If you know anything about anime, then you’re well aware that the dads in these shows are often either no longer living or just not around. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some great ones out there, though! What’s a good anime without an awesome father figure?
Dads are awesome, you know that. They’re always there for their kids, and they’ll do anything to protect them. But some dads go above and beyond the call of duty. These dads will sacrifice everything just so their children can be happy, even if it means giving up their own lives!
Here are 25 of our favorite anime dads who let nothing stand in the way of family happiness:
Jouichirou Yukihira (Food Wars)
Jouichirou is laid back, but he is also a professional and has a serious side that shows every time he is cooking. His cooking skills are world-renowned.
Jouichirou was a very charismatic student in his student days, earning respect and admiration of others. It is still evident that he is popular among Souma’s buddies at the Polar Star Dormitory to this day. The aura he exudes is manly. His eccentricities also included cooking strange food and neglecting his duties as an Elite Ten member as he pursued winning competitions.
Byakuya Ishigami (Dr Stone)
One rarely sees a parent who is so proud of their child. The boy’s father, Byakuya, never doubts Senku’s abilities, never wavering in his belief. Byakuya worked endlessly for Senku, even selling his car to get lab equipment. He put his money where his mouth was, literally. Totally aware that he would one day become one of the top players. The father believed in his child, even when the world appeared bleak and humanity itself was endangered. As a present to his genius son in the future, he left both a heart-warming message as well as educational insights.
Check Out: 20 Of The Best Anime Like Dr. Stone
Yoshifumi Nitta (Hinamatsuri)
Nitta is just a yakuza member with a golden heart. The moment Hina fell into his lap, he willingly took on the father role and tried his best to be a role model. Despite knowing what Hina was capable of, he always looked out for her and her friends. Word even spread through the underground that he was now a very loving single parent.
Hajime Nagumo (Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest)
Papa Hajime isn’t Myuu’s real father, but as they journey together, Hajime is stepping up his game to be a parental figure. Mostly, being very protective and caring towards Myuu and Yue. Affection is something he rarely gives to anyone else.
Check Out:17 Anime Like Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
Mr. Kimura (Azumanga Daioh!)
Why would Mr. Kimura, who is annoying, even make the list? Despite Mr. Kimura’s inappropriate behavior at school, he has a hidden good side that deserves attention. According to his students, he is a great family man with a loving wife and a happy daughter. He is also quite generous, donating a lot to charities as well as to Shinto shrines (he prayed for peace on earth and goodwill for all). If only he showed more maturity at school, too.
Maes Hughes (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Even Maes’ closest acquaintances find Maes to be a charming and cheerful individual. He is, of course, most noticeably infatuated with his wife, Gracia, and their three-year-old daughter, Elicia. Maes is never without a photograph of them on hand, and as a punishment or a reward for a job well done, he constantly brags about them and offers up glimpses of their photographs to peers and friends.
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Shirou Fujimoto (Blue Exorcist)
Despite the mysterious nature of Shiro Fujimoto, he has a kind heart and a protective attitude. Despite being a Paladin, he is not ruthless toward them, as he befriended the cat Sith, Kuro, and was Rin’s adoptive father, allowing him to calm Rin down. Even though he was born as his twins, Shiro raised Yukio and Rin as if they were his own children. It was for them that he would sacrifice himself if it meant that his sons would be protected.
Check Out: 16 of The Best Anime Like Blue Exorcist
Nanashi (Sword of the Stranger)
The movie we’re discussing here consists of battles and , so Nanashi and the young boy Kotarou aren’t shown a great deal. However, their impact was so lasting that it was hard to ignore. Despite being a job, it was so precious to see Nanashi joking around with Kotarou (and playing with Tobimaru). He taught him how to ride. It appeared he would have to risk his life in order to save the young boy he had just encountered. The banter they share is both sweet and funny.
