The 50+ Best Anime Characters Starting With I, Ranked

If you’ve ever tried to alphabetize your anime obsession, you already know:
the letter “I” hits way harder than you’d expect. From tragic prodigies and
half-demons to chaotic boar boys and green-haired heroes, anime characters
whose names start with I are some of the most beloved, argued-about, and
endlessly memed figures in fandom.

This ranking of 50+ anime characters starting with I pulls from fan-voted
lists, character guides, and community discussions, then adds a layer of
analysis and light-hearted commentary. It’s not a sacred list (please don’t
try to Tsukuyomi me if your fave is “too low”), but it is designed to help
readers discover new characters and appreciate why these I-named icons hit
so differently.

How We Ranked the Best “I” Anime Characters

Rather than just eyeballing our Blu-ray shelf, this list considers several
factors fans actually care about:

• Fan popularity and voting: We looked at fan-ranked lists
  that specifically focus on characters whose names start with I, where
  names like Itachi, Ichigo, Inosuke, and Izuku regularly appear near the
  top.
• Impact on their series: Does the character drive major
  plot arcs, emotional twists, or world-shaking battles?
• Character depth: Tragic backstories, moral conflict,
  growth, and memorable relationships all matter more than raw power.
• Cultural footprint: Think memes, quotes, cosplays, and
  how often fans bring them up in “best character” debates.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the ranked list of the best anime
characters starting with I.

The 50+ Best Anime Characters Starting With I, Ranked

1. 1. Itachi Uchiha – Naruto

   Itachi is the gold standard of the tragic anime genius: a prodigy who
   became an elite shinobi, massacred his clan, and still somehow ended up
   one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. His blend of calm
   intellect, overwhelming power, and heartbreaking sacrifice turned him
   from supposed villain to misunderstood antihero in the minds of fans.
   Many viewers point to Itachi’s story as one of the most emotionally
   complex in shonen anime history.

2. 2. Ichigo Kurosaki – Bleach

   Substitute Soul Reaper, part-time student, full-time disaster
   magnetIchigo spends most of Bleach juggling school, monsters, and an
   identity crisis. His appeal lies in that stubborn mix of
   hot-headedness and compassion: he dives headfirst into impossible fights
   simply because someone needs help. As a central “I” protagonist, he
   pretty much defines the heroic, slightly overwhelmed shonen lead.

3. 3. Izuku Midoriya – My Hero Academia

   Izuku, also known as Deku, starts as a Quirkless fanboy with a notebook
   full of stats and zero prospects. Watching him grow into a symbol of
   hope through grit, strategy, and unyielding empathy is the emotional
   backbone of My Hero Academia. He’s a great example of how an I-named
   character can be both relatable and ridiculously powerful.

4. 4. Inuyasha – Inuyasha

   Half-demon, half-human, fully stubborn. Inuyasha begins as an abrasive,
   selfish fighter but slowly opens up through his bond with Kagome and his
   friends. His struggle with identity, loyalty, and old wounds gives the
   series its emotional weight, while his hot-and-cold romance is still a
   classic for early 2000s anime fans.

5. 5. Isaac Netero – Hunter x Hunter

   The seemingly goofy old man who also happens to be one of the most
   terrifyingly strong Nen users in existence. Netero’s playful exterior
   hides a ruthless resolve and a lifetime of training. His fight in the
   Chimera Ant arc is not just a flex of power but a meditation on
   humanity, pride, and consequenceexactly the kind of layered storytelling
   that makes him a top “I” character.

6. 6. Inosuke Hashibira – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

   Boar-head mask, dual swords, zero volume control. Inosuke is chaos
   personified, but beneath the yelling and headbutts is a kid who grew up
   in the wild and has no idea how to handle normal affection. His growth
   from feral rival to loud but loyal friend is surprisingly wholesome and
   a huge part of Demon Slayer’s charm.

7. 7. Yuji Itadori – Jujutsu Kaisen

   Technically his given name starts with Y, but “Itadori” still earns him
   a spot on most I-name lists. Yuji is the kind of protagonist who will
   crack a joke, swallow a cursed finger, and then quietly question what it
   means to live a meaningful life. His mix of athleticism, kindness, and
   moral doubt gives Jujutsu Kaisen a grounded emotional core.

8. 8. Senku Ishigami – Dr. Stone

   When the world turns to stone, Senku turns it into a science project.
   He’s proof that brainy protagonists can be just as hype as battle
   monsters. Senku uses chemistry, engineering, and sheer pettiness to
   rebuild civilization, making him one of the most unique “I” characters
   on this list.

9. 9. Naofumi Iwatani – The Rising of the Shield Hero

   Summoned to another world and instantly framed for a crime he didn’t
   commit, Naofumi goes from bright-eyed hero to bitter survivor. His arc
   is all about slowly rebuilding his trust in others while proving that
   defensive power can be just as broken as any sword. An isekai “I”
   character with lots of discourse attached.

