Anime With Iconic Characters That Often Overshadow the Plot

In the landscape of modern and classic animation, certain characters achieve a level of fame that transcends the narratives they inhabit. While these series often feature intricate world-building and complex storylines, public discourse frequently prioritizes character designs, personality quirks, and specific power sets over the actual progression of the script. This phenomenon is driven by social media trends, viral clips, and merchandising, which can make a singular figure more recognizable than the title of the show itself. Understanding the core plot of these popular series helps contextualize the figures that have become cultural icons in the global anime community.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–)

Satoru Gojo serves as a special grade sorcerer and a primary teacher at Tokyo Jujutsu High, often dominating fan discussions due to his “Limitless” technique. The actual story follows Yuji Itadori, a high school student who swallows a cursed finger belonging to the powerful King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna. To prevent Sukuna from fully manifesting, Yuji joins a secret organization of sorcerers to find and consume the remaining fingers. While the plot focuses on the grim reality of Curses and the politics of the sorcery world, Gojo’s overwhelming presence remains the most cited aspect of the series.

‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022–)

The character Makima is a central figure in online discourse, known for her role as a high-ranking official in the Public Safety Devil Hunters. The narrative centers on Denji, a destitute young man who merges with his chainsaw-dog devil, Pochita, to become a hybrid. After being recruited by Makima, Denji is tasked with hunting the Gun Devil while navigating a world filled with personified human fears. Despite the series’ deep themes of trauma and exploitation, conversations often revolve strictly around Makima’s manipulative personality and character design.

‘My Dress-Up Darling’ (2022)

Marin Kitagawa became an immediate cultural phenomenon for her enthusiastic approach to the world of cosplay. The series tells the story of Wakana Gojo, a secluded student who aspires to become a master craftsman of traditional Hina dolls. After Marin discovers Wakana’s sewing skills, she asks him to create costumes for her favorite characters, leading to a close bond between the two. While the show meticulously details the technical difficulties and artistic passion involved in tailoring, the majority of public attention focuses on Marin’s various aesthetic transformations.

‘Spy x Family’ (2022–)

Anya Forger, a young telepath with a penchant for peanuts and expressive facial reactions, is the most frequently discussed element of this series. The plot follows an elite spy named Twilight who must create a fake family to infiltrate a prestigious private school and prevent a war between two nations. He unknowingly adopts a telepathic daughter and enters a sham marriage with a professional assassin named Yor. While the narrative balances Cold War-style espionage with domestic comedy, Anya’s antics and catchphrases often eclipse the political stakes of the mission.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Levi Ackerman consistently tops popularity polls, often receiving more attention than the primary protagonist or the series’ dense geopolitical themes. The story begins with humanity living inside walled cities to protect themselves from man-eating giants known as Titans. As the plot unfolds, it shifts from a survival horror story into a complex tale involving generational warfare, racial conflict, and the morality of preemptive strikes. Despite these heavy narrative shifts, the focus of the broader fandom frequently remains on Levi’s combat skills and stoic demeanor.

‘Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-‘ (2016–)

Rem, a blue-haired maid working at the Roswaal Mansion, achieved such high popularity that she often represents the series in marketing over the main heroine. The actual plot follows Subaru Natsuki, a young man who is transported to a fantasy world and discovers he has the ability to return to life at a specific “checkpoint” after dying. This “Return by Death” mechanic forces Subaru to endure immense physical and psychological suffering to save his friends. However, the discourse surrounding the show is largely dominated by the debate over Subaru’s romantic choices involving Rem.

‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022)

Rebecca, a chaotic and heavily armed mercenary, became the standout character of this standalone series set in the ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ universe. The story follows David Martinez, a street kid who joins a group of edgerunners after a personal tragedy leaves him with a powerful military-grade implant. The plot explores the inevitable decline of those who use cybernetics to excess, leading to the condition known as cyberpsychosis. While the series is a critique of corporate dystopia and loss of humanity, Rebecca’s design and violent outbursts are the primary topics of fan appreciation.

‘Bungo Stray Dogs’ (2016–)

Osamu Dazai is a former executive of the Port Mafia who now works for the Armed Detective Agency, and he is the subject of constant discussion for his eccentric personality. The series focuses on Atsushi Nakajima, an orphan who discovers he can transform into a tiger and is subsequently recruited into a group of individuals with supernatural abilities named after literary figures. The plot involves complex conflicts between rival organizations and the investigation of crimes that the police cannot handle. Despite a large cast of characters, Dazai’s mysterious past and suicide-obsessed humor remain the main draw for viewers.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995–1996)

Asuka Langley Soryu and Rei Ayanami are cultural icons whose impact on the “waifu” phenomenon often distorts the perception of the show’s dark themes. The narrative revolves around Shinji Ikari, a teenager recruited by his father to pilot a giant bio-machine called an Evangelion to fight mysterious beings known as Angels. As the series progresses, it moves away from traditional robot combat into a psychological deconstruction of the human soul and religious symbolism. While the plot is a deeply philosophical exploration of loneliness, most external talk focuses on the rivalry between Asuka and Rei.

