Anime has always been a rich medium for exploring complex characters and intricate plots.
From master strategists to brilliant scientists or a really smart person, anime has introduced brilliant characters whose intelligence could probably solo their own universe.
While these characters may not always be in the spotlight, their brilliant minds shine through in many ways.
Join us as we explore the realm of smartest anime characters.
These 15 smartest anime characters are legitimate geniuses
- Light Yagami (Death Note)
- Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
- Karma Akabane (Assassination Classroom)
- Aquamarine Hoshino (Oshi no ko)
- Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)
- Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan)
- Shikamaru Nara (Naruto)
- L (Deathnote)
- Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Classroom of the Elite)
- William James Moriarty (Moriarty the Patriot)
- Aizen Sosuke (Bleach)
- Ranpo Edogawa (Bungou Stray Dogs)
- Mavis Vermillion (Fairy Tail)
- Tatsuya Shiba (The Irregular at Magic High School)
- Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)
Light Yagami (Deathnote)
The protagonist turned antagonist, Light Yagami showcases exceptional intellect as he wields the power of the Death Note, a notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it.
He becomes the vigilante known as Kira, who works anonymously to cleanse the world of its evils while evading capture and maintaining his identity.
Let’s not forget the fact that despite being monitored by the police, Light used a mere bag of chips to avoid detection.
What sets Light apart is his strategic mind and foresight, which he employs to avoid being captured by the police. The best part is that he even infiltrated the police group dedicated to investigating and hunting Kira.
Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
In a world where humanity has been petrified into stone, Senku, The Einstein of the Stone world, uses his vast scientific knowledge to rebuild civilization, and combat the mysterious petrification.
His extensive knowledge of science and technology becomes the key to reviving civilization. He is literally the walking definition of a human internet. His mind is thousands of years worth of humanity’s knowledge.
Senku’s ability to devise innovative solutions to seemingly impossible problems makes him a standout character. Talk about reinventing the cell phone in the stone world.
We also want to point out that he has a unique hair design.
Karma Akabane (Assassination Classroom)
Karma is known for his mischievous and “slightly” sadistic nature, but beneath all that bravado lies a sharp, intellectual person.
He is also an expert in hand-to-hand combat, which rivals even the professional assassins in the series.
His experience of being a delinquent in his early stages of life and the number of street brawls he got into gives him a strategic mindset and psychological insight.
Being smart and physically strong, Karma is one of the most formidable students in Class 3-E, capable of going toe-to-toe with Koro-sensei. Let’s not forget he’s the first person to ever damage our beloved octopus.
Aquamarine Hoshino (Oshi no ko)
Being a doctor in his previous life and reincarnated as a rising star in the entertainment industry, Aqua has developed a keen observation skill, making him adept at reading people.
Imagine living for the second time while possessing the knowledge and psychology of your previous life. This made him sharp-witted ever since he was born. Talk about being self-aware in your infancy.
Although not as widely recognized as others on this list, his intellect and talent as an actor allow him to quickly adapt to everyone he encounters.
Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)
The exiled prince who has turned his back on his royal lineage to fight against the very empire he was once part of.
Lelouch’s journey is not just a quest for revenge or power, but a deeper mission to dismantle a system of oppression and tyranny that has caused suffering to many.
His intellect, combined with the power of Geass, allows him to manipulate and outmaneuver his enemies in his quest to overthrow a tyrannical regime.
Lelouch is depicted as a master strategist, capable of foreseeing his opponents’ moves and countering them with precision. This intellectual prowess makes him a formidable leader in the rebellion against the empire.
Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan)
Armin may not be the strongest physically in human form, but his analytical mind and strategic thinking are invaluable.
His ability to assess situations and develop effective plans has saved his friends and humanity on numerous occasions.
Despite his insecurity, without him, the Survey Corps wouldn’t be able to identify the Female Titan, or narrow down the location of Reiner and Bertholdt’s hiding spot in Trost.
Armin’s intelligence becomes a deciding factor in crucial parts of the show, which later becomes integral to saving humanity.
Shikamaru Nara (Naruto)
Shikamaru is often seen lounging or napping, but behind his casual demeanor lies a brilliant strategist.
Who would have though that this lazy, good-for-nothing ninja is one of the smartest ninjas in Konoha?
His mastery of strategy allows him to outsmart and defeat opponents who are physically much stronger than him. If given an ample amount of prep time, Shikamaru can be the most formidable opponent to face.
He is the only individual to have ever passed the Chunin exams, despite having forfeited his match. The best part is he even became the Hokage’s Chief Aide later in his life.
L (Deathnote)
As Light Yagami’s counterpart, L is a world-renowned detective whose intellect rivals Light’s.
