Most Attractive Anime Characters poll 2014: where do I start

[Izanagi009_v1legacy]

So Crunchyroll has reposted Charpedia's last reader poll from 2014 and the top 30 results are here [http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/01/02/otaku-name-the-most-attractive-anime-characters-of-2014]

Oh boy where to begin with this list:
-Again with the Sword Art Online love. Asuna is first with Kirito third, Yuuki 8th and Sinon 12th. Is that show just designed to appeal to men and women alike (this poll seemed to have more female pollers)
-Characters from Free! got 2nd, 4th, and 16th. I suppose this year had more bait for yaoi fans or at least the relatively underserved female anime audience so I suppose this is a good thing.
-Rin Tohsaka only got 27th? is Fate's fandom small but really passionate because given the love that people have expressed on the web, that's the only explanation I can see.
-Moe is still a thing as characters from "Is the Order A Rabbit" and "Love Live!" are scattered on this poll

Anyone else got conclusions about the anime viewing audience in Japan from these results?

 

[Elfgore]

I've read the list a couple times now and I'm completely baffled the issue you have with it. The only thing that surprised me is the amount of males on the list... that and that people from Tokyo Ghoul are even on this list. Is it the horror that people enjoy Moe or SAO? Or God forbid not care for the Fate series?

Edit: Actually, let me continue to say. I'm shocked as fuck because characters from Date a Live, Akame ga Kill!, D-Frag, and No Game No Life. Shows with large, Moe casts.

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

I commented on that article, so I'll just say it again.

Japan just has the biggest boner for Asuna, don't they?

[sub][sub]And I still can't believe Rin is only at #27[/sub][/sub]

Granted, it's better than one of the other lists I saw, where it was mostly made up of Love Live! characters.

EDIT: I think the one I'm most baffled at is Akane. I mean, why is she there? It's not like there was a sequel to Psycho-Pass this year or anything.

 

[Izanagi009_v1legacy]

I've read the list a couple times now and I'm completely baffled the issue you have with it. The only thing that surprised me is the amount of males on the list... that and that people from Tokyo Ghoul are even on this list. Is it the horror that people enjoy Moe or SAO? Or God forbid not care for the Fate series?

Edit: Actually, let me continue to say. I'm shocked as fuck because characters from Date a Live, Akame ga Kill!, D-Frag, and No Game No Life. Shows with large, Moe casts.

It's more just a shrug of complacency at this point seeing Asuna on that list again and SAO still ranking so high. Shocked at Psycho Pass having a spot and I'm still annoyed with the anime community

the more I think about the people on the list, the more I feel that the trends I really dislike will continue for a long while and the shows I do like will be misappropriated or just watched for less than desirable reasons.

 

[Elfgore]

I've read the list a couple times now and I'm completely baffled the issue you have with it. The only thing that surprised me is the amount of males on the list... that and that people from Tokyo Ghoul are even on this list. Is it the horror that people enjoy Moe or SAO? Or God forbid not care for the Fate series?

Edit: Actually, let me continue to say. I'm shocked as fuck because characters from Date a Live, Akame ga Kill!, D-Frag, and No Game No Life. Shows with large, Moe casts.

It's more just a shrug of complacency at this point seeing Asuna on that list again and SAO still ranking so high. Shocked at Psycho Pass having a spot and I'm still annoyed with the anime community

the more I think about the people on the list, the more I feel that the trends I really dislike will continue for a long while and the shows I do like will be misappropriated or just watched for less than desirable reasons.

Are you implying that people can now watch anime wrong? That is just absurd, mate! You really care so much about your shows that someone watching it because their waifu is in it, can cause you anger? Chances are, they still enjoy the story. One character is not enough to make you go through twenty-four episodes unless you like something else.

 

[Izanagi009_v1legacy]

I've read the list a couple times now and I'm completely baffled the issue you have with it. The only thing that surprised me is the amount of males on the list... that and that people from Tokyo Ghoul are even on this list. Is it the horror that people enjoy Moe or SAO? Or God forbid not care for the Fate series?

Edit: Actually, let me continue to say. I'm shocked as fuck because characters from Date a Live, Akame ga Kill!, D-Frag, and No Game No Life. Shows with large, Moe casts.

