There are a lot of great slice of life anime characters and protagonists out there, but here are the cream of the crop. We’ve ranked them from best to worst based on our favorite features and qualities.

  1. Nagisa Oshima’s character, Yūtarō, is a lovable goofball who always has a smile on his face. He’s also one of the most complex and interesting characters in the show.
  2. Mitsuru Ōishi’s character, Kōji, is an earnest young man who wants to do the right thing even if it means sacrificing his own happiness. He’s a great protagonist with strong morals and a heart of gold.
  3. Junpei Inoue’s character, Rintaro, is an enterprising young man who always has something up his sleeve. He’s also one of the most likable protagonists in the show.
  4. Aoi Yūki’s character, Haruka Tominaga, is an introverted girl who has a deep-seated crush on Rintaro. She’s also one of the most lovable characters in the show.