On September 19th, we celebrate “Myoji no Hi,” or Surname Day.
This commemorative day originates from the “Heimin Myoji Kyokarei” (Commoner Surname Permit Edict) issued on September 19th of the lunar calendar in 1870 (October 13th in the Gregorian calendar), which allowed commoners to use surnames.
Anime characters feature a rich variety of surnames, ranging from those that exist in the real world to unique, fictional creations. The kanji used and the sound of the reading often highlight a character’s individuality. Many readers likely find themselves wishing, “I wish I had a surname like that!”
In response to this sentiment, Anime! Anime! conducted its annual reader survey titled “What anime character surname do you admire?”. We received 92 responses during the survey period from September 10th to September 15th.
Regarding demographics, approximately 35% of respondents were male and 65% were female, showing a higher participation from women. For age groups, about 40% were 19 or younger, while respondents in their 20s and 30s each made up about 15%.
The Power of Surnames: Driving the Story!
First Place
Taking the top spot with approximately 11% of the votes, just like last year, is Takanashi (小鳥遊).
Eiga Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! -Take On Me- (C) Tora Tora / Kyoto Animation / Chuunibyou demo Production Committee
The surname Takanashi is remarkably rare in Japan, said to be held by only a few dozen people nationwide. However, it’s a popular choice in the world of anime. In this survey, votes poured in for various main characters including Takanashi Rikka from Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!, Takanashi Tsumugi from IDOLiSH7, Takanashi Sora from Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!, and Takanashi Sei from Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu (also known as The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent).
Readers were charmed by its unique origin, with one comment stating, “The elegant wordplay of ‘small birds can play’ (小鳥遊) meaning ‘no hawks’ (鷹なし), which sounds like ‘Takanashi,’ is just wonderful. The sound is beautiful, and I truly admire it!”
Second Place
A remarkable five surnames tied for second place: Kochou (胡蝶), Tsuyuri (栗花落), Tsuyuri (五月七日), Furuya (降谷), and Yuuki (結城).
The votes for Kochou went to Kochou Shinobu from Kimetsu no Yaiba (also known as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba). One reader commented, “I was deeply moved to learn that the surname is derived from the Chinese allegory ‘Kochou no Yume’ (Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream), which represents the transience of life and the unreliability of reality.”
Tsuyuri also received votes for Tsuyuri Kanao, also from Kimetsu no Yaiba. Comments included, “This name refers to the season when chestnut flowers fall, signaling the start of the rainy season. Its ephemeral and elegant sound perfectly suits Kanao, a true Yamato Nadeshiko,” and “I love the episode where Kanao chose her own surname when she was first taken in by the Kochou sisters.”
The surname Tsuyuri (五月七日) was chosen for Tsuyuri Kumin from Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!. A reader shared, “It’s incredible that 五月七日 (literally ‘fifth month, seventh day’) is read as ‘Tsuyuri’ because it refers to the beginning of the rainy season in the old lunar calendar. Nobody would be able to read that! I was doubly surprised to learn it’s actually a real surname.”
Furuya was chosen for Furuya Rei from Meitantei Konan (also known as Detective Conan). One reader explained their admiration: “It’s a rare combination even among Furuya-sounding surnames, evoking an image of rain or snow falling in a mountainous region. There’s also a certain beauty to the full name, Furuya Rei.”
Gekijouban Persona 3 #1 Spring of Birth (C) ATLUS (C) SEGA / Gekijouban Persona 3 Production Committee
Yuuki received votes for Yuuki Asuna (Asuna), the heroine from Sword Art Online, and Yuuki Makoto, the protagonist of PERSONA3 THE MOVIE. All the top-ranking surnames in this category are, interestingly, real-world surnames.
Other Noteworthy Comments!
For Hyuuga Shouyou from Haikyuu!!, one fan expressed, “I love the soft sound and bright image of ‘Hyuuga’. It’s also easy to write with fewer strokes, which is a bonus!”
Gekijouban Haikyuu!! VS Chiisana Kyojin Super Teaser Visual (C) “Haikyuu!!” Production Committee (C) Haruichi Furudate / Shueisha
Regarding Akemi Homura from Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magika, a reader shared, “The beautiful surname ‘Akemi’, combined with her mysterious transfer student persona, gives her a mystically cool aura. The fact that ‘Akemi’ signifies a time of day (dawn) also perfectly suits her character.”
Gekijouban Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magika <Walpurgis no Kaiten> Key Visual 2 (C) Magica Quartet/Aniplex,Madoka Project
Concerning Zenpouji Isaku from Nintama Rantarou, a comment read, “Personally, I like surnames that include ‘tera’ (寺) and since this one also has the positive kanji ‘zen’ (善), it feels very auspicious. Even if he himself is quite unlucky (laughs).”
Gekijouban Nintama Rantarou Dokutake Ninja-tai Saikyou no Gunshi Key Visual (C) Soubee Amako / Gekijouban Nintama Rantarou Production Committee
And for Amano Keita from Youkai Watch, a reader, perhaps surprisingly, yearned for an ordinary surname: “My real-life surname is incredibly rare, so I can’t even buy a pre-inked stamp for it, and I’m easily identified. I really want a normal surname! And when I think of ‘normal,’ I think of Keita from Youkai Watch, so that’s why I chose it.”
This year’s survey once again showcased the enduring appeal of rare surnames. Furthermore, with multiple characters from the same works like Kimetsu no Yaiba and Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! making it into the rankings, it’s clear how much surnames themselves contribute to shaping the unique worldviews of these anime.
Don’t miss the top 10 rankings on the next page!
Top 5 Ranking
[Admired Anime Character Surnames? 2025 Edition]
- Takanashi Rikka (from Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!) / Takanashi Tsumugi (from IDOLiSH7) / Takanashi Sora (from Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!) / Takanashi Sei (from Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu)
- Kochou Shinobu (from Kimetsu no Yaiba)
- Tsuyuri Kanao (from Kimetsu no Yaiba)
- Tsuyuri Kumin (from Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!)
- Furuya Rei (from Meitantei Konan)
- Asuna (Yuuki Asuna from Sword Art Online) / Yuuki Makoto (from PERSONA3 THE MOVIE)
(Survey Period: September 10 – September 15, 2025)
Next Page: Full Top 10 Ranking Revealed
*This survey is part of our ongoing research into readers’ current interest and attention regarding anime works and characters. The results are not intended to determine superiority or inferiority among any characters or works. We hope this article serves as an opportunity for you to discover new works and characters, or to deepen your understanding and interest in existing ones.
By Katsunori Takahashi