10. 10. Toge Inumaki – Jujutsu Kaisen

    Toge’s entire fighting style is based on cursed speech, so he mostly
    communicates with onigiri fillings to avoid accidentally blasting people
    across the room. That quiet, deadpan charm plus a devastating special
    ability make him a fan favorite, especially when he finally gets serious
    in battle.

11. 11. Yoichi Isagi – Blue Lock

    The “normal” striker trapped in a psychological soccer battle royale.
    Isagi’s gift isn’t raw strength but visionreading the field, predicting
    plays, and evolving mid-match. His obsessive drive to become the
    world’s best striker fits perfectly in Blue Lock’s high-pressure ego
    fest.

12. 12. Obanai Iguro – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

    The Serpent Hashira looks cold and relentlessly strict, but his story is
    steeped in guilt, devotion, and unspoken feelings. His combat style is
    serpentine and precise, and his bond with Mitsuri Kanroji adds a quietly
    tender note to an otherwise brutal world.

13. 13. Illumi Zoldyck – Hunter x Hunter

    Illumi is what happens when a child assassin never gets therapy. Calm,
    monotone, and terrifyingly manipulative, he embodies the darkest aspects
    of the Zoldyck family. His twisted “care” for Killua makes him one of
    the most unsettling I-name antagonists.

14. 14. Izaya Orihara – Durarara!!

    Izaya is a chaos agent who claims to “love humanity” while constantly
    throwing people into insane situations just to see what happens. Smug,
    brilliant, and morally allergic, he’s one of those antagonists you hate
    to love but can’t stop watching.

15. 15. Issei Hyoudou – High School DxD

    Issei starts as a shameless perv with one very specific dream, but
    growssomewhatinto a powerful devil with a strong sense of loyalty and
    protectiveness. His mix of comedy, fanservice, and genuinely solid power
    scaling makes him a central figure in modern ecchi action anime.

16. 16. Inori Yuzuriha – Guilty Crown

    Quiet idol by day, deadly fighter by night, Inori is both mysterious
    weapon and emotional anchor. Her relationship with Shu and her struggle
    with identity make her a standout character visually and thematically.

17. 17. Index (Index Librorum Prohibitorum) – A Certain Magical Index

    Index looks like a tiny nun, but she’s literally walking around with
    103,000 grimoires stored in her head. She’s part damsel, part deadpan
    comedy, and part moral compass in a series packed with magical politics
    and scientific conspiracies.

18. 18. Isabella – The Promised Neverland

    “Mama” of Grace Field House is one of the most chilling parental figures
    in anime. Isabella’s kindness and cruelty are two sides of the same
    survival-driven coin, and understanding her choices adds a tragic layer
    to an already intense story.

19. 19. Illyasviel von Einzbern – Fate Series

    Illya is a magical girl wrapped in a Holy Grail War. Her childlike
    appearance hides a brutal upbringing and enormous power. Whether as a
    sad, lonely Master or in her spin-off magical-girl adventures, she
    remains one of Fate’s most recognizable “I” characters.

20. 20. Izumi Miyamura – Horimiya

    At school, Miyamura looks like a quiet, plain classmate. Outside of it,
    he’s tattooed, pierced, and surprisingly goofy. His relationship with
    Hori is a gentle, realistic look at young love and identity, making him
    a cozy standout among more battle-heavy names here.

21. 21. Iori Minase – The iDOLM@STER

    Iori starts as a spoiled rich girl idol but gradually reveals a strong
    work ethic, vulnerability, and deep care for her fellow idols. She’s a
    great example of how “bratty” characters can be written with nuance and
    growth.

22. 22. Ikoma – Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

    Ikoma is a mechanic who turns his obsession with defeating the Kabane
    into a risky experiment on himself. The result: a protagonist who’s
    technically infected but stubbornly clinging to his humanity.

23. 23. Irina Jelavic – Assassination Classroom

    Irina arrives as a seductive professional assassin and quickly earns the
    nickname “Bitch-sensei” from her students. Underneath the fanservice,
    she’s a surprisingly earnest teacher who slowly gets attached to her
    chaotic class and tentacled colleague.

24. 24. Itona Horibe – Assassination Classroom

    Initially introduced as an enemy with tentacle powers, Itona’s journey
    from weapon to classmate mirrors the show’s big themes about second
    chances and chosen family.

25. 25. Ibara Shiozaki – My Hero Academia

    Don’t let the gentle demeanor and vine-like hair fool you. Ibara is a
    fierce, devoutly religious student whose Quirk gives her incredible
    battlefield control. She’s proof that side characters can still be
    wildly memorable.

