POV: Well-written anime characters I discovered in 2024 and fell in love with!

We’ve all come across characters that had us appreciating the writing. In 2024, I came across a few characters whose depth and complexity really stood out to me.

How do we define a well-written character, especially since there isn't a checklist of criteria we need to consider? I’ve always found myself pondering this question, especially because, for me, films and shows are all about the characters. Luckily for me, I came across a few characters this year who struck me in ways I wasn’t expecting. Despite its layered writing and subtle depth, these characters were buried beneath the noise of popular opinion and more obvious choices. In this article, I'm talking about the characters I loved this year while trying to figure out the general criteria of what makes a character good. 

Also Read: The good, bad, and complex portrayal of father characters in Anime

These characters definitely need to be talked about:

Five Elders

I’ve always found myself gravitating towards the villains than the heroes. It’s not that I don’t love the heroes, but there’s something about a well-written villain that works for me because they mak the story better. Their motivations are often messy and multifaceted, with an ability to explore the story into places where the heroes can’t go. The characters of One Piece serves as great examples. Sure, I could easily spend hours discussing how amazing the heroes of One Piece are. But during the start of this year, I watched the Five Elders who appeared during the Wano and the Egghead Island arc and I think we need to take a moment to talk about them. They are the perfect example of villains who quietly sit in the shadows, pulling the strings and controlling the direction of the entire world. The fact that they are so entrenched in the fabric of the world yet remain so mysterious feels unsettling. 

The story shows oppression but not in a way that feels forceful. It’s not always in-your-face violence or a dramatic battle but in the small, seemingly insignificant details. At the end of the day, while everyone else is off seeking adventure, fighting for freedom, or challenging the system, the Five Elders remain unmoved, sitting in the background, quietly ensuring that the world remains exactly as it is. And in their silence, in their control, they become just as important to the story as any of the characters we cheer for. And that, in itself, is what makes them so terrifyingly fascinating.

What’s even more compelling is that these characters have a real-world reflection. These people are often faceless and nameless and hold the reins, making decisions that affect the lives of billions, without us ever seeing them. In many ways, the Five Elders serve as a critique of the systems of power we live with challenging the idea of freedom and the notion that the world is fair.

Yoshikage Kira

This year I also gave JoJo's Bizarre Adventure a watch, and while there are so many villains with enormous power who seem invincible, Yoshikage Kira from Part 4, Diamond is Unbreakable really caught my attention. Yoshikage Kira is a stand user like many in the show, but what makes him such an interesting villain is his eerie sense of normalcy. He doesn't seek world domination or chaos; instead, he is desperate for a quiet, peaceful life, which contrasts sharply with his horrifying actions. His Stand, Killer Queen, allows him to kill with almost no trace, making him a perilous and elusive threat. Kira's obsession with maintaining a peaceful life while secretly indulging in his murderous tendencies, particularly his fixation on collecting trophies from his victims, adds to his villainess. The writers successfully highlight his methodical and calculated nature, especially when he attempts to cover up his crimes or goes to extreme lengths to protect his identity, which adds depth to his character and makes him unpredictable. Kira becomes a fascinating villain because of how well-written and balanced his outward normalcy and inner darkness.

Meruem

Another good example of a well-written character is Meruem. Meanwhile, watching Hunter x Hunter, Meruem’s character stood out the most for me even though the Chimera Ant arc was good in itself. His writing draws unsettling parallels between how humans treat species beneath them and how we perceive cruelty when treated the same way. Even his death was poetic, serving as a reminder of how humans, with their malice and greed, can be far more destructive than the Chimera Ants ever were. Meruem, despite his overwhelming power, fought honorably and even spoke of coexistence between humans and Chimera Ants. Yet, humanity answered with deceit, using a weapon born from fear and greed.

Mahito Maki

While my obsession with villains seems never-ending, I also came across characters this year that were so well-written that they brought me a sense of positivity. One such character was Mahito Maki from The Blue Heron. If you know Ghibli films, they’re all about personal interpretation, and Mahito’s story felt deeply human. What stood out to me most was how he slowly learned to accept his new mother. There’s something real and raw in his quiet resentment toward her and his father, yet despite that, he goes on an uncertain adventure to save her. It was such a gentle yet powerful way of showing emotional growth.

Then there is the moment when the old man asks Mahito if he wants to take over this new dimension, and Mahito refuses. That choice, to follow his own path instead of following others’ expectations, really moved me. I love how there were not big speeches but there were powerful and subtle moments that showed his self-discovery. 

Princess Akemi

There’s another character that wasn’t talked about much, but I absolutely loved for her writing—Princess Akemi from Blue Eye Samurai. Yes, we all admired the main girl Mizu, who fought through struggles and became an incredible samurai while hiding her gender identity. But I personally found Princess Akemi's character even more fascinating. Unlike Mizu, Akemi wasn’t a warrior, and she lacked the confidence to go out on her own, knowing how cruel the world can be to women who are considered weak. Yet, she still managed to survive and fight with her wits and the resources available to her.

When she was married against her will, Akemi didn’t just give in and learned how to hold power in a society that often stripped women of it. The moment that gave me chills was when, at the climax of the story, Akemi expressed her desire to rule. For a woman at that time, this desire was almost unheard of, and yet she had the courage to voice it. That moment was so powerful, showing how much she had grown and how her strength wasn’t restricted by the traditional roles society placed on her. 

These are just a few characters that moved me in 2024, and the interesting thing is, these names might seem pretty random since they belong to different genres, they really highlight the need to have a well-written character. While there isn't a simple checklist that identifies it, I feel that connecting with a good character is always subjective and depends on the personal experiences and what resonates with us in that moment.  Share your favourite characters you think were well-written in the comments.

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