Kirito, also known as Kazuto Kirigaya is the main protagonist of SAO in its light novels, and anime shows (not including the spin-off Gun Gale Online).
Some over the years call him bland and boring, others find him relatable (most) and most of all, one of the most “badass” characters in his genre.
However you see it, Kirito is not just solidified in Isekai and anime culture, but there are many characters based on his style and those who are similar in personality and characteristics.
Let’s talk about it.
Similar anime characters to Kazuto Kirigaya (Kirito):
1. Kuga Ichirou (A Galaxy Next Door)
Kuga from A Galaxy Next Door is one of the main characters of the series, and the love interest of Shiori Goshiki (both ways).
Similar to Kirito, he purposely has a certain look to his design and is not at all overdramatic from a personality standpoint.
What he is though, is a realistic character and one with a personality that would go well for someone seeking out a long-term relationship.
So called “boring” based on his ethics and morals. He’s driven to do whatever it takes for his younger sister and brother after their parents die, leaving the house to his name (which brings in some money) and Kuga’s work from being a mangaka.
2. Gray Fullbuster (Fairy Tail)
Gray Fullbuster is Kirito in reverse, meaning many characters today are copied from Kirito’s template, but Gray’s design is not original like a few Fairy Tail characters to be fair.
That said, personality wise, Gray is similar to Kirito in that he’s laid back, easy-going, not the flashiest person, and doesn’t go out of his way to draw attention to himself if he can help it.
Both introverts, both oblivious to how they come across to others at times, and both are relevant in their respective anime shows.
3. Naofumi Iwatani (Shield Hero)
Naofumi Iwatani has the black hairstyle down which is common among Isekai characters when the anime isn’t obsessing over blonde hair or the like.
Naofumi is a very template style Isekai character with some exceptions with his outfit, and more so his eventual personality.
He starts to seek vengeance after his false r*ape accusation, and this toughens up his personality and makes him a bit more savage than he would have been otherwise.
We see a similar contrast with Kirito in the first season of SAO. Let’s not forget that Kirito even killed someone to elevate to the higher levels.
Both characters contrast each other especially when it comes down to their laid back, pacifist-style attitude.
4. Ayato Amagiri (Asterisk War)
Ayato might be most like Kirito compared to other characters you can choose. His hairstyle, facial expression, and template scream Kirito but with a different body, outfit, name, and universe.
Also like Kirito, Ayato is very skilled with a sword and often downplays his strength to avoid alienating or making others feel insecure by comparison.
He also uses this strategy to gauge his opponents, and because he like Kirito is modest and far from braggadocious or arrogant type.
Ayato’s relationship with Julis Alexia is also similar to Kirito’s relationship with Asuna Yuuki where they make a lot of progress rather than the usual faffing about you see in many romance shows.
Related: How Kirito From Sword Art Online Influenced Modern Day Isekai Characters (Including Regular)
5. Issei (High School DxD)
Issei is the main male protagonist of this HAREM anime series. It’s also an ecchi series with lots of unapologetic fanservice that should piss the right people off.
He gains power in the anime and is associated with devil women who look more like models and any other comparison you could reasonably make.
In this realm, Issei is a lot like Kirito as far as being attractive to the opposite sex.
This is in spite of not being the most charismatic of characters (both Issei and Kirito) but compensating in other ways like skill, opportunity, or otherwise.
6. Shido Itsuka (Date A Live)
Shido Itsuka is the main man in Date A Live and has been for over 5 seasons. The first season sees him rescuing Tohka, right before getting blown in half pretty much in the process and giving a cliche speech.
Of all the Harem characters in anime, Shido might have the most basic personality of all, but his heart is in the right place which becomes the reason why he is in the position he’s in.
Like Kirito, the same criticisms could be made depending on who is doing the accusing. And to be fair, they both share a typical face template as far as male protagonists go.
7. Subaru Natsuki (Re:Zero)
Subaru Natsuki is one of the best-written characters of all time, and one of the most realistic, true to life characters that seems to offend many people.
He dies, is reincarnated, things look fun until they’re not, and then he goes through the worst mental health crisis a person could be put through as a late teenager.
Typical facial features aside as well as the Black hair and the way he dresses, Subaru and Kirito share similarities more on the surface than anything else.
it’s about subtleties.
8. Cid Kagenou (Eminence In Shadow)
Cid Kagenou is the leader of SHADOW in this anime, or I should say Shadow Garden, which is a bunch of Elven women who have been wronged in the world.
It’s nothing but a game to Cid and like a game, he has fun doing it even if it means murder, potential death for a certain villain or character, or the kind of pickle you wouldn’t wanna take out of a jar.
In this sense, he’s nothing like Kirito and is more like what Kirito would be like in a parallel universe.
That aside, on the surface, their looks, and their strength relative to their anime are similar and so is their level of “luck” given the eventual circumstances they find themselves in to some degree.
9. Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime)
Rimuru Tempest is deliberately designed to look different, but in essence, he’s a typical Isekai character who happens to be likeable because of his personality and role in the series.
He dies, his friend premises to delete all his information from his computers and hard drives, and then he reincarnates and becomes a slime.
This slime though can absorb and eat dragons, creatures, and more, while being able to absorb all of their power and strength in the process. Essentially like BUU from Dragon Ball Z.
Rimuru’s life is similar to Kirito’s when it comes to not just women, but people who respect and admire his strength, or those who want to challenge him.
And like Kirito, he would rather avoid trouble but if necessary, he’ll lay down the law and get to business.
10. Bell Cranel (Danmachi)
Bell Cranel has a lot of similarities to Kirito (Kazuto Kirigaya) as a character. Except for his obvious white hair and the fact his journey is followed from the beginning where he’s weak, he is also too nice which causes him to get plenty of attention.
He thinks of others rather than just himself and at times he can be naive and foolish. But his potential is why others believe in him besides the fact he’s a good natured person.
Kirito shares a lot of these traits but in a different context.
