There are plenty of characters you could choose when asking “Who are the smartest anime characters”?Anime has provided us with an enormous amount of characters with diverse and unique qualities, but still, some stand out for their unmatched intelligence.
These characters captivate our minds with their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills and leave a long-lasting impact on the anime landscape.
In this article, we will step into the world of anime intellect to discover the 10 smartest characters who have engraved their names in the records of anime history. So, without further ado, let’s begin!
Note: We are not ranking the characters, so you can rest assured and enjoy a nice read of the article while learning about the characters!
Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan)
Shrunken into a small child’s body but enough not to diminish his intellect, Conan Edogawa in “Detective Conan” is one of the most brilliant detectives of all time. His deductive reasoning and crime-solving abilities make him one of the legendary characters in mystery anime. He is the only character who is still recognized as the best detective in the anime universe.
Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
In the complex narrative of “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” Rei Ayanami presents as a character of cryptic intelligence. Her connection to the series’ ambiguous storyline adds unique layers to her mysterious and suspicious nature, making her one of the most fascinating and intellectually engrossing figures in the anime world.
Ray (The Promised Neverland)
Ray is considered one of the smartest kids at Grace Field House, even outshining Emma and Norman in academics. He easily scores the best grades on tests. Despite not being very confident in difficult situations, his intellect and dedication make him one of the most significant characters for the kids’ escape plans. We know not everyone may like Ray, but his calm genius makes him stand out from the rest of the crowd in The Promised Neverland series.
Norman (The Promised Neverland)
Here comes another character from The Promised Neverland, none other than Norman! I bet everyone agrees he’s awesome!
Emma, our main protagonist of the show, is considered to be smart in The Promised Neverland, but it is not always true because her friends from Grace Field House, like Norman, are even smarter.
Norman is considered a math prodigy, and everyone, including adults, gets scared of him because of his strategies.
Most of the time, smart characters are shown as selfish, but this character is made different. He’s not just super duper smart but also nice and caring, and that’s what makes it even sadder when something bad happens to him. Even though the show made it to its finale last year, people still really like the characters, especially everyone’s favorite, Norman.
Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
Senku Ishigami is considered a science whiz in Dr. Stone, and he gets one of the coolest chances in the Stone World, known to be a primitive place where he can use his awesome ideas to make things awesome. While most people may struggle in a less fancy society, Senku dives into it for a more adventurous vibe.
His love for science is never-ending. He’s got his own unique charm that helps him make his ideas come to life. Senku is super smart and resourceful, which is needed to do anything in the Stone World. Nevertheless, Senku is the brainiac of Dr. Stone.
Light Yagami (Death Note)
Despite Light Yagami’s ideas of using the Death Note to create a new world of his own creating a lot of controversies and raising many ethical questions, we can’t deny the fact that he’s super duper smart and ambitious. In Death Note, there was an intense mental battle between Light and another brilliant person (we are going to include that person in our list too). Light goes all out to win even if it costs him killing an innocent.
Light’s intellect is special to come up with his plan, but what is it that shows just how smart he is? Well, his skills of paying attention to every minute detail. That is why even the world’s best detective struggled to catch him. He is like a master at making new plans, no matter what issues come up to him he on spot gets through them. It is no wonder Light Yagami, one of anime’s most popular and trickiest protagonists, is considered one of the smartest minds in the anime world.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Classroom Of The Elite)
At first glance, Kiyotaka seems like an average-looking student with normal grades. But if you are going for his looks, then you’re going to get a surprise!
He is super smart and intentionally tries to keep his grades average because he doesn’t want to stand out in the crowd at first. Despite acting like an underachiever, he mostly uses his intellect to navigate the toughest situations of his high school life and tries to help others, but does he want to help others? Well, that’s a mystery.
Even though he is trying to keep it a secret, Kiyotaka’s intelligence wows viewers and makes him pretty special in his group.
Yuichi (Tomodachi Game)
Now let’s meet Yuichi, the main guy in Tomodachi Game. He seems just a regular high school boy who loves his friends and works hard because he is not rich. It might sound a bit dull but hold on tight because it is just his everyday side. You will be impressed once you see his cool tactics and mind games.
From Episode 3 onwards, his hidden talents start to show, so you have to watch patiently and see his awesome skills in action. Well, about his past, season 1 doesn’t spill all the beans, but we are crossing our fingers for Season 2 to reveal more of his story. But you catch a peek of his past—two people, his mom who is teaching him that friends matter more than money, and another person, acting like a dad figure, insisting money is the most important thing in the world.
The first season itself was full of rollercoasters of his tactics and not only that we can also see the bond between him and his friends. Even though he is a bit new, undoubtedly his intellect has created a long-lasting impact on anime fans.
L Lawliet (Death Note)
Well, imagine you are trying to outsmart someone who has a deadly book sounds impossible, right? But if there is anyone who can beat him, it’s L Lawliet—the world’s number one detective. He may seem a bit weird and puzzling, even to his cop buddies, but undoubtedly he is a genius because he thinks in unique ways.
In Death Note, lots of people like L and Light. They both have done some really hard things to beat each other, and it was super close. But because L is dealing with something new for being a detective which is unnatural, his quick thinking makes him the more interesting choice for many fans and one of the best characters in our list.
Smartest Anime Characters – Wrapping Up
Anime has given us some brilliant characters who go beyond the usual cleverness. From super-smart strategists to science freaks, anime has lots of characters whose brains shape the story in the biggest ways possible. Let’s cheer for the top 10 smartest anime characters ever! They’re not just entertaining; they also make us see how deep and interesting anime stories can be. Do let us know your favorite character from the list. As always, thanks for reading. Stay Gritty, Gamers!
