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Anime’s Top 20 Best Blonde & Yellow Haired Characters

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Not all blondes are vapid, Californian surfers – plenty are uber-powerful, with a wide range of personalities. Thankfully, anime is full of these golden-haired beacons of sunshine.

In today’s roundup, we’re counting down the top 20 blonde and yellow-haired characters who’ve painted the anime world golden. They’re so striking, you could spot them in an anime line-up with a pair of sunglasses on.

Get ready for a yellow-tinged trip down anime lane. But spoiler warning: you might find a couple shows you haven’t seen yet on this list!

Table of Contents

20. Minato Namikaze (Naruto)

Minato Namikaze: the man, the myth, the Fourth Hokage! He’s Mr. Kushina Uzumaki, proud papa of our beloved hero Naruto, and an all-around ninja rockstar. This guy was a certified whiz kid, trained by none other than Jiraiya (that’s like getting guitar lessons from Jimi Hendrix).

His resume of heroics began early when he saved his future wife, Kushina, from some nasty kidnappers. But Kushina wasn’t just any wife. She was the Nine-Tails jinchuuriki, which is like being a walking, talking nuclear reactor. But instead of producing electricity, she had a giant fox demon.

During the climax of her pregnancy with Naruto, Obito Uchiha decided to crash the baby shower, kidnap the Nine-Tails, and go Godzilla on Konoha. Really, Obito? Couldn’t you have just sent a gift card?

So, Fourth Hokage Minato defended the village from both Nine-Tails and Obito, but it came at a terrible cost – him and Kushina were left fatally injured. Before they died, Minato sealed the Nine-Tails into his newborn son, Naruto, making him the official ‘child of prophecy’. This guy set the entire anime’s plot into motion!

19. Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye is not an ordinary office paper-pusher but Colonel Roy Mustang’s right-hand woman, adjutant, bodyguard, and certified sharpshooter. Honestly, without her, Mustang’s office might just collapse into a black hole of disorder.

Cooler than the other side of the pillow, Riza is the epitome of the strong, silent type. Her journey in the military has been more like a rollercoaster ride through a hurricane. The nightmares she faced in Ishval didn’t just steal her youthful idealism, they turned it into a fossil.

She’s made it her personal mission to prevent the future generation from witnessing the hellish horrors she’s seen. She might not say much, choosing instead to express her feelings through long, penetrating stares and the occasional Mona Lisa smile. But there’s plenty of kindness under that reserved demeanor.

18. Kei Tsukishima (Haikyuu!!)

Kei Tsukishima, the baby brother of Akiteru, is the master of blunt observations. This young man has a knack for pressing everyone’s buttons. With his smug demeanor and casual swagger, he’s the guy everyone loves to hate. Yet, oddly enough, his rivals can’t help but admire him as an incredibly annoying piece of work.

When someone acts like a buffoon, you can bet Kei is the one snickering from the shadows. But don’t let the bravado fool you, he’s got a healthy respect for his seniors. When Daichi starts cracking down on Tanaka, Kei disappears faster than a slice of pizza at a volleyball team’s afterparty.

For all his cocky show, Kei is battling some real insecurities. His self-esteem could use some push-ups, often thinking of himself as the volleyball equivalent of an undercooked ramen noodle.

But, oh boy, when underestimated or told he can’t do something, he flicks that switch from ‘smug’ to ‘game on’ faster than a setter’s reflexes.

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17. Misa Amane (Death Note)

Let’s be honest: for many of us, Misa Amane was our inaugural golden-haired anime crush. She’s the kind of character who not only claimed real estate in our hearts, but also set up a permanent ‘blonde booth’ at the Anime Fair of Affection.

This is because she’s not just any run-of-the-mill female character, but a key player in the big leagues. And by big leagues, I mean the titanic titan of anime: Death Note.

Misa is the plot twist queen, shaking up the narrative like a snow globe in the hands of an overexcited toddler. Her actions spark more story alterations than a binge-watching session with a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ series.

Misa is the girl who stole our hearts quicker than a pickpocket in a crowded subway. She still hasn’t returned them – and doesn’t seem to plan on it anytime soon. Oh well.

16. Saber (Fate/Zero)

Saber is the triple threat of the Fate series. She’s been setting the anime world ablaze as a leading lady in Fate/Zero and as part of the heroines’ holy trinity in Fate/Stay Night, along with Rin Tohsaka and Sakura Matou.

This gal’s worn more hats than a baseball player. She’s been the Servant of Kiritsugu Emiya in the Fourth Holy Grail War of Fate/Zero. Then, deciding she needed a change of scenery, she jumped ship to team up with Shirou Emiya, Kiritsugu’s adopted son, in the Fifth Holy Grail War of Fate/Stay Night.

