Who Comes to Mind as a “Sky/Flight” Character? 3rd Place: Hakurei Reimu from “Touhou Project” & Hawks from “Boku no Hero Academia”, 2nd Place: Nakahara Chuuya from “Bungou Stray Dogs”, 1st Place is… <2025 Edition>
Anime! Anime! conducted a reader poll titled “Who comes to mind as a ‘Sky/Flight’ character?” for the second consecutive year. We are pleased to announce the results.
September 20th marks “Sky Day”. Its roots trace back to Aviation Day, established in 1940, and it was renamed Sky Day in 1992 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the resumption of private aviation.
In the vibrant world of anime, countless characters embody the spirit and imagery of the sky. From heroes soaring freely through the vast heavens and angels with magnificent wings to skillful pilots expertly maneuvering aircraft, their portrayals are wonderfully diverse and captivating.
Following up on last year’s popular survey, Anime! Anime! proudly conducted another reader poll titled “Who comes to mind as a ‘Sky/Flight’ character?’” We received 84 enthusiastic responses during the survey period from September 12th to September 16th. The gender ratio among respondents was approximately 35% male and 65% female, indicating a higher participation from women. The age demographic was primarily younger respondents, with around 40% being 19 years old or younger and 20% in their 20s.
Table of Contents
For the 2024 results, you can refer to: https://animeanime.jp/article/2024/09/20/86645.html
Popular Characters Dominating the Skies Appear!
1st Place
The 1st place goes to Hinata Shouyou from Haikyuu!!, securing approximately 11% of the votes and maintaining his top position for an impressive fifth consecutive year.
Readers shared numerous praises for his incredible jumping ability and dynamic play. Comments included: “Hinata Shouyou is only 162cm tall. While this might seem like a disadvantage in volleyball, a sport often dominated by tall players, he makes you forget all about it with the satisfying sound of his spikes launched from incredibly high jumps! His boundless stamina to keep running across the court until the ball drops, and his resilient mindset that prevents him from getting nervous even when facing tough opponents, are truly remarkable. Above all, his joyful, radiant expression during matches is utterly captivating.” Another reader added, “I absolutely love how he sparkles when he jumps high and gracefully. I’ll always be cheering for the strongest duo, him and his partner and rival, Kageyama Tobio.” The protagonist of this massive hit series, which also has the film Gekijouban Haikyuu!! VS Chiisana Kyojin (which can be translated as Haikyuu!! The Movie: VS Tiny Giant) confirmed for production, continues to demonstrate his unwavering popularity.
2nd Place
Nakahara Chuuya from Bungou Stray Dogs climbed to 2nd place with approximately 7% of the votes, moving up from a respectable 4th place last year.
Nakahara Chuuya is an executive of the Port Mafia. He garnered votes for his unique special ability and dynamic fighting style, with fans enthusiastically commenting: “He wields the extraordinary ability ‘For the Tainted Sorrow,’ which allows him to manipulate gravity. The battle scenes where he lightens his own body and freely dances through the sky are absolutely electrifying!” Another fan noted, “In the anime, his eyes are colored blue, making them look just like a clear, boundless sky.” And of course, a memorable highlight was mentioned: “In the film Bungou Stray Dogs DEAD APPLE, he fearlessly dove from an airplane to showcase an incredible aerial battle, which was simply breathtaking.”
3rd Place
Sharing 3rd place in a well-deserved tie are Hakurei Reimu from Touhou Project and Hawks from Boku no Hero Academia.
For Hakurei Reimu, the miko of Hakurei Shrine, comments included: “While many Touhou Project characters possess quite unusual abilities, her simple power ‘Ability to Fly’ is, paradoxically, quite memorable and iconic. She was the first character that immediately came to my mind.” Another reason cited was, “She flies gracefully through the sky with her loyal companion Kirisame Marisa, working to resolve various strange incidents.” This popular character, active across a wide range of media including games, secured a strong spot in the top rankings.
Regarding Hawks, the charismatic Pro Hero from Boku no Hero Academia, fans lauded his impressive visual presence: “He flies freely through the sky using his powerful ‘Fierce Wings’ Quirk. His cool, collected, and effortlessly composed personality is also a defining trait that makes him stand out.” Another commenter highlighted the “striking color contrast of his vivid red wings against the vast blue sky, which is incredibly impactful.” Incidentally, the “FINAL SEASON” of this acclaimed series began airing in October, much to the delight of fans.
Introducing Other Noteworthy Comments!
For Anpanman from Soreike! Anpanman, a devoted reader commented: “He’s the iconic flying hero everyone knows and loves. This year, the continuous TV novel ‘Anpan’ (which can be translated as ‘Anpan’), modeled after Yanase Takashi-sensei, is also airing, drawing even more attention to him than usual!”
Regarding Kariwa Batoya from Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Romantan-, a fan enthusiastically said: “He’s truly the embodiment of flight! He trains his body until he’s incredibly lean, then utilizes a unique bat cape and dynamite blasts to propel himself through the sky and attack. His method of flight is utterly unforgettable!”
For Kowata Makoto from Flying Witch, a comment was: “As the title perfectly suggests, she’s a charming witch who can fly on a broom, but she’s actually a wonderfully laid-back and easygoing girl who often prefers walking, going for leisurely strolls, and tending to her garden.”
For Cure Sky / Sora Harewataaru from Hirogaru Sky! Precure, a voter noted her impressive consistency: “She played a central and active role in 2023’s Precure All Stars F, provided excellent support as a seasoned senior in the 2024 movie, and is now confirmed to appear in this year’s Eiga Kimi to Idol Precure♪. Her continuous involvement and success for three consecutive years is truly impressive!” This popular title, with its latest work currently charming audiences in cinemas, also received a significant number of votes.
The 2025 edition of the survey saw a vibrant gathering of characters from diverse genres, including thrilling sports, action-packed adventures, and intriguing mysteries. The results clearly demonstrate widespread support not only for anime characters but also for beloved figures from games and manga, showcasing the broad appeal of these sky-soaring heroes.
Don’t miss the top 10 ranking on the next page!
Top 5 Ranking
“Who comes to mind as a ‘Sky/Flight’ character?” 2025 Edition
- Hinata Shouyou (Haikyuu!!)
- Nakahara Chuuya (Bungou Stray Dogs)
- Hakurei Reimu (Touhou Project)
- Hawks (Boku no Hero Academia)
- Kaitou Kid (Magic Kaito, Meitantei Conan)
- Cid Highwind (Final Fantasy VII)
- Touno Hanna (Mahou Shoujo no Majo Saiban)
(Survey Period: September 12th – September 16th, 2025)
Next page: Top 10 Ranking Revealed
*This survey is part of an awareness study regarding our readers’ current interest and attention towards anime works and characters. The results are not intended to determine superiority or inferiority among any characters or works. We sincerely hope this article can serve as an enjoyable opportunity for readers to discover new works and characters, or to further deepen their understanding and interest.
《Takahashi Katsunori》
