“Poison” User Characters? Top 3: Touhou Project’s Medicine Melancholy, Twisted Wonderland’s Vil Schoenheit, 1st Place is… “It Stings, Including Her Usual ‘Poisonous Words'”

In anime airing in 2026, there are several works featuring characters associated with poison, such as Champion no Majo (which can be translated as “The Witch of the Champion”), Marriage Toxin, and Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (also known as “The Apothecary Diaries”). They fight using weapons like poison needles and poison mist, have resistance to all kinds of poisons, or have designs inspired by venomous creatures like snakes, scorpions, and spiders, offering a rich variety. Not only do they corner opponents with poison, but they also use their knowledge of toxins to break through situations, making it an element that easily highlights a character’s personality.

So, Anime! Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “Which character comes to mind when you think of ‘poison’ users?” for the first time in three years. During the survey period from January 21 to 25, we received responses from 243 people. The gender ratio was about 35% male and 65% female, with more females. The age groups were about 40% under 19, and about 20% each for those in their 20s and 30s.

■ Beautifully Dangerous Poison Experts!

1st Place

First place goes to Kochou Shinobu from Kimetsu no Yaiba. With a support rate of about 31%, she maintains the top spot from the previous survey.

Kochou Shinobu is one of the Hashira, the highest-ranking swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps. She fights demons using sword techniques infused with poison. Readers commented, “It’s amazing how she introduced ‘poison’ as a method to defeat demons, who previously only feared nichirin blades and sunlight. Her sharp thrusts to inject poison are as graceful as a butterfly. Her verbal ‘venom’ in daily life stings too,” and “She even introduced herself saying, ‘I’m the only Hashira who can’t cut a demon’s neck, but I’m a pretty amazing person who created poison that can kill demons.’ I’m inspired by how she overcame her weakness with effort and climbed to become a Hashira.” Her creative and resourceful approach to battling enemies won much support.

In the currently airing Mugen Ressha-hen (Infinity Castle Arc) Chapter One, she faces off against Upper Rank Two, Douma. Fans shared, “It was so cool how she immediately started concocting a new poison to attack when she realized her current one was ineffective,” and “It was heartbreaking to see her poisons constantly neutralized. But I couldn’t help but cheer for her determined fight to the end.”

2nd Place

Second place is Vil Schoenheit from Disney: Twisted Wonderland. With a support rate of about 11%, he climbed from 3rd place in the last survey.

Vil Schoenheit is the dorm leader of Pomefiore. He is a charismatic figure who spares no effort in the pursuit of beauty. Readers said, “His unique magic, ‘Fairrest One of All’ (The Fairest Poison of All), which curses anyone he touches, is intense,” and “While the Queen from ‘Snow White’ enchanted an apple, Vil uses apple juice. It’s a clever homage to Disney villains.” Votes gathered from the powerful imagery of his magic. A new anime adaptation for Disney: Twisted Wonderland has been announced.

3rd Place

Third place is Medicine Melancholy from Touhou Project. With a support rate of about 7%, she entered the top three, rising from 4th place previously.

Medicine Melancholy is a youkai, a doll that gained self-awareness. Readers noted, “She possesses the ‘ability to manipulate poison.’ Her appearance is that of a young girl, and her black-and-red dress-style outfit is cute, but I love that she uses poison,” and “I was shocked to learn she was originally a doll abandoned in a lily-of-the-valley field, as those flowers are highly poisonous. Her theme song ‘Poison Body ~ Forsaken Doll’ and even her name give off strong poison vibes.” Many were impressed by the dangerous aura that contrasts with her adorable visuals.

■ Let’s Check Out Other Comments!

For Asiripa from Golden Kamuy: “She takes down brown bears with aconite poison arrows and often faces powerful foes. In the Karafuto arc, when she accidentally shot an arrow into Ogata’s eye, I can’t forget the scene where Sugimoto desperately sucked out the poison to prevent Asiripa from becoming a killer.”

For Okuda Manami from Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (Assassination Classroom): “In a series where assassination is the theme, her specialty in poison really stands out. I also like her rather unfair codename, ‘Poison Glasses.’ Being good at science and able to concoct things like laxatives is a strength too.”

Poster visual for 『劇場版「暗殺教室」みんなの時間』 (C) Matsui Yuusei / Shueisha, Anime “Ansatsu Kyoushitsu” Production Committee 2025

For Maomao from Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (The Apothecary Diaries): “She’s so fascinated by poison that she experiments on her own body. One moment she has a blissful expression while taste-testing something, and the next she calmly declares, ‘This is poison.’ It’s hilarious.”

For Usagi from Chiikawa: “Because she defeated the Yamamba by putting poisonous mushrooms in a pot. Whether she knew they were truly poisonous when she added them is known only to God, but she does hold a Weed-Pulling License Grade 3, so she seems to have various kinds of knowledge.” Some readers referenced a recently aired episode.

Teaser visual for 『映画ちいかわ 人魚の島のひみつ』 (C) Nagano / 2026 “Movie Chiikawa” Production Committee

In this survey, characters who wield poison or curses as weapons, despite their delicate appearances, ranked high. Another characteristic is that many are research-oriented characters who don’t hesitate to spend time on study and concoction.

■ Top 10 Ranking

[Which character comes to mind when you think of “poison” users? 2026 Edition]

1. Kochou Shinobu – Kimetsu no Yaiba
2. Vil Schoenheit – Disney: Twisted Wonderland
3. Medicine Melancholy – Touhou Project
4. Maomao – Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
5. Karasuba – Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A
6. Magellan – One Piece
7. Okuda Manami – Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
8. Coco – Toriko
9. Bianchi – Katekyo Hitman REBORN!
10. Maple – Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense. (Itai no wa Iya nano de Bougyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu.)

(Survey Period: January 21 – 25, 2026)

Continue to the next page to see rankings 11 through 20!

Writer: Takahashi Katsunori

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