“I’m not a fan of DB but Goku is the Shounen hero”: Top 25 Best Anime Characters of All Time Can Spark Massive Outrage Over Goku’s No. 5 Spot

SUMMARY

• In a list of best anime characters of all time, Goku is surprisingly ranked lower than both Naruto and Luffy.
• This ranking is likely to anger Goku fans, as Goku is easily one of the most influential characters of all time.
• One could argue if there's really any way to objectively define the best characters, when they all have such different stories and goals.

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The legacy of Dragon Ball is unparalleled and there’s a tacit universal agreement about its prominence among anime fans. Whenever someone asks, ‘can he beat Goku though?’, the answer is always a no. Seemingly, that might not be the case anymore, as many characters have beaten Goku in a list of best anime characters of all time. 

Young Goku | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

Among the twenty-five characters characters, Goku ranks fifth. This signifies that not just one but four characters rank higher than him. Before things get heated, let’s find out if it’s really possible for someone to surpass Goku.

Top 25 Best Anime characters of all time, and Goku Ranks 5th?!

A still from Dragon Ball Z | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

In a list of the best anime characters, Goku’s presence is inevitable. But what shocked some fans about IGN’s list of top 25 best anime characters of all time is Goku’s low ranking compared to many other characters. The four ranks before him are secured by Johan Liebert from Monster, Uzumaki Naruto from Naruto, Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist, and Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece respectively. 

While all these characters are great in their Might, Goku still deserves to be higher in ranks. Fans understandably wondered what led to such a low ranking for the fan-favorite Saiyan.

It’s quite surprising for Naruto and Luffy to rank higher than Goku, as he was the inspiration for both these characters. They might be a more polished and evolved version of the character, but they are still a subset of Goku nonetheless.

The archetype was created by him, and he deserves the due credit for it. Not just the big three anime, Dragon Ball has also influenced pop culture all over the world. Nostalgia plays a huge role in what makes Akira Toriyama’s legendary series and its mighty protagonist so memorable, but it’s not all there is to it. 

Goku is Undoubtedly Number 1

Goku in Dragon Ball Super anime | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

While there are more complex characters than Goku, his charm is unmatched. Despite being so powerful, there’s a humility and innocence that puts others around him at ease. He slowly changes the world around him without ever being fully aware of it. The kindness he bears in his heart is enough to melt the strongest of hearts. He has a simple personality that is impactful and enough to light up the hearts of many. 

With that, Goku is undeniably the number 1 for millions of fans. A list might make people feel seen and validated, but if the rankings don’t align with someone’s personal taste, then it doesn’t necessarily invalidate their personal taste either. After all, every list is more subjective than objective. How can 25 characters be put in a list when their circumstances, stories, and goals are worlds apart?

By putting them on a common list, their individuality gets sidelined. One could argue if there even exists a scale that can define the ‘best’ character, when there are thousands of anime. It all comes down to who resonates with fans the most. And while it might be Goku or Luffy for some, it could be someone as unpopular as Gaimon for the others, and all the choices are valid at the end of the day.

The Dragon Ball series is available to stream on Crunchyroll. 

Written by Laveena Joshi

Articles Published: 56

Laveena holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism with a keen interest in entertainment journalism. Known to defend Naruto with her life, her love for anime has turned into great appreciation for the Japanese Culture. Besides considering herself a veteran weeb, she's also a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur. Better if the perfect brew is paired with a random video essay from YouTube. Blending her love for anime with the know-hows of content writing, she is now an anime content writer at FandomWire.