October 29th is “Glove Day” (`Tebukuro no Hi`)! This special day gets its name from a clever Japanese wordplay, where “Te” sounds like 10 and “Buku” sounds like 29, combining to form “Tebukuro” (gloves).
As the weather gets colder, gloves become a trusty companion. It’s no surprise then that many characters in anime and games are often seen wearing them. Whether they’re a cherished gift, an item used to suppress hidden powers, or simply a stylish accent, gloves often reveal a unique backstory about the characters who wear them. The stories gloves tell are as diverse as the characters themselves!
With that in mind, Anime! Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “Who are your favorite ‘Gloved’ Characters?”, revisiting this theme for the first time in three years. We received 196 responses during the survey period from October 14th to October 20th.
The gender breakdown was approximately 35 percent male and 65 percent female, with women forming the majority. In terms of age, about 50 percent of respondents were 19 or younger, 15 percent were in their 20s, and 20 percent were in their 30s.
There’s a Secret in Those Gloves! Don’t Miss the Moment They Come Off
1st Place
The top spot goes to Nakahara Chuuya from Bungou Stray Dogs, garnering approximately 12 percent of the votes.
Nakahara Chuuya is one of the executives of the Port Mafia. Fans enthusiastically shared their reasons, with many commenting on his impeccable fashion sense: “His jet-black gloves are always so stylish!” Many also highlighted the memorable moment he takes off and tosses his gloves before activating Corruption, his true formidable ability. One fan shared, “I absolutely love the scene in the theatrical movie DEAD APPLE where he removes his gloves before descending from the airplane, letting them soar on the wind.” His gloves are inextricably linked to the activation of his true supernatural powers, making these moments particularly impactful. His consistent all-black attire, from head to toe, also contributed to his immense popularity.
2nd Place
Coming in at second is Nueko Meisuke (Nuubee) from Jigoku Sensei Nuubee, with approximately 8 percent of the support.
Nuubee, also known as Nueko Meisuke, is the homeroom teacher of class 5-3 at Doomori Elementary School. Fans praised his iconic look, with comments like: “He seals the power of the oni (demon) residing in his left hand with a black leather glove. The coolness of the scene where he removes his glove to unleash the seal remains unchanged, even in the Reiwa era!” Another fan added, “The Oni Hand is Nuubee’s trademark. There’s a sense of relief knowing that once he takes off his glove, everything will be alright.” This protagonist from a series that recently aired a new work proves his enduring popularity. The second season is set to begin broadcasting in January 2026.
3rd Place
Sharing the third-place position are Elsa from Ana to Yuki no Joou and Ludo from Gachiakuta, both with around 7 percent of the votes.
Elsa from Ana to Yuki no Joou (also known as Frozen) is the eldest princess of the Arendelle royal family. She’s a beloved character who has captivated audiences worldwide. Fans explained, “She constantly wears gloves to prevent her ice magic, which turns everything she touches into ice, from uncontrollably erupting. Since those particular gloves never freeze, even by magic, they must be specially made!” Another comment highlighted the emotional impact of her journey: “The sense of liberation when she takes off her gloves in the ‘Let It Go’ scene is absolutely magnificent.” The announcement of a third film for this globally acclaimed heroine further boosted her ranking and relevance.
Ludo from Gachiakuta is an orphan boy who grew up in the slums. He finds himself unjustly accused of a crime and cast into the feared “Abyss.” Readers sent in comments such as: “He’s such a kind boy who cherishes his gloves, no matter how battered they get,” and “So many secrets are hidden in his gloves. I look forward to watching it every week.” This protagonist from a Fall 2025 anime makes a strong debut in the rankings.
Other Noteworthy Comments!
For Roy Mustang from Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (also known as Fullmetal Alchemist), a fan commented, “He’s the Flame Alchemist who can create fire with just a snap of his fingers, thanks to his special gloves made of ignition cloth. It’s quite amusing how his subordinates joke that he’s useless on rainy days!”
Regarding Sawada Tsunayoshi from Katekyoo Hitman REBORN!, a fan shared, “Tsuna’s weapon is his gloves! They’re usually cute mitten-type gloves, but it’s incredibly cool how they evolve along with his growth.”
For Kubo Nagisa from Kubo-san wa Boku wo Yurusanai, a fan gushed, “In the Christmas gift exchange episode, I was captivated by her beaming smile as she hugged the gloves she received from Shiraishi-kun. Her later self-reproach after giving Shiraishi-kun a joke T-shirt was also incredibly cute.”
And for Loid Forger from SPY×FAMILY, a voter commented, “As a spy, gloves are essential to avoid leaving fingerprints. His black gloves perfectly complement his green suit.” Even popular current series received votes!
This survey revealed that characters whose individuality and abilities are intricately depicted through the item of gloves resonated strongly with readers. Many characters also use the act of removing their gloves as a pivotal moment, signaling a turning point in the story or a powerful emotional expression, reaffirming the dramatic impact this simple accessory can have.
Don’t miss the top 20 rankings on the next page!
Top 10 Rankings
[“Gloved” Characters? 2025 Edition]
1st Place: Nakahara Chuuya from Bungou Stray Dogs
2nd Place: Nueko Meisuke (Nuubee) from Jigoku Sensei Nuubee
3rd Place: Elsa from Ana to Yuki no Joou
3rd Place: Ludo from Gachiakuta
5th Place: Roy Mustang from Hagane no Renkinjutsushi
6th Place: Sawada Tsunayoshi from Katekyoo Hitman REBORN!
7th Place: Kaitou Kid / Kuroba Kaito from Magic Kaito, Meitantei Konan
7th Place: Hagakure Tooru from Boku no Hero Academia
9th Place: Iruma Juuto from Hypnosismic -Division Rap Battle-
10th Place: Violet Evergarden from Violet Evergarden
(Survey Period: October 14, 2025 – October 20, 2025)
Next Page: Rankings up to 20th place revealed!
※This survey is part of a broader study on readers’ current interest and attention towards anime works and characters. The results are not intended to establish superiority or inferiority among any characters or works. We hope this article serves as an opportunity for readers to discover new works and characters, or to deepen their understanding and interest.
《Takahashi Katsunori》
