Best Non-Japanese Characters in Shonen Anime

As a connoisseur of anime and manga with a particular soft spot for non-Japanese characters, I must say that each one of these heroes has left an indelible mark on me, much like the ink used to create their intricate backstories.

Discussing non-Japanese characters in Japanese animation can sometimes be complex. Typically, most characters in these shows will be Japanese, as the creators primarily target their domestic audience. Yet, it’s interesting to note that they have shown a tendency to incorporate characters from diverse backgrounds within their content.

In certain anime series like ‘Bleach’, characters such as Yoruichi and Chad have mixed or unclear Japanese ancestry. However, there are numerous well-liked foreign characters in anime, making it challenging to select just a few. This list doesn’t claim to feature the absolute top non-Japanese shōnen stars of all time, but rather offers a selection of some outstanding characters, ranging from famous household names to lesser-known treasures.

10 Shampoo (Ranma 1/2)

A Chinese Amazon With a Love/Hate Relationship With Ranma

Best Non-Japanese Characters in Shonen Anime

Although it may seem like a typical romantic comedy (romcom), Ranma ½ actually originates from a manga published in Weekly Shōnen Sunday and falls under the shōnen anime genre. However, much like its main character, the series can unexpectedly shift between shōnen and shōjo themes. The majority of characters are Japanese, but it features numerous Chinese elements, settings, and character designs. Notably, there’s a tribe of Chinese amazons, with Shampoo standing out as their powerful leader.

In a unique twist, the character Ranma discovers that Shampoo, who seems like an ordinary shampoo, possesses a hidden identity as a warrior woman named Ranko from an Amazon tribe. In her home village, Ranma accidentally defeats Ranko, unaware of the tribal rules stating that any female outsider who bests an Amazon is pursued relentlessly until they are killed. However, there’s a twist for male outsiders: if they manage to win against an Amazon, they are obligated to become their partner. With Shampoo, Ranma is teetering on the edge of either a wedding or a beheading.

9 Canary (Hunter x Hunter)

A Different Black Butler

Best Non-Japanese Characters in Shonen Anime

Gon Freecs’ path to becoming a licensed Hunter would seldom be easy. He must surmount challenging entrance exams, learn Nen, and contend with numerous competitors. While Killua Zoldyck might be his friend, his family of assassins, including their maid Canary, have other agendas. She’s a young woman who possesses sufficient strength to forcefully eject any unwanted intruder from the Zoldyck estate back to where they came from. She single-handedly defeated a Hunter and his 100-man team.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say that Canary isn’t just a cold-hearted soul. There’s a tender side to her, evidently shown when Gotoh puts his life at stake in a coin game for her. Once Gon manages to prove himself as Killua’s friend, she joins our team. She’s now a beloved supporting character and one of the most recognized black anime characters out there.

8 Ricardo Martinez (Hajime No Ippo)

Nigh Invincible Mexican Boxer

In the anime titled “Hajime no Ippo“, the storytelling style effectively captures the intensity of boxing. The Dempsey Roll move by Ippo is remarkably akin to the Kamehameha, showcasing its potency in action. However, even the mighty Ippo was defeated by a seemingly simple strategy – a sequence of left-hand jabs – from Ricardo Martinez. Martinez, who is under the tutelage of Bill Stewart, is one of the most formidable boxers in the series.

Recognized as Mexico’s Living Legend and National Hero, Ricardo swiftly climbed the ladder to become the WBA Featherweight Champion. Tough opponents such as Alfredo Gonzalez and Eiji Date, who gave Ippo considerable difficulty, were handily defeated by him. At present in the manga and anime series, he remains undefeated in every match.

7 Enrico Pucci (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Italian-American Priest Swayed to the Dark Side

Enrico Pucci, often referred to as Father Pucci, is one of the captivating antagonists in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Initially, he harbored aspirations of becoming a priest; however, his fascination with destiny deepened, particularly after a mysterious individual named Dio nurtured this interest. Tragically losing his sister, Perla, Pucci found comfort in Dio’s beliefs regarding fate and joined him in his cause.

Enrico believed that if Dio revealed people’s predestined outcomes – whether they were good or bad – ahead of time, it would bring peace. He assumed he could continue to make choices about his own future, while others simply had to accept their fate. However, he discovered the hard truth when Jolyne Cujoh and her companions demonstrated that the future is more changeable than he initially thought.

6 Dio Brando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Anglo-Italian Vampire

While Pucci might be intriguing from an ethical standpoint, it seems unfair not to dedicate a separate entry for Dio Brando. He is undoubtedly the most memorable antagonist in the series, and one of the most complex scoundrels in anime lore. Although viewers could empathize with him as a neglected child with a criminal father and deceased mother, he failed to heal from his suffering and instead spread misery among others.

