![Your “First Love” Character? 3rd Place: Shingeki no Kyojin’s Rivai, 2nd Place: Kimetsu no Yaiba’s Tomioka Giyuu, Who is 1st Place…? Are the Series Getting Younger Compared to Past Results!? [Male Character Edition] <2025 Edition>](https://animeworld.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/807444.jpg.jpg)
Autumn is a season where memories bloom with vibrant colors. As leaves fall and the twilight glows, doesn’t your heart stir, perhaps bringing back a moment of your first love?
Anime and games are filled with countless captivating characters that can make you fall in love. It’s not uncommon for people to say, “My first love was a character.” The characters we admired as children often remain special in our hearts, even as time passes.
So, Anime!Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “Who is Your ‘First Love’ Character?”, the first one in three years! We received 279 responses during the survey period from October 11th to October 17th. The gender ratio was approximately 25% male and 75% female, with a slight majority of female respondents. The age demographic was primarily younger, with about 40% aged 19 and under, and 35% in their 20s.
In this article, we’ll be unveiling the results for the Male Characters edition.
Who is Your ‘First Love’ Character? 3rd Place: Levi from ‘Shingeki no Kyojin’, 2nd Place: Tomioka Giyuu from ‘Kimetsu no Yaiba’, and Who’s #1? Are the featured works getting younger compared to past results?! [Male Characters Edition] <2025 Version>
Anime!Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “Who is Your ‘First Love’ Character?”, the first one in three years! We will announce the results.
2025.11.7 Fri 7:30
The following images are related to the article:
Autumn is a season where memories bloom with vibrant colors.
As leaves fall and the twilight glows, doesn’t your heart stir, perhaps bringing back a moment of your first love?
Anime and games are filled with countless captivating characters that can make you fall in love. It’s not uncommon for people to say, “My first love was a character.” The characters we admired as children often remain special in our hearts, even as time passes.
So, Anime!Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “Who is Your ‘First Love’ Character?”, the first one in three years! We received 279 responses during the survey period from October 11th to October 17th.
The gender ratio was approximately 25% male and 75% female, with a slight majority of female respondents. The age demographic was primarily younger, with about 40% aged 19 and under, and 35% in their 20s.
In this article, we’ll be unveiling the results for the Male Characters edition.
Table of Contents
- No. 1
- No. 2
- No. 3
- Other Noteworthy Comments!
- Rankings Top 10
- 2022 Results: https://animeanime.jp/article/2022/10/30/73158.html
Characters Who Guide the Protagonist Dominate the Top Spots!
No. 1
Gojou Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen took the top spot!
Gojou Satoru is a teacher at Jujutsu High and the strongest jujutsu sorcerer of the modern era. Readers were captivated by his special eyes, known as the Six Eyes, and his unmatched power. Comments like, “When I look into Gojou Satoru’s clear eyes, it feels like my heart is being purified. He’s kind, bright, innocent, and stronger than anyone else. He’s an unforgettable presence for me,” perfectly capture his appeal.
Fans can look forward to experiencing Gojou Satoru’s intense battles on the big screen with the upcoming release of Gekijouban Jujutsu Kaisen “Shibuya Jihen Tokubetsu Henshuuban” x “Shimetu Kaiyuu Senkou Jouei” (which can be translated as Jujutsu Kaisen The Movie: “Shibuya Incident Special Edition” x “Culling Game Pre-screening”), scheduled for November 7th.
No. 2
Tomioka Giyuu from Kimetsu no Yaiba claimed the second spot.
Tomioka Giyuu is one of the Hashira, the highest-ranking swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps, and the Water Hashira, having mastered Water Breathing. Readers were drawn to his calm and collected demeanor, which allows him to adapt flexibly to any situation. Comments included, “I was attracted to how calm and composed he is, able to adapt flexibly to any situation. Even at just 21, he gives off the impression of a seasoned swordsman,” and “He’s a man of few words and expressionless, but his inner strength shines through. He’s a bit clumsy and easily misunderstood, which makes you want to protect him.” His actions, rather than words, spoke volumes and garnered strong support.
