November 11th marks “Bass Day”! This special day was proposed by the renowned music producer and bassist Kameda Seiji-san, inspired by the visual resemblance of a bass guitar’s four strings to the digits “1111”.
In the vibrant world of anime that features bands, wind ensembles, and orchestras, the bassist is an absolutely indispensable figure. These musicians lay the crucial low-end foundation for every song. They are the unsung heroes who support their companions from the shadows, yet sometimes, with a single powerful note, they can completely transform the atmosphere of a scene. So, among these captivating bassists, who are the characters that have truly resonated with Anime! Anime! readers?
Following last year’s tradition, we conducted another reader survey titled “Who’s your favorite ‘bass’ character?'” We gathered 69 responses during the survey period from October 25th to October 30th, 2025. The gender ratio of respondents was almost perfectly balanced, with approximately 35% being 19 years old or younger, and about 25% in their 40s.
Table of Contents
The Allure of the Low End! Spotlighting Bassists Who Shine
First Place
Tying for first place were Imai Risa from BanG Dream! and Yamada Ryou from Bocchi za Rokku!
Imai Risa is the bassist for Roselia in BanG Dream! Readers commented, “Among Roselia’s strong individualists, she’s the nurturing mood-maker. It’s thanks to Risa-chan that Roselia’s atmosphere is always so warm and relaxed.” Her gentle personality perfectly matches her role as the bassist, supporting the entire band, which was a key reason for her popularity. Currently, the mini-anime Ganzo! BanG Dream! chan is being distributed, and its outrageous developments, such as the 90s-style character designs in the first episode, have become a hot topic!
Yamada Ryou is the bassist for Kessoku Band in Bocchi za Rokku! Fans praised her, saying, “She’s always short on cash, so she’s known for asking her juniors for money and even eating grass by the roadside, but when she’s performing live, she’s incredibly cool, and I completely fell for her!” Yamada Ryou is a pivotal figure in the band, having named the group and being in charge of their compositions. Moreover, Hiroi Kikuri from the same work also tied for 5th place! Comments included, “She’s the bassist for the indie band SICK HACK. Her private life is a mess, but her skill is genius-level. While many bassists support the band from behind the scenes, she truly stands out the most.” This survey reaffirmed that Bocchi za Rokku! features a cast of truly unique and unforgettable bassists!
Third Place
Claiming third place was Akiyama Mio from K-ON!
Akiyama Mio is a beloved member of Ho-kago Tea Time, also taking on the role of lyricist for the band. Fans shared their enduring affection, saying, “This was the first band anime I ever watched, so she left a strong impression on me. A Mio fan club was even formed in the main story, and I really wanted to join it too (laughs).” Other comments highlighted her unique charm: “Being a left-handed bassist is just so cool. She’s typically cool and composed, but then her lyrics are adorably cute, and she can be a bit clumsy too – I love all her various ‘gaps’ in personality!” Her enduring popularity from this timeless masterpiece secured her spot in the ranking.
Other Notable Comments!
Kawashima Midori from Hibike! Euphonium received praise: “Though primarily a contrabass player, she’s amazing at playing electric bass during events like freshers’ welcome parties. She attended a prestigious wind ensemble school in middle school, showcasing her undeniable technical skill and musicality.”
Kurosaki Ranmaru from Uta no☆Purinsu-sama♪ was celebrated: “His rock music echoes the cries of his soul, and his straightforward passion always shines through, which is simply wonderful. Given his prowess with the bass, you can always hear his scorching, heartfelt sound in their songs.”
Beth from Princession Orchestra captivated readers: “A member of the band Snatch, who stands in the way of the princesses. As her name suggests, she wields her bass as a weapon. Her ability to fight on equal terms with the protagonists, despite being an antagonist, is truly impressive and admirable!”
Lupa from Girls Band Cry also garnered votes: “Lupa, who possesses both undeniable coolness and adorable cuteness, delivers performances that are sometimes solid and sometimes violently expressive, making her truly captivating. As the bassist, her supportive and ’embracing’ capacity is also outstanding!” There were also votes for titles with theatrical compilation movies currently in theaters, showing the breadth of popular bassists!
For the 2025 edition, bassists from various girls’ bands dominated the top ranks. The results clearly show a lineup of talented bassists who have captivated countless anime fans!
Top 5 Ranking
[“Who’s your favorite “bass” character?’ 2025 Edition]
- 1st: Imai Risa from BanG Dream!
- 1st: Yamada Ryou from Bocchi za Rokku!
- 3rd: Akiyama Mio from K-ON!
- 4th: Hinomori Shiho from Project Sekai Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku
- 5th: Hiroi Kikuri from Bocchi za Rokku!
- 5th: Morofushi Hiromitsu from Meitantei Konan
(Survey period: October 25th – October 30th, 2025)
- Looking for other ongoing survey themes? Share your thoughts here!
>> https://animeanime.jp/special/1898/recent/
《Takahashi Katsunori》
