I know it’s not just me. I know I’m not the only one with tragically bad taste in anime boys. My taste in anime ladies though is unquestionable!!!
A simple look at popularity polls and general online chatter is enough to show you that there are a number of incredibly popular anime characters who are beloved by fans and occasionally prized as top husbando material, that would actually be terrible people to hang out with in real life. And you can bet they are all in my harem. It’s a place of many splendors!
I am continuously amazed at the amount of questionable behavior we are willing to forgive from are little animated friends. Ok so maybe it’s only me. These guys are jerks and mean, potentially even dangerous but they’re also brilliant and witty and smooth as buttah…I have issues you guys! Let’s talk about 5 of those issues right now.

5) Karma – Assassination Classroom
Deep down Karma isn’t a bad guy, he’s just very direct in his solutions. He’s brilliant, physically gifted very quick on the uptake and not too hard to look at. He could have been the cream of the crop. He could also have been a particularly outstanding bully. It’s really to his credit that he chose his own path not swayed by power and beyond the need to establish his dominance.
He can be a bit of an ultraviolent handful when he gets aggrevated or you know…bored. And his love of control and mischief will probably lead to him taking over the world. But aside from those itty bitty eccentricities, he’s a great guy to have around. I don’t even know why he’s on this list!
4) Roy Mustang – Fullmetal Alchemist
Sure, sure, Mustang is a brilliant strategist and talented Alchemist who’s just trying to seize power for the good of the people…and to secure a miniskirt policy. However, I think he has a place here because of the clash between his carefree attitude and uncompromising drive. If you’re the serious type, he’ll drive you nuts with his jokes and laissez-faire ways. Cross him and he’ll burn you down without a second thought.
And have you really thought about his public service aspirations. He may talk of the horrors of war but his reactions are pretty hawkish and he’s never left the military. He is terribly insistent that he should lead, not someone who shares his views. There’s something undeniably sinister about the man.
Then again, you have no choice but to harden yourself when you’ve seen so many of your friends die. And if you truly want to save everyone, you can’t take any chances…I might be wrong about Mustang…

3) Hisoka – HunterxHunter
Ok so my previous two entries didn’t pan out but I know Hisoka is 75% bastard. He’s also 97% fabulous so I’m not quite sure how this happens. Hisoka is a cold blooded thrill killer and obvious psycho. He’s also a clown. You know, the terrifying people with the balloons. He’s a decadent hedonist who’s only interested in satiating his various ravenous appetites. And he’s so much fun.
Whatever else he may be, the guys honest. It’s not like he’s pretending to be something he’s not. And he also knows how to have a good time. His thrill killing is motivated by the excitement of a good fight rather than the killing part so he specifically chooses targets with a good fighting chance. As a result, he might actually have one of the lower body counts of the series. Even including the two child protagonists.
And there’s nothing wrong with being a clown. An openly bisexual one. You know, Hisoka is pretty open-minded when it comes to identity and personal realities. In fact, he doesn’t judge anyone for being themselves. I don’t think I’ve seen him dislike anything. The man’s a role model. We could use more like him!
2) L – Death Note
L is a jerk. You may not have noticed because he’s so even tempered and fascinatingly smart. But all that quirkiness is only covering up a selfish and self-interested kid with complete disregard for anyone else. The only reason L looks good at all is that Light is just such an utter prick everyone else looks better by comparison.
But L is the type of guy to risk people’s lives or torture innocent women just to get some puzzle pieces together while keeping himself well out of danger unless completely necessary.
How is this guy so incredibly popular? Sure there’s van aspect of necessity. He is the only thing standing between the world and a god like destructive force. And there’s no denying he’s brilliant. Most of his quirks fall in the mildly annoying to charming category. Also he’s an introverted shut in who likes to stay at home and watch stuff on his computer while eating sweets. We would have tons in common. He sounds so perfect!
Honorable mentions
Sinbad – Magi the Labyrinth of Magic
A sly womanizer and irresponsible bon vivant, it’s a good thing he lucked out into incredible power or else he wouldn’t have made it very far at all. Who would have thought that this never do well would end up such a capable leader and caring commander? Certainly not me!
Izaya – Durarara!
The only reason Izaya isn’t on this list is that it felt like cheating. He’s written entirely as a magnificent bastard and it’s acknowledged in universe. I’m not one to have anything against easy but this was too easy. Suspiciously even. And with this guy, you never want to take any risks.