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ (2019–)

Nezuko Kamado, the sister of the protagonist who is turned into a demon and travels in a wooden box, is the most recognizable face of the franchise. The plot follows Tanjiro Kamado as he joins the Demon Slayer Corps to find a cure for Nezuko and avenge his family, who were slaughtered by the demon progenitor, Muzan Kibutsuji. The story is a classic hero’s journey involving various breathing styles used in sword combat to defeat powerful demons. Nevertheless, the image of Nezuko with her bamboo muzzle is what most people associate with the title.

‘【OSHI NO KO】’ (2023–)

Ai Hoshino, a charismatic pop idol, serves as the catalyst for the entire series, though her actual screen time is limited compared to her lasting influence on the brand. The story follows her reincarnated children, Aqua and Ruby, as they navigate the dark and manipulative world of the Japanese entertainment industry. Aqua specifically seeks to find the person responsible for their mother’s death, leading to a gritty mystery involving actors, directors, and reality TV. While the show is a scathing critique of celebrity culture, Ai’s idol aesthetic is the most talked-about element.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)

Spike Spiegel is the epitome of “cool” in anime history, with his signature suit and nonchalant attitude often being the first thing mentioned about the show. The plot follows a motley crew of bounty hunters traveling through space on the ship ‘Bebop’ as they try to survive in the year 2071. Each episode typically deals with a specific bounty, but the overarching narrative explores the characters’ inability to escape their troubled pasts. Although the show is a masterclass in genre-blending and philosophical storytelling, Spike’s charisma tends to lead most conversations.

‘One Piece’ (1999–)

Roronoa Zoro, the three-sword-wielding combatant of the Straw Hat Pirates, is frequently cited for his strength and “badass” moments, sometimes more than the series’ intricate lore. ‘One Piece’ tells the expansive story of Monkey D. Luffy and his quest to find the legendary treasure left by Gold Roger to become the Pirate King. The narrative covers themes of freedom, systemic oppression, and historical erasure over more than a thousand episodes. Still, Zoro’s specific fights and his running gag of getting lost are perennial favorites in the community.

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014–2015)

Ken Kaneki’s transformation from a shy student to a white-haired fighter is a staple of internet profile pictures and edgy aesthetic edits. The plot follows Kaneki after he survives an encounter with a Ghoul—creatures that must eat human flesh—and becomes a half-Ghoul himself. He must learn to navigate a society where Ghouls are hunted by the Commission of Counter Ghoul while trying to maintain his own humanity. While the manga and anime explore the tragedy of coexistence, the visual change in Kaneki’s character remains the most discussed aspect.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

L Lawliet, the eccentric world-class detective, is just as famous as the central premise of the supernatural notebook. The story follows Light Yagami, a high school student who finds a notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. Light begins a crusade to rid the world of criminals, leading to a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse with L, who is determined to catch him. The plot is a tight psychological thriller about morality and justice, yet L’s strange habits like his sitting posture are what many fans discuss most.

‘Kill la Kill’ (2013–2014)

Ryuko Matoi and her rival Satsuki Kiryuin are the faces of this high-octane action series known for its unique art style and fanservice elements. Ryuko arrives at Honnouji Academy wielding a giant half of a pair of scissors, seeking the person who murdered her father. The school is ruled by a hierarchy based on “Goku Uniforms,” clothing that grants the wearer superhuman abilities. While the plot is a satirical take on clothing, fascism, and coming-of-age, the character designs and fight sequences generally dominate the conversation.

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–2024)

Frieren, an elven mage who lives for thousands of years, has sparked countless memes and discussions regarding her deadpan expressions and “aura.” The series begins after the hero’s party has already defeated the Demon King, focusing on Frieren’s life after her companions begin to die of old age. She embarks on a new journey to learn more about the humans she once took for granted and to reach the land where souls rest. The narrative is a slow-paced meditation on time and regret, but Frieren’s personality has become the primary talking point.

‘Kakegurui’ (2017–2019)

Yumeko Jabami is known for her extreme obsession with gambling and the exaggerated facial expressions she makes during high-stakes games. The series is set at Hyakkaou Private Academy, an elite school where the student hierarchy is determined not by grades, but by gambling prowess. Those who fall into debt become “house pets” and lose their basic human rights within the school system. Although the show features complex games of chance and social commentary on wealth, Yumeko’s erratic behavior is the show’s most viral feature.

‘Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid’ (2017–2021)

Kanna Kamui, a young dragon who joins the human world, became a massive internet sensation for her “cute” design and specific sounds. The plot centers on Kobayashi, an office worker who drunkenly saves a dragon named Tohru and ends up living with her. Tohru serves as Kobayashi’s maid, and the story follows their daily lives as more mythical creatures enter the human realm. While the series deals with themes of found family and cultural adjustment, Kanna’s character often overshadows the central relationship between Kobayashi and Tohru.

‘Hellsing Ultimate’ (2006–2012)

Alucard, the nearly invincible vampire serving the Hellsing Organization, is a figure of immense popularity in the “overpowered character” niche. The narrative follows the Hellsing family as they protect England from supernatural threats, eventually facing a neo-Nazi group known as Millennium. The plot is a violent and stylized exploration of war, religion, and what it means to be a monster. Despite the historical and theological references throughout the series, Alucard’s stylish violence and dialogue are the primary reasons the show remains in the public consciousness.

Tell us which of these characters made you watch the series in the comments.