A month has already passed since the start of the Fall 2025 anime season, and what an exciting ride it’s been! This season, a vibrant cast of characters is breathing life into every story. From the main protagonists who lead the charge to the steadfast regulars supporting them, and even the memorable guest characters who leave a big impression despite fewer appearances, there’s a diverse array of personalities gracing our screens.
To celebrate these captivating characters, Anime!Anime! conducted a reader survey asking, “Which male character from the Fall 2025 anime season made you fall in love at first sight?” The survey ran from November 8th to November 15th, gathering responses from 150 participants. The demographic breakdown showed approximately 40% male and 60% female respondents, with a slight majority of female participants. As for age, roughly 30% were under 19, and both the 20s and 40s age groups each accounted for about 20%. In this article, we’re thrilled to unveil the results for the male characters!
Table of Contents
First Place
Securing the top spot is Saotome Ranma from Ranma 1/2 (Season 2), capturing approximately 8% of the votes!
Saotome Ranma is the protagonist cursed to transform into a female whenever he’s splashed with cold water. This unique condition makes him incredibly captivating! Readers couldn’t help but gush, with comments like, “His first appearance as a cute girl immediately charmed me, but when he transforms back into a man—muscular and strong—I instantly fell in love! He’s cool, cute, powerful, yet indecisive, showcasing so many facets that make him incredibly relatable.” Another fan shared, “The Heisei era Ranma was my first crush, and now the Reiwa era Ranma has stolen my heart all over again!” It’s clear that this completely new anime, now in its second season, continues to capture the hearts of viewers.
Interestingly, his rival, Hibiki Ryouga, also made it into the rankings, tying for 10th place. Fans specifically praised his distinctive fashion sense, noting his signature bandana and beloved traditional Japanese oil-paper umbrella.
Second Place
Coming in at second place is Sakata Ginpachi from 3-nen Z-gumi Ginpachi-sensei, with approximately 6% of the votes!
Sakata Ginpachi is the homeroom teacher of Class 3-Z. Fans were captivated by his transformation from the familiar kimono-clad Gintoki to a white-coat-wearing teacher, complete with a cigarette (or perhaps a lollipop disguised as one?) in his mouth, a stark change from his usual Mange-ya persona. One reader commented, “His entire vibe changed! While his personality is still as lazy as Gin-san, he possesses a charismatic presence that inexplicably draws students to him.” Another highlighted, “In Episode 4, when investigating the seven school mysteries, Ginpachi-sensei was absolutely terrified of ghosts, just like his main series counterpart! Yet, we also saw his truly teacher-like side when he talked down a male student attempting to jump from the rooftop.” He truly brings a different kind of charm compared to Sakata Gintoki from Gintama.
Tying for 6th place is Takasugi Shinsuke. Described as a delinquent character who appears from the third episode after a suspension, one fan noted, “His first appearance was incredibly cool, but then he showed his goofy, air-headed side midway through, and that gap absolutely hooked me!”
Third Place
Taking third place is Bakugou Katsuki from Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, garnering approximately 5% of the votes!
Bakugou Katsuki is a hero-in-training with an explosive Quirk. Fans were utterly thrilled by his powerful comeback in the latest season. One reader expressed their excitement: “I was so emotional to finally see Kacchan’s revival scene animated! When he declares, ‘I’m Bakugou Katsuki!’ during the fight against All For One, it just sent shivers down my spine!” His dramatic return in the FINAL SEASON clearly captivated many hearts.
Additionally, Todoroki Shouto also made it into the top rankings, tying for 10th place. Fans loved him for his unique blend of traits: “He’s a bit air-headed, but I really like how his expression becomes full of spirit during battles. His Quirk is Half-Cold Half-Hot, so while he always seems cool on the surface, he carries a burning passion within.” It seems the students of Yuuei Koukou’s Class 1-A are overwhelmingly popular among fans!
Other Notable Comments!
For Arthur from Kikaijikake no Mary, one reader shared: “Even with his extreme distrust of humans, the fact that he believes the incredibly human-like Mary is just a robot maid is just so hilariously charming; I couldn’t help but fall for him.”
Regarding Toojima Tanzaburou from Toojima Tanzaburou wa Kamen Rider ni Naritai, a fan commented: “He’s a 40-year-old ‘ossan’ (middle-aged man), but the sincerity with which he dedicates himself to being a Kamen Rider is surprisingly cool…”
About Aristide Roger de Galbraith from Akujiki Reijou to Kyouketsu Koujaku: “The Crazy Blood Duke, defeating monsters with his shining golden eyes! But he’s so clueless about romance, and his interactions with Melfi are sweeter than any monster dish in the show.”
And for Dora-chan from Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi 2, a charming comment was received: “Dora-chan devouring an Earth Dragon is just too adorable…! His plump cheeks are so endearing. I fell in love at first sight during his eating scenes.” It seems even non-human characters managed to capture the hearts of voters!
This survey revealed a strong preference for characters from ongoing series. It appears that many fans were enchanted by new sides of familiar characters, brought forth by the evolving storylines and changing settings. Stay tuned, as we’ll be announcing the results for the female characters next! Don’t miss it!
Top 5 Ranking
Here are the results for [Which male character from the Fall 2025 anime season made you fall in love at first sight?]:
- Saotome Ranma – Ranma 1/2 (Season 2)
- Sakata Ginpachi – 3-nen Z-gumi Ginpachi-sensei
- Bakugou Katsuki – Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
- Loid Forger – SPY×FAMILY Season 3
- Lucas – Aru Hi, Ohime-sama ni Natte Shimatta Ken ni Tsuite
(Survey Period: November 8, 2025 – November 15, 2025)
Next Page: Top 10 Ranking Revealed
- Click here for other ongoing survey themes! We’d love to hear your thoughts.>> https://animeanime.jp/special/1898/recent/
*This survey is part of an ongoing consciousness survey 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 serves as an opportunity for readers to discover new works and characters, or to deepen their understanding and interest further.
Takahashi Katsunori