1. Katsuki Bakugo – My Hero Academia
Why do people like Bakugo. And believe you me people like him a lot! He’s a straight up unrepentant bully. He’s inpatient, moody, prone to violent outbursts and a general spoil sport. unlike previous characters on this list, he’s hardly what you would call fun. His actions border uncomfortably close to cruel at times and yet, the fans just love him.
Sure he is strong, and despite being naturally gifted he’s also hard working, taking nothing for granted. He’s also surprisingly smart and when push comes to shove, he can keep a cool head and come up with a winning plan just about every time. Clearly, he’s a hero you want in your corner when times get rough, but who would ever want him as a friend. Dour, grumpy and mean. I really don’t understand why all these fans flock to him. And I have absolutely no clue why I love this guy so much.
Well a little clue….
There you have it, my list of absolutely delightful husbando material… Wait what, that’s not what we were doing here. Oh sucks. Color me embarrassed. But I’m not the only one right? You guys like some questionable anime charas too, don’t you? We’ll be doing a ladies list soon but in the meantime, any jerky guys you can’t help liking?
‘a number of incredibly popular anime characters who are beloved by fans and occasionally prized as top husbando material, that would actually be terrible people to hang out with in real life’, You had me at this! I absolutely love Roy Mustang and you had me laughing my ass off!! I totally get what you mean. Nice article Irina-san.
Glad you liked it!
Great list!! And I might do mine when I will feel like actually writing a blog post that is not OWL or a Weekly Round-up
I’ll look forward to it
Oh KARMA!!! Low key had a crush on him and shipped him and Terasaka like crazy! Also loved that Roy and Bakugo made the list because they are both seen as dicks in the show but are super protective and hero like when it comes down to the wire.
Awesome list
I shipped Karma with Manami and I never ship anyone so it was a big deal for me. I just think they work well as a pair
That was a good list and I agree with Hisoka and L on there. Some other ones who could work would be Tetsuo from Hikaru no Go, Ken from Digimon season 2 before his face turn, or maybe Shingo from Initial D. If we’re going with villains, then I’d say Johan from Monster and Kano from Texhnolyze. Oh wait, those are two anime villains I put in my underrated villain list. Hahaha!
Oh good mentions.
I love Hikaru, you know Sai might even work, he has some pretty selfish troll tendencies.
Thanks! Sai would make sense. He always wants to play go much to Hikaru’s chagrin and even his crying can be selfish since it forces Hikaru to puke in their ghostly symbiotic partnership.
Not quite like your list, but in my opinion, Skip Beat’s the best when Sho’s around. I think he has some issues as a person/character, but I also am always like, “Thank goodness you’re here! Now the story can actually have something happen!” He really helps move the story along, whether good or bad, so in that way, I like him.
You know, I think Sho would fit. He is a bit of a Jerk and certainly magnificent!
I couldn’t make a list like this without including the original magnificent bastard, Dark Schneider from (of course) Bastard. He’s an incredibly powerful wizard and an arrogant jerkass with an ego the size of Mt. Everest who makes no secret of the fact that he intends to conquer the world himself as soon as he’s through saving it from the villains, but damn if he isn’t fun to root for.
Oh wow how could I forget hi. I only read the Manga but definetly, a great call!
Oh Hisoka, he’s definitely a bastard, haha. I love him.
Insane how likable this maniac is….
Nice list but I would have put Roy and Sinbad higher on the list. Granted I haven’t seen some of the other shows on the list.
That’s the fun of lists – each one is different
I don’t care about easy: Izaya deserves the number one spot, IMO, and only Hisoka can compete at all. (I have no idea who’d be on my list; the last few weeks I have trouble thinking up lists – which is rare. But I’m fairly sure Bakugo wouldn’t make it; I find him more annoying than entertaining.)
Maybe I’d consider Sora from .hack/sign, though he’s more a persona than a person (and I’m not sure he’d even qualify for the list if I include the player) – .hack is a little complicated like that.
I have to rewatch .hack. I hardly remember it but I did like it
So glad to see that Karma made this list. I loved him so much in Assassination Classroom.
He’s a very unique character type. Don’t see many like him
Lol! I felt that especially with Hisoka! I understand completely. Luck from Black clover seems like a good fit as well, what do u think? 😂
I haven’t seen it yet but considering my views on blondes I’m just going to go right ahead and agree
Hell yea lmaoo
I agreed with this until the very end. Bakugo isn’t somebody I personally say “You magnificent bastard” to. Unlike the four before him, he hasn’t really done anything insanely risky and calculated to warrant a magnificent bastard. I’m more prone to lovingly saying “What an asshole” whenever he says or does anything.
A few magnificent bastards I would have put on my list would be Joseph Joestar from JoJo or Kamina from Gurren Lagann.
Kamina is a good pick although he seems a little too kind and deeply caring to truly earn the bastard side for me. Also the heavy burden of responsability that wracked him with insecurity is usually not something I associate with the archetype personaly. This said, loves me some Kamina, I’ll take any excuse to put him on a list
Great list. And I actually know most of them for a change 🙂
I have to say too, I always did have a thing for Mustang.
Oh a new list I could make… when I will feel like writing a blog post.
What about sasuke?!
Uchiha?
He would fit the bill!