Setsubun 2026 is Coming: Share Your Favorite Oni Characters!
Mark your calendars! Setsubun in 2026 falls on February 3rd. This traditional Japanese festival is all about scattering beans to drive away evil spirits and pray for a year of good health and prosperity. Many of you have likely joined in, shouting “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” (Demons out, fortune in!) while tossing beans. Fun fact: Setsubun is the day before the start of spring (Risshun), and its date shifts slightly each year based on the lunar calendar.
In the anime world, oni-themed characters pop up everywhere. They’re not just the classic villains from folklore—these days, oni can be loyal companions fighting by your side, quirky neighbors blending into human society, or tragic figures with heartbreaking pasts. Their roles are as diverse as the series they appear in!
That’s why Anime! Anime! is kicking off its annual reader survey: “Which ‘Oni’ Character Comes to Mind?” We want to hear from you! Just drop the name of your top pick in the free-response form below.
» Click here to take the survey!
※ The survey covers characters from anime (TV, movies, streaming, OVA, etc.), games, CD dramas, manga, and other 2D content.
※ One response per person, please.
Basic info like gender and age is optional—feel free to skip! Everyone’s welcome to participate.
Deadline: January 29th. We’ll share the results once they’re compiled, so stay tuned!
Flashback: 2025 Survey Results
Curious about last year’s favorites? Check out the highlights from our 2025 poll:
“Oni” Character Survey 2025 Results: 3rd place went to Rem from Re:Zero, 2nd place to Hozuki from Hozuki no Reitetsu (also known as Cool-headed Hoozuki), and the top spot… well, click to find out! »
Other surveys are live too! Share your thoughts on more anime topics here:
» https://animeanime.jp/special/1898/recent/
※ This survey is part of our effort to gauge reader interest in current anime and characters. The results are not meant to rank characters or works as better or worse. We hope this article helps you discover new series or deepen your love for existing ones!
— Takahashi Katsunori
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