An anime character's introduction is a crucial moment as it shapes the audience's perception of the character. While some introductions are subtle or efficient, the funniest and most memorable ones in anime history instantly charm the audience.
Character introductions can take various forms, all of which offer a glimpse into the unique qualities of the character. They can cleverly play with the audience's expectations and interactions with other characters, adding a delightful twist to the story. Regardless of the method used, the funniest anime character introductions are hilarious scenes that can be enjoyed both within and outside of their original context.
10 Mikoto Mikoshiba - Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun starts off with plenty of comedic moments. One of the most memorable is the introduction of Mikoto Mikoshiba, who goes by the name Mikorin according to Nozaki. Nozaki initially describes Mikoshiba as "pure, sensitive, and delicate," which creates a certain image in Sakura's mind about this friend of Nozaki's. However, upon their first encounter, Mikoshiba seems rebellious and intimidating, completely contradicting Nozaki's description. This makes Sakura question his honesty. But it doesn't take long for Mikoshiba to reveal his softer, more adorable side, which often serves as inspiration for the female lead in Nozaki's manga series.
Soon after Sakura meets him, some female classmates call out to Mikoshiba, causing him to deliver an exaggeratedly flirtatious line that immediately turns him bright red with embarrassment. This glimpse of Mikoshiba's true personality, contrasting with Sakura's initial impression, makes his first appearance in the show a charming and humorous introduction.
9 Satoru Gojo - Jujutsu Kaisen
In the midst of Jujutsu Kaisen's often serious plot, there are plenty of humorous interactions among the characters. A particular moment that stands out is when Satoru Gojo makes his grand entrance. While Gojo is mentioned earlier in a conversation with Itadori about an upcoming execution, his true introduction comes after Itadori consumes Ryomen Sukuna's finger. In episode two, despite his injuries, Fushiguro is ready to exorcise the curse that has afflicted Itadori when Gojo appears.
Gojo wastes no time teasing Fushiguro, even though the situation is quite serious. He takes pictures of his injured student to share with the others later and jokes about not initially planning to show up, yet arrives at the battlefield with souvenirs and kikufuku. However, his calm and laid-back demeanor is quickly shattered when he effortlessly confronts Sukuna in Itadori's body. This contrast between his casual response and the gravity of the situation showcases Gojo's power and provides audiences with a clever introduction to his character.
8 Monkey D. Luffy - One Piece
The main protagonist of One Piece is introduced in the first episode. However, despite his less than ideal circumstances for a future King of the Pirates, Luffy remains unfazed. Initially, Luffy bursts out of a barrel he was napping in, surprising his eventual friend Koby and knocking out a member of the Alvida pirates. In a humorous exchange, Luffy comments on the man's choice of sleeping spot, while the pirates blame him for the incident. This scene exemplifies the comedic nature of One Piece.
With his immediate needs in mind, Luffy sets off in search of food, shamelessly devouring it while explaining his current situation to Koby. Interestingly, Luffy shows no concern over the fact that he no longer has a dinghy, is on another pirate group's ship, and has just knocked out one of their crew members. It becomes evident to the audience that Luffy takes things in stride but remains determined in important matters, such as helping his friends, assisting others, and achieving his dreams.
7 Keroberos - Cardcaptor Sakura
6 Pikachu - Pokémon
: The guardian beast is introduced early on in episode one of Cardcaptor Sakura. Sakura accidentally wakes up Kero, the adorable guardian, who greets her (and the audience) with his signature phrase, "Hidey-howdy-ho." This lighthearted greeting and Kero's outdated vocabulary quickly diminish the seriousness of the situation. Sakura's reaction is to treat Kero like a toy, examining him closely. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Sakura adapts quickly and engages in a conversation with Kero about what happened to the Clow Cards. She explains that they all flew away when she read the word "Windy" from the first card, prompting Kero to respond cheerfully with, "Ya don't say!" The two share a brief laugh before Kero's distress over the lost cards becomes evident. The scene then transitions to Sakura having dinner that evening, adding to the overall impact of the moment.When Ash Ketchum arrives late to meet Professor Oak, he is ecstatic to be given the chance to choose a starter Pokémon. Despite being warned by Professor Oak about Pikachu's mischievous nature, Ash eagerly embraces the adorable creature. Little does he know, Pikachu has a knack for shocking those who get too close. As Ash is zapped, Professor Oak finally reveals that Pikachu has a somewhat "electrifying personality." To make amends, Professor Oak offers Ash some essential tools for his journey, which Ash gratefully accepts. However, their exchange is abruptly interrupted when Pikachu, still grumpy, shocks both Ash and Professor Oak.
