Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

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There is so much anime in the world, and so many great artists who admire each other’s work that you are bound to run into characters that look like they’re twins or at least related. You know that moment when you’re watching a new show and, bam! “Wait, doesn’t that look (and sometimes sound!) just like so-and-so?” It happens pretty often and it has been happening for decades.
Being such a common occurrence, there are lists and forums out there that have already tackled this topic. Most of those conversations though, include some really old anime and so, we will be focusing more on lookalikes from more (relatively) recent shows. Consider this list kind of like an update on anime lookalikes, though some are too good and will definitely be mentioned again.

The basis for ranking is how much the characters look alike. Sometimes there are more than 2! Besides leaving the oldest anime out, we’ve also omitted characters that were intentionally drawn similar (like the Sakuras in different CLAMP works) or by the same artist (i.e. Rumiko Takahashi characters).

Some of the classic “twins” we won’t add to the list because they’ve been mentioned a million times before but deserve acknowledgement are: Li Shaoran from Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle & Suzaku from Code Geass; Akane Tendo from Ranma ½ & Ami Mizuno (Sailor Mercury) from Sailor Moon; and Kuwabara from Yu Yu Hakusho & Hanamichi Sakuragi from Slam Dunk.
Now with those out of the way, let’s take a look at some more anime doppelgängers!


10. Itsuki Ootori (Starmyu) & Kyosuke Kuga (Prince of Stride Alternative)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Itsuki Ootori is a senior in charge of his own dance team and a member of the Kao Council at Ayanagi Academy; he’s a very talented dancer, a gentleman and a rebel all at once. Kyosuke Kuga is an athlete; he is one of the senior runners in the Honan High School Stride Club and is self-sacrificing and kind.

Itsuki and Kyosuke both have pale violet hair that they both wear pulled back; Itsuki in a man-bun and Kyosuke wears a very athletic ponytail. They also have their bangs parted to one side; Itsuki has a right-side part and Kyosuke has a left part. Both inspiring senpai are sweet, caring, and share a slender face with kind eyes!


9 Ginko (Mushishi) & Decim (Death parade)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Ginko is a traveling Mushishi or Mushi Master who deals with good and bad nature spirits and the effects they have on people and their surroundings. Decim is a bartender and arbiter for the newly deceased at Quindecim. He must decide whether they go to the void or get reincarnated.

These two pale-skinned, white-haired gents also share asymmetrical hairstyles which cover one of their eyes – Decim’s right, Ginko’s left. And while Ginko has green eyes and Decim’s are blue, they both have light-colored, unusual eyes. Ginko and Decim aren’t only similar physically, they also seem to have trouble smiling and showing their emotions. They both seem icy, but are actually really good guys!


8. Gildarts Clive (Fairy Tail) & Red Haired Shanks (One Piece)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Gildarts is an S class Fairy Tail mage and was at one point the strongest member of the guild. He’s usually away for years at a time and so his guild mates rarely see him. Shanks is the captain of the Red Hair Pirates and one of the four most powerful pirate captains in the One Piece world.

These estranged father-figures have a lot in common. Besides being incredibly powerful, and having left their “kids” to grow up on their own, they’re both tall, muscular and have chin-length hair in similar colors (Shanks’ is red and Gildarts’ is red-orange). While Gildarts has his hair slicked back most of the time, Shanks seems to try but has loose strands on the sides of his (sexy) face. On top of that, they both sport a scruffy face that says “I only care about adventure”. Your move Bear Grylls.


7. Ren Ichimoku (Hell Girl) & Utakata (Naruto Shippuuden)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Ren Ichimoku is the assistant to Hell Girl Ai and helps her investigate clients and enemies with the help of an eye he can materialize and use to see from far away. Utakata is the Jinchuuriki of the six-tailed slug, Saiken from the Kirikagura village; he uses bubble ninjutsu.

Here’s another side-part pair! While Ren’s hair is black and Utakata’s is brown, both boys have a part on the right side. Their layered hair is slightly longer on the back, and in the front comes down to their mouths and covers their left eyes. You’d swear they went to the barber with each other’s pictures as a reference!


6. Rin Okumura (Blue Exorcist) & Gray Fullbuster (Fairy Tail)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Rin Okumura is a half-demon and son of Satan who is studying to become an exorcist to defeat his demonic father. Gray Fullbuster is one of the top Fairy Tail wizards; he practices Ice Make magic and has trouble keeping his clothes on.

Rin and Gray are short tempered and reckless, but they also look like Rin should be calling Gray “Onii-san”! These two rock their midnight blue hair in the same messy style; a thicker strand of which sits right in the middle of their foreheads. And they both have blue eyes, though Gray’s are navy and Rin’s are a bit lighter; and they have the same big, smug smiling grin when they’re about to kick some ass!



5. Yami (To-LOVE-Ru) & Eve (Black Cat)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Yami or Golden Darkness is an assassin from planet Deviluke sent to take out Lala's new fiancé Rito by one of her suitors, though once her mission is cancelled she decides to stay on Earth. Eve is a bioweapon and after being saved by Sven, she joins him and Train and uses her abilities as a weapon to help them.