Jukai (Dororo)
Despite being a strong leader, Hayakkimaru’s biological father sacrificed his son for the country’s prosperity. Jukai was a sinful youth, on the other hand. But yet he gave Hyakkimaru a body, a name, and the gift of love. It’s clear who has the right to call himself his father of the two. Truth be told, Jukai was terrified of what he’d brought back from the no longer living. In spite of that, he never stopped caring. In his final moments, he wished happiness to the cursed baby he had discovered so many years before.
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Naofumi Iwatani (The Rising of the Shield Hero)
It seems rather wholesome if we ignore how Naofumi and Raphtalia first met. They had to learn how to fight from Naofumi so early in their lives. He was actually more of a caring yet demanding guardian than a cruel master. Keeping them both safe, getting them treats, and having fun here and there are all common practices. This is what it all comes down to. The fact that Naofumi stepped in was a blessing for both of them, considering what would have happened had he not done so.
Check Out: 9 Of The Best Anime Like Rising of The Shield Hero
Tomomi Masaoka (Psycho-Pass)
After both parties reach adulthood, parent-child relationships can become quite diffi. Especially if the ideologies of the two parties diverge. Tomomi and his boy are in this situation. Despite their very different positions, they are both cops. Tomomi’s son showed open hostility and was never grateful at all, but he always stood by and went the extra mile to help. I’m going to spoil a few things for you: It was Tomomi’s only wish for his son that he keep on living and finding happiness, even in the last moments of his life. Only his son mattered to him, not the mission or his own life.
Hajime Tsunashi (I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying)
My anticipation of Hajime’s incredible fatherhood precedes the birth of the child. The couple already has such a loving, healthy relationship that I find it hard to imagine that they will not cherish their child with all their hearts. They do get into fights from time to time. However, they always emerge from the experience with more understanding than when they entered. Additionally, the man writes anime reviews as his profession. You must route for your own team, don’t you?
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Soun Tendo (Ranma 1/2)
It is not uncommon for Soun to show his emotions publicly, whether it is a tragedy, a happy occasion, or an enraged mood. As a result of sentimentality, compassion, or caring about his children, he often breaks down in tears. It occasionally gushes from his eyes. The majority of his portrayals portray him to be mostly honourable and good-hearted, often bearing compassion and offering assistance to others in distress.
Bols (Akame Ga Kill)
Does Bols have a good character? Honestly, he has way too many bodies in his closet to hold a traditional funeral. Does he make a good father? Unexpectedly, yes. We see that his family is important to him more than life itself in the few scenes when we see him with them. In addition, he shows nothing but kindness and love to them. The man’s appearance may lead us to believe otherwise, but Bols is a devoted family man who wants nothing more than to spend time with his wife and daughter.
Check Out: 8 Of The Best Anime Like Akame Ga Kill
Krillin (Dragon Ball Z)
Among all the Dragon Ball characters, Krillin is the only father who is sensible. He might have been no longer living more than he should have been, but he was always there for his daughter, despite his own mortality. Furthermore, let’s appreciate all of his efforts to get to Android 18 in the first place! That takes commitment. He isn’t like this Saiyan Chadd who woos women then trains half their life.
Natsuki Kenichi (Re: Zero)
Imagining a father wrestling with his son to eat breakfast is like something out of a teen movie. Kenichi is cool and playful indeed. Kenichi let his son find his own path despite his son’s bad behavior, ditching school and acting like a brat. Kenichi listened to Subaru and reminded him that no matter what happened or happened in the future, he was great. We see small flashbacks of Kenichi throughout the episode because a good father supports their children. Kenichi does all this within the time frame of one episode.
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All Might (My Hero Academia)
Midoriya‘s teacher, All Might, might seem like a stretch. As soon as the dormitories were introduced, he did pledge to raise Midoriya. Therefore, I consider it a legal guardian. It wasn’t just his power that made him the symbol of peace, but also his charisma and love. Midoriya’s scenes alone with All Might are all heart-wrenching. It is evident that All Might is always proud of young Midorya and always tries to elevate him to become the greatest hero ever.
