Characters in anime have some truly unique looks that simply aren't replicated anywhere else. Flamboyant hairdos and eye-popping outfits have become a staple of anime and manga, barring a few notable exceptions. That being said, there are times when mangaka really go overboard when it comes to designing certain outfits, making them completely impractical within the context of the story.
The following outfits are the worst of the bunch, especially given that notable figures in anime have worn these ludicrous clothes. While viewers will still get used to these impractical outfits over time, there's no denying that the ludicrousness of some of the clothing on this list can make it difficult to suspend one's disbelief.
8 Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
The eponymous main character of Naruto is one of the clumsiest and loudest characters on the show. This is rather odd, especially given the fact that ninja are supposed to be silent and stealthy in their approach. In this regard, Naruto's outfit is easily one of the most impractical ones any hero has worn in a show.
The fact that this ninja wears a bright orange suit that makes him easy to spot is pretty hilarious. The bright orange tone is reduced somewhat in Shippuden, but still remains a prominent aspect of his attire.
7 Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)
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Fairy Tail is a decent shonen anime, but it doesn't really break any new ground. Instead, the show has a habit of being languid and steeping itself deep in anime tropes, including the addition of fanservice during moments when it's not required.
This is why Erza Scarlet suffers as a character in the show. Even a witch needs to have battle-ready armor that protects her. Unfortunately, Erza's outfit seems to place fanservice as a priority over everything else — including basic practicality.
6 Best Jeanist (My Hero Academia)
Best Jeanist has one of the most ridiculous outfits in all of My Hero Academia. There's no way he can convince anyone that wearing a denim mask of sorts all the time isn't extremely annoying.
If that isn't bad enough as is, wearing jeans on one's face is bound to impede your effectiveness in battle. No wonder he has disappeared in the show with no report of where he's been taken.
5 Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop)
For a person who's supposed to be a space pirate hunting down bounties, it's rather odd to see Faye in such a revealing outfit all the time. Surely there's something more comfortable and practical she can wear on the job?
Her outfit is the same throughout the series, and is even tested during confrontations and shootouts. Cowboy Bebop can be lauded for many things, but it's hard to argue against the fact that Faye's outfit is nothing more than an attempt at fanservice.
4 Leina Vance (Queen's Blade)
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Given that Queen's Blade is an ecchi anime, it's to be expected that many of the female characters' outfits will be somewhat risqué. However, even in this context, Queen's Blade is notorious for being the most popular example of the chainmail bikini syndrome in anime.
Leina Vance is supposed to be a proud noble, so it's downright odd to see her wear such a revealing outfit in a normal situation. However, this character goes into battle with little to no protection against bladed weapons and the like, which is the worst part about her so-called "armor."
3 Ryuko Matoi (Kill La Kill)
Kill la Kill is almost a parody of shonen anime tropes at times, so most people tend to argue away the depiction of the main character using this logic. However, there's no denying that the series has absolutely no shame when it comes to the armor that female characters wear.
Ryuko is the most prominent example. Given the parasitic nature of Life Fibers and the clothes they make, it's easy to see why characters want as little of it on their bodies as possible — but surely there's a limit to which this excuse works? Kill la Kill absolutely shatters this limit with some of the skimpiest armor a character has worn in an anime.
2 Shura Kirigakure (Blue Exorcist)
For an exorcist of immense talent, it's odd to see just how skimpy Shura's outfit is. Blue Exorcist is a pretty neat show too, and watching her impractical outfit during the proceedings just makes things feel odd and, for some viewers, a little uncomfortable.
The justification here is that the lack of clothing allows Shura to reach her magical seals more easily. However, there has to be a better way to access then seals than to just wear a bikini at all times. The explanation feels like a lazy excuse to show a scantily-clad female character.
1 Oda Nobunaga (Battle Girls Time Paradox)
Another ecchi anime that is bound to have skimpy battle armor is Battle Girls Time Paradox. The show is full to the brim with impractical outfits, but it's the one worn by this anime's interpretation of Oda Nobunaga that takes the cake.
Nobunaga is one of the most iconic figures in Japanese history, and watching him represented as a person wearing bikini armor is ludicrous. It's one of the weirdest things about the show that makes it such an odd anime to watch, and doesn't feel like it honors the historical figure's legacy.