But she didn’t stop there! After becoming Sakura Matou’s Servant in Heaven’s Feel, she underwent a makeover. Voila: Saber Alter was born!

Saber Alter is so powerful, her class is known for acing every category faster than a model student on a sugar high. With magic resistance that would make a unicorn envious and riding abilities that would put a professional jockey to shame, Saber is a force to be reckoned with!

15. Meliodas (The Seven Deadly Sins)

Meliodas isn’t just the star of The Seven Deadly Sins, he’s the entire galaxy! Dragon’s Sin of Wrath, protagonist extraordinaire, skipper of the Seven Deadly Sins ship, devoted husband to Elizabeth Liones, and tavern tycoon of the legendary Boar Hat – who knew one guy could juggle so many titles without breaking a sweat?

Once upon a time, he was also the head honcho of the Ten Commandments under the alias “Meliodas the Love” (gotta love that branding), and a former member of Stigma. And that was after he defected from the Demon Clan. Now, that’s an impressive resume!

You’d think with a title like the Sin of Wrath, Meliodas would be as chill as a pressure cooker on steroids. But surprise, surprise, he’s usually calmer than a monk on a mountain top … well, as long as you don’t harm his friends. If you dare to, he’ll turn into a raging bull faster than you can say “whoops”.

Oh, and whatever you do, don’t touch his sword. Seriously. He’s been known to scare Holy Knights and even left permanent scars on poor old Ban’s neck when he went after it. You’ve been warned!

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14. Tsunade (Naruto)

The fifth Hokage, Tsunade, is basically shinobi royalty. She’s the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the first jinchuuriki, Mito Uzumaki. Plus, she’s part of the legendary sannin, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

You may know her as the world’s strongest kunoichi and the world’s greatest medical-nin, titles she’s won thanks to her uber-impressive Senju clan heritage.

This leading lady took a hiatus from ninja life after losing too many loved ones. But like a shinobi boomerang, she was persuaded to return to Konoha and donned the stylish mantle of the Fifth Hokage.

And the ninja world was better for it! With chakra control that would make a yoga master green with envy, Tsunade has enough power in her pinky finger to turn boulders into pebbles.

Using her medical wizardry, Tsunade mastered the art of turning back the clock. She’s pushing fifty but looks like she just celebrated her twenty-first birthday. And they say the Fountain of Youth is just a myth!

13. Annie Leonhart (Attack on Titan)

Roll out the red carpet for Annie Leonhart! This girl didn’t just waltz her way into fans’ hearts – she roundhouse kicked the door down with her killer combat skills, take-charge attitude, and a secret identity more enigmatic than a game of Cluedo.

To say she’s capable would be an understatement. She’s the ninja of the Survey Corps Cadet training, raking in the fourth rank. Only Mikasa Ackerman can go toe-to-toe with her in a fist fight. Considering Mikasa’s no slouch herself, that’s saying something.

Grab your popcorn now, because here comes the plot twist: Annie’s the Female Titan! Suddenly, the series goes from “Down with the Titans!” to “Hold on, maybe the humans are the real baddies.”

When Annie comes on screen, it’s brief – but she still steals the show. This girl could have five minutes of screen time and still be voted “Most Likely to Become a Fan’s Desktop Background”.

12. Kurapika (Hunter x Hunter)

The last survivor of the Kurta clan is the VIP of the Hunter x Hunter squad. This guy is like a stick of dynamite in the back pocket of Gon, Killua, and Leorio – always there, always ready to explode!

Kurapika isn’t just a supporting character, he’s the backbone of the Succession Contest and Yorknew City arcs. A man on a mission, Kurapika’s got a to-do list with two big entries: recover the Scarlet Eyes and serve some cold, hard revenge for his clan.

Don’t let his cool-as-a-cucumber demeanor fool you. Kurapika might seem like the kind of Hunter who’d enjoy bird-watching on a Sunday afternoon, but he’s all about keeping his eyes on the prize. The moment you mention his goal, it’s like stepping on the tail of a sleeping lion.

When it comes to achieving his goal, Kurapika can be as ruthless as a piranha in a goldfish bowl, ready to stoop to any lows. If you get in his way, watch out!

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11. Reiner Braun (Attack on Titan)

The love child of an Eldian and a Marleyan, Reiner rose from Liberio’s internment zone. Cherry-picked as a child to join Marley’s A-team, he found himself with the power of the Armored Titan before he even hit puberty. If that’s not an early bloomer, I don’t know what is.

Reiner and his posse – including Bertholdt Hoover, Annie Leonhardt, and Marcel Galliard – decided to take a trip to Paradis Island in 845. Their mission? To snatch up the Founding Titan.