It's more just a shrug of complacency at this point seeing Asuna on that list again and SAO still ranking so high. Shocked at Psycho Pass having a spot and I'm still annoyed with the anime community

the more I think about the people on the list, the more I feel that the trends I really dislike will continue for a long while and the shows I do like will be misappropriated or just watched for less than desirable reasons.

Are you implying that people can now watch anime wrong? That is just absurd, mate! You really care so much about your shows that someone watching it because their waifu is in it, can cause you anger? Chances are, they still enjoy the story. One character is not enough to make you go through twenty-four episodes unless you like something else.

Fair enough, I suppose it's hard for a person to watch a show for just a single character but I still am really tired of the whole concept of "waifu" and the fact that people do it so intently

 

[Casual Shinji]

Well, there's also that hot little crab.

[sub]Nice!!![/sub]

 

[Elfgore]

snip

The thing about waifus is that every person usually has a different meaning behind it. Some just use it as a catch-all term for "I like this female character" or "This is my favorite female character".

I use the term as "I like this character and I find all of her traits likable for a real human." But I still acknowledge these females as fake cartoons that do not exist, nor ever will exist. I don't awe over them every second of every day, I don't wait for the day I can have virtual sex with them, I just admire them for what they are. It also helps me connect with other fans of the medium as it can help decipher my taste.

The point I draw the line is when people get weird with it. Like legally marrying their waifu. Or going as far to purchase a body pillow with onahole attachment. Yeah it exists... on Amazon... I guess it has a tough time taking guys with large members... I mean moving on. This is a minority. But due to news focusing on this, this group has become a vocal minority.

To sum it up, I view waifus as harmless additions to the anime medium. Something that can help bring anime viewers closer together. But as with all things, some people take it to far.

 

[leberkaese]

I don't watch that many anime, so I don't want to interfere in this discussion in any way, but...

I get a similar vibe when people use "my" when they're discussing games, "my Shepard", "my Clementine", etc. It's really fucking weird and it's just baffling the way these kind of people look at fiction and the way they embrace it, it's fucking odd.

When people use stuff like 'my Shepard' they mean 'the Shepard in my playthrough'. Simply to shorten the stuff you have to write, nothing more. "My Shepard is a hipster" is much shorter than "The Shepard in my current playthrough of Mass Effect is a hipster".

Additionaly you become invested in those games, because after all, it's your decision what to do in those games. So it's rather normal to become at least somewhat bound to that character. Because maybe he even reflects what you'd do in a situation like this.

 

[Tsun Tzu]

Well...I don't much care for SAO, but...

The characters are well animated and have attractive designs. No real getting around that, what with the budget that show has. *shrug*

I too, however, am deeply hurt by Rin's 27th place.

That's just cold.

 

[Barbas]

Well, there's also that hot little crab.

[sub]Nice!!![/sub]

Krabby and Kingler got shafted. This list is a fudding disgrace.

My conclusion is that whoever came up with the choices is pretty unimaginative. Not a lot of transhuman representation in there.

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

STARE INTO THE FACE OF LOVE

Spoiler

God I love some of the lower rankings. So troll.
Japan's love for Asuna will never die. She's a pretty decent character, even in the mires of a show with sometimes inconceivable popularity.
Cmon Izanagi stop sounding so depressed, buy a body pillow or something, maybe you'll enjoy it.

As for conclusions of anime watchers in Japan... I'd just say they're far less critical than westerners when it comes to entertainment. You won't enjoy much in life if you're always playing 'spot the negative'.

 

[StormShaun]

Urg, from everyone talking, I'm not going to like how this list is turning out. Especially when it comes to SAO, they don't exactly have the best of attractive characters (at least for me).

Now Akane Tsunemori, I am not only surprised, but happy that she is on there. I felt like she became more badass with the second season, but I do admit, she did show a bit of cuteness, and that's always a thumb in my books.
As for guys ... well damn, I'd pick Kokkuri-san for this season.
And I almost confused Kirito for a girl ... so damn dangerous those traps.

[sub][sub][sub]Also, why isn't Nico on that list. She's my favourite character from Love Live. D:[/sub][/sub][/sub]
Most importantly ... hah ... I see Rin from that list ... but no Saber.

