10 Cringe Anime Characters We Can’t Help But Relate To

Compared to movies and TV shows, which often focus on serious themes, anime frequently embraces awkwardness and embarrassment-often called ‘cringe.’ Many series, whether extremely violent or eerily insightful, feature characters who are intentionally irritating-even to the anime’s viewers. Some of these annoying characters are beyond saving, such as Envy from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, while others, like Blackbeard from One Piece, seem to enjoy being unpleasant and deliberately cringe-worthy.

However, many anime characters are so awkwardly endearing that fans can’t help but adore them. While they might be frustrating, dull, or irritating at times, viewers still find themselves connecting with them. Basically, their awkwardness doesn’t overshadow their other traits; it actually enhances them in certain cases. Despite how cringeworthy they are, fans simply can’t bring themselves to dislike these lovable characters. It’s a curious phenomenon, really.

Zenitsu’s Worst Fears Prove His Courage in Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle revealed a new side of Zenitsu, proving he always had the potential to be a standout character. However, his fear and anxiety were the most noticeable parts of his personality, especially after learning about his mentor’s death. This character often caused a lot of discomfort-his over-the-top reactions and seeming lack of courage were frequently frustrating to watch.

Compared to Tanjiro and Inosuke, Zenitsu initially seemed like a weak demon slayer. However, viewers were reminded that bravery comes *from* fear-you can’t be courageous without also feeling afraid. This made Zenitsu’s often annoying behavior more understandable, showing him as a reluctant hero who always stepped up when a fight was needed. Despite being terrified, Zenitsu always went to the battlefield, even if he was shaking with fear while doing so. This reframed his antics, highlighting his courage in the face of danger, and making him a grudging hero.

Kuwabara’s Loyalty Compensates for His Slapstick Cringe in YYH

Yu Yu Hakusho features a central group of four characters: the headstrong Yusuke, the refined Kurama, the stoic Hiei, and the comically clumsy Kuwabara. Their diverse personalities worked well together, fitting the typical team dynamic often seen in shonen anime. As the funny one in Team Urameshi, Kuwabara provides great humor – from his outlandish hair to his awkward attempts at appearing cool, and his over-the-top dedication to the idea of honor.

Honestly, I find Kuwabara’s awkwardness almost *funny* on purpose – like he’s in on the joke! But even with all his slapstick moments, you can’t deny how incredibly loyal he is, and that really balances things out. It’s clear he’ll never quite grasp being cool or serious, but that’s exactly why fans adore him – he’ll throw himself into danger for his friends without a second thought. When you think about what makes a great hero in a shonen anime, sincerity and loyalty are key, and those qualities shine through in Kuwabara way more than his clumsy mistakes. He’s just a genuinely good guy, even if he’s a bit of a mess!

MHA’s Yuga Aoyama Eventually Sheds His Flamboyant Camouflage

Without a doubt, the most embarrassing character in My Hero Academia is Minoru Mineta. He’s completely unlikeable, and his inappropriate behavior constantly overshadows any potential strengths he might have. Compared to Mineta, Yuga Aoyama’s awkwardness is much easier to handle, even though he can sometimes seem self-absorbed. Aoyama frequently seeks the spotlight with his over-the-top, showy behavior, including lots of dramatic posing and ridiculous statements.

Honestly, I really started to adore Aoyama when he tried to cheer up Deku with cheese – it was such a sweet moment! And then the big reveal about who he was came, which had been a mystery for so long. But even after that, Aoyama completely surprised me. He pushed past his own worries and fears to help the Pro Heroes fight All For One, proving he wasn’t the person everyone thought he was and showing just how brave he truly is. Seriously, I think Aoyama’s journey is one of the most captivating character arcs in MHA.

Asta’s Directness Makes Him Black Clover’s Ultimate Underdog

It’s unusual for a protagonist to also be the most awkward character in their story. Black Clover‘s Asta breaks this mold by being quite annoying. He repeatedly asks Sister Lily, who raised him as a child, to marry him, and she consistently responds by punishing him with her water magic. Despite this, Asta doesn’t stop, nor does he seem to understand how inappropriate his attempts at romance are-and these moments are often presented as comedic relief.

Asta often comes across as awkward, especially with his incredibly loud shouts – he frequently yells his name and aspirations, which can test viewers’ patience. Compared to the calm and collected Yuno, Asta is noticeable for being a bit too enthusiastic and lacking finesse. However, Asta’s strong determination and sheer willpower truly make him an inspiring underdog character in the anime world. Ultimately, Asta’s unwavering positive attitude is a perfect example of the classic, persistent optimism often found in shonen anime.

Bleach’s Kon Is an Inflated Parody of Fan-Service Tropes

Kon, the self-aware stuffed lion plushie, was intentionally created to be Bleach‘s most embarrassing character. He constantly exaggerates his defining characteristics – being overly suggestive, boisterous, and attention-seeking. Kon’s fixation on female characters, and his inappropriate reactions to them, come across as deeply irritating and immature. While the fanbase is split between loving and hating him, Kon’s character can be seen as an over-the-top satire of common fan-service clichés.

