There are various character types that can be located within the anime community that many fans can relate to. From the unique and memorable, the fun and relatable to even the strange and questionable; there are thousands of characters in the anime community that can be categorized. However, there is one category that many fans can be found to agree on and it is the and the it is the loveable character type.
These are the types of characters in all kinds of genres but many of them have been found to be in the sports genre. They are the type of character that different fans have found to be endearing and most often “cute.” Most often than not they are the type of characters that are “adopted” by the viewer and are noticed to be either pleasant in personality or small in stature but big in action. The following five characters are prime examples of this character type.
5. Kuroko Tetsuya from “Kuroko no Basket”
The silent and almost invisible member of the Generation of Miracles with a talent for passing and being a “shadow” sets his place on this list due to unintentional endearing personality. Though he may show little expression his face, the show has presented Kuroko in different situations that have ended up making him look not only endearing but rather humorous as well. With the ability to surprise people with his low presence, his deadpan speech and a dog companion named “Nigou” (Number Two), Kuroko has endeared himself to the audience with his unique personality.
4. Mihashi Ren from “Ookiku Furikabutte”
Easily nervous and extremely low in self-esteem, Mihashi Ren is the prime example of the lovable character that gets adopted by the viewer. Though a prodigy of the sport, due to bullying from his peers in middle school his self-doubt for his ability in the sport hung over him. Yet as he joins a new team in high school and grows with them with the help of his catcher, the viewer can see the positive change it has on him. Such a story with a character that was able to learn with friendship is a type of character that endears people to him.
3. Onoda Sakamichi from “Yowamushi Pedal”
Being an easily flustered bespectacled otaku character with a deep dislike for athletes and their “rough” ways, Onoda is not much from an outsider’s point of view. But when he discovers a new love for cycling a new side to Onoda comes out. A type of character that sees the good in everyone and tries his best to help his team and in turn grows from his experiences as he sucks up what he learns like a sponge. With his bright personality, kindness and the ablity to touch people’s hearts and see the good, Onoda is placed third.
2. Hinata Shouyo from “Haikyuu”
Short, friendly, and energetic to boot, Hinata gives image to the statement of “ball of sunshine” many times in the anime. Though not the most skilled in the sport of volleyball in the beginning, Hinata was an earnest learner and didn’t have the words ‘give up’ in his vocabulary, especially when he had an above average athleticism. Being such an earnest character who wants to become better and presented as a character that could touch not only the hearts of his peers but also the viewer, Hinata has landed himself as second place for this list.
1. Katsuki Yuuri from “Yuri!!! On Ice”
Though this character may not be the shortest in height on the list, Katsuki Yuuri has earned his spot as number one on this list for being the most relatable character yet for the viewer. With his anxiety filled moments and deep love for ice skating, a viewer cannot help but want to cheer for him. What’s more, as the anime has been taken from his perspective, the viewer was given the idea that he was but a dime a dozen skater with a bit of skill. However, later episodes show and tell otherwise, making Yuuri out to be a very modest character towards the audience and as such, for his endearing personality, interesting story and other listable factors, Katsuki Yuuri is number one.