Open minded anime characters are common, which is why people like them.
But open mindedness in the real world? Less common and less practised in general.
To be open minded is to:
- Accept new ideas and ways of thinking.
- Accept others’ differences.
- Never judge without context.
- Refuse to be and remain ignorant.
And not to boil down someone’s personality or character based on appearance and other superficial ideas.
These anime characters fit that description!
1. Sylphiel Nels Lahda (The Slayers)
Sylphiel is the supporting character in the Slayers franchise. Compared to other characters in the show, she’s more of a healer than a fighter, and she does that very well.
This fits her personality, considering she’s one of the more empathetic characters, compassionate, thoughtful, and very giving.
Not the type to judge people or project her negative feelings onto others. She sees the best in others or tries to get to know them before jumping to conclusions.
2. Fuuko Izumo (Undead Unluck)
Fuuko Izumo is another character who deserves the list. As one of the most open minded anime characters and accepting, she’s also an introvert who’s into manga.
When push comes to shove, she surprises herself with what she is capable of.
Her famous scene in the anime with GINA Chambers also highlights her empathy and open-mindedness to an even greater degree.
3. Shinra Kusakabe (Fire Force)
Shinra Kusakabe from Fire Force is a well-rounded character typical of Shounen.
He’s unintentionally funny, jolly, open minded, one of the least judgmental, but very protective of others, which is one of his main driving forces.
He’s easy to like and brings balance to the show’s other, more specific style of characters (some of who are open minded as well, like Iris).
4. Natsu Dragneel (Fariy Tail)
Natsu Dragneel has to be mentioned. He’s the most annoyingly compassionate, open minded, and stubborn character in the series, arguably.
But he also won’t hesitate to give someone the beat down if necessary if they can’t learn or reason any other way.
When you really think about it, “Team Natsu”, which consists of Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Lucy, are all open minded in their own ways.
It’s about the degrees between them.
5. Gohan (Dragon Ball Z)
Gohan hasn’t changed since childhood in the series, when you think about it. As a kid, he was pure, even against NAPPA he was pure, Frieza, and foolishly Cell.
His dive to protect is what matters most when it comes to fighting.
Of all characters in DBZ, Gohan may be the most accepting and open minded of anybody besides his father, Goku.
6. Morgiana (Magi Series)
Morgiana has an extreme upbringing compared to most, and this partially plays into why she is so accepting and open minded. But it’s also because this is who she is deep down.
She’s tough, strong, a fighter, can break bones with a single kick, but on the surface, unless provoked, she isn’t threatening.
A gentle person forced to defend and fight aggressively in a world full of malice and inequality.
7. Uiharu Kazari (A Certain Scientific Railgun)
Uiharu Kazari is the flower wearing friend of Kuroko Shirai and a “secondary friend” of Mikoto Misaka.
She has the skills to pay the bills when it comes to hacking, computing, the internet, and tech.
How she looks is how she is, but that doesn’t mean she’s weak, cowardly, or someone who will bow down either.
8. Sheele (Akame Ga Kill)
Sheele is the tragic person who, in life, most things never went the way she wanted. From waiting tables to working in the kitchen, to being employed, and so on.
Criticism is all she knows, and even her own friend abandoned her despite her help.
Revenge aside (something she was pushed into), she is surprisingly calm, compassionate, friendly, and opens her heart to those around her.
Being an assassin adds to this extreme with her habit of apologising. But she’s not the type to judge or belittle.
9. Joshiro Ukitake (Bleach)
Joshiro Ukitake might be one of the strongest captains in Bleach and highly respected, but he does it all with a calm, cool, and relaxed demeanour.
Nobody approaches him disrespectfully. They always match his vibe and listen carefully when he talks.
He’s one of the captains in Bleach, everyone gets along with and acts as a mentor to others.
10. Atsushi Nakajima (Bungou Stray Dogs)
Atsushi Nakajima is the white tiger of the franchise. An orphan boy who was mistreated and has deep emotional scars later in his life.
He joins the agency and finds a place to call home, and one thing that never changes despite his trauma is his empathetic heart and open mind. Refusing to judge even the worst of people and instead choosing to be honest with them (rather than projecting).
He might not be the “coolest” type of character, but he is one with a high moral standing and respectable, relatable qualities that people can identify with.
11. Nara Shikamaru (Naruto)
Nara Shikamaru is another cool, calm, and collected character. Like a younger version of Jushiro in some ways, but quieter, laid back, and deep in thought.
Initially, he is seen as lazy, which can be compared to Shunsui from Bleach (both are highly intelligent). Shikamaru dislikes the role of acting a certain way to impress others.
He’s honest, unbothered by superficial nonsense, and a safe space for others to be themselves.
12. Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)
Lucy Heartfilia is the heart of Fairy Tail. The story is really narrated from her perspective and has many connections tied to her own character’s history.
She’s the new girl who joins the guild and helps it become something that it wasn’t before.
Initially “weaker” than her counterparts, she rises through the ranks and finds herself, ups her skills, and saves lives many times. The latter being in line with who she is, a person who cares, and a person who can be too accepting of others, depending on your viewpoint.
The “perfect” friend because she’s also honest, not disingenuous.
13. Marin Kitagawa (My Dress Up Darling)
Marin Kitagawa is the extroverted otaku, which is a combo you don’t always see in these types of anime shows, on top of being a cosplayer.
Some people hide their excitement when they’re doing things they love, but Marin shines and lights up to the point she can’t hide her “light” when doing the things she cares deeply about.
This same energy is shown towards friends, especially those in need, and even towards strangers.
She has boundaries while being both firm and kind.
14. Vlladilena Milize (Eighty Six)
Vladilena Milize is the main protagonist and the go-to character in an anime focused on many topics.
Including:
- Racism.
- Discrimination.
- Exclusion.
- Politics.
- War.
- Abuse.
- Corruption.
The “lesser” are used to fulfil the duties of the powerful at their own expense. Vladilena sees this and refuses to accept this reality.
All this despite not having any real authority of her own to make the changes she wants to bring to fruition.
15. Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Izuku Midoriya, or DEKU, is a famous anime character and protagonist who is accepting of others, but to a naive degree in the early stages.
He’s the type to NOT react to a bully and “stay positive” at the expense of his own suffering because he’s too nice for his own good.
The benefit of this in his development is when he stops being naive and becomes literally stronger, he remains accepting and open, but with new boundaries and self respect.
16. Hibino Kafka (Kaiju No. 8)
Hibino Kafka is one of the “older” soldiers in the anime series (30s) compared to his counterparts, who are generally younger.
His goal is to work with Mina, a childhood friend and dream of his, but it all goes wrong when he’s passed by a Kaiju that merges with his body.
Hibino isn’t exactly human anymore, but his personality, silly antics, refusal to give up, willingness to smile, and soldiering through his challenges are what makes him inspirational to his comrades.
Also, his open mindedness and relentless care for others.
