Happy Glasses Day! Japan’s Favorite Bespectacled Characters Revealed
In Japan, October 1st is celebrated as “Glasses Day” (Megane no Hi) because the date’s numerical representation (10/01) looks just like a pair of spectacles. To mark the occasion, popular anime portal Anime! Anime! conducted its annual reader survey asking: “Who is the most iconic anime character with glasses?”
The results for the 2026 edition are in, and a certain legendary “human accessory” has secured the top spot for the sixth consecutive year!
The Top 3 Most Iconic Glasses Characters
- 1st Place: Shinpachi Shimura (Gintama)
Taking about 10% of the total vote, Shinpachi Shimura has defended his throne yet again. In the world of Gintama, it is a legendary running gag that Shinpachi’s glasses are actually his “main body,” while the human wearing them is just an accessory. Fans commented on how vital his specs are, recalling hilarious moments from the series—such as when his glasses turned pink in the Gender Swap Arc, or when he almost ceased to exist after losing them in the SKET DANCE crossover. Despite the jokes, fans also praised his incredible personal growth throughout the series.
- 2nd Place: Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan)
Holding strong in second place for the fourth consecutive year is the brilliant boy detective, Conan Edogawa. His oversized, black-rimmed glasses are not just a trademark look; they are high-tech gadgets invented by Professor Agasa, equipped with tracking devices, microphones, and more. Fans love the perfect blend of style and utility, which has even inspired real-life collaboration eyewear.
- 3rd Place: Girl A (Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising)
A thrilling new entry from the highly anticipated movie, “Girl A” captured third place. Despite her name not being revealed in the opening of the film, fans immediately noticed her specs, which bear a striking resemblance to the glasses worn by Homura Akemi in her past timeline. This mysterious connection has sparked massive discussion among the fanbase.
The Top 10 Rankings
Here is how the top spots shook out for 2026, featuring a mix of disciplined class presidents, genius detectives, and characters who show a completely different side when their glasses come off:
- Shinpachi Shimura (Gintama)
- Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan)
- Girl A (Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising)
- Tenya Iida (My Hero Academia) [Tied]
- Koharu Nanakura (Aikatsu Stars!) [Tied]
- Homura Akemi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica) [Tied]
- Ranpo Edogawa (Bungo Stray Dogs) [Tied]
- Kei Tsukishima (Haikyu!!) [Tied]
- Hanayo Koizumi (Love Live!)
- Masumi Ageo (Crayon Shin-chan) / Ririsa Amano (2.5 Dimensional Seduction) / Chitose Ikeda (YuruYuri) / Chiaki Ogaki (Laid-Back Camp) [Tied]
From Shinpachi’s literal “glasses-as-a-soul” identity to Tenya Iida’s meticulously organized cabinet full of identical spare frames, glasses remain one of the most beloved and expressive design elements in anime history. Did your favorite bespectacled character make the list?
Source: Yahoo News Japan