Celebrating “Angel Day” with Japan’s Favorite Heavenly Characters!
October 4th is celebrated as “Angel Day” in Japan, a clever wordplay on the numbers 10 (Ten) and 4 (Shi). To mark the occasion, popular anime portal Anime! Anime! conducted its annual fan survey asking readers: “Who is your favorite ‘Angel’ character in anime?”
Whether they possess divine powers, act as sweet comforting figures, or happen to be literal devils with halo and wings, anime is full of memorable “angels.” Let’s dive into the top spots voted by Japanese fans!
1st Place: Kanade Tachibana (Angel Beats!)
Climbing from 3rd place last year to claim the absolute top spot is the legendary Student Council President from Angel Beats!, Kanade Tachibana (affectionately known as “Tenshi”). She captured about 16% of the total votes.
Fans fondly remembered her quiet demeanor, her unexpected love for super-spicy Mapo Tofu, and her beautiful design. One voter commented: “She is the ultimate heroine where the nickname ‘Tenshi’ comes to mind before her actual name. Finding out that she’s actually just a clumsy, innocent girl makes her incredibly lovable.” Others highlighted how Kana Hanazawa’s voice acting and the iconic opening sequence—where she plays the piano with giant white wings—cemented the legendary internet phrase, “Tenshi-chan Maji Tenshi” (Angel-chan is seriously an angel!).
2nd Place: Angel Devil (Chainsaw Man)
Taking the 2nd spot with approximately 9% of the vote is the stylish yet deadly Angel Devil from Chainsaw Man.
Despite possessing a halo and wings, his tragic ability to drain the lifespan of anyone he touches makes him a true devil. Fans adore his androgynous beauty and lazy, reluctant attitude contrasted with his cool combat scenes. His deep bond with Aki Hayakawa in the series continues to leave a strong impression, with one reader noting: “He looks like a pure angel, but his power is terrifying. Yet, his final actions and his spear attacks feel like a dark Cupid’s arrow.”
3rd Place: Towa (Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included)
In 3rd place is the adorable Towa from the romance-comedy Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included, rising significantly from her 7th-place spot last year.
Towa is a literal angel who descends to Earth to learn about humans, ending up living with high school student Shintaro. Fans praised her incredibly pure, honest, and helpful nature. One envious voter remarked: “Waking up to find a literal angel on your balcony and living together is the ultimate dream. I want to be spoiled by Towa too!”
Rounding Out the Top 5 and Honorable Mentions
The ranking showcased a wonderfully diverse definition of what makes an “angel” in anime. Tied for 4th place were:
- Hana Kurusu (Jujutsu Kaisen) – The girl who literally descended with a halo and wings during the Culling Game.
- Mahiru Shiina (The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten) – Known school-wide as “The Angel” for her flawless beauty and domestic kindness.
Other unique mentions included Ran Mouri from Detective Conan (lovingly nicknamed “Angel” by Vermouth for her selfless heart) and the wild, foul-mouthed Panty Anarchy from Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, proving that anime angels come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities!
Who is your personal favorite anime angel? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Yahoo News Japan