Best Anime Characters of 2026: The Names Everyone’s Talking About

2026 was a strong year for anime, with new seasons for several massive franchises. Jujutsu Kaisen’s third season (the Culling Game arc) clearly dominated the conversation this year, and characters like Sung Jin-Woo from Solo Leveling, Izuku Midoriya (Deku) from My Hero Academia, and Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries were among the most recurring names in fan discussions and 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominations.

Why this list is based on real voting, not personal opinion

Instead of ranking by personal taste, we relied on actual community voting sources — like AnimeCorner‘s seasonal Best Male and Female Character rankings — alongside official Crunchyroll Award nominations. This gives a picture closer to actual fan discussion rather than one person’s preference.

The names that dominated discussion this year

Jujutsu Kaisen (Culling Game arc): The series’ third season was considered one of 2026’s strongest releases by many viewers, and it kept topping fan discussions all year.

Sung Jin-Woo (Solo Leveling): Remained a strong presence in fan discussion as his story developed across later seasons of the series.

Izuku Midoriya “Deku” (My Hero Academia): Even as the series nears its ending, he remained a strong contender in 2026’s best main character award nominations.

Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries): One of the female characters that earned wide recognition in 2026 discussions and nominations, thanks to her depth and cleverness throughout the series.

An important note: this is a global list, not a Saudi-specific one

Unlike our other pieces on gaming rooms and decor, this list is built on global voting and discussion, not Saudi-specific search data. Arabic dubbed or subtitled availability varies by title and streaming platform, so check your platform before assuming any title is available in Arabic.

If you want to turn your favorite character into a decor piece

LumiPoster‘s ready-made gallery doesn’t include designs of specific copyrighted anime characters (like the names mentioned above) — the ready-made designs are built around general anime-world atmosphere only. If you want a piece representing your specific favorite character, the best option is uploading fan art you made yourself, or artwork you have the rights to use, as a custom photo. For complete anime room decor ideas, check our anime room decor guide.

FAQ

Do LumiPoster’s ready-made designs represent these specific characters?

No, the ready-made designs are built around general anime-world atmosphere only, not designs of specific copyrighted characters.

How do I print fan art I made myself?

Upload it as a custom photo when ordering, provided the artwork is your own or you have the rights to use it.

Is this list based on Saudi search data?

No, it’s based on global community voting and discussion (AnimeCorner and Crunchyroll Awards), not local search data.

What sources did you rely on specifically?

AnimeCorner’s seasonal best-character rankings, alongside official 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominations.