Anime is full to the brim with brilliant characters that have become a staple of pop culture. There are several reasons why these characters have managed to become so legendary, with their amazing personalities and position in the story definitely adding weight to this notion. A big part of what makes certain characters in anime notable is their intellect, with these fictional personalities using their brain to examine events and craft wonderful analogies.It's the analytical nature of the following characters on this list who have become quite legendary in their own right. This is quite impressive, given that the genius trope is something that anime, in general, has experimented around with time and time again. For these characters to be notable means that their writing and personality were truly infectious.
10 Lelouch Vi Britannia (Code Geass)
Lelouch is one of the most riveting protagonists in anime history. The character has been wronged many times throughout the series, forcing him down a dark part that he manages to navigate with the power of Geass.
He forms several relationships throughout the show and has to go through many hoops and hurdles to become the rightful heir to the throne. However, at the end of this story, Lelouch showed that he was a worthy successor to the throne all along with a heroic sacrifice.
9 Shikamaru Nara (Naruto)
Shikamaru is the quintessential lazy genius that fans of this character absolutely adore. His relationship with Asuma was quite brilliant, and watching it crumble after a horrific encounter against the Akatsuki was hard to witness.
However, this led to Shikamaru changing his ways and using his intellect to good use. He managed to take Hidan down and direct many strategies in the war, allowing the Allied Shinobi Forces to win their long-running conflict.
8 L (Death Note)
Death Note is one of the best shonen anime of all time, serving as a gateway for many viewers to check out this entertainment medium. A big part of what makes this show extremely memorable is its amazing characters.
L is one such character whose brilliant mind allows him to stand against Kira and force him to play all his cards. The dynamic between this character and Light is incredibly engrossing... right until his rather premature demise.
7 Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
Dr. Stone is a rather unique shonen anime that focuses on humanity's struggles in the new Stone Age. At the heart of this story is the mad genius Senku Ishigami and his scientific exploits.
Through Senku's efforts, humanity is able to expand past its primitive roots and develop the tools needed to bring life back to normal. It's a brilliant premise that Dr. Stone absolutely revels in.
6 Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
The moment when Aizen was revealed as the main antagonist of Bleach was a powerful and memorable scene that solidified his presence as one of the most intriguing villains of all time. It's a shame that the show's quality dipped to the point where this villain was disposed of in the most humiliating and meaningless manner.
However, there's no denying that Bleach was at its very peak when this diabolical villain was working things behind the scenes. It's no surprise that the manga's sales dipped after this villain was defeated once and for all.
5 Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)
Naruto is full of extremely smart characters, with Itachi being a notable mention in this regard. He's also one of the most tragic characters, sacrificing it all just to save his little brother.
His work as a double agent was truly soul-crushing, and it took a strong man like Itachi to go through all these actions without sacrificing his true ideals. It's easy to see why so many people absolutely adore this character.
4 Light Yagami (Death Note)
Death Note's events start when a boy genius by the name of Light Yagami gets his hands on the powerful Death Note. After figuring out the powers of the eponymous notebook, he decides to become a god of the new world and punish anyone who stands in his way.
Death Note is largely reliant on this character and his twisted morals, making him one of the best parts of the show. Even after L's death, Light's infectious presence is more than enough to carry the entire show.
3 Sir Nighteye (My Hero Academia)
My Hero Academia is an anime focusing on the concept of superheroes, using this base to create a truly stellar and engaging narrative. The anime has consistently proven to be excellent, featuring amazing fights and characters who push themselves to the limit to achieve their goals.
One of the characters in the show who had a rather tragic fate was Sir Nighteye. He was a smart hero with the power to see well into the future, but his obsessive reliance on this Quirk ultimately led to his demise.
2 Kisuke Urahara (Bleach)
Urahara's character perfectly exemplifies the lazy genius character present in most anime. His efforts to teach Ichigo allow the Substitute Shinigami to break his limits and become one of the most powerful characters in the show.
Of course, there are moments when this character shines in the show as well, and fans can't wait to see his contributions during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. If all goes well, then Urahara's legend will become all the more prominent.
1 Armin Arlert (Attack On Titan)
Attack on Titan is another shonen phenomenon that fans can't get enough of right now. The series is a near-perfect anime that delivers on all fronts, with its characters being quite notable as well.
One such character in the show who deserves all his plaudits is Armin Arlert, whose intelligence allows the Survey Corps to win some crucial battles in humanity's struggle against the Titans. Of course, as the show evolved, it was clear that humanity itself was a key reason for their struggles, which is obviously a hard pill to swallow.