Who is the Current King of Anime in 2024?
The throne for anime‘s greatest icon remains hotly contested, with many worthy contenders staking their claim. Based on popularity, influence on wider manga/anime culture, and hero archetype grandeur, a few characters stand out from the pack.
Measuring Kings By the Numbers
When it comes to quantifying an anime hero‘s realm, key data to look at includes:
- Global Merchandise Sales: Total character goods sold worldwide
- Manga Volume Circulation: Print copies published and sold in Japan/internationally
- Popularity Polls: Rankings in surveys of wider anime fandom
| Character | Global Merchandise Sales | # Volumes in Circulation | 2022 Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Son Goku | $7 billion+ | Over 160 million | #6 |
| Monkey D. Luffy | $3 billion+ | Over 550 million | #7 |
| Naruto Uzumaki | $2 billion+ | Over 250 million | #10 |
| Ichigo Kurosaki | $1 billion+ | Over 120 million | #15 |
Sources: Statista, Anime!Anime!Biz Data, Crunchyroll/Anime!Anime! Fan polling
Based purely on commercial stats, Son Goku from Dragon Ball stands tall as anime‘s highest ruler. However, this doesn‘t tell the full story.
Let‘s analyze each icon‘s qualities to judge their kingliness.
The Strongest – Son Goku
As the protagonist of anime‘s most popular global franchise, Son Goku makes a strong claim. His superhuman strength and combat skill are nearly unmatched in Shōnen lore.
Ever since debuting in the 1980s, Goku has mastered disciplines like:
- Ki/Energy Control
- Ultra Instinct
- Variations of the iconic Kamehameha
He‘s achieved the pinnacle of Saiyan biology and advanced to a literal god level over 100+ manga chapters and anime episodes.
Thanks to this mythic journey, the spiky-haired hero has amassed armies of fans across generations. As Dragon Ball merch flies off shelves, Goku remains anime‘s standard bearer of power.
However, strength alone does not make a king…
The Most Resilient – Monkey D. Luffy
Monkey D. Luffy ranks among fiction‘s quintessential underdog protagonists. He‘s taken the crown for most volumes published for a single manga series, a testament to his stories‘s unmatched popularity.
As captain of the motley Straw Hat Pirates sailing perilous seas, Luffy demonstrates courage and resilience through:
- Losing Years of Life Span in Impel Down‘s Level 5 Prison
- Withstanding Tortures that Crushed Normal Prisoners
- Fighting Top Tier Enemies Like the Warlords & Four Emperors
He starts small, viewed as a weak rookie with big, impossible dreams of finding the ultimate treasure. But through over 1,000 manga chapters, he proves anyone can overcome extreme adversity.
Luffy may not wield Goku‘s power, but his indomitable spirit inspires hope on par with legends like Naruto and Ichigo.
For embodying unconquerable willpower, Monkey D. Luffy makes a strong case for the anime crown.
The Most Relatable – Ichgo Kurosaki
Unlike many larger-than-life protagonists, Ichigo Kurosaki maintains an everyday teenager persona amid extraordinary adventures:
- Balances High School with Soul Reaper Responsibilities
- Argues with Family/Friends Like Most Adolescents
- His Goals are Small in Scale (Protect Those Closest to Him)
Despite gaining wizardly abilities to confront monsters and evil spirits, Ichigo faces the same relatable struggles as viewers navigating adolescence.
He appeals as an "average guy" battling insane odds while preserving his humility and humanity. This blend of otherworldly elements grounded in reality captivated fans.
Bleach‘s early tankōbon volumes would break publishing records – reflecting Ichigo‘s literary influence. And his hero‘s journey spans a hefty 74 volumes/366 anime issues.
For showing anyone can rise up and fight without losing one‘s roots, Ichigo also displays qualities of an anime‘s leading lord.
Other Notable Kings
While they may not outrank the Big 3 above, other anime royals deserve mention:
Naruto Uzumaki – Orphan outcast ninja who becomes Hokage leader in Naruto
Jotaro Kujo – Stardust Crusaders powerful " Stand user" who can stop time
Edward Elric – Child prodigy alchemist in Fullmetal Alchemist on redemption quest
Eren Yeager – Hero/anti-hero who can transform into a Titan in Attack on Titan
Verdict – All Hail the Big 3!
Reviewing both quantitative and cultural impacts, the top 3 contenders for anime‘s demigod crown are Son Goku, Monkey D. Luffy, and Ichigo Kurosaki.
Each character crafted a timeless coming of age tale that inspired generations. Through their unique hero journeys they‘ve gained loyal followers across the globe.
In terms of current popularity and acclaim from wider fandoms, Goku and Luffy in particular stand above their peers by a good margin. Their stories show no signs conclusion even after 1000+ long-running chapters/episodes.
So while many royal anime figures exist, Son Goku is the strongest, Luffy the most relentless, and Ichigo the most human. Together they represent the best of Shōnen fiction for the past 30+ years.
For these reasons, I view the "Big 3" trio as reigning over anime kingdom leading into 2023 and beyond!
Who‘s your personal anime king? Share your thoughts in comments!
