Top 10 Coolest Characters of 2016

2016 was a great year for anime. Across the board we were blessed with great shows: action anime that got our adrenaline pumping, comedies and dramas that made us both laugh and cry for very different reasons, along with sports anime that had us cheering like we'd never cheered before. The shows all featured top quality animation, plots, and characters.

The most important driving force behind many anime is the characters, of course. And 2016's were no different; some characters were loved universally, some hated. It's easy to argue with personal preference. What can't be argued with is personality, and say what you want, but 'coolness' is definitely and innate personality trait. A great sense of fashion, the ability to connect to and inspire others, unwavering confidence: these are all among the things that define a truly cool character. Some characters are cooler than others, it's just the way of the world. Here are the 10 Coolest Characters of 2016.


10. Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama from Mob Psycho 100

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: July 2016 – September 2016

Sometimes the myth is greater than the reality; Shiro T Poison is the toughest middle schooler in all of Seasoning City. Having taken on the toughest student at Black Vinegar School, Teruki Hanazawa, the school's gang seeks out Shiro T Poison to exact their revenge. Eventually, the myth of Shiro T Poison spreads so that all the gangs in the city are all looking for the great Shiro T Poison.

It turns out, that Shiro T Poison's true identity is none other than the quiet, meek Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama. It's true that Mob defeated Teru, but he's far from the battle hungry delinquent the rumors and his brother, Ritsu, made Shiro T Poison out to be. He's, in fact, quite the opposite, preferring to not fight or even use his powers against other people.

Despite being known as the most dangerous middle schooler in his city, Mob still proves himself to be cool outside of that. Mob manages to earn himself lots of friends and people who respect him. Despite somehow still managing to be one of the cool kids, Mob's still really the same old quiet kid who idolizes his con-artist mentor. In Mob's eyes, Arataka Reigen is probably the coolest guy out there and worthy of topping our list...


9. Toshinori Yagi bka All Might from My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia)

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: April 2016 – June 2016

All Might is your classic superhero. And who's cooler than your classic superhero?! Based on his position: at least 8 other people... but you get the point. All Might's superhero appearance exudes cool; from his great smile, muscular physique, and the way he towers over others, All Might is the cool guy everyone wants to be friends with. Lucky for students at U.A.High, they get the chance to know the popular All Might.

Looks aren't the only thing that makes someone cool, and All Might has the personality that goes along with his cool appearance. All Might is very optimistic, always having a positive attitude regardless the situation. All Might wasn't the number 1 hero for as long as he was on heroics alone, All Might's friendly personality also helped him to win the heart of his many fans. Not only a friendly guy, All Might is very supportive of his students, always encouraging them, and expressing his pride at their accomplishments.


8. Kyouma Mabuchi from Dimension W

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: January 2016 – March 2016

Kyouma is your classic "cool guy." In fact, he's even one of those guys you'd say was trying too hard to be cool. He fits the stereotype that well. Part of this comes from his cynical and churlish attitude. Kyouma also has the cool guy look down pat. Rocking spiky hair, sideburns, a goatee, and an outfit combining modern and traditional clothes, Kyouma is the classic "cool guy."

In addition to his getup, Kyouma has a very classic interest: vintage cars. It's not a nominal interest in cars either, as he also is a very skilled mechanic, and accepts gasoline as a payment. Sorry, but anyone who likes vintage cars is automatically cool; those are the rules of cool.


7. Angelo Lagusa aka Avilio Bruno from 91 Days

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: July 2016 – October 2016

When you think of cool, one of the first things that come to mind is almost definitely a gangster. Avilio Bruno (né Angelo Lagusa), infiltrated one of the most powerful mob families in the city of Lawless, all in order to get his vengeance on the people that killed his family as a kid. Earning your way into a mob family is no easy task, of course. It's one that requires the right stuff. All the stuff that Avilio has.
Avilio proves himself to be cold, but this isn't the what makes Avilio such a cool character. Avilio has a very good way with people. Avilio's cunning and humorous nature, along with his ability to manipulate people easily allowed him to get in with the Vanetti family.

Avilio has shown himself to be good with people, not only in his ability to manipulate them, but also simply being able to connect to people. Avilio is very good with kids and has a fondness for sweets: two things that would probably hurt the image of gangsters, but Avilio is so confident in himself that it doesn’t matter. Not only is he good with kids, but he's also a good friend, proving himself to be a good confidant in Nero and his childhood friend, Corteo, putting his life on the line several times to save him.


6. Megumin from Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!)

  • Episodes: 10
  • Aired: January 2016 – March 2016

Everyone knows that cool guys walk away from explosions. But no one thinks about who makes those explosions; how cool are they?! If Megumin is anything go off of: really. fricking. cool. Megumin's an explosion mage, and she doesn't take that title lightly, claiming she must cast explosion once a day or she will die.

Her obsession with explosion magic has earned her the nickname of "crazy-headed girl." However, this nickname captures other cool aspects of Megumin's personality. Megumin is very hyperactive, often helping to bring energy to the party with her over-the-top antics. Of course, these antics are also for the good of her friends, whom she has also shown to be very protective of.



5. Celty Sturluson from Durarara!!x2 Ketsu

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: January 2016 – March 2016

Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's most bustling areas. With the constant coming and going of many people, it takes a really cool individual to become the most talked about topic throughout the city, even more so when no one has seen their face. Celty is that individual; throughout Ikebukuro, there continues to be talk about The Headless Rider. First the thing of legends, only a few were lucky enough to hear the roar of her bike, let alone see her. Eventually, Celty comes out of the shadows, and not only has a more prominent presence on the streets of Ikebukuro, but is also now a fugitive of the law.

Being a fugitive and thing of legends is more than enough to earn Celty a spot on the list. She earns her spot high on the list because she's often seen in leather and riding a familiar that's able to shapeshift anywhere from a carriage coach to its more common form of a motorcycle. We dare you to tell a member of Hell's Angel that leather and bikes aren't cool. She has also developed a love of video games and movies. A bike riding, legendary fugitive that plays video games. Pretty cool if you ask us!


4. Osamu Dazai from Bungou Stray Dogs

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: April 2016 – June 2016

We said it before, and we'll say it again: gangsters are cool. An ex-member of Tokyo's underworld organization, Port Mafia, Osamu is a very mysterious individual. Mysteries are meant to be solved, and as a result, Osamu sees himself in the presence of many people who try and fail to unravel his mystery. Osamu, on the other hand, is very capable of solving mysteries. Often using his immense wit, Osamu is able to solve even the most difficult situations with the level of confidence you'd expect from someone as cool as him.

In addition to Port Mafia, Osamu is a member of the Armed Detective Agency. One of his colleagues often calls him lazy because of how much he slacks off. This perceived laziness, however, stems from his confidence in himself and laid back attitude.


3. Rem from Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- (Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu)

  • Episodes: 25
  • Aired: April 2016 – September 2016

Don't you dare let the cute maid look deceive you, Rem is one of the coolest characters out there. Her constant sense of inferiority to her sister means that Rem lacks the confidence that is often found in cool characters. This is far from the truth, however, as Roswaal Mansion runs like a well-oiled machine due to Rem's skills, rather than her twin sister's.

Rem is half-ogre and when she stops restraining her powers, she proves to be quite fearsome. The cute ogre girl is definitely the person you should want to be friends with, but her coolness goes well beyond that. As a friend, Rem is loyal to a fault, sticking up for Subaru even when he begins to doubt himself. Rem's undying loyalty and the manor's reliance on her shows her ability to overcome her past and nature. Rem's ability to make the most of her circumstances as well as her sweet and caring, yet strong personality makes her one of those cool characters that will be remembered until time immemorial.
Who said cute girls can't be cool anyway?!


2. Satou from Ajin

  • Episodes: 26
  • Aired: January 2016 – December 2016

Being cool isn't a characteristic reserved only for the good guy. Think about it: charismatic, intelligent, confident, unconventional. These are the characteristics of a cool person, but they also fit the profile of a psychopath; all that's missing is a lack of emotion and the belief that others are pawns in your game. With that textbook definition of a psychopath, we've also define Samuel T. O'Brien, better known as Satou.

Let's not focus on his less favorable character traits; we are here to talk about why he's so cool after all. Although, it is these very same features that make Satou so cool: his combination of charm and cold, calculating demeanor. Even when committing the most heinous of acts, Satou has the chilling yet magnetic smile on his face.

It is this smile, that's ever-present on his face as he calmly assesses even the most dire situation and finds a way out. Always one step ahead of his opponent, Satou proves to be quite the intelligent strategist. Despite his open ruthlessness, Satou is able to earn a group of supporters. Satou's methods might be questionable, but truthfully, he claims to be fighting for a noble cause: a more fair treatment of Ajin. Don't forget his nickname-bearing cap, as Satou also proves to be very stylish. Cap, smile, charisma, and determined resolve; you've got one of the coolest psychopaths and characters of 2016, Satou.


1. Sakamoto from Haven't You Heard?! I'm Sakamoto (Sakamoto Desu Ga?)

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: April 2016 – June 2016

Think if the coolest guy you went to school with. Yeah, the guy that all the girls were crazy about, and all the boys hated (because the girls all loved him). Congrats! You just thought of someone who is nowhere as cool as Sakamoto.

Don't let the similarities confuse you. Sakamoto's way cooler than whomever you were thinking about. Sakamoto has never been known as anything other than "cool." From his first day at school, Sakamoto easily established himself as the coolest guy to roam the halls. Instantly, all the girls fell for him, his silky black hair and glasses that cover his dark eyes. Naturally, all the guys loathed him.

When you're this cool, there are always haters who will try to deter your success. Whether it's being bullied or forced to be an errand boy, Sakamoto is able to make his way out any situation with the calm and poise you'd expect from the coolest guy in school. Teachers aren't even able to keep Sakamoto down. Sakamoto sticks up for the little guy too: other bullied kids and even animals.

What would make others weird and possible outsiders only adds to Sakamoto's charm. Sakamoto's penchant for sneaking around and making weird poses only make him cooler. In addition to these otherwise uncool habits, Sakamoto's also deft at many things such as catching bugs and blowing bubble. Too cool!


Final Thoughts

Whether it's being the object of everyone's imaginations or just inspiring the few close friends you have, it's very easy to spot the cool character. Don't know about you but we'd give almost anything to spend a bit of time with nearly all of these characters (sorry Satou, but we value our lives). Even if we can't spend time with them, we'd love to be just a bit like them. Oh, to be the coolest…

Let us know which characters you think are cooler than the other side of the pillow.

Dimension-W-dvd-20160809135600 Top 10 Coolest Characters of 2016

Writer

Author: Jabulani Blyden

This feels like I'm writing a dating profile... Am I pretty enough? In addition to watching anime I like playing video games, mostly RPGs and indies. I lose a lot of Otaku street cred for the games and shows on my backlog (TTGL & FFVII for example #FeelsBadMan). I run a podcast with my friends where we talk about video games and anime. Nice to meet you... or something.

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