Highlights
- Anime showcases a variety of incredible leaders, from charismatic and inspiring figures like Sinbad and All Might, to ambitious and controversial leaders like Griffith and Lelouch.
- These leaders demonstrate greatness in different ways, whether it's through their strategic thinking and tactical brilliance like Kakashi and Shikamaru, or their selflessness and willingness to sacrifice for their cause like Erwin Smith and Edward Newgate.
- Regardless of their alignment or moral compass, these leaders have the ability to motivate and empower their followers, achieving remarkable victories and inspiring loyalty even in the face of challenges.
Fans may argue that a good leader is one with the ability to inspire and empower their team. Others may think of them as assertive and decisive, providing their followers with a direction to move forward. While it's up for debate, without a doubt, a leader will always align followers with his cause, even in the face of challenges.
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From Pain to Light Yagami, here are some of the best anime villains who are driven by fascinating and sometimes relatable philosophies.Anime highlights an array of incredible leaders, such as Attack of Titan’s Commander Erwin, who just by delivering an electrifying speech can push his recruits towards literal death. Also, the portrayal of a good leader isn’t just restricted to the protagonist, as they can also be evil and have a questionable moral compass such as Griffith. While it’s true that all leaders demonstrate greatness in various aspects, only some rise to unparalleled heights such as the ones on this list.
Story Spoilers Ahead
10 Sinbad - Magi
The anime series Magi features Sinbad as a respected King of Sindria. He also owns the Sindria Trading Company, which is the most powerful company in the Parthevia Empire. Sinbad is a master swordsman, even overpowering Ryujin, a legendary master in hand-to-hand combat, and also possessing the ability of Magoi Manipulation.
Other than his powers, he is a respectable leader of the Seven Seas Alliance, an international alliance between various countries. He is often seen accompanied by his most trusted Eight Generals. The series presents Sinbad as a great idealist who envisions changing the world and is respected far and wide.
9 Griffith - Berserk
Despite his controversial actions, Griffith is famous as an exceptional leader due to his unmatched charisma and magnetic charm that inspires unwavering loyalty among his Band Members. With his calculated speech and body language, he pushes his charisma to win allies effortlessly everywhere.
Griffith is an ambitious man, with his greatest desire to become the king of a utopian world, and the Band of the Hawk, a mercenary group, is ultimately a weapon for him to achieve this dream. Griffith, as the leader of the Band, leads them to achieve remarkable victories throughout the series, and no one questions his judgments right up until he sacrifices them all for his own ascension. Up till that point, he was a good leader.
8 Kyojuro Rengoku – Demon Slayer
The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, is among the Nine Hashiras, the last hope for humans against the Demons. Right off the bat, his magnetic personality is evidence of the fire he possesses. In Demon Slayer, Kyojuro is shown as a comrade and a phenomenal leader who never backs off from performing his duty.
In the Mugen Train Arc, the way he oversees the situation with Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu while avoiding chaos reflects his leadership skills. More importantly, the way he stands firm to save his disciples clearly shows him as an incredible leader who inspires and never gives up even when faced with an Upper Moon.
7 Lelouch Vi Brittania – Code Geass
Lelouch Vi Brittania is widely considered one of the greatest anti-heroes in anime history. Exiled at an early age, Lelouch holds a grudge against his father, Charles, and his only dream is to dethrone and kill him to dismantle the Great Britannian Empire.
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Looking for the best cozy anime around? Well, we've got you covered!Utilizing his Geass power, Lelouch molded public opinion, garnering support for his motives. Under the guise of his masked identity: Zero, he forms the Black Knights, a group of vigilantes fighting against the Empire. Lelouch's ability to think several steps ahead is just legendary, especially how he orchestrated his final act, The Zero Requiem, to rid the world of hatred and rebellion.
6 Shikamaru Nara – Naruto Series
Naruto introduces Shikamaru Nara as a tepid ninja with a lethargic appearance, having no desire to lead from the front. However, Shikamaru eventually evolves into an unbelievably talented leader, displaying innate leadership abilities that set him apart from many characters.
At the age of just 15, he was appointed by the Fifth Hokage Lady Tsunade as her unofficial advisor. Later she handed him the first mission to bring back Sasuke. Despite the mission's failure, every member of his team survived, which proved his remarkable leadership. He was such an incredible strategist that he climbed the ranks of the Hidden Leaf Ninjas throughout his life, later even serving Kakashi and Naruto when they succeeded as Hokage.
5 All Might – My Hero Academia
One of the most impressive leadership traits is to motivate others to rise when everything falls apart. All Might, the beloved Hero from the anime series My Hero Academia, exemplifies this very trait with his charismatic smile, instilling hope in everyone’s heart.
His character development from number one hero to a quirkless mentor is fascinating to witness where he guides the new generation through their struggles. He is selfless, as shown in numerous battles where he won’t think twice, risking his life for a greater purpose.
4 Kakashi Hatake – Naruto Series
Kakashi Hatake's brilliance shines right from the beginning of the series, as a leader of the souped-up Team 7, Kakashi mentors three young Genins, who later grew up to be the Legendary Ninjas of the Hidden Leaf Village – Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
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Shonen anime have a history of running for a long time. Here are the very best of the best.At age 13, Kakashi's exceptional talent led to his promotion to Anbu. Later In Naruto Shippuden, Kakashi's principles and Ninja skills earn him a rank as a leader in the Ninja coalition army. His dedication and exceptional skills as a Sharingan user and a Jonin make him one of the most respected Shinobi throughout the Narutoverse and one of the best leaders in the village.
Roy Mustang is undoubtedly one of the better portrayals of a Leader in modern anime. Appointed as a State Alchemist, he served in the Ishbal Civil War, coming back as a veteran. Witnessing the horrors of the war and the corruption within Amestris' military government, he desires to lead his nation toward a better future as a leader.
Mustang displays his brilliance as a tactician in many instances. However, the most remarkable quality lies in his knowledge of domestic politics/landscape, and his talent for information-gathering and leading operations. Mustang earns special admiration from the fans for his genuine care for his people, who trust him and support his ideology.
2 Erwin Smith – Attack On Titan
The Leader of the Scouts, Erwin Smith, embodies the true personality of a commander. His presence and body language all radiate confidence – a must quality for any good leader. Fans adore Erwin due to his exemplary leadership, selflessness, and readiness to sacrifice himself and his dreams for humanity.
When many so-called leaders would have sat back, sending the survey corps off to their deaths, Erwin proved his brilliance by fearlessly leading his comrades, even the new recruits from the front, to confront Titans head-on. Using his phenomenal speech, Erwin inspired them to face death courageously rather than retreat, and he died alongside his soldiers as their leader.
1 Edward Newgate – One Piece
Edward Newgate, or Whitebeard, is known as the Strongest man alive in One-Piece due to his possession of the Haki and powers of the Devil fruit Gura Gura no Mi. Whitebeard wasn't an overly intelligent leader, but the term brilliance speaks of his character and actions.
As an orphan from the Island of Sphinx, Whitebeard became a pirate to support his exiled family, leading him to form the Whitebeard Pirates crew, where every crew member was treated alike and considered Sons. Whitebeard was an understanding and forgiving father figure, even going to great lengths to rescue his crew, a quality only true leaders possess.
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