5 The Host Club + Haruhi - Ouran High School Host Club
In addition, the upcoming scene showcases a brief and comical interaction between Ash and his mother following Pikachu's refusal to enter its Poké Ball. Upon observing their connection, Ash's mom playfully remarks that they're "friends already," to which Ash casually responds with a nonchalant "Uh, sure." The initial stubbornness exhibited by Pikachu only adds to the heartwarming aspect when it eventually warms up to Ash and they establish an unbreakable bond.
The intro sequence of Ouran High School Host Club cleverly highlights the concept of Chekov's Gun, regardless of the audience's familiarity with the plot. The accidental entrance of Haruhi into the Host Club is depicted through multiple shots from different angles, accompanied by a bright red arrow pointing towards an expensive vase. This amusing visual effect, along with the Host Club members making ignorant remarks about Haruhi's social standing, particularly Tamaki's proclamation of "Love live the poor," establishes the tone and sets the stage for Haruhi's ongoing challenges in the series. It serves as undeniable evidence that the wealthy truly reside in their own exclusive world.
4 Shota Aizawa - My Hero Academia
The introduction of classroom 1-A's teacher, Shota Aizawa, in My Hero Academia offers a glimpse into the character of this relatable instructor. Aizawa's emergence from his cozy sleeping bag structure doesn't faze him, despite the reactions of his students. He takes a moment to express his dissatisfaction before formally introducing himself as their teacher. Aizawa's straightforward demeanor and the students' response to his unconventional entrance reflect his unique personality and mentoring style. While he may appear practical, his genuine concern for his students is evident. As a result, he wastes no time in putting Class 1-A to the test.
3 Hinata and Kageyama at Karasuno - Haikyu!!
The interactions between Hinata and Kageyama in Haikyu!! are a constant source of both comedy and emotion. Despite their rocky start, their relationship evolves as the story unfolds. When both Hinata and Kageyama join Karasuno, it brings a fresh dynamic to the team. In a humorous and ironic twist, Hinata initially plans to seek revenge on Kageyama for their middle school match, only to discover that they are now attending the same school. This revelation is quickly followed by the comical mishap of Kageyama accidentally being hit by his own serve, leading to a series of comedic incidents that result in both of them being temporarily expelled from the club until they can reconcile.
2 Damao - All Saint's Street
All Saint's Street effortlessly infuses humor into the mundane lives of its extraordinary characters, making it a truly charming series. The introduction of Damao, the werewolf character, immediately establishes one thing about him: he is unbelievably unlucky.
Within just a few minutes, viewers are taken on Damao's unintentional adventure to the city in search of Neil Bowman. Every possible misfortune that he anticipates only lands him in an even worse predicament. Did water splash on his smartphone? No worries, it's waterproof. But then a potted plant shatters on it, rendering it useless. That's not a problem either, as he has a physical map. However, the map then melts due to water damage. But wait, he has an extra copy. It becomes a hilarious series of events where Damao's every backup plan fails him due to his uncanny streak of bad luck. Yet somehow, against all odds, he manages to inch closer to his goal. This comically preposterous introduction not only elicits laughter but also instantly garners sympathy for Damao as a character.
1 Kyo, Yuki, and Shigure's Animal Forms - Fruits Basket
Tohru's encounter with Kyo, Yuki, and Shigure's animal transformations is undeniably a hilarious and memorable moment in the Fruits Basket series. Her unexpected reaction leads to chaotic antics as she excitedly runs around the house with her new animal companions, loudly declaring that "everyone is an animal" to a bewildered mail carrier. Despite the chaos, the three Sohma family members appear to be unaffected, with Shigure casually accepting the mail while transformed into a dog, and Kyo and Yuki resuming their usual bickering. It becomes evident that there's no escaping the situation, prompting Shigure to straightforwardly explain their unusual circumstances. Tohru's response and the calm demeanor of the Sohmas add to the comedic value of these scenes.
By combining various elements of storytelling, such as scene composition and character interactions, these introductions create amusing and impactful moments that captivate the audience. Such scenes, filled with humor, tend to have a lasting impression on fans, further enhancing their enjoyment of the series. The funniest anime character introductions effectively set audience expectations, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.