You know you’ve watched a sufficient but completely non-alarming amount of anime when you start to spot similarities between unrelated characters from completely different series. It’s happened to me a few times lately and for some reason it fills me with glee. What can I say, I lead a life of adventure and excitement!
What’s more, in some cases these characters aren’t merely similar looking but share enough personality traits to make you think they might be actually related in some way. It’s kinda cool when that happens, right? I’m not the only one that gets a kick out of it, am I? I’m not a huge dork!
5) Yuka Okitsu (Shirobako) and Shizuku Ashuu (Magical Girl Raising Project)
OK, I’ll have to admit this one may be mostly based on looks. Then again it may NOT! Fact is that Yuka is a fairly minor character is Shirobako and we don’t see her all that much. This said, some of you may remember that Shizu is one of my big-time anime crushes so anyone who looks anything like her is bound to make a big impression on me no matter how short their screen time is! And these two shares more than just a passing resemblance.
Besides the similar haircut and seemingly being entirely made of sex appeal, we do know that both are very calm and extremely capable women, skilled at methodically working out problems and maintaining peace around them.
Bottom line is, I would happily buy either of them dinner anytime. Or both! My brain exploded a little…
4) Helper T Cell (Cells at Work) and Kazuma (Noragami)
I actually mentioned this in my Cells at Work review. The character designs are very close in both features and costume but on a higher level, the two play essentially the same role. Both are high level operational coordinators that plan strategy and support the main characters. They also happen to be the perfect golden boy archetype. They are basically interchangeable.
Helper T Cell is a bit quicker to anger and more sarcastic but only in the proper company. I’m pretty sure if Kazuma wasn’t almost constantly in the presence of a god he worships and feels deeply responsible for (there’s that hole tragic past and guilt thing as well), he’s probably be much more of a smart ass too. You can just tell.
3) Megumin (KonoSuba) and Rita Mordio (Tales of Vesperia)
It’s actually a complete coincidence that I am currently replaying Tales of Vesperia. The similarities between these two hit me the instant I saw Megumi for the first time. I’m just going to throw this out there, I adore both characters. This one is a cross platform comparison and the character design is a little less *completely identical* than the previous entries but it’s still very noticeable. Pretty short brunettes with a similar color palette and the same fashion sense.
Of course, both also happen to be mages with a penchant for blowing up stuff whenever possible. I’m not sure how two characters so much alike happen to pop up in such disparate works but I like to think that Natsume Akatsuki just happens to be a big fan of Vesperia like me! That’s why I love KonoSuba so much, it was created by someone with the same tastes. I have decided this!
2) Karma Akabane (Assassination Classroom) and Tatsuya Ochiai (Shirobako)
What?? I’m not currently watching Shirobako… What would make you think such a thing? I particularly like this comparison because Assassination classroom has a very distinctive and rather unique art style, versus Shirobako’s very pretty but very classical designs. Despite this, you can clearly see just how alike the two characters look. It’s interesting how relatively minor tweaks in line angles and boldness, along with an oversaturated and highly contrasting color palette, can make such a difference in the visuals. It’s also particularly à propos when considering Shirobako’s storyline. I feel like this whole paragraph could have been part of the script.
As for the non-physical similarities. Both are cool and composed pretty boys with a slightly threatening edge and obvious ambition. They tend to be extremely capable but too detached to take on a pure leadership role unless the mood strikes them. And despite a slightly ominous aura, they’re also surprisingly helpful and friendly when you get past the first impression.
I can easily see Karma becoming exactly like Tatsuya right after graduation and slowly taking over the world! I mean we all know Karma is going to take over the world. That’s canon.
1) Kamina (Gurren Lagann) and Kaito (Danganronpa 3)
I’ve made no secret that I’m a huge fan of both of these franchises. This is why both are featured in my blog header. (Random fact, my various blog headers were chosen from fanart of my favorite series or visual novels – I’m missing some but I plan to slowly add new ones whenever I find suitable images).
I got a touch sidetracked there. Look Kamina and Kaito do look alike. Tall lanky guys with impossibly spiky hair and a love for capes or at least wearing their jackets as capes. But this time, it’s really their personalities that brought them together in my mind.
I love Kaito. He was my best friend in Daganronpa and that means more to me than best girl/boy. And I love Kamina, a show I absolutely adore is held together entirely by his character. These guys are natural born leaders in the purest of sense. They have this ability to bring people together not through brute force, impressive intellect or even strength of character but through pure unabashed charisma. These are people that weaponize optimism, that hone hope into a fine-tuned weapon and that lead by letting others shine. They are almost aggressively supportive of their friends and their clear vision and steadfast focus on the future just naturally rallies everyone to their side and keeps them on the path.
This essence of almost natural leadership is not that common as a character type. Most stories feel the need to justify their heroes by giving them some tangible and classical traits to mark them as *special* or better. They have to be geniuses, or powerful or chosen. Kaito and Kamina chose themselves. They may have wavered in their conviction, but they didn’t let people know. They understood that a true leader is nothing but a servant incapable of anything without their followers and that their first duty was to the team. And of course, both are boundless pools of energy and bravado. That’s really part of the job.
SPOILERS – It comes as no surprise that these are exactly the sort of men who would sacrifice themselves with a smile for what they believe to be the greater good. I miss them both, I wish they would have met.
Now you tell me who your favorite anime doppelgangers are. Honestly, I eat this stuff up!