Check Out: Must Watch Anime Like My Hero Academia
Kouhei Inuzuka (Sweetness and Lightning)
As a single parent, you have a lot on your plate. In particular, if you still have to provide and put bread on the table. Kouhei does his best to spend as much time with his daughter as he can despite his busy schedule. Sadly, she doesn’t get to experience a nice home-cooked meal very much because he doesn’t have the time. However, he meets Kotori through the power of anime, and they soon find themselves cooking delicious food and dining together. Though it’s a juggling act, Kouhei is making the best of it as a single father.
Yato (Noragami)
I find it amazing how the show with the most realistic father-son dynamic is also about gods. In this case, the dynamic involves an ancient god of destruction and a teenage weapon boy. I guess you’ll just have to accept anime for what it is! It’s immediately apparent that Yato doesn’t know how to connect with Yukine and form a meaningful relationship. Their relationship flourished over the course of the series. Regardless of Yato’s goofiness, when his friends Yukine and Iki were threatened, he would put on his game face and defeat their enemies.
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Naruto Uzumaki (Boruto)
Naruto’s father role is a pretty impressive one, although Boruto still denies it. Despite the fact that Naruto never had parents, it’s evident that he does his best to guide his children in the right direction. Even if it means exposing their faults. Occasionally, he relies on shadow clones to fill in for him at big events since he’s so busy, but the man is a Hokage. Furthermore, he has almost sole responsibility for world peace. Whatever Boruto might say, Naruto gets my recommendation.
Check Out: 12 Of The Best Anime Like Naruto & Naruto: Shippuden
Soichiro Yagami ( Note)
Despite his modesty, Soichiro is a kind and just individual. In addition to caring for his family, he also cares for the members of the Japanese Task Force. Many respect him for being a serious and responsible man. As Soichiro was often absent from home, he did not spend much time with his family. This, however, is due in part to the motto, “justice first, family later,” which Light eventually embraces.
Check Out: 9 Must Watch Anime After You Finished Note
Thors (Vinland Saga)
Today, Thors would be considered a very good father. In the Viking era, he was an extraordinary dad. Thors is considered as one of the strongest warriors to ever live, taking down foe after foe. He abandons the blood and glory of the battlefield behind him in favor of a life of service to the family. Even as he breathed his last, he longed for his boy to live on and find happiness.
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Isshin Kurosaki (Bleach)
The Bleach series features the character of Isshin Kurosaki, former Shinigami Captain of the 10th Division and one of the supporting characters. He works as a doctor at the Kurosaki Clinic in the human world. As the husband of the late Masaki Kurosaki, he is the father to Ichigo Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki. With the assistance of Kon (in Ichigo’s body), he took the life of Grand Fisher as revenge for his wife.
Check Out: 15 Of The Best Anime Like Bleach
Minato Namikaze (Naruto)
Naruto shares some of his father’s traits: both are driven by the indomitable spirit and fierce ambition, which are the driving forces in the course of their lives. In addition to being loyal to Konoha, both also have loyal friends and family who inspire those around them by their devotion. Similarly to Naruto, Minato invented questionable techniques, but it was more complicated names than his actual techniques.
Orsi Orfai (Black Clover)
A man with a heart of pure gold is just one of those goofy parents you can’t help but like. Despite not being their biological father, he loves Aska, Yuno, and all the other children as if they were his flesh and blood. Both of our wizard big boys keep in touch with Orsi and the others back home, which is very touching. The anime experience when they visit is always packed with fun. His boys make him so proud. Asta’s success wasn’t guaranteed, but he supported him regardless.
Check Out: 15 Animes That Are Just As Exciting Like Black Clover
So there you have it. 25 anime dads and father figures that are sure to win your heart, even if they’re not biologically related! We hope this article has given you some insight into how different types of dads in anime can be portrayed, as well as providing a few new shows for your viewing pleasure. If we missed your favorite anime dad, let us know who and why so we can add more amazing fathers to our list next time around!
