is full to the brim with amazing characters, with some truly impeccable ones becoming a staple of pop culture. The wide range of this medium means that characters from all walks of life have been represented in some form or another. The supernatural has earned a place here too, with vampires being portrayed in several anime.

These beings of the night have been shown with various spins across dozens of anime. The origin of these characters is always great, with certain anime placing these beings in riveting settings that are unlike most live-action movies and TV shows. The following anime vampires are easily the strongest and most popular of the lot, making the series they appear in all the more legendary with their presence.

Updated December 17, 2022, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: Though they originate from folklore around the world, anime has the incredible ability to bring these fictional beings to life. Portrayed in various anime, vampires have now become a staple of the supernatural in the horror genre. In addition to horror anime, vampires have been portrayed in many genres, and yet, they do not lose their appeal. Although they are known for their blood-sucking habits and status as lords of the night, various vampires have strayed from the original mythologies and are now more than they appear to be. These vampires have left their mark with their charisma and, more importantly, their strength.

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16 Alucard

Castlevania

alucard-castlevania-nocturne Cropped
  • Powers: Dark Magic, Shapeshifting
  • Weaknesses: Silver

The Alucard portrayed in the Hellsing series is undoubtedly one of the most powerful vampires out there. However, Adrian Tepes, son of Dracula in Castlevania, does not lose out. While this Alucard is half-human, in many ways, he has surpassed even his father, Dracula. In addition to his immense physical strength, Alucard is also capable of dark magic and has mastered many of his father’s spells. As someone who was trained personally by Dracula, Alucard is a master of shapeshifting, and his strength and speed far outclass many.

In Castlevania, Alucard faces many monstrosities and manages to come out on top. Whether it be his father or his father’s minions, few can match Alucard. Despite having human blood in him, Alucard can do what most vampires can, but without many of their inherent weaknesses.

15 Kojou Akatsuki

Strike The Blood

Kojou Akatsuki
  • Powers: Familiar Summoning, Precognition, Immortality
  • Weaknesses: Blood Dependency

Kojou was a normal high school student; however, he suddenly became the fourth progenitor, Earth’s mightiest vampire. When asked how he came to be a vampire, even Kojou has no idea, as he gets headaches anytime he tries to remember. However, while the origin of his abilities remains a mystery, those abilities are no joke. Alongside the usual super speed, strength, and superhuman reflexes, Kojou possesses complete immortality that protects him from even beheading and incineration. He also has a precognition ability that helps him see the future and shape it according to what he desires.

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Moreover, unlike most vampires, Kojou can summon familiars and shikigami. His twelve familiars are manifestations of his vampiric abilities. From manipulating gravity to the laws of nature, there are a few things that his familiars cannot do.

14 Wilhelm Ehrenburg

Dies Irae

Wilhelm Ehrenburg
  • Powers: Blood Manipulation, Absorption
  • Weaknesses: Silver, Crosses, Fire

Having started his life by having to eat animals for survival, Wilhelm didn’t have the best upbringing. One day, he killed his family and decided to cleanse himself of his pitiful blood. Now wandering the lands as Kaziklu Bey, Wilhelm eventually joined the Longinus Dreizehn Orden as the fourth seat of the Obsidian Round Table.

As a vampire, Wilhelm’s abilities put him above many of his kind. His powers of immortality and regeneration are beyond impressive, and his destructive power does not lose out. In addition to being gifted physically, Wilhelm is also capable of attacking a person’s soul directly. This puts him far above others, as few can block an attack on the soul, and Wilhelm can directly ignore a person’s physical prowess.

13 Karin Maaka

Chibi Vampire

Karin Maaka from Chibi Vampire
  • Powers: Vampire Bite, Daytime Activity
  • Weaknesses: Polycythemia vera (excess blood production)

Fans looking for a more light-hearted show with comedic elements should check out Chibi Vampire. Though vampire stories are usually dark, this one is a hilarious show with a cute and endearing main protagonist.

The idea of a vampire hating the smell of blood and being able to walk in the sunlight sounds pretty funny, making Karin a great protagonist. The fact that her body produces excess blood makes her character even more interesting.

12 Shinobu Oshino

Bakemonogatari

Shinobu Oshino in Bakemonogatari
  • Powers: Regeneration, Shape Shifting, Shadow Melding
  • Weaknesses: Donuts, Blood Dependency

Speaking of likable vampires in anime, it would be impossible not to mention Shinobu Oshino. All her forms throughout this massive series are engaging in their own right.

The Monogatari series is a massive one, and it might not be to everyone's taste. However, people who manage to get into this unique anime series will find Shinobu's character to be a massive highlight of the show.

11 Mina Tepes

Dance In The Vampire Bund

Mina Tepes from Dance In The Vampire Bund
  • Powers: Semi-Immortality, Enhanced Physical Prowess
  • Weaknesses: Blood Dependency

Another vampire who can change her form is Mina Tepes, the protagonist of Dance in the Vampire Bund. Her noble quest to safeguard the existence of vampires is constantly hampered by assassination plots and the like, but she never falters.

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Thankfully, by getting a bodyguard, she's able to ensure that her life remains intact during her quest. This, along with Mina's engaging character, makes Dance in the Vampire Bund a great show that fans of supernatural anime are sure to enjoy.

10 Zero Kiryu

Vampire Knight

zero kiryu looking nervously behind him
  • Powers: Bloody Rose
  • Weaknesses: Blood Dependency, Dual Nature

Zero Kiryu is the best vampire in a show almost exclusively about vampires, which says a lot about the depth of his character. He's a fan-favorite whose personality makes him massively entertaining.

It's a shame that this character didn't get the happy ending he deserved. Fans were devastated to see this popular vampire not come out on top, even though his noble attitude remained steadfast even then.

