In addition to action and mech, another thing that makes anime appealing is its rich library of comedy titles. Anime’s history in comedy ranges from Ranma ½ to Gintama, and many others (including Nichijou and KonoSuba). Comedy can come in many forms. Some are slapstick, some are satire, and others you just have to see it for yourself. For this list, we wish to explore some characters from 2019 that made us laugh. Was it something physical? Do they make witty comments? Or do they just go all out? Everything’s on the table!
5. Ristarte from Shinchou Yuusha: Kono Yuusha ga Ore TUEEE Kuse ni Shinchou Sugiru (Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious)
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: October 2, 2019 – December 27, 2019
Ristarte is the type to overreact to everything like Marty McFly from Back to the Future, but on acid. For starters, the expressions she makes when she is dumbfounded probably surpass the faces Senku from Dr. Stone and Kazuo from Kengan Ashura make when they’re in similar situations.
In addition to her reactions, she shows a child-like curiosity and the series takes that quality to the highest degree to make the audience laugh. Her attraction to Seiya, like he’s an AXE body spray model, gives her more human-like qualities despite being a goddess and further adds to her comedic presence.
4. Amatsuyu Kisaragi from Ore wo Suki nano wa Omae dake ka yo (ORESUKI Are you the only one who loves me?)
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: October 3, 2019 – December 26, 2019
Amatasuyu, or Jouro, is a unique selection because he puts on this image of being an average schoolboy but his front also makes him the butt of the joke because the two girls he went out with at the start of Oresuki are only interested in his best friend, the star baseball player. As a result, he concocts a ridiculous plan to help his friend get one girl so he can keep the other, which is funny, but in a pathetic kind of way.
What also makes him funny are his reactions. While it’s not as enthusiastic as Joseph from JoJo, in the Japanese version, Jouro likes to react with English expressions such as saying “oh no.” Daiki Yamashita, who you may know as Deku in Boku no Hero Academia, shows a very different side of his talent since Jouro is the complete opposite of Deku.
3. Chrome from Dr. Stone
- Episodes: 24
- Aired: July 5, 2019 – December 13, 2019
What makes Chrome a funny character is the exaggerated energy and passion he puts into science. Before Senku arrives, many people assume science is sorcery and Chrome likes to be a show-off thinking he’s all that. When he is first introduced to Senku, Chrome shows what he has learned just by trial-and-error. When he shows Senku he can do a certain experiment, Senku gives him advice and he overreacts with shock because he can’t handle the fact that there’s someone who is as smart as he is. Eventually, they become science bros.
What also makes Chrome funny is how he wants to beat Magma in combat. We have to give him credit for making a legitimate game plan (think of where a guy’s weak point is) that could’ve worked, but failed (he still found a less comedic way to win). Lastly, what makes Chrome funny is how he deals with Kohaku’s teasing and how she knows that he likes Ruri, her sister.
2. Narancia Ghirga from JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Ougon no Kaze (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind)
- Episodes: 39
- Aired: October 6, 2018 – July 28, 2019
We know we shouldn’t make fun of people who lack an education but JoJo just goes out of its way to show that despite being 17, Narancia can’t even do basic multiplication to the point that he should seek Jamie Escalante to be his math teacher! Due to having the same education as Bart Simpson, he consequently has a very childish personality and is prone to temper tantrums which further solidifies his role as the comic relief.
In case some of you didn’t know, the fifth arc of JoJo is famous for a certain torture dance scene to a song that spoofs Prince’s Pussy Control. It just happens to be that it was Narancia who initiated this dance and why we chose him for this list
1. King from One Punch Man Season 2
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: April 10, 2019 – July 3, 2019
King has this mean look to him with his slick hairdo and he’s got the scars to show that he’s a badass that no one wants to mess with. When Saitama finally crosses paths with him, it turns out King’s just a regular guy who circumstantially got the credit for Saitama’s deeds because he was always present whenever Saitama took out a villain. When we finally see him in action, he has no combat capabilities!
The foundation of what makes King funny is that he’s a fraud and he got carried away with it. Furthermore, he’s actually a fan of dating sims and tries to hide this fact from Saitama! While he may not have Saitama’s titular power, what he makes up for in lack of brawn, is an appropriate sense of charisma and psychology to not let his opponent’s bother fighting him. The fact that this intimidating man is weaker than the lowest class of hero is truly a joke that the audience can laugh at.
Final Thoughts
We have to admit. Comedy is one of the most subjective forms of art, and that includes anime. Like in real life, comedy in anime can come in many forms and there’s a style for just about every audience and we feel our selections represent that. If you disagree with our list, that’s cool. If there are any characters you feel that should be acknowledged, please leave a comment!
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