May 22nd is “Cycling Day”.
This date originates from the establishment of the Cycling Association of Japan (Zaidan Hoojin Nihon Saikuringu Kyooukai) on the same day in 1964.
Bicycles are a familiar mode of transportation for us, and they are also frequently used by characters in anime and games. Whether they use them for commuting to school or work, aim for victory in road races, or share their daily lives as travel companions… Sometimes, they even play a role in exciting chase scenes, adding depth to the story.
Therefore, Anime! Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “Who comes to mind when you think of a ‘bicycle’ character?” for the first time in two years. We received responses from 89 people during the survey period from May 13th to May 17th.
The gender ratio was nearly equal. Regarding age groups, approximately 30 percent were under 19, and around 25 percent each were in their 30s and 40s.
Table of Contents
■ Commuting, Club Activities, Battles… Bicycles Are Super Active in All Sorts of Scenes!
First Place
The first place goes to ONODA Sakamichi from “Yowamushi Pedal”. With approximately 9 percent support, he maintained the top position from the previous survey.
The protagonist of this series, ONODA Sakamichi, encounters competitive cycling in high school and quickly emerges as a formidable newcomer. The depiction of how ONODA, who initially aimed to start an anime research club, gradually becomes engrossed in the charm of bicycles, and his effortless ascent of the steep school slope on a mama-chari are particularly memorable scenes. Many readers sympathized with the unfolding story, where he steps into the rigorous world of road racing from what began as an extension of his everyday life.
Additionally, TESHiMA Junta from the same series ranked tied for 11th place. He was entrusted as the next captain after the upperclassmen retired. Fans who were moved by his attitude of supporting the team while acknowledging himself as an ordinary person cast their votes for him.
Second Place
Tied for second place are TAKAGI-san from “Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san” and Mumen Rider from “One Punch Man”. Their support rate was approximately 7 percent.
TAKAGI-san from “Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san” is a middle school student who enjoys playing little teasing tricks on NiSHIKATA, who sits next to her. She commutes by bicycle, and the scenes of them walking home together while she pushes her bike are especially heartwarming. Furthermore, her cover of JUDY AND MARY’s “Jitensha” (Bicycle) for the ending theme also became a hot topic. Comments noted that the song choice linked well with TAKAGI-san’s image.
Mumen Rider from “One Punch Man” is a Rank C Class 1 Hero. While he doesn’t possess astonishing power like the protagonist, Saitama, his strong will to protect citizens is genuine. Many readers were deeply moved, saying, “‘It’s not about whether I can win or not, but that I have to stand up to you here!’ – that line perfectly embodies everything about him. I fell for his heroic figure, bravely confronting the enemy even knowing he was weak.”
■ Introducing Other Comments!
For KUGA Yuma from “World Trigger”, one comment read: “I liked the scene in TV anime episode 6 where he meets AMATORI Chika while practicing cycling. She ends up accompanying him for practice, but the development where he falls into a river halfway through was hilarious.”
For KURATA Ami from “Long Riders!”, a fan commented: “The protagonist, who isn’t good at sports, falls in love with a folding bicycle and before she knows it, she’s able to ride hundreds of kilometers on cycling roads with her companions. Naming her bicycle ‘Ponta-kun’ was also adorable.”
For HiNATA Shouyou from “Haikyuu!!”, a comment said: “He commutes to school by mama-chari, crossing a mountain, rain or shine, wind or snow. In the first episode of the fourth season, seeing HiNATA cycling up a slope at night, exhaling white breaths after a frustrating event, truly tugged at my heartstrings and made me want to support him even more.”
For KAGAMIHARA Nadeshiko from “Yuru Camp”, a reader commented: “In the first episode, she completed a 37km journey with a 770m elevation difference from her home to Lake Motosu by bicycle. As said in episode 3 of ‘mono,’ by the same author, her sheer grit is so intense it ‘goes beyond weirdo and into cyborg territory’.” Votes were cast for various other characters from different series as well.
In this survey, characters who are seriously involved in competitive cycling ranked alongside multiple characters who simply use bicycles as a daily mode of transport. The results clearly show how much bicycles are cherished as a means of getting around in everyday life.
Don’t miss the full ranking on the next page!
■ Ranking Top 5
[“Bicycle” Characters? 2025 Edition]
1st: ONODA Sakamichi, “Yowamushi Pedal”
2nd: TAKAGI-san, “Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san”
2nd: Mumen Rider, “One Punch Man”
4th: KAGAMIHARA Nadeshiko, “Yuru Camp”
5th: KURATA Ami, “Long Riders!”
5th: HiNATA Shouyou, “Haikyuu!!”
5th: RYOUOTSU Kankichi, “Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kouen-mae Hashutsujo”
(Response period: May 13, 2025 – May 17, 2025)
Next Page: Full Ranking Revealed