26. 26. Itsuki Koizumi – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

    The polite, smiling “transfer student” who hides a massive supernatural
    secret, Itsuki plays the role of Haruhi’s obedient ally while quietly
    navigating the terrifying implications of her powers.

27. 27. Ikki Kurogane – Chivalry of a Failed Knight

    Branded as the “Worst One” due to low magical output, Ikki wins battles
    with technique, strategy, and sheer willpower. He’s a classic underdog
    done right, with a healthy, communicative romance that fans appreciate.

28. 28. Isshiki Ōtsutsuki – Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

    Isshiki is one of the god-tier threats of the Ōtsutsuki clan, bringing
    cosmic-level stakes to Boruto. His terrifying powers and chilling calm
    make him one of the most dangerous “I” antagonists in modern shonen.

29. 29. Ignis Scientia – Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV

    In the anime prequel and related media, Ignis is the brains, driver, and
    unofficial mom friend of the group. Tactical, refined, and quietly
    emotional, he helps hold the party together when things fall apart.

30. 30. Ikki Niko – Blue Lock

    A midfielder with sharp perception, Niko plays the chessmaster on the
    field. His rivalry and comparisons with Isagi add tension and show how
    different “field vision” styles can clash.

31. 31. Zora Ideale – Black Clover

    Technically filed under Z, but his surname Ideale earns him a place with
    the I-crowd in some rankings. Zora is a prank-loving, trap-setting mage
    whose cynical view of nobles hides a fierce sense of justice.

32. 32. Tenya Iida – My Hero Academia

    Class 1-A’s resident rulebook. Iida’s engine-powered legs and strict
    sense of duty make him both comic relief and moral backbone. His arc
    about revenge and responsibility is one of the show’s more grounded
    storylines.

33. 33. Izana Kurokawa – Tokyo Revengers

    Izana is a cold, calculating gang leader with a deeply fractured past.
    His presence escalates Tokyo Revengers from street brawls to near-mythic
    tragedy as old bonds and betrayals surface.

34. 34. Ikaros – Heaven’s Lost Property

    Ikaros begins as a quiet, obedient Angeloid who will do anything for her
    new master. Over time, she confronts her own emotions and past
    atrocities, creating a bittersweet mix of comedy and sci-fi drama.

35. 35. Iori Yagami – The King of Fighters: Another Day

    Known primarily from the games, Iori’s anime appearances capture his
    feral fighting style and fiery rivalry with Kyo Kusanagi. He’s the
    definition of a stylish, brooding antihero.

36. 36. Izumi Curtis – Fullmetal Alchemist

    “I’m a housewife,” she says, while single-handedly flattening monsters
    and alchemists. Izumi trained the Elric brothers and carries a brutal
    reminder of the consequences of human transmutation. Easily one of the
    most formidable mentors in anime.

37. 37. Izumi Shinichi – Parasyte -the maxim-

    After a parasitic alien takes over his right hand, Shinichi’s life turns
    into a horror-thriller. His gradual shift from anxious teen to
    emotionally numb survivorand then back toward empathyis the emotional
    core of the series.

38. 38. Ichika Nakano – The Quintessential Quintuplets

    The oldest Nakano sister is calm, teasing, and secretly more insecure
    than she lets on. Her role in the romantic chaos of five identical
    sisters fighting for the same guy makes her a key player in the show’s
    drama.

39. 39. Itsuki Nakano – The Quintessential Quintuplets

    Itsuki is studious, stubborn, and initially clashes hard with Fuutarou.
    Her growth from prickly tsundere energy to more vulnerable and open
    makes her a fan favorite among the quintuplets.

40. 40. Ippo Makunouchi – Hajime no Ippo

    The shy kid turned boxing beast. Ippo’s relentless training, crushing
    body blows, and pure-hearted sportsmanship make him one of the most
    inspiring sports anime leadsan iconic I-name if there ever was one.

41. 41. Ichirō Miyata – Hajime no Ippo

    Miyata is Ippo’s rival and ideal. A coolheaded out-boxer with lethal
    counters, he represents everything technical and precise in the sport,
    contrasting Ippo’s more straightforward power style.

42. 42. Ikalgo – Hunter x Hunter

    The octopus chimera ant who defects out of sheer respect. Ikalgo’s
    loyalty and courage, despite being physically weaker than many enemies,
    make him one of the most lovable side characters in the series.

43. 43. Iruka Umino – Naruto

    Iruka is the first adult to truly see Naruto as a child, not a monster.
    He doesn’t have flashy jutsu, but his emotional impact on Naruto’s life
    is enormoussometimes heartbeats matter more than power levels.

44. 44. Iskandar (Rider) – Fate/Zero

    Loud, charismatic, and utterly unconcerned with subtlety, Rider charges
    through battles and philosophy with equal enthusiasm. His relationship
    with Waver and his dream of kingship make him one of Fate/Zero’s
    standout Servants.