Looking at things from his perspective, it’s easier to see why Kon acts so boldly and without shame. However, the plushie is also surprisingly easy to connect with, as fans recognize his longing for a family hidden beneath his boastful exterior. Kon often says the wrong thing at the wrong time, but he’s always there for Ichigo when it counts. Ultimately, Kon serves as a good reminder that even characters who seem unimportant can highlight the strength of friendship.

Koro-Sensei’s Cartoonishness Masks His Humanity in Assassination Classroom

Assassination Classroom‘s Koro-sensei is a large, octopus-like being with yellow skin, small eyes, and a constant, wide grin on his large head. Just looking at him is unsettling, but Koro-sensei really pushes the boundaries with his ridiculous requests, strange behavior, and generally goofy personality. Despite all this, the surprisingly cheerful creature quickly became a beloved character among fans.

Koro-sensei tells terribly funny jokes and uses over-the-top expressions, making him seem like a silly cartoon character who doesn’t fit with the serious themes of Assassination Classroom. While some struggle to see him as anything more than a joke, both his students and fans understand that Koro-sensei’s goofy personality is carefully constructed and hides a lot of depth. He’s the kind of teacher everyone wishes they had-understanding, supportive, and truly invested in his students’ success.

Leorio’s Narcissism Conceals the Depths of His Compassion in Hunter x Hunter

The series features some amusingly awkward characters, like Isaac Netero with his silly behavior and Knuckle Bine’s over-the-top reactions. While both are endearing and easy to connect with, they aren’t quite as popular as Leorio Paradinight. From the moment he appears, Leorio presents himself as someone motivated by money, wanting to become a Hunter purely for the financial rewards. He also gets angry when Kurapika is dismissive towards him, initially making him seem insecure and self-centered.

However, the reality is quite different. What initially seems like greed for money is later revealed to be a genuine desire to help others: Leorio wants to become a doctor because he’s a kind-hearted person. During the Yorknew City arc of Hunter x Hunter, Melody uses her Musical Nen ability and discovers that Leorio has “the nicest heartbeat in the city.” At that point, everything that once seemed awkward or off-putting about Leorio suddenly became his most likable qualities.

JJBA’s Okuyasu Demonstrates the Power of Heart Over Brains

This anime features a level of quirkiness rarely found elsewhere. Almost every character is somewhat awkward or embarrassing, even the villain, Dio Brando, with his over-the-top arrogance. However, Okuyasu Nijimura is different from the rest. Okuyasu is a genuinely endearing character, despite being a bit of an airhead, and his foolishness often leads to complications. He frequently misinterprets things and says things that don’t make sense, and it’s equally frustrating to watch him struggle to control his incredibly powerful Stand.

However, Okuyasu is actually more likable because he doesn’t have the sophisticated, worldly attitude of characters like Jotaro and Jolyne Cujoh. While his foolishness can be embarrassing, it’s offset by his strong will and loyalty-even after experiencing painful losses like his brother’s death, Okuyasu finds strength in building new friendships. Ultimately, Okuyasu shows us that kindness and compassion are more important than intelligence.

Aoi Todo’s Cringe Segues into JJK’s Sweetest Brotherhood

Aoi Todo’s first appearance in Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t very impressive-he instantly clashes with multiple characters and adds a strange, over-the-top attitude to his hostility. Todo’s practice of evaluating people based on their preferences in women seems pointless and is, frankly, quite offensive. The fact that he learned this from Yuki Tsukumo, considered the strongest female sorcerer, doesn’t make it any better.

Fortunately, Todo’s strange behavior is overshadowed by his incredible strength, which he uses effectively against strong opponents like Mahito and Hanami. Once he started seeing Yuji as a brother, viewers quickly overlooked the awkward parts of how he was first presented. Todo gets even more excited to fight when he’s teamed up with Yuji, making them the best close-knit duo in JJK. By now, it doesn’t really matter if Todo remains the most awkward person in any situation.

Usopp Finally Has the Chance to Prove Himself in One Piece

I’ve noticed that Usopp consistently ends up near the bottom in One Piece popularity contests, and honestly, a lot of people knock him for being a coward. What *really* gets under some fans’ skin, though, is how he constantly exaggerates his abilities and importance with all these lies – it makes him come across as really annoying! A lot of us thought he was holding the crew back in the earlier parts of the story, but I’m so glad to see how much he’s grown as a character. He’s really been redeemed in my eyes, and it’s been awesome to watch his personal growth.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that Usopp doesn’t enjoy the same benefits as other Straw Hats like Luffy, Zoro, Robin, and Sanji. He lacks a Devil Fruit power, and he hasn’t received formal combat instruction. Seeing Usopp succeed despite these challenges makes his growth even more interesting. Now that the One Piece manga has progressed to Elbaph, his potential might be greater than ever before.

2025-10-02 17:50