Most people who've entered the wondrous world of anime probably got their first taste through a shonen anime series. Shows like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z are some of the many anime that have served as a gateway for turning people who were once curious about anime into full-blown fans. Part of what makes shonen series popular is that these shows don't shy away from adding some levity. By doing so, they help both characters and viewers take the edge off with some good old-fashioned comedy.
However, there are times when these moments of comic relief can become somewhat grating due. Every so often, it's annoying characters who drive the brunt of these jokes. Keeping this in mind, here are ten of the worst comedic characters in shonen anime.
10 Taiju Oki (Dr. Stone)
There's a reason why Dr. Stone didn't really pick up until Senku separated himself from his friends and decide to embark on a journey of his own. The two characters with him were weighing down his personality and appeal near the start of the series.
This is especially true for Taiju, who comes across as a generic strongman with mushy brains. It's hard to relate to such a generic character. His goof-ups make him seem more unlikable as opposed to putting him in an endearing light.
9 Sasha Braus (Attack On Titan)
While Sasha does end up having her moments throughout Attack on Titan, one has to admit that the whole eat-like-a-hog schtick does seem rather overdone in anime. This trope becomes all the more egregious in a show like Attack on Titan, which generally tends to avert these tropes.
This is perhaps what makes Sasha's introduction in the series so awkward. It might be funny to see her devour a potato while being told off by her commanding officer, but this joke ends up being stretched for far too long, and loses its punch as a result.
8 Kon (Bleach)
The tainted history of Bleach is easily one of the saddest stories in the anime industry, featuring a world and characters with a lot of promise that eventually led to nothing. While the relationship between Shonen Jump and Tite Kubo is partially to blame for this, viewers can't deny that the writer himself didn't do a great job with some of the characters either.
Perhaps the most notable offender in this regard is Kon. This character ends up getting way more screen time than he should deserve. Any moment that he becomes a focal part of instantly loses points in quality, due to his unlikable persona and unfunny demeanor.
7 Killer Bee (Naruto)
He's easily one of the most annoying characters on this list. The only reason Killer Bee was ever relevant in Naruto was because of his status as a Jinchuuriki and the unlikely friendship he'd formed with the Tailed Beast inside him.
Aside from this, there's absolutely no reason to bother paying attention to Killer Bee. He's nothing short of an absolute pain on-screen every single time he decides to spit out the lamest raps to have ever been written. Furthermore, almost none of his jokes have any impact.
6 Zenitsu (Demon Slayer)
Fans have to admit that Zenitsu was a fascinating character at the start of Demon Slayer. He seemingly looked like nothing more than a weak swordsman who lacked the mettle required to become a competent Demon Slayer. However, his true colors end up coming to light after he loses consciousness and displays the wealth of power he can potentially wield.
However, after a point, it genuinely becomes a bother to see Zenitsu's foolhardy antics as the series progresses. His borderline creepy obsession with Nezuko doesn't help things either.
5 Mako (Kill La Kill)
Perhaps the most controversial inclusion on this list, Mako easily displays one of the most over-the-top personalities in Kill la Kill — and her character suffers all the more for it.
Her antics can get tiresome really quick, making it somewhat of a bother to watch any scene featuring this bothersome character in Kill la Kill. Thankfully, the rest of the show features enough hooks to keep viewers on the edge of their seats regardless.
4 Usopp (One Piece)
One Piece might have some of the most well-written and likable characters in shonen history. Unfortunately, there's no denying that Usopp certainly tests a viewer's patience when it comes to tolerating him and his antics.
He might get more bearable later on in One Piece, but his early appearances are incredibly frustrating regardless. They make his occasional acts of redemption somewhat less impactful as a result.
3 Minoru Mineta (My Hero Academia)
The idea of a character's motivations being driven solely by their perverted fantasies an anime trope that should have been history a long time ago. To witness firsthand just how dated and annoying this trope is, one need only look at the disastrous character of Mineta.
Mineta is easily the worst and most powerless member of Class 1-A. This could have set up a great character arc for him, had it not been for his insufferable obsession with women. Some of the scenes featuring this character aren't funny in the slightest — if anything, they're just downright creepy.
2 Yajirobe (Dragon Ball Z)
Dragon Ball Z is easily one of the greatest shonen anime of all time, with many fans attributing this series to be the first proper show that got them into anime. However, that's not to say that the show is perfect. If anything, the show has plenty of flaws, especially when it comes to the characters.
One character whose presence ends up being a complete waste of time is Yajirobe. His role has turned into nothing more than unnecessary comic relief, with the only highlight of this character being during the Saiyan Saga, when he ended up cutting off Great Ape Vegeta's tail in an admittedly heroic moment.
1 Mr. Satan (Dragon Ball Z)
But of course, it would be impossible to bring up the worst characters in Dragon Ball Z and not mention an absolute joke of a character. Mr. Satan ends up ruining any situation with his mere presence. His annoying antics and pathetic personality end up being awfully grating to bear at times.
Thankfully, Mr. Satan's presence is fairly muted in Dragon Ball Super, which already counts as a positive for that series as is.