Black-haired anime characters are plentiful, and it can be argued that black hair is the most common and natural hair colour in Japan, Asia, and anime. Typically, black hair is linked to enigmatic, cultured, conventional, influential, and ruthless characters. However, nothing is more captivating in anime than a character with black hair, and they are universally adored.
Behold, presented here is a roster of anime characters featuring abbreviated jet-black locks, some of whom may be among your favorite’s.
Best 15 Anime Characters with Short Black Hair
Mei Misaki (Another)
At the top of the list is Mei Misaki, a prominent female anime characters with short black hair from the anime Another. Mei has short black hair and is known for her introverted and peculiar demeanour. She is a third-year Yomiyama North Middle School student, and an eye patch conceals her left eye. Mei is often seen scribbling by herself and is regarded as the “invisible” one.
Mei, a girl in her class, is characterized by her small stature and fair complexion. She has short and thick jet-black hair. Although her eyes were previously red, her left eye is now artificial, made to look like a doll’s eye, which Mei claims can perceive things best left unseen. Her mother fashioned the glass eye after Mei lost her real eye to an illness at four.
Roy Mustang (Full Mechanist)
Roy Mustang, also known as the “Flame Alchemist,” possesses unparalleled expertise in manipulating flames and fire through his alchemy skills. With his clean-shaven appearance and dark eyes, he exudes a charming persona that complements his short, dark black hair, which matches his demeanour.
Mustang’s intelligence often puts him one step ahead of his rivals, and he takes pleasure in controlling every situation, despite his manipulative and arrogant outward behaviour. He serves as one of Edward Elric’s supervisors and appears to be a military man striving for promotions and recognition while also enjoying the company of women.
Ash Ketchum (Pokemon)
Ash Ketchum is the primary character in the Pokémon animated series. He hails from Pallet Town in the Kanto region and is a 10-year-old Pokémon Trainer with an unwavering desire to become the greatest Pokémon Master globally.
Upon arriving late at Professor Oak’s lab, Ash is given a Pikachu as his first Pokémon. Throughout his journeys in Pokémon, he is accompanied by a group of close friends.
Physically, Ash is a slim, short youngster with black hair, slightly tanned skin, and distinctive lightning bolt-shaped marks beneath each of his brown eyes.
Regarding personality, Ash is a courageous individual who engages in battles with determination and possesses a deep fondness for Pokémon. He often assists and forms close bonds with them during his extensive journey.
Maple (BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Increase My Defense)
Kaede Honjou, or Maple, as the primary character. Kaede’s best friend, Risa Shiramine, encouraged her to play the game NewWorld Online, which she agreed to.
Kaede is a curious and absent-minded girl who inadvertently gains extraordinary abilities due to unforeseen circumstances. Her primary weapon is the great shield. Although Kaede is genuine, her defining characteristics are her naivety and enthusiasm. She could be more competitive and play the game mostly for her enjoyment.
Despite this, she does not hold grudges against anyone and sees almost everyone as a potential friend. Kaede has pale skin and shiny black hair that falls just below her chin, with a short cowlick lock. Her eyes are grey, and her in-game persona matches her real-life personality.
Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
One Piece lead character Luffy, who leads the Straw Hat Pirates, cherishes his bond of friendship with each member dearly. Despite appearing not very intelligent at first glance, he often exhibits a childlike perspective and is easily fascinated by the simplest things.
Despite his simplistic worldview, Luffy’s unique perspective allows him to see beyond surface-level events and discern the appropriate course of action. As the leader of the formidable Straw Hat Pirates and a skilled fighter, his ultimate ambition is to acquire the fabled treasure left behind by the deceased Gol D. Roger and become the Pirate King.
In Luffy’s view, attaining the title of Pirate King entails having unparalleled liberty in any part of the globe. He possesses a sturdy, athletic build, short unkempt black hair, and large circular black eyes. His iconic straw hat is widely recognized.
Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)
Lelouch vi Britannia is the protagonist of the popular anime series Code Geass. He is the Eleventh Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire and is known for his striking appearance, with black hair and violet eyes inherited from his mother. Lelouch is recognized for his serious and cynical personality.
Initially, Lelouch appears to be solely focused on fulfilling his vendetta against those who caused his mother’s apparent demise and safeguarding his sister Nunnally. However, over time, he realizes that his goal extends beyond his desires to encompass the entire world. Despite his seemingly cold and calculating demeanour, as well as his brutality in battle, Lelouch is capable of displaying genuine concern and affection. He is a loving older brother to Nunnally and a loyal friend to Suzaku.
Shiina Mayuri (Steins; Gate)
Mayuri, also known as Mayushii, is the central character in Steins; Gate and Steins; Gate 0. She has short black hair that frames her face with bangs that sweep from each side, light-blue eyes, and striking brows. Mayuri is Rintarou Okabe’s childhood friend and the second member of Future Gadget Laboratory.
She is a kind and naive girl who doesn’t fully comprehend the lab’s time travel research but has moments of exceptional insight. Mayuri is a real optimist who enjoys fun and doesn’t mind not understanding complex theories. However, she dislikes arguments and feels dejected when things fail. Although she wants to help in such situations, she struggles with reading between the lines.