After becoming the salutatorian of the 104th Training Corps (he lost the top spot to Mikasa, but who’s keeping track?), he signed up with the Survey Corps. Bertholdt and Annie were there too, and they were no slackers, landing 3rd and 4th spots. But if Attack on Titan was a band, Reiner would be the tortured lead singer.

His parallel universe bromance with Eren makes him one of the most riveting characters in the series. And let’s not forget his double-agent gig, which amplified his inner turmoil like a drama queen with a megaphone.

Sure, he and his squad were responsible for making Paradis look like a disaster movie, but the guy genuinely cared about his pals on the island.

10. Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan)

Armin’s a big shot, having climbed the ranks to become commander of the Survey Corps. But he’s not just any commander – he rocks the Colossal Titan, which he nabbed from Bertholdt Hoover in the Battle of Shiganshina. Inheritance has never been this monstrous!

As best buds with Mikasa Ackerman and the main man, Eren Yeager, Armin is not just part of the story; he’s in the very core of it!

Armin might have started off looking like the runt of the litter in the 104th Regiment, but his knack for strategy and smarts would put a chess grandmaster to shame. He’s so sharp, in fact, that even the former commander, Erwin Smith, had to admit he was pretty darn useful.

But beneath his colossal exterior, Armin is all marshmallow. He’s the kind of guy who’d throw himself into a shark tank if it meant saving his friends. Heck, he even once offered to sacrifice himself for Mikasa. If that’s not the embodiment of loyalty and selflessness, I don’t know what is.

9. Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)

Do you hear that? That’s the drumroll for none other than … Lucy! No introduction needed, no long speeches required. You know we’re talking about the headlining lady from the anime Fairy Tail. A certified Mage with Fairy Tail Guild, she hangs out in the cool kids’ corner, also known as Team Natsu.

And you know what they say about kids from rich families, right? They always have the most fantastic runaway stories. Well, Lucy certainly didn’t disappoint. She bid adieu to her mega-rich clan and hopped onto the Fairy Tail bandwagon.

She’s basically the whole package wrapped up in an anime character. Personality? Check. Contribution to the anime? Double check. A secret recipe for ‘amazingness’? Heck yeah!

Let’s be real here. Lucy’s not just a favorite, she’s the ultimate Waifu. Leaving her off this list? That would be the anime equivalent of forgetting to put cheese on a pizza. Absolute sacrilege!

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8. Johan Liebert (Monster)

Give it up for the meanest, baddest baddie on the anime block: the one and only Johan Liebert! This guy’s basically the Darth Vader of the anime world. He keeps snagging the top spot on all those ‘greatest anime villain’ lists.

And why wouldn’t he? The guy’s got all the charm of a fluffy kitten, but lurking underneath is a cold-hearted serial killer. He’s got this scary knack for convincing you he’s a real sweetheart right before he goes in for the kill. It’s like he’s offering you a lollipop and then – BAM! – he’s Jack the Ripper.

If they ever decided to make an anime about how a serial killer’s mind works, Johan Liebert would probably be the first in line for the casting call. Believe me, he’s got the ‘I’m-a-terrifying-monster’ act down pat.

7. All Might (My Hero Academia)

Let’s hear it for the legendary Toshinori Yagi! You might know him better as All Might, or as I like to call him, ‘the Muscular Beacon of Goodness.’ He was the numero uno hero, the embodiment of world peace, and the educator extraordinaire teaching ‘How-to-be-a-Hero 101’ at the prestigious U.A. High School.

All Might was the proud eighth titleholder of the ‘One For All Quirk,’ like a Miss Universe with superpowers. He then handed over his superhero crown to the spunky Izuku Midoriya, training him up to be the new face of justice.

But alas! After his epic WWE-style smackdown with All For One he hung up his cape and bid adieu to his days of fame and glory.

All Might’s retirement sparked the beginning of the ‘Grumpy Endeavor Era’, as the No. 1 Hero. But let’s face it, All Might’s size 1,000 shoes are a tough fill for anyone!

6. Kisuke Urahara (Bleach)

Kisuke Urahara is ex-chief honcho of the 12th Division and the founding father of the S.R.D.I. But life threw him a curveball and he was voted off the Soul Society island, forcing him to make a new life in the ‘burbs of the Human World.

Here, he’s running a charming mom-and-pop convenience store, selling magical knick-knacks for your everyday Shinigami. Generally a chill dude with a sense of humor sharper than his Zanpakutō, Urahara can flip the switch to “deadly serious” faster than you can say “Bankai” when needed.

You can always spot him rocking his signature Japanese wooden sandals and stylish bucket hat, which have not only put him on Soul Society’s fashion radar but also earned him the endearing nickname of ‘sandal-hat.’

