7 most popular boy animation characters of the 2000s

Every decade brings fantastic new characters to anime fandom, and some anime stars have remained popular for decades. In the 1990s, there were stars like Usagi Tsukino, adult Son Goku, and Yusuke Urameshi, and in the 2000s, another generation of heroes and villains continued the hype. Among them, some are iconic works of the 2000s, while others continue to capture the imagination of fandom to this day.

In particular, many of the most popular and beloved characters from the 2000s remain among the industry's biggest stars. These animated characters don't just appear to entertain fans and then step away as the 2000s give way to the 2010s. This 2000s animated character has established himself as one of the most popular animated figures of all time. The 2010s and 2020s have brought many new characters, but very few of them can compete with the best characters of the 2000s.

Lelouch Lamperouge is one of science fiction's most original antiheroes.

Lelouch's Geass and Brain Power never miss a trick.

The most popular anime characters of the 2000s, or indeed any decade, tend to fall into one of several archetypes. One of them is the “dark genius” archetype. code geassThis is a work by Lelouch Lamperouge. Anime heroes like Goku and Yusuke amaze fans with their powerful punches and kicks, but as far as some anime fans are concerned, brains are stronger than brawn. Genius heroes or antiheroes are fun in part because they can surprise everyone, including the viewer, time and time again, and anime viewers love surprises. there's no one inside code geass Or just sit on the couch and you'll know what Lelouch will do next.

Lelouch comfortably owns his role as the sharp and often cold-blooded protagonist of his twisted tale. He never hesitates or apologizes for anything, which makes him tough but cool at the same time, so anime fans were there for it. As a 'zero' and 'average' student, Lelouch moved with complete confidence and conviction, while also performing his various roles well. It helps that Lelouch has a flair for the dramatic without being too vulgar, and his Geass powers are always explosive to see in action.

Taiga Aisaka sets a high bar for Tsunderes everywhere.

A tsundere must be vulnerable and kind, not just a feisty character.

Many of the most beloved animated characters of the 2000s are action stars or geniuses, but there's room for other archetypes and genres as well. In the late 2000s, Taiga Aisaka, the 'palm tiger' in the hit romance, appeared in the global animation fandom. Toradora!. At first, Taiga felt like a typical hot-blooded tsundere, a petite high school student who bullies anyone who bullies him. The violent tsundere part of her personality hasn't aged yet, but the rest has definitely aged.

Taiga delighted romance fans with her “small but strong” archetype along with her flashy tsundere ways. Moreover, Taiga's private life is a bit of a mystery, as she lives alone near Ryuji Takasu's house and builds a wall around her heart. What made anime fans love Taiga and even bring them to tears was that she revealed her vulnerabilities over time, causing the fearful tiger to cling to Ryuji for support in many ways. Tyga showed us how okay it is to be vulnerable in front of your friends and rely on them to get you through difficult times.

Itachi Uchiha is the best anti-villain of the 2000s.

Sasuke's tragic brother remains one of the best Naruto characters.

Many cast members from the “big three” shonen anime naruto From Naruto Uzumaki to Sasuke Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake, these are the superstars of the 2000s. If fans had to pick just one naruto If there was a character who would become an icon of the 2000s, it would be Itachi Uchiha. Over time, fans learned just how complex and multifaceted this rogue ninja really was. Fans didn't have to feel sorry for Itachi as a well-meaning antagonist crying about his bloody crimes, but no one can deny how compelling it was to watch.

On the surface, Itachi was a very cool antagonist, a cold-blooded echo of Sasuke as an Uchiha fighting genius. Itachi amazed viewers with his jutsu and Mangekyou Sharingan, but the best part of his arc was on the inside. This evil Akatsuki member was actually a caring person who hated himself for what he had to do, or at least despised his lot in life. Now, fans can still debate whether Itachi is a victim of his circumstances or a murder weapon unworthy of sympathy. Either way, this kind of arc maintains Itachi's popularity and reputation to this day.

Light Yagami shocked the boy world with his murder case.

Light has a charm and cruelty that makes him an ideal antihero.

Similar to Lelouch in science fiction, death noteLight Yagami is a megastar of the 2000s, a dark genius whose big brain allows him to carry heavy burdens. Almost everything about Light's designs brought him fame and fame, such as his incredible acting skills. The human element is essential to any protagonist, and Wright excels as someone whose powerful charisma can fool or sway anyone. He likes people, but he behaves in a wicked and vicious way, which makes it twice as fun.

Light's brilliant schemes and schemes make him an antihero worth rooting for, which is why he joins Lelouch, Senku Ishigami, and Shikamaru Nara in the conversation for smartest anime characters. Any anime lead can pack a punch, but as a lead who can outsmart L and an entire Japanese police force, Light is much more compelling. Lastly, Light remains popular because fans can't agree on whether he's an idealistic crusader who has lost his way or a truly despicable man activated by the Death Note.

Monkey D. Luffy grew into leading man roles in the 2000s.

Luffy spent those ten years building his crew and mastering their equipment.

While some 2000s anime characters are popular thanks to their subversive and controversial designs, the anime community needs honest characters to provide a sense of relief and stability. This is one of the reasons why anime fandom is so popular. one pieceMonkey D. Luffy is a charming and brash pirate hero who sometimes verges on being a well-intentioned anti-hero. Luffy's goal is very simple. Gain ultimate freedom, find the One Piece treasure, and rule as the Pirate King.

Luffy's adventures continued into the 2010s and beyond, but the 2000s were when he truly shined. At the time, Luffy did not have Gear 5 or Emperor status, but he grew into his role as Goku 2.0 on the high seas of the Grand Line. Debuting on screen in October 1999, Luffy became a true star as he gained a new crew aboard his ship, developed a gear-based combat system, and learned some hard lessons about the realities of the Grand Line.

Edward Elric is familiar yet fresh as an action star.

Ed's charming flaws and lingering pain have amazed animation fans around the world.

Edward Elric was another action star of the 2000s, but like other action leads of the time, he was no Goku clone. Miming Goku worked well for Naruto and Luffy, but not all boy leads were able to do it. This helped set Edward apart. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. He is a rare anime character with a mixture of brains. and When he mixes alchemy, martial arts, and science, he makes it look easy.

It's a unique package that stands out, especially when combined with Ed's unusually short stature and heartbreaking humility. Ed is cocky at times and fans love it, but the best thing about him is his humble personality. Ed shocked and moved animation fans when he learned a hard lesson about trying to break the laws of nature with Al, and it's an angle that more animation stars could follow. It may take more than a humiliating battlefield defeat to pressure your protagonist to change his ways for the better.

Ichigo Kurosaki is an effective foil to Himbo Naruto and Luffy

Ichigo is a cool punk with a sword and deep sadness

Just like Edward Elric, the same goes for Ichigo Kurosaki. bleach Some elements were borrowed. dragon ballGoku, but he made sure he had his own voice. Ichigo is not a hungry himbo who likes to fight for his own interests, in fact he is closer to the opposite. Ichigo is not afraid of fighting, but deep down he much prefers the peace of a normal life in Karakura Village. These writings make Ichigo sympathetic and a great foil to his bizarre adventures in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.

Ichigo is a tough punk on the outside but a kind person on the inside, making him a meaningful contrast to his design that makes him beloved by anime fans. The secret is that Ichigo's deep grief over Masaki's death causes him to act strong to protect himself. That means his punk persona is only half-realistic. Ichigo gradually returned to his true self over time as he overcame his grief, which made him even more admirable in the eyes of anime fans around the world.