Mayuri has a habit of stretching her arm out to the sky occasionally, which earned her the nickname “Stardust Shakehand” from Rintaro. She frequently accompanies her grandmother to observe the stars, where she developed this habit.
Working part-time at Faris Nyannyan’s maid café, she enjoys knitting cosplay outfits that she often persuades Ruka Urushibara to wear. The story revolves around Okabe’s efforts to prevent Mayuri’s death due to the consequences of the D-mail.
Levi Ackerman (Attack Of Titian)
Levi, widely known as humanity’s most powerful soldier, is undoubtedly one of the top anime characters with short black hair in the anime Attack on Titan. As the Captain of the Scouting Legion division, he is also the commander of the elite Special Operations Squad, which he formed to protect Eren Yeager.
Levi has a boyish face with short, straight black hair styled in an undercut curtain and small, intimidating, gloomy grey eyes with dark circles underneath. He is perceived as strict and unapproachable but highly values discipline and order. There are rumours that he had a criminal past before joining the military.
Having grown up in a hygienic environment, Levi is described as a “clean freak,” but he seldom expresses emotions, giving the impression that he is cold. His humour is often crude and dark, which many find unsettling. Despite his harsh demeanour, he genuinely cares for his team and values human life above all.
L Lawliet (Death Note)
One of the most beloved characters in Death Note is L Lawliet, a world-famous detective who takes on the task of apprehending Kira, a notorious serial killer. L is a tall, thin young man with messy, neck-length black hair and dark eyes. His most recognizable feature is the dark circles beneath his eyes, caused by his insomnia.
Although L is exceptionally intelligent and can rival Light Yagami, the protagonist, he lacks social skills and often displays behaviours that are deemed impolite or inappropriate. Despite his unorthodox appearance and habits, L has an astute understanding of human nature and uses his analytical skills to gain the upper hand over his adversaries.
Kurome (Akame Ga Kill)
Kurome is Jaegers’ most youthful part and Akame’s more youthful sister. She resembles her sister by all accounts. She has short dark hair tied in a twin tail and dull eyes.
Even though she and her sister share similarities, for example, an absence of interactive abilities and an insatiable hunger, Kurome is extensively more distant and seems to display hazier parts of her tendency when it includes killing her foes.
In the fight, she is cold and heartless, for the most part ending the existences of her opponents as one would anticipate from a gifted assassin.
Daisuke Kambe (Fugou Keiji Balance: Unlimited)
In the anime series Fugou Keiji Balance: Unlimited, the protagonist Daisuke Kambe is a detective in the Metropolitan Police Department. He hails from the affluent Kambe family and employs their vast wealth and cutting-edge technologies to solve various cases.
Daisuke is a moderately-sized individual with dull blue-grey eyes, thick eyebrows, and short black hair slicked back. When his hair is not styled, it falls loosely over his face and extends beyond his brows.
Seishuu Handa (Barakamon)
In the anime Barakamon, the male lead character is Seishuu Handa. He is a tall and lean young man with an attractive appearance, characterized by his black hair divided into two and black eyes that can sometimes appear unpleasant. He has a strong build and frame.
After an incident where he attacked a well-known art critic, Seishuu is compelled to relocate to the remote islands of Japan. He intends to focus on his calligraphy in Goto, taking the opportunity to gain self-awareness and discover his passion.
Over time, he begins to loosen up and becomes a more generous person. Seishuu is deeply committed to his work, to the extent that he can become isolated and exhausted when motivated to create a new piece.
Due to his urban demeanour, he often relies on the islanders for assistance. They support him by bringing him food or encouraging him to take a break and enjoy himself occasionally.
Nana Osaki (Nana)
Nana Osaki is an essential character in the list of anime characters with short black hair. She is the lead vocalist of the popular punk band the Black Stones. Nana has a petite frame and short black hair that falls on both sides of her head.
While Nana may come across as a tough grunge musician, she has a kind heart and is fiercely loyal to her friends. Her mother abandoned her, and her grandmother raised her. She was also wrongly accused of prostitution and expelled from high school. However, Nana remains undeterred and is determined to achieve her dream of becoming the main vocalist for Blast.
Shinya Kogami (Psycho Pass)
The protagonist of the anime series Psycho-Pass is Shinya Kogami, who possesses a tall and athletic build, grey eyes, short messy black hair, and a pale complexion.
As an Enforcer, Kogami is a highly skilled detective who excels at swiftly solving cases, making him an invaluable asset. He approaches his work with a level head, never letting his emotions cloud his judgment. He is known for his unconventional and daring tactics in handling difficult cases, even impressing the most accomplished Enforcers.
Sonohara Anri (Durarara!!)
Attending Raira Academy with her pals Mikado Ryuugamine and Masaomi Kida, Anri Sonohara is a high school girl who wears glasses. Though shy and introverted, she possesses intelligence, expertise, and resourcefulness. Anri is petite, with short black hair, glasses, and fair skin. Despite being subjected to harassment, she tends to comply with others’ demands.
Anri’s timid personality and tendency to isolate herself stem from the sorrow and anguish she experienced when her parents passed away. This tragic event also made her believe she could not love anyone.