He also played an active role in the currently showing Gekijouban Kimetsu no Yaiba “Mugenjou Hen Dai Isshou Akaza Sairai” (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza’s Return), where he showed his seniority by saving Tanjirou from a perilous situation.
No. 3
Coming in at third place was Levi from Shingeki no Kyojin.
Levi serves as the Squad Leader of the Survey Corps, undertaking perilous missions, and is renowned as humanity’s strongest soldier. He garnered votes for both his spectacular action and profound character drama. Fans shared comments such as, “He’s a bit scary, but he’s more loyal to his nakama than anyone else and has a fiery personality. As the strongest, thinking about his life, having had to see off so many companions, brings tears to my eyes,” and “I fell in love with him watching him soar through the sky with his Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, instantly taking down Titans!” The top three spots are all held by characters who command a strong presence in battle.
Other Noteworthy Comments!
For Doi Hansuke from Nintama Rantarou, one fan commented: “He’s a kind teacher who constantly worries about his first-year Ha-gumi students. Toshihiko Seki-san’s warm voice truly resonates.”
Gekijouban Haikyuu!! Gomisuteba no Kessen (Haikyuu!! The Movie: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump) Key Visual. (C) 2024 “Haikyuu!!” Production Committee (C) Haruichi Furudate / Shueisha
Regarding Sugawara Koushi from Haikyuu!!: “My first impression was that he was a refreshing senpai, but I experienced a delightful *gap moe* when I saw his reliability during matches and his full-effort cheering.”
Eiga Inazuma Eleven Soushuuhen Densetsu no Kickoff (Inazuma Eleven Movie: Compilation: Legendary Kickoff) Visual. (C) LEVEL5 Inc. (C) LEVEL5 / FC Inazuma Eleven / TV TOKYO
For Gouenji Shuuya from Inazuma Eleven: “He’s cool, strong, and just plain awesome—he completely stole my heart before I even knew it. When he returned in Episode 52, ‘Fukkatsu no Bakuen!’ (Blazing Revival!), I was so moved I cried!”
WIND BREAKER First Key Visual. (C) Satoru Nii / Kodansha / WIND BREAKER Project
And for Sakura Haruka from WIND BREAKER: “His black and white hair, combined with his different colored eyes, really stands out. He’s not only strong in a fight, but he’s also a gentle-hearted *tsundere* character, and it’s absolutely adorable how he blushes immediately when praised.” This title, with its live-action film adaptation set to release on December 5th, also received votes.
In this survey, characters in the role of a senpai or teacher who guide the protagonist ranked highly. The results highlight characters who exude a sense of empathy and protectiveness.
Don’t miss the top 20 rankings on the next page!
Rankings Top 10
[Your “First Love” Character? Male Characters Edition 2025]
- Gojou Satoru (Jujutsu Kaisen)
- Tomioka Giyuu (Kimetsu no Yaiba)
- Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin)
- Uzumaki Boruto (BORUTO-NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS)
- Doi Hansuke (Nintama Rantarou)
- Edogawa Conan / Kudo Shinichi (Meitantei Conan)
- Akaza (Kimetsu no Yaiba)
- Hanako-kun (Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun)
- Nakahara Chuuya (Bungou Stray Dogs)
- Amuro Tooru / Furuya Rei (Meitantei Conan)
- Captain Falcon (F-ZERO)
- Kirito (Sword Art Online)
- Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)
- Dazai Osamu (Bungou Stray Dogs)
- Yukimura Seiichi (Tennis no Oujisama)
(Survey period: October 11th – October 17th, 2025)
Next page: Top 20 rankings revealed!
We’re currently looking for more survey themes! Please share your thoughts.
>> https://animeanime.jp/special/1898/recent/
*This survey is part of an awareness study regarding 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 hope this article can serve as an opportunity to discover new works or characters, or deepen your understanding and interest in existing ones.