The two blonde, gothic Lolitas are both adorable and deadly. They both have the appearance of pre-teens and have long, flowing blonde hair with shaggy bangs and layers framing their faces. Eve and Yami even wear similar all-black, sleeveless turtle-neck dresses with arm covers that go up to the middle of their upper arms. And even their fashion accents are similar; Yami’s dress has a silver lined cross-shaped cut-out on her chest, while Eve wears a silver cross that sits on hers. They also both have dark reddish eyes!


4. Momiji Souma (Fruits Basket) & Mitzukuni “Honey” Haninozuka (Ouran High School Host Club)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Momiji Souma is the rabbit of the Chinese zodiac and therefore transforms into one when overly excited or touched by the opposite sex because of the Souma family’s curse. Honey is the sweets loving, loli-shota host at Ouran’s Host Club. Though he looks like an elementary school kid, he’s actually the oldest of the boys.

Both of these cuties are the loli-shotas of their group. They’re adorable, sweet and loving. But it goes beyond that. Honey and Momiji are both short, have blond hair that covers their foreheads and big brown eyes. They also share a relationship to rabbits! Momiji turns into one, while Honey carries a stuffed bunny with him to most places. Bonus similarity: They’re both Pisces!


3. Regina (DokiDoki! Precure) & Ichigo Hoshimiya (Aikatsu!)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Regina is the Selfish King’s daughter and the second in command of the Selfish Trio. Regina has dark powers and is generally kind of a b… (ahem) mean girl. Personality-wise, Ichigo Hoshimiya is the total opposite and is a cheerful “cute-type” idol and therefore cute and friendly.

Regina and Ichigo both have a very Alice in Wonderland look; long blonde hair, bangs that are slightly longer right in the middle of their forehead and a big red bow right at the top of their heads. If it wasn’t for the different eye color, you’d swear they’re the same person! (Regina’s eyes are blue and Ichigo’s are red). Though that all changes when Regina goes dark and her eyes also become red!


2. Lala Satalin Deviluke (To-LOVE-Ru) & Outer Moka Akashiya (Rosario + Vampire)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike
To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Lala is the princess of planet Deviluke who ran away from home to flee from her suitors and in a comical misunderstanding ends up engaged to high school boy, Rito. Moka is a vampire whose true dark nature is kept under control by a rosary around her neck, which creates “Outer” Moka's personality, which is kind and gentle.

A devil princess and a vampire, but wait... Are we sure they're not the exact same person?? Other than a tail, Outer Moka and Lala look exactly alike (especially when Lala’s not wearing her crazy accessories). Both have very long, bubblegum pink hair, green eyes and they both even have an ahoge! Not to mention they're both considered to be the most attractive girls in their schools. No surprise, considering they also share a very well-endowed figure.


1. Leorio Paladiknight (Hunter x Hunter), Maes Hughes (Fullmetal Alchemist) & Takumi Rindou (World Trigger)

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Leorio is a licensed Hunter who aims to become a doctor who can treat even those with no money, he is close friends with Gon, Killua, and Kurapika. Maes Hughes is a Major (and later Lieutenant) in the Amestrian State Military and Roy Mustang’s best friend. Takumi Rindou is the chief of the Tamakoma Border branch and personally knew Yuma’s father when he was alive.

All three of these guys are tall and slim, have short, black spikey hair, they all wear glasses and they have very light facial hair. Hughes lets his stubble grow all over, while Rindou has a scruffy goatee and Leorio goes for sideburns. Their faces are also slightly more elongated than other characters on their respective shows. And, they all dress in dark blue suits / uniforms respectively.

What’s even more interesting is that these three exemplary men share something more than their physical appearance. They all also have the same voice actor! Keiji Fujiwara. And while Fujiwara doesn’t always look like these guys, you can find a photo or two where he himself is wearing short-ish hair, glasses, and a goatee! (Go ahead, Google it!). This set of triplets just HAD to make it to number one!

As a bonus I’ll mention Fujiwara also does the voice for Isshin Kurosaki in Bleach and he also has a similar look! Except he doesn’t wear glasses and he has a bigger build.


Final Thoughts

An Honorable Mention goes to Goku from Dragon Ball and Ash Ketchum (Satoshi) from Pokemon! True, Ash has his hat on most of the time, but when he takes it of… They have literally the same hairstyle! Not to mention the bushy eyebrows and big white eyes with small/narrow black pupils.

Phew! It’s amazing how many similar characters there are, right? They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and boy do manga/anime artist like to flatter each other!

Of course, there are countless more twins, triplets and doppelgängers out there in the world of anime. Do you have any to share that weren’t mentioned in this list??

Thanks for stopping by! See you next time!

Nya~!

To-LOVE-Ru-wallpaper--583x500 Top 10 Anime Doppelgänger / Lookalike

Editor/Writer

Author: Lizzy Nyanko

An otaku as far as I can remember. I grew up playing video games, watching anime in Spanish in Mexico where I grew up, and then was a member of both anime clubs at UTEP for my entire university life when I moved to Texas. I love going to cons, I used to cosplay (always hoping to get back into it), and I got to live in Japan for 2 years and be an otaku there! It was literally a dream come true! Now back in the US, I love being a writer and editor for Honey’s. It’s a great chance to keep up with all the latest anime each season and up to date with all otaku news. And without our readers, that wouldn’t be possible so, thank you for being a part of our hive!!

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