45. 45. Iggy – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders

    He’s a dog. He has a Stand. He hates everyone. And then, he doesn’t.
    Iggy’s arc from selfish troublemaker to unlikely hero hits surprisingly
    hard, even by JoJo standards.

46. 46. Ikuto Tsukiyomi – Shugo Chara!

    The mysterious cat-boy violinist who alternates between helping and
    teasing Amu. Ikuto became a staple of mid-2000s anime crush lists thanks
    to his aloof charm and underlying kindness.

47. 47. Inaba Himeko – Kokoro Connect

    Himeko is logical, blunt, and secretly very fragile. As supernatural
    phenomena force her and her friends to confront their inner selves, she
    becomes one of the show’s emotional heavyweights.

48. 48. Iroha Isshiki – My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU

    Iroha initially plays the “cute underclassman” card to get what she
    wants, but slowly reveals a more honest, vulnerable side. Her dynamic
    with the main trio adds fresh energy and social nuance.

49. 49. Iroha Tamaki – Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story

    Iroha is a magical girl searching for her missing sister in a city full
    of rumors and witches. Her gentle determination and willingness to
    shoulder others’ burdens fit perfectly in the morally gray Madoka
    universe.

50. 50. Irisviel von Einzbern – Fate/Zero

    Irisviel is both companion and vessel in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Her
    kindness, curiosity, and bond with Saber and Kiritsugu bring warmth to
    an otherwise bleak storyline.

51. 51. Ishizu Ishtar – Yu-Gi-Oh!

    Museum curator, guardian of ancient secrets, and one of the more
    morally grounded figures in Yu-Gi-Oh!, Ishizu plays a major role in the
    Battle City arc and helps Yugi confront the past of the Pharaoh.

Fan Experiences: Why “I” Characters Stick With Us

So what’s it actually like to be a fan of these I-named legends? For many
viewers, these characters mark specific phases in their anime journey. You
might remember watching Inuyasha late at night on TV, sneaking episodes
when you were “definitely supposed to be asleep,” or bingeing Naruto and
suddenly realizing that Itachi is far more than the early-series villain
you thought he was.

For others, the connection is deeply personal. Izuku’s slow climb from
powerless kid to aspiring number-one hero mirrors the feeling of starting
from zero in real lifewhether that’s training for a sport, chasing a
creative dream, or just trying to survive school. Senku’s science-powered
optimism has inspired people to look up real experiments, while Netero’s
story sparks late-night debates about what it means to devote your entire
life to a single goal.

Convention halls are full of these names. You’ll see carefully crafted
Itachi cosplays with Sharingan contacts and tear-jerking photoshoots, groups
of friends dressed as the Demon Slayer cast with an extra-loud Inosuke,
and Blue Lock cosplayers arguing in character about who truly has the best
ego. On social media, fan art of characters like Izaya, Iskandar, and
Irina keeps circulating, reinterpreting them in new styles while preserving
the traits fans love most.

Ranking these characters is almost a fandom ritual. Someone posts a list,
comments immediately explode, and soon you’re knee-deep in a thread where
one person is passionately defending Ibara’s hair-vine Quirk while another
insists Ippo deserves top-10 status for single-handedly inspiring them to
exercise. The specifics of the ranking matter less than the shared language:
everyone knows who Itachi or Ichigo is, and those shared touchpoints make
it easier to connect with fellow fans.

If you’re new to anime and looking for a watching roadmap, you could do a
surprisingly solid tour of modern classics just by following the “I” trail:
start with Bleach or Naruto for big shonen energy, branch into Hunter x
Hunter and Jujutsu Kaisen for darker twists, explore more emotional series
like Horimiya and Kokoro Connect, then round things out with sports and
romance via Hajime no Ippo and The Quintessential Quintuplets. By the time
you’re done, you’ll have met heroes, villains, mentors, and gremlinsall
bound together by one weirdly powerful letter.

In the end, these characters endure because they’re more than cool designs
or power sets. They embody sacrifice, ambition, vulnerability, and chaotic
humor in ways that stick with you long after the credits roll. Whether
you’re arguing about who should be number one or discovering a new
underrated favorite somewhere in the middle of the list, the best anime
characters starting with I give you plenty of reasons to care, cheer, and
occasionally ugly-cry into your snack bowl.

Conclusion

From Itachi’s tragic genius and Ichigo’s stubborn heroism to Izuku’s steady
growth and Inosuke’s feral charm, the letter I quietly hosts some of the
biggest personalities in anime. This ranking is a snapshot of how fans
often see these characters todaybut your personal top 10 might look very
different, and that’s half the fun.

Use this list as a watch guide, a debate starter, or a nostalgia trip back
to the first time you heard “Believe it!” or “Bankai!” However you approach
it, one thing’s clear: when it comes to anime characters starting with I,
you’re spoiled for choice.