Anime Desk

Frieren, Maomao, Sung Jinwoo and more nominees for Best Main Character!

The 2025 Anime Awards are almost here! An annual celebration of the best anime has to offer, anime fans have once again been treated to a wealth of moving stories and memorable characters worthy of all the accolades. They made us laugh. They made us cry. But above all, the main anime characters of the year inspired us to be our best selves as they resolutely faced whatever life threw in their way, be it Kaiju, tests of magic, ghosts and/or aliens, or royal court intrigue.

Let’s get reacquainted with this year’s nominees for Best Main Character!

Frieren

Series: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

As Frieren and her student Fern took on the mage exam in the latest season, we were treated to demonstrations of just how formidable the unassuming elf’s magic is. Yes, Frieren is a hero of legend and one of the world’s most powerful mages, but those aren’t the only reasons why we love her. The title character of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End isn’t ambitious or power-hungry. She loves sleeping, collects obscure spells, and can’t resist checking to see if that treasure chest has a rare grimoire inside or if it’s a mimic (spoiler: it’s usually a mimic). Frieren is a beautifully well-rounded character that we’d journey with any day.

Kafka Hibino

Series: Kaiju No. 8

If there was an award for “Character We Most Want to Hug,” Kaiju No. 8’s Kafka Hibino would be on the list of nominees for that category, too. Despite his age (32!!) and repeated failures, Kafka never completely gives up on his dream of fighting Kaiju. He dedicates himself to doing it in his own way: doing the dirty work as a part of the cleanup crew. Sure, Kafka complains every now and then, but he always gets the job done because it means helping people. When fate steps in (in the form of a Kaiju who possesses his body, but that’s still fate), Kafka brings that same attitude to his new role as a hero. Kafka is goofy and clumsy, but also selfless and committed to doing whatever it takes to save lives. Kaiju or human, Kafka’s a real hero.

Okarun (Ken Takakura)

Series: DAN DA DAN

DAN DA DAN’s Okarun is the most passionate fan of anything that you’ll ever meet. Whether it’s aliens or Momo Ayase, Okarun’s feelings about the things he cares the most about are written all over his expressive face. Granted, once you get him started on a topic like aliens, it’s hard to get him to stop, but that’s part of his charm. Okarun is earnest, honest, and compassionate, but also painfully shy. When he’s possessed by Turbo Granny, his inner hero comes out as he lets loose and lets his inhibitions go (though he may be a bit moody about it). We can confidently say Okarun is the sweetest nerd-possessed-by-a-vengeful-granny’s-ghost ever.

Maomao

Series: The Apothecary Diaries

The epitome of the “accidentally became important at work and it’s ruining my life” meme, Maomao continues to get caught up in the political maneuvering of life in the royal court in The Apothecary Diaries. As she slowly gains the recognition she deserves for her brilliant mind and keen observation skills, everyone from the emperor to her fellow servants wants to know what Maomao is thinking. She would rather remain unnoticed, content to stay out of sight to focus on experiments and research, but Maomao is too remarkable to stay invisible – just ask Jinshi.

Momo Ayase

Series: DAN DA DAN

Momo Ayase is fearless and the kind of friend you’d be lucky to have by your side, but don’t let her tough exterior fool you. The heroine of DAN DA DAN is an outspoken gyaru who cares a lot about the people around her. She’s quick to adapt to new situations, such as, say, getting kidnapped by aliens and suddenly wielding incredible psychic powers, or finding out the nerdy kid in class shares a name with her biggest crush, Japanese tough-guy actor Ken Takakura. Speaking of that nerdy kid, despite her back-and-forths with Okarun, she’s unashamed to be his friend… even if she (adorably) struggles with admitting how she feels about him. That said, don’t you dare badmouth him; otherwise, you’ll be on the receiving end of her “I’m still learning but I’ll get the hang of it soon” powers.

Sung Jinwoo

Series: Solo Leveling

Sung Jinwoo is literally a one-man army with shadow soldiers at his beck and call, but that doesn’t mean he’s only fighting for himself. Jinwoo may have reached unbelievable heights of power, but Solo Leveling has moments of reminding us that he’s still the same young man who struggled as an E-Rank hunter for the sake of his family. This makes Jinwoo feel more human, even if he’s leveled up so much that he sends the strongest of foes scurrying away in fear. Through all the dazzling, jaw-dropping fights against some big-time baddies, it’s Jinwoo’s vulnerability that makes him a stand out character. Now if only he could actually remember the names of his opponents. Ah well, at least he remembers Igris, right?

The 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards will be live from Tokyo, Japan, on May 25, 2025! Make sure to celebrate your favorites from the year by voting every day until voting closes on April 14 at 11:59:59 p.m. PT!

Source: Crunchyroll