5 White Haired Anime Characters that’ll Melt Your Heart

If you’ve been around the internet for a while, you might have seen all of the tweets and posts about anime boys of the white haired variety gaining tons of traction. It’s kind of a bizarre phenomenon; it’s not like white haired anime boys are completely different from any other anime character. Or are they?

It’s definitely true that white haired anime characters tend to be in a whole different realm in terms of personality and appeal. They get to play pretty much every field, from edgy and unhinged to sweet and passive. They’re usually infinitely cool and tend to be one of the most powerful characters in their series. Plus, something about the white hair is just a huge draw. It’s practically magnetic. It makes a character more attractive.

If you watch anime, you’re probably familiar with what’s being said here. After all, there are plenty of recent examples of this, such as Jujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo becoming a fan favorite almost immediately. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a hardcore fan, this list is here to give you eleven white-haired boys from anime that hit different, whether it be in their personality, their skill, or just in general. Feel free to check them (and the series they’re from) out; you might just find some new favorites!

1. Inuyasha (Inuyasha)

First up is perhaps the most recognizable character on this list. Inuyasha is the titular character of the anime Inuyasha, a shonen series penned by Rumiko Takahashi that ran from 1996 to 2008. The series follows high school student Kagome, who finds herself transported to the Sengoku period when she’s pulled into the Bone Eater’s Well by a demon. This is where she meets Inuyasha, a dog-eared half-human, half-demon, and they team up to hunt down the shards of the Shikon Jewel. As a character, Inuyasha is hard to dislike. His personality is balanced perfectly between his rough, distrustful nature, blunt honesty, and kindheartedness. This balance makes him funny, frustrating, and endearing all at once, and it makes it all the more wonderful to watch him develop throughout the series. Plus, he has an iconic look with his red robe, fluffy white hair and dog ears, and determined gold eyes. In terms of white haired anime boys, Inuyasha is the gold standard.

2. Killua Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)

Another instantly recognizable entry, Killua is a character from Yoshihiro Togashi’s 1998 series, Hunter x Hunter. Despite the series being focused on Gon Freecss’ journey to becoming a Hunter like his father, Killua has an essential role and quite the interesting storyline throughout the series and has become a fan favorite. The draw of Killua comes from his dual thought; as a child of an assassin family, he is bloodthirsty and ruthless, with no mercy for anyone who tries to hurt others. However, he is also often shown as a regular kid: happy, mischievous, and slightly irresponsible when it comes to sweets. He’s also an incredibly powerful character not only in his ability to use Nen, but also in his intelligence, analytical skills, and maturity. Both adorable and intense, Killua is one character that just sticks with you from the moment you’re introduced.

3. Kai von Granzreich (The Royal Tutor)

the-royal-tutor-kai-von-granzreichImage via Bridge
Six feet tall, incredibly strong, and eyes so intense it makes people cower, one might think The Royal Tutor’s Kai is some kind of antagonist with a heart as cold as his stare. Despite his critical eyes and edgy haircut, though, Kai is actually the most softhearted character of his series. He loves all things soft and fluffy, is so quiet he is often spoken over, and enjoys lazing about. However, he is also the strongest and fastest of his brothers and is known to go into a rage when his loved ones are in trouble. This duality is a theme for many white haired anime boys, but with Kai, it feels distinctly different in the sense that it feels more realistic. Kai is relatable with his resting angry face that gives the wrong first impression and his want to be the solid big brother that can be relied on. While not the most well-known on this list, Kai is definitely a white haired anime boy that’s easy to love.

4. Gasser (Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo)

With the fever dream that is Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo comes prime white haired anime boy, Gasser (or Heppokomaru, for those of you that either haven’t or don’t want to see the series’ English dub.) Unlike some of the characters on this list, Gasser isn’t struggling with dual personalities; he’s just a guy with an extremely strong (and smelly) special ability traveling with a band of weirdos. The only duality that exists for him is his role in the series. He’s the no-nonsense, sane counterpart to the titular Bobobo at some times and the funnyman at others. Mostly, though, he’s just an all-around adorable character, and it’s fun to watch him get to be cool and battle while also being a bumbling, blushing mess while talking to the girl of his dreams, Beauty. It’s impossible to make a list of white haired boys that hit different without including Gasser, a character that hits so different that it’s practically indescribable.

5. Griffith (Berserk)

berserk-griffithImage via Nippon TV
Kentaro Miura’s Berserk is absolutely iconic, so it’s no surprise that one of the most iconic white haired characters of all time comes from the series. He’s pretty. He’s smart. He’d probably stab you in the heart. That’s the essence of Griffith, friend turned foe of the series’ main character, Guts. Throughout the series, Griffith draws people in with his bewitching beauty, brilliant mind, and confidence; he’s a character that people love dearly or despise greatly, but regardless, his presence is always acknowledged. He’s the kind of person that enters the room and expects all eyes to be on him, and that’s what makes him so special. Griffith is entirely unapologetic for everything he does and has a nearly undying ambition and self-confidence that makes him both frustrating and charismatic Just like a cat, Griffith is a white-haired anime boy that knows how much he is admired and absolutely expects everyone to fall at his feet, both in universe and in audience.

If you like white-haired anime characters, you can find them by playing an otome game called Red White Cinderella from Memories Interactive. It’s a visual novel game with an anime style that I love so much these days. There’s a character named Lee who’s so sweet and handsome. You can download it here for iOS and here for Android.