Yeah, you guys are damn crazy.[footnote]I'm only negative because I prefer other characters, and us Western Anime watchers get crazy about them and the shipping. T_T [/footnote]

 

[Tiamattt]

Seems like a pretty random list, although I guess it's mainly due to me not knowing most of those chars. Especially #4, whoever made this list is either really bad at picking images or must have a serious love for back muscles(granted he most likely got plenty of them in the front too). All in all it was fun for the few seconds looking at all the choices, however strange some of them they may be.

 

[gigastar]

I think the best course of action there is to not care about what other people think.

You have your values, they have thiers, and its probable that neither of you are willing to shift. So just leave it at that.

 

[SquallTheBlade]

I still am really tired of the whole concept of "waifu" and the fact that people do it so intently

But why? Concept of waifu can bring people enjoyment and at the same time it's not harming anyone. Therefore it can only be a good thing. Why get tired of such thing?

 

[Soleca]

If best man isn't Bulat let alone not in the list then every human who voted has awful awful taste in men.

Although it's basicly just a series popularity contest not a real vote, SAO has the worst characters ever.

Still Hoozuki deserves to the list, he's one refined beautiful demon.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Tatsuya in 9th place, Anime Jesus strikes again. I enjoyed Mahouka, I know Izanagi will say how he's a power fantasy character (and he'd be right) booo hiss. He certainly is this OP Anime Jesus but I have to say it was pretty entertaining. I will admit I was a bit disappointed when they dropped Masaki (I think that was his name) as a rival character to Tatsuya but he was used just as another "oh my god, look how awesome Tatsuya is!" moment and nothing much else. Quite a missed opportunity. At least Tatsuya has a character flaw in that he's modest to a fault, it's annoying as hell. As one character even says to him, too much modesty sounds like sarcasm. Which is true, check out Hyouka for a better example.

I'm surprised Tokyo Ghoul is on the list and even more so it was two male characters. No Touka? Real? I mean Shuu was awesome but you even added "i'm a total pussy until the last 5 minutes of Episode 12" Kaneki? I'm not complaining but it's a surprise.

Anyway, where the fuck is Tomoko from Watamote? They have no excuse, there was an OVA this year. Not even on the list... I guess the Tomoko love is more of a Western thing? I've heard so before.

 

[Gustavos]

I remember making a similar list with a friend in second grade regarding the girls in our classroom. So, I'd like to think that while I've heard of none of these characters, I can still relate to this bizarre listing of girls that I can never attain.

 

[The Wykydtron]

I've read the list a couple times now and I'm completely baffled the issue you have with it. The only thing that surprised me is the amount of males on the list... that and that people from Tokyo Ghoul are even on this list. Is it the horror that people enjoy Moe or SAO? Or God forbid not care for the Fate series?

Edit: Actually, let me continue to say. I'm shocked as fuck because characters from Date a Live, Akame ga Kill!, D-Frag, and No Game No Life. Shows with large, Moe casts.

It's more just a shrug of complacency at this point seeing Asuna on that list again and SAO still ranking so high. Shocked at Psycho Pass having a spot and I'm still annoyed with the anime community

the more I think about the people on the list, the more I feel that the trends I really dislike will continue for a long while and the shows I do like will be misappropriated or just watched for less than desirable reasons.

Are you implying that people can now watch anime wrong? That is just absurd, mate! You really care so much about your shows that someone watching it because their waifu is in it, can cause you anger? Chances are, they still enjoy the story. One character is not enough to make you go through twenty-four episodes unless you like something else.

Fair enough, I suppose it's hard for a person to watch a show for just a single character but I still am really tired of the whole concept of "waifu" and the fact that people do it so intently

YOU INSULTING MY MICHIRU?! 1V1 ME BODY PILLOWS ONLY

I understand it but I was never into the body pillow subculture, it feels like those people have missed the point spectacularly >.>

Huh, thinking about it Grisaia was actually a contender for that poll because it had an adaptation (I only watched up to Episode 3 because the Rommelu flashbacks were too strong but it couldn't have been that bad?) What is wrong with the world? Why isn't Michiru at #1? Damn you SAO! Not even one of the Grisaia cast was on the list, not even Yumiko, hell I would settle for Sachi. Yuuji even!

That's it, the adaptation must have been awful. That's the only explanation. I should have seen it coming the moment I saw the letterboxing...