20+ Iconic Soldier Characters in Anime

Watch out! Mikasa Ackerman from the revolutionary series “Attack on Titan” is as tough as anime soldier girls. A fearless warrior with a heart full of compassion, she redefines the role of a sniper.

Mikasa is agile, quick, and precise, a perfect epitome of a powerful soldier. Her emotional depth, coupled with her impressive skills, creates a truly unforgettable character.

The “Flame Alchemist” Roy Mustang from “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” brings heat to the anime military soldier male category. His suave demeanor is just the tip of the iceberg.

His mastery over flame alchemy and his ceaseless drive for justice truly sets him apart. Coupling power with a deep sense of responsibility, Roy Mustang represents exceptional military strength.

Let’s meet Jonah Mar from “Jormungand,” who adds an unexpected yet deeply impactful twist to the child soldier anime trope.

Jonah’s journey from a ruthless killer to a protective ally showcases warfare’s traumatic yet transformative nature. Despite his young age, Jonah exhibits profound maturity, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Step into the “Gurren Lagann” world and meet Yoko Littner for a fresh take on the anime soldier girl. Yoko’s fiery spirit and unparalleled marksmanship make her a force to reckon with.

Unafraid to flaunt her feminine side while taking down colossal enemies, Yoko shatters stereotypes and inspires countless fans. She’s the anime soldier girl you didn’t know you needed but now you won’t be able to live without.

On the more fantastical side of anime warfare, we have Tanya Degurechaff from “Youjo Senki: The Saga of Tanya the Evil.” Tanya is no ordinary soldier girl; she’s a reincarnated businessman turned ruthless military officer in an alternate World War I-esque universe.

Her unparalleled strategic prowess and unyielding determination make her one of the most formidable anime soldier girls to grace the screen.

Stepping into the shoes of an anime military soldier male, meet Sousuke Sagara from “Full Metal Panic!” Sagara is a master of warfare, a tactical genius, and a misunderstood high schooler all rolled into one.

His stoic demeanor and unwavering dedication to his mission make him a formidable force on the battlefield, while his naïveté about civilian life provides moments of unexpected humor.

Now for a slight twist, we introduce Gasai Yuno from “Mirai Nikki” (Future Diary), an anime gas mask soldier girl with an aura of intense mystery and chilling power.

Beneath her cute exterior lies a fiercely protective and somewhat unhinged personality, ready to strike down anyone threatening her beloved. Her resourcefulness and unpredictability are her strengths, keeping viewers enthralled from start to finish.

Dive deep into the world of Vikings with Thorfinn from “Vinland Saga,” an exceptional representation of the child soldier anime trope. Raised on the battlefield, Thorfinn’s life is a heartrending revenge saga filled with brutal combat and raw emotions.

His hardened personality and impressive combat skills reflect the warrior culture of his time while revealing the harsh realities of war.

Guren is one of those characters you can’t resist falling for. Despite being a commander, he appears to be the most bored whenever a meeting commences, or a strategy demands an explanation.

If his subordinates fail to listen, he isn’t above violence, even though his deep affection for them is apparent. Above all, he never hesitates to deliver blunt truths, especially when he has to roast Yuu for an incredibly foolish action. And let’s not forget that irresistible smug face.

If you’re looking for a pint-sized powerhouse, look no further than Len from “Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online.” As an anime soldier girl sniper, Len may seem adorably harmless at first glance, but she’s a deadly force on the virtual battlefield.

Her swift decision-making and impressive marksmanship show that size doesn’t matter when you’re as tough as Len.

If there were an anime soldier who embodies the phrase “actions speak louder than words,” it would undoubtedly be Captain Levi Ackerman of Attack on Titan fame. Leading the elite Special Operations Squad, Levi is renowned for his incredible combat skills, making him a juggernaut on the battlefield.

Despite his gruff demeanor, his devotion to humanity’s survival in the face of the Titan threat is unshakeable. Levi’s stoic commitment, unwavering discipline, and ruthless effectiveness give him an alluring edge.

Finally, we salute the cybernetic soldier, Major Motoko Kusanagi, from Ghost in the Shell. Effortlessly straddling the line between human and machine, Motoko leads Public Security Section 9 with her superior intellect and cybernetic abilities.

She represents a futuristic vision of what a soldier could be. Fearless, capable, and committed to her mission, she exemplifies strength and strategy.

The saga of Legend of the Galactic Heroes would be incomplete without the brilliant Reinhard von Lohengramm. He is a soldier, a tactician, and a true leader. His rise from a lower noble to the Emperor of the Galactic Empire is the stuff of legends. Unlike other soldiers who excel on the physical front, Reinhard shines in his strategic brilliance.

