I’ll admit that I don’t watch as much anime as I used to. Frankly, there just too much of it out there and being an adult means not buying that expensive box set and paying your damn rent. Gorram you adulthood!
So, I’ve spent the day working on some retouching and spent a few blissful hours watching some ome of my favorite anime shows and movies to prepare for a panel I’m giving. As a result, I have updated my list of the most re-occurring anime character types.
10.) The Pervert
Usually an older male character, and by older I mean, older than 98% of the cast. If it’s a young pervert, he is defined by oogling women in public, in dirty manga magazines, making comments about boobs, stealing panties, or getting the traditional ‘nose bleed’. This character is simply amazed by a woman’s breast and has no problems showing it but doesn’t often have sex.
The Pervert is rarely a female character but when it is, she is the opposite of the male pervert and seems to be a bit of a nymphomaniac. She is defined by her crude commentary, lecherous eyes and usually grabby hands.
Examples: Male Pervert= Kakashi from Naruto, Mast Roshi from Dragon Ball. Female Pervert= Kitsune from Love Hina
The Advanced Pervert Can Read Porn At Work
9.) The Mascot
Whether they are there for comic relief or simply there for merchandising, nearly every anime program has some cute lil’ thing running around. The English dubbing will give it an obnoxious voice that makes me want to pull my ears off. The list goes on and and on as does the corresponding merchandise. They are always too cute for their own darn good. Ein from Cowboy Bebop being the least annoying of the bunch, but than again I love corgis.
Examples: Luna and Artemis from Sailor Moon, Pokota from Slayers, Pikachu from Pokemon; Pen-Pen from Evangelion; Kon from Bleach; Kero from Card Captors etc.
“I’ll swallow your soul.”
8.) The Super Geek
Can unlock any door, hack into any website and knows the sports scores before the game is even over. Most likely has an eccentric looking appearance and characterized by staring at a fully-lit computer screen in an otherwise dark room. The infamous Radical Edward is the perfect example.
7.) The Femme Fatale
She’s the one that all the guys want and she’s often the reason for the fighting in the first place. She’s got the luxurious hair and that ‘come-hither stare’ and is usually the character you are most likely to find naked fan-art of on the Internet. She’s the love of someone’s life and the reason for many a bad decisions.
“I like to drink and make bad life decisions- what of it?!”
6.) The Lush
Yup, we all know this one. Usually stores vast amounts of booze in his/her room. Recognized by the red cheeks and often half-closed eyes. As a result of said boozing, most likely the life of the party, the loudest laugh in the room or the one making inappropriate lecherous advances at the rest of the cast.
Example: Naga from Slayers; Vash the Stampede Trigun; Misato from Evangelion
5.) The Quiet Creepy Kid
This character is almost always female. She’s that girl that is never at class when attendance is called, or the female that makes the bizarre seemingly misplaced remarks about how the world is going end. Often times, they have weird eyes to add to the creep factor and are uncomfortably submissive. In some cases, this character is known for incredible acts of violence or betrayal despite any physical ailment they might have.
Think Rei from Evangelion, or Sailor Saturn from Sailor Moon, Anthy from Revolutionary Girl Utena or pretty much anyone from Elfen Lied
4.) That Astonishing Good Looking, Yet Incredibly Stupid Character
He’s the guy in charge of saving the day, but meanwhile will be the first one that needs to be reminded of what needs saving in the first place. Surprisingly competent with whatever weapon they are given, but can barely hold on to a cup of tea without spilling it. Also, usually a heart throb for some other, smarter, better ‘put-together’ character who finds their naivety charming. If this is a female, usually she has simple tastes, is ridiculously clumsy, cries all the time and incredibly innocent- for some reason the boys find her absolutely charming.
Examples: Gourry from Slayers, Usagi from Sailor Moon
“Does it matter if he’s straight or not?”
3.) The Strong, Sexy Character with a Hidden Past
This is the Don Draper of the anime world. Women get the warning but they can’t help but be attracted to him, often with bad results. His sex appeal lies in his ‘ devil may care’ attitude and the simple fact that he doesn’t really care about what happens to himself. Usually has some kind of unhealthy vice, be it booze, smoking, bad food, loose women ( or men in some cases) or even drugs. He’s a product of a violent addiction, the girl that got away or the past he can’t seem to get away from. He takes the word ‘reckless’ to mean ‘effortless’. The female version is pretty much exactly the same stereotype but despite it all, ‘she’s still sitting pretty with a pistol in hand.’
Examples: Spike and Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop, Touga from Revolutionary Girl Utena or Ren/Takumi from Nana
2.) The Bouncy, Ridiculously Happy and Innocent Girl That All the Guys Want
I find it funny how I immediately think of Usagi for this one as well. She’s the silly girl basically, not necessarily the best at school, but gosh darnit, isn’t she just precious? Also, is usually at the right place at the right time for those perfect ‘anime-moments’ with the cherry blossoms in the wind. Usually seen stuffing her face with sweets or massive quantities of food leaving everyone else to wonder just exactly how she manages to stay quiet so thin. Exercise?
Who needs exercise when you are consistently late for class and have to run out the door at rampaging speeds? She is usually the object of affection for the main male character. Meanwhile, the thought of kissing a boy or anything sexually related makes her blush or giggle like someone who has been drinking since ten in the morning.
A special breed of this species is the “The Bouncy, Ridiculously Happy and Innocent Girl That All the Guys Want That Also Is Prone to Extreme Acts of Violence.” This gal is most likely to pop the object of her affection sky high- no pun intended. Looks super cute and innocent, but don’t piss her off. She’ll be the first one to pummel you with a spiked bat, kick you in the groin or punch you clear to the stars.
Examples: Naru from Love Hina; Dokuro chan from Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-Chan
Actual song lyrics… not kiddin’
1.) The Lonely Awkward Boy Looking for Love
This is probably a stereotype of most American comics and geek-properties never mind solely anime. He’s that unassuming kid, most likely a collector of something and extremely nervous around girls. Usually a minimalist as far as his wardrobe goes he pulls off that ‘average guy’ thing a bit too well. In some cases, this character has a tendency to inexplicably get himself surrounding by unreasonably hot girls and gets to see them naked by simply walking into a room at the wrong time. He is the king of uncomfortable situations. If you have a white T-Shirt and a plain pair of pants- consider your cosplay finished.
Examples: Urashima from Love Hina and Shinji Ikari from Evangelion
JR Pepper is an artist, photographer, freelance art historian, guinea pig slave and full-time geek. When not working as a ‘pixel-pusher’ she can be found photographing ghosts, wandering the convention circuits and NYC chinatown, bitching about bad anime dubbing, battling with her X-Box and consuming large amounts of tea.
You can find more of her work at at her website www.pepperart.com 