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5. Erwin Smith (Attack on Titan)

Erwin Smith, the 13th Commander of the Scout Regiment, is a true genius in khaki trousers. His foresight is so sharp, he could probably see next week’s weather; his intelligence so profound, even a supercomputer might feel threatened. Yes, this man is the epitome of ‘all drive, no reverse.’

He was the sort of leader who treated his men like family, but wouldn’t hesitate to push them into the deep end for the greater good. And like loyal ducks to a pond, they’d follow his orders, even if it meant swimming with piranhas.

He had a sixth sense for inter-Regiment espionage and could sniff out a spy like a truffle hog on a woodland foray: he was first to suspect a mole among his faithful crew and meticulously crafted his trust circle like a VIP list at a swanky party.

In a bout of existential crisis, he passed his baton to Hange Zoë, ensuring the future of the Scout Regiment was in hands as crazy as his own.

4. Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

A boy wonder in the alchemy world, Edward Elric scored the title of ‘State Alchemist’ faster than most kids master their times tables. I mean, seriously, the kid was only twelve!

The star of the show, the FullMetal Alchemist himself, Ed’s got one thing on his to-do list: restore his little bro, Alphonse, back to his original, non-metallic body. Yeah, they had a bit of a blip in the lab one day – human transmutation experiment went sideways. Now Al is just a tad more … ‘armory’ than your average teenager.

Despite having occasional moments where he channels his inner five-year-old, Edward is a noble chap. He’s got a heart of gold, even if his brother’s got a body of steel. The word on the street is that he’s something of a people’s hero. Not bad for a guy still going through puberty!

3. Usagi (Sailor Moon)

Meet Usagi, a bona fide daydreamer who is hand-picked to become Sailor Moon – the head honcho of justice-loving guardians. Usagi’s journey in the series is nothing short of a supercharged rollercoaster ride. She rockets from a teenage tornado with a fondness for the word ‘me’ to a selfless champion of justice.

Her ultra-blond pigtails, her sailor uniform, and her love-heart tiara are more than just fashion statements – they’ve become the bread and butter of the Sailor Moon brand. And don’t even get us started on her catchphrase! Just mention, “In the name of the Moon, I’ll punish you!” and the fan club instantly goes berserk.

Beyond the moonlit battles, Usagi’s relationships add that touch of reality TV drama that we all secretly love. From her romance with the dashing Mamoru Chiba or her complex relationships with her fellow guardians, friends, and family, there’s plenty to keep the storyline sizzling and cement her place as the indisputable queen bee of the anime world.

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2. Vinsmoke Sanji (One Piece)

Meet Sanji Vinsmoke, the culinary whiz kid and fifth cog in the Strawhat Pirates’ wheel. He hails from the Vinsmoke family and ditched them not once – but twice!

This lad’s got a reputation that’d put Blackbeard to shame, earning the rather stylish moniker ‘Black Leg Sanji’. As one of the Strawhat Pirates’ terrible trio, he’s right up there in the bounty rankings, taking the bronze medal after Luffy and Jinbei.

Beneath his flirtatious surface, Sanji’s as sharp as a tack. He’s the crew’s voice of reason. When the going gets tough, he’s got the knack for cooking up strategies just like he cooks up delicious meals.

1. Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Top of the charts, people! Put your hands together, please, for the one, the only, the Seventh Hokage of Konoha Village and the headline act of the Naruto series – the unflappable Naruto Uzumaki!

This guy is the Rocky Balboa of anime, powering through challenges like a hot knife through butter. Naruto doesn’t just tick boxes, he’s a box-ticking machine, winning over villagers and viewers faster than you can say “Believe it!”

Even after his main gig ended, he’s still one of the most authentic and lovable characters in the anime-verse. This orange-clad powerhouse became the poster boy for anime popularity almost overnight. You know you’ve made it when your jacket spawns a fashion trend!

With a spirit stronger than a ninja’s headband and an unwavering resolve, Naruto has embedded himself in the heart of fans worldwide.

Bonus: Pikachu (Pokémon)

Fine, he’s technically not a blondie since he isn’t human, but he’s too yellow to not make this list. Bottom of FormAsh’s numero uno, his ride-or-die pocket monster companion, is a mouse with stripes, electric powers, and the famous refrain, “Pika Pika!”

Pikachu isn’t your average pocket-dwelling furball. This little yellow rebel scoffs at the idea of spending time inside his Poké Ball, asserting his independence with the determination of a cat refusing to take a bath. Truly, Pikachu is a spark of defiance in the Pokémon world!

Jack is an avid anime enthusiast with a passion for all things Japanese culture. He spends his days watching the latest series, reading manga, and discussing the merits of his favorite characters with his friends. When he's not writing (or debating) about manga and anime, Jack can be found playing video games or practicing Ju-Jitsu. Despite his nerdy interests, Jack is confident and outgoing. He's always eager to share his enthusiasm with others.