He became a detective at a very young age, and even became the top three detectives in the world under three different aliases.
L’s presence in the series adds an element of excitement, as he always manages to stay one step ahead of Light. His unconventional thinking and deductive skills make him one of the people who can challenge his plans.
Despite figuring out Kira is Light Yagami, it is hard for L to prove his theory. This game of cat and mouse is the very basis of the anime’s plot, giving it a unique perspective on the battle of wit and intellect.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Classroom of the Elite)
The man, the legend, that one anime guy who sits in the back row window side. Ayanokoji is the enigmatic protagonist whose calm demeanor hides a brilliant and calculating mind.
His superior intellect leads Class D to the top, with him intervening at crucial moments. He prefers to remain discreet, orchestrating plans from behind the scenes, and always three (maybe ten) steps ahead.
He is made to be the perfect human being, possessing both physical and intellectual prowess. His intelligence allows him to manipulate situations and his schoolmates to achieve favorable end goals.
William James Moriarty (Moriarty the Patriot)
As the nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, William James Moriarty is a criminal mastermind with a noble cause. However, he is driven by a belief in social justice that societal flaws should be eradicated.
He is a masterful manipulator and criminal consultant, who uses his keen intellect and strategic acumen to orchestrate crimes.
Moriarty’s elaborate plans and keen insight into human nature make him the best detective and manipulator of the series.
His methods raise ethical questions, but they are for the greater good in order to challenge the corrupt aristocracy of Victorian-era England.
Aizen Sosuke (Bleach)
Aizen, a master manipulator and former captain of the Gotei 13, orchestrates elaborate schemes to achieve his goal of transcending the boundaries of Soul Society.
His intelligence is as formidable as his spiritual power. His manipulation skills alone are so effective that they work on both his allies and enemies.
Moreover, Aizen’s mastery of illusionary techniques enables him to deceive even the most composed individuals.
His extraordinary ability to manipulate and strategize makes his mere presence in an area a significant threat that even the captains and members of Espada never underestimate.
Ranpo Edogawa (Bungou Stray Dogs)
Ranpo Edogawa is a member of the Armed Detective Agency, known as the “world’s greatest detective.” He is highly sought by the police, and respected by his peers for his exceptional deductive skills.
He is highly proud of his unique “ability” to solve any mystery in seconds, often boasting about his status.
Despite his brilliance, Ranpo exhibits a childish side, teasing fellow detectives, and sometimes avoiding work due to laziness.
Interestingly, without using his Super Deduction, he struggles with basic tasks like riding a train or finding his way home.
Mavis Vermillion (Fairy Tail)
Mavis Vermillion was the first leader and co-founder of the Fairy Tail Guild. She led the guild through tough challenges using her tactics for survival.
Her leadership and belief in teamwork made Fairy Tail strong and united.
She is also the creator of the guild’s three strongest spells which later on become a crucial factor in the survivability of the guild members.
Mavis Vermillion’s journey to becoming a master tactician in Fairy Tail is a great example of her natural intelligence, strategic insight, and the “never-give-up” attitude. She is the main reason why the guild is still standing to this day.
Tatsuya Shiba (The Irregular at Magic High School)
Tatsuya’s genius in magic engineering and combat tactics is hidden behind his facade as an “irregular” student, making him a strong contender in any challenge.
His calm approach allows him to outthink even the strongest opponents.
However, his abilities are being tempered, preventing him from accessing his full potential. Yet, Tatsuya strives to overcome these limitations.
He is also known by various aliases such as Taurus Silver, who is renowned as the genius engineer who advanced CAD’s software technology by a decade within a year. His innovations in magical devices put him ahead of the experts.
Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)
The complexities of Itachi’s early life were marked by an internal conflict between loyalty, duty, and morality. He is faced with the responsibility of protecting his clan while grasping the dark truths of the ninja world.
From a young age, Itachi was exceptionally talented, moving up the ninja ranks quickly. He became a Chunin at seven years old, a Jonin at 10, and joined the elite ANBU Black Ops by 13.
Yet, Itachi’s brilliance was not confined to the battlefield alone. He was also a master of diplomacy and manipulation skills that profoundly influenced his role in the narrative.
He made his choices out of a sense of duty and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.
Bonus: Aoi Todo (Jujutsu Kaisen)
This man achieved the highest academic scores among students across both the Kyoto and Tokyo campuses of Jujutsu High.
Additionally, he has a distinctive approach to assessing allies and enemies, often asking the peculiar question, “What’s your type?”
Let’s also not forget that this man possesses an IQ of 530,000.
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