9 Saya Otonashi

Blood+

10 Anime You Need To Watch if You Like The Chainsaw Man Manga Blood+ Saya Otonashi
  • Powers: Telepathy, Healing, Anti-aging
  • Weaknesses: Possible Power Drainage

Saya is something of a mixed bag, with fans being split down the line when it comes to the likability of this character. Some people loved the change brought to her character in Blood+, while others were less enthused about this new version of Saya.

Regardless, she gains her feet after a few episodes into the anime and becomes the highlight of the show. Blood+ might have a slow burn, but it's all worth it to see Saya in her element once again.

8 Staz Charlie Blood

Blood Lad

Staz Charlie Blood from Blood Lad
  • Powers: Demonic Power, Regeneration
  • Weaknesses: Silver

One of the most powerful vampires on this list, Staz Charlie Blood is a pretty likable protagonist. Knowing about this vampire's supposedly intimidating presence only makes the later reveal of his meek character all the more entertaining.

The battles featuring this character are a blast to watch, mainly because Staz wastes no time in letting people know that he's not here to mess around and gets the job done with ease. He's a huge reason why Blood Lad is such a celebrated anime.

7 Ken Kaneki

Tokyo Ghoul

Ken Kaneki cracking his knuckles in Tokyo Ghoul
  • Powers: Kagune Manipulation, Regeneration
  • Weaknesses: Emotional Vulnerability

It might be cheating to put Ken Kaneki on a list about vampires. After all, ghouls and vampires are two very different things... or are they?

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After all, both vampires and ghouls feel on human blood, can't have normal food, and boast extreme power. From this logic, Kaneki definitely seems like a vampire of sorts... even though ghouls end up feasting quite savagely on flesh instead of simply draining someone of their blood. Regardless, he's a fascinating character and one of the driving forces of this iconic anime.

6 Cadis Etrama Di Raizel

Noblesse

Noblesse
  • Powers: Telekinesis, Telepathy, Blood Reign, Soul Weapon
  • Weaknesses: Technological Ignorance, Physical Vulnerability, Lifeforce Depletion

Watching great manhwa (Korean comics) get the anime adaptations they deserve has been great for fans of this underappreciated medium. One such manhwa is Noblesse, documenting the life of a vampire who has awakened from a long slumber in modern-day South Korea.

His struggles to adapt to the life of a Korean high-schooler are surprisingly engaging and make for a great story. Watching an ancient and powerful vampire trying to fit in during these modern times is oddly hilarious.

5 Moka Akashiya

Rosario + Vampire

Moka Akashiya in Rosario + Vampire
  • Powers: Wealth of Power, Demonic Aura, Yōki Detection
  • Weaknesses: Lack of Blood, Water

Without the infusion of vampire blood as a child, Moka Akashiya might've died a few hours after her birth. However, this transfusion turned out to be a bit too much for the child to handle, and Akashiya became positively psychotic as a result.

To prevent her from going through a murderous rampage every single time she was even minorly aggrieved, her mother gave her a rosary to contain the beast within. This leads to Moka generally being pretty soft-spoken for the most part... although her aggressive personality does break through the cracks during a combat situation.

4 D

Vampire Hunter D

Vampire Hunter D the main character of the film
  • Powers: Reality Altering Powers, Immortality, Vampirism, Telepathy, Darkness Manipulation
  • Weaknesses: Sunlight Syndrome, Blood Loss

It goes without saying that a vampire who is able to take out other vampires is bound to be one of the toughest anime characters around. Such is the case with D, who uses his vast arsenal of vampiric powers to take out members of the Nobility.

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D is a pretty engaging character who doesn't shy away from showing his true strength in battle whenever required. Not only does he have superhuman strength and regeneration, but he can also bend the fabric of reality itself! It's easy to see why such a character justifies his position as one of the strongest vampires in anime.

3 Shalltear Bloodfallen

Overlord

Shalltear Bloodfallen in Overlord
  • Powers: Magic, Mind Control, Cold Resistance, Disease Immunity, Immortality, Blood Frenzy
  • Weaknesses: Ainz Ooal Gown

Isekai anime have become all the rage in modern times, with shows like Overlord capitalizing on the massive popularity of this genre. This series takes a look at a Full-Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (DMMORPG) called YGGDRASIL where players get stuck when the game was supposed to shut down.

One of the characters in the game who is extremely powerful goes by the name of Shalltear Bloodfallen. This Level 100 vampire has a slew of powerful moves, including one that restores her health based on the damage she accrued!

2 Dio Brando

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Dio Brando laughing
  • Powers: Precognition, Regeneration, Enhanced Physical Prowess
  • Weaknesses: Sunlight/the Ripple

The eccentric and charismatic Dio Brando was bound to feature in a list that talks about memorable vampires. This memorable antagonist is a mainstay in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, with his presence being felt even in arcs that don't even feature this character.

Dio is a diabolical villain who will go out of his way to gain as much power as possible. Even near his demise, he decided to take over the body of a Joestar in order to realize his ambitions. His sheer tenacity makes him one of the most legendary anime villains of all time.

1 Alucard

Hellsing

Alucard from Hellsing Anime
  • Powers: Hemokinesis, Hematophagy, Regeneration, Soul Absorption, Intangibility, Shapeshifting, Immortality
  • Weaknesses: N/A

Hellsing is one of the most iconic seinen anime, with its protagonist being an unapologetic badass who never fails to get the job done... regardless of how much blood he needs to shed. It's precisely this quality of Alucard that makes him such a beloved character.

His powers are simply astounding, making a case for this character being the strongest vampire in anime history. Getting on his bad side is pretty much a one-way ticket to the afterlife.

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