Dio repeatedly tormented his stepbrother Jonathan, culminating in him attacking Jonathan’s dog when it defended itself. He then attempted to poison Jonathan’s father, but was exposed by Jonathan before he could carry out the plan. Over time, Dio transformed into a vampire and continued to kill and deceive, eventually meeting his end at the hands of Jonathan’s Hamon. A century later, Dio returned with increased power thanks to his Stand, The World. Despite having numerous steamrollers at his disposal, he was ultimately defeated by Jotaro and Star Platinum, as well as his own arrogance.

5 Joseph Joestar (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

If Bugs Bunny Was An English Muscleman

In the beloved series Jojo, Dio and Pucci are notable non-Japanese antagonists, but who takes the crown as the best non-Japanese protagonist? Among many contenders such as William, Caesar, Gyro Zeppeli, Jean-Pierre Polnareff, and more, the question arises. Interestingly, Jonathan Joestar, the first Jojo, was Shōnen Jump’s pioneer non-Asian lead. However, his grandson, Joseph Joestar, is often considered more beloved by fans.

Joseph Joestar II is more strategically-minded, anticipating both the words and actions of his adversaries. He’s also amusingly awkward, taking offense at the flaw in a female disguise, responding to Santana’s body horror with a tune, and so forth. In his prime, he was an enjoyable character to follow, and even as he grew older during Stardust Crusaders, he maintained a touch of that endearing quirkiness.

4 Eren Yeager (Attack On Titan)

Likely German, Arguably Partly Turkish

The descent from greatness in some cases can be just as captivating as the climb up. If Attack on Titan had a lighter tone, Eren Yeager’s mission to annihilate the Titans might have been portrayed differently. Perhaps he would have eliminated all of them or discovered a method to reverse their transformation into colossal, human-devouring monsters. However, Eren’s dream of eradicating the Titans turned into a nightmare. His actions led to the extinction of the Titans, but they also caused the loss of 80% of the world’s remaining population.

In Attack on Titan (AoT), several characters bear surnames of German origin, while their given names hail from different cultures. For instance, Mikasa Ackerman has a Japanese name, but her last name, Ackerman, is of German descent. The name ‘Yeager’ can also be read as ‘Jaeger,’ which means hunter in German. On the other hand, ‘Eren’ is a Turkish name, translating to ‘holy’ or ‘saint.’ Given Eren’s actions, it’s quite ironic that he bears such a pious-sounding name.

3 Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemis)

Steampunk Fantasy German

In a made-up world named Amestris, which combines elements of magic and steampunk technology akin to Germany, unfolds the story of Fullmetal Alchemist. This could explain why the 2003 series concluded in an unusual manner, with the character Edward Elric journeying to 1920s Germany to combat the Thule Society. On the other hand, Brotherhood remains more faithful to the manga, as it keeps Edward and his brother Alphonse in Amestris to confront the Homunculi, King Bradley, and other dangers instead.

The siblings tried employing alchemy with the aim of resurrecting their mother; however, this endeavor led to Edward losing both an arm and a leg, while Alphonse’s soul was trapped within an armor suit. In order to find a way to reclaim Alphonse’s physical form, Edward pursued alchemy as a certified professional. Despite his quick temper and impulsive nature, he is one of the most resilient characters in his realm.

2 Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Hispanic/Brazilian Descent According to Creator

While a story might be set in a fantastical universe, it doesn’t preclude it from having a multi-faceted cast. Take “One Piece” for instance, which is primarily based on the sea with scattered islands and an immense barrier called the Red Line. However, the Straw Hat crew, despite this setting, boasts a blend of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and identities.

In a surprising twist, the creator of Monkey D. Luffy, Eiichiro Oda, envisioned him as a Brazilian character rather than Japanese. This is despite the fact that the live-action One Piece actor Iñaki Godoy is Mexican. However, Oda was so impressed with Godoy’s portrayal of the rubber boy that he expressed gratitude for Godoy’s existence, essentially saying that he was born to play Luffy. Thus, Godoy has undeniably set a benchmark for future live-action Luffys to emulate.

1 Son Goku (Dragon Ball)

Humanoid Alien Inspired by Chinese Culture

Absolutely, Goku isn’t a native of Japan; instead, he hails from another planet in space – the Saiyan homeworld! His world, too, is a blend of reality and fantasy, with inhabitants that include anthropomorphic animals, dinosaurs, and various other extraordinary beings like Namekians, bug men, pink blobs, and cat deities. Despite this, he has been designed to appear and behave in a humanlike manner. Interestingly, his character bears more similarities to the Chinese mythological figure Sun Wukong from the classic novel “Journey to the West,” as evidenced by their shared brash personalities.

His name is a Japanese translation of Sun Wukong’s name (akin to Rome’s ‘Hercules’ and Greece’s ‘Heracles’), and his original rural home is inspired by Lianyungang in Jiangsu. However, he was also influenced by Jackie Chan, whose blend of comedy and kung fu significantly impacted the creation of Dragon Ball, from the humorous antics to his banter with Chichi and Bulma. If there’s another live-action series, it would be best to create a film that emulates Chan’s energetic style rather than what happened with Dragonball Evolution.

2024-08-03 19:34