He possesses an uncanny knack for understanding the ebb and flow of interstellar warfare, making him a chess master on the cosmic battlefield.

Edward Elric from “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” provides a unique take on the child soldier anime trope. After losing his arm and leg in a forbidden alchemical ritual, Edward becomes the youngest State Alchemist in history, earning the title “Fullmetal Alchemist.”

His relentless pursuit of a means to restore what he and his brother Alphonse lost speaks volumes about his strength and resolve.

Yamamoto, the captain of the Soul Society guard squad, stands unrivaled as the Soul Society’s mightiest soldier. Despite his physical age of over 2,000 years, he displays no falter in combat prowess.

Yamamoto’s raw strength and agility alone could overwhelm virtually any adversary. However, when coupled with his fire-based Zanpaktou, Ryuujin Jakka, he becomes an unstoppable force. By activating his Bankai, Yamamoto can summon flames of such intense heat that they can obliterate anything his sword grazes from existence.

Sword Art Online brings another soldier to our list with Sinon, the sharpshooter in the Phantom Bullet arc. Despite her struggles in the real world, Sinon is a warrior with a high reputation in the virtual world.

Her precision, determination, and courage to face her fears testify to her soldier spirit. Sinon’s character explores the concept of a soldier beyond the physical realm, diving into psychological warfare.

Before embracing his identity as Kenshin Himura, the amiable wandering samurai cherished by his friends, he bore a different moniker: Hitokiri Battosai. His relentless demeanor as a soldier during the Meiji Revolution earned Kenshin this nickname.

After the war, Kenshin swore never to kill again, wielding his sword solely to shield the weak. To prevent lethal harm to his adversaries, Kenshin wields a Sakabato – a sword sporting a reversed blade, ill-suited for delivering a fatal strike.

Maes primarily adds a dash of comic relief to the show and does so brilliantly. However, he’s far from being a novice. When the going gets tough, Maes gets tougher.

The first thing you’ll discover about Maes is his unwavering love and commitment to his family. Thoughts of his wife and daughter rarely leave his mind, which is too adorable to resist. You can’t dislike this guy.

As a Lycoris, Chisato began her journey as a government agent and covert operative with combat training from an early age. Among her fellow Lycoris, she holds a reputation for being unrivaled in her craft.

Chisato’s combat brilliance lets her evade bullets at close quarters by accurately determining the direction of her adversary’s gun barrel. Although she now operates as an independent contractor, her soldiering past has left an indelible mark, likely driving her inclination to incapacitate her targets using non-lethal methods.

Esdeath, the primary antagonist of Akame Ga Kill, often graces the top 10 of anime’s most adored waifu characters. Nonetheless, she is not someone whose wrath a lover would dare to invoke.

She outmatches all of Akame’s adversaries, wielding a staggering power to launch ice-based assaults and even halt time in its tracks. She is a formidable opponent as a General of the Empire and the Jaegers’ leader – a special force conceived explicitly to annihilate Akame’s rebel group, Night Raid.

Guts, the protagonist of Berserk, continuously redefines what it means to be a soldier. Raised amidst the clamor of battlefields since childhood, he braves staggering adversity without a hint of surrender.

Before slipping into the renowned Berserker Armor, Guts led the Band of the Hawk as a captain under Griffith. Driven by sheer determination and willpower, he single-handedly dispatched 100 men from a rival army, earning him the apt title of ‘The 100 Man Slayer’.

Best War-Based Anime That Heavily Features Soldiers

1. Attack on Titan: Humanity is on the brink of extinction as they face giant humanoid creatures known as Titans.
2. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion: The story focuses on a prince’s quest to liberate Japan from the Holy Britannian Empire, using his strategic genius and special power.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: This anime is about two alchemist brothers’ journey in a war-torn world.
4. Mobile Suit Gundam Series: A staple of mecha anime involving soldiers piloting massive robots in interstellar wars.
5. Violet Evergarden: A story of a former child soldier trying to adapt to post-war life.
6. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: A space opera revolving around two opposing military geniuses.
7. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Teenagers pilot giant mecha to protect Earth from mysterious beings called Angels.
8. Alderamin on the Sky: The series portrays the reality of war and the strategies involved in warfare.
9. Saga of Tanya the Evil: A ruthless soldier seeks to climb the ranks in a war world.
10. Ghost in the Shell: This franchise focuses on a cyborg major leading a special-ops team in a post-cyberpunk future.