Anime Symbols – Anime is a medium that is rich with symbolism, from the characters’ designs to the objects they use to the settings they inhabit. Anime symbols can convey various meanings, such as themes, emotions, messages, or references to other works. Some anime symbols are so iconic and influential that they have become part of the pop culture lexicon, inspiring fans and creators alike.
In this article, we will rank 15 of the most popular anime symbols based on their impact, recognition, and significance. Let us start:
Popular Anime Symbols
Here is the list of 15 anime symbols that are popular:
The Leaf Village Symbol (Naruto)
The Leaf Village Symbol is the emblem of Konohagakure, the hidden village of the ninja protagonist Naruto Uzumaki. It consists of a stylized swirl that represents a leaf and the word “fire” in kanji. The symbol signifies the village’s history, culture, values, and affiliation with the Fire Country.
The Straw Hat (One Piece)
The Straw Hat is the signature accessory of Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and the main character of One Piece. It is a simple, round straw hat with a red ribbon around it. The hat was given to Luffy by his idol and mentor, Shanks, who told him to return it when he became a great pirate.
The Death Note (Death Note)
The Death Note is a supernatural notebook that belongs to the Shinigami, or death gods, in the anime Death Note. It has the power to kill anyone whose name is written on it as long as the writer knows the face and the name of the victim.
The Sharingan (Naruto)
The Sharingan is a special eye technique inherited by the Uchiha clan members, one of the most powerful and tragic families in Naruto. It is a red eye with black tomoe, or comma-shaped marks, that can vary in number and shape depending on the user’s level of mastery.
The Sharingan grants the user enhanced perception, reflexes, and memory and the ability to copy other ninja’s techniques and cast powerful illusions. The Sharingan symbolises the Uchiha clan’s pride, talent, and curse, as it is also linked to their dark emotions and their fate of betrayal and massacre.
The Dragon Balls (Dragon Ball)
When gathered together, the Dragon Balls are seven magical orbs that can summon the wish-granting dragon Shenron. They are the namesake and the main goal of the anime Dragon Ball, as the protagonist Goku and his friends embark on various adventures to find them and make their wishes come true.
The Soul Gem (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
The Soul Gem is a jewel-like device that is given to the magical girls in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, a dark and deconstructive take on the magical girl genre. It is the source of their powers and souls, as it is revealed that their bodies are mere shells that the Soul Gem controls.
The Survey Corps Wings (Attack on Titan)
The Survey Corps Wings are the insignia of the Survey Corps, the military branch dedicated to exploring the outside world and fighting against the Titans, the giant humanoid creatures that have driven humanity to the brink of extinction in Attack on Titan.
The Geass (Code Geass)
The Geass is a mysterious power bestowed by a supernatural being known as C.C. on the protagonist, Lelouch vi Britannia. In Code Geass, this former prince leads a rebellion against the tyrannical Holy Britannian Empire.
The Alchemy Circle (Fullmetal Alchemist)
The Alchemy Circle is a diagram that is used to perform alchemy, the science and art of manipulating matter, in Fullmetal Alchemist. It consists of various symbols and patterns representing the elements, the principles, and the processes involved in the alchemical reaction.
The Gurren Lagann (Gurren Lagann)
The Gurren Lagann is the name of the mecha, or giant robot, that is piloted by the main characters Simon and Kamina in Gurren Lagann. This mecha anime is full of action, comedy, and drama. It comprises two smaller mecha, the Gurren and the Lagann, that can combine into a more powerful form.
The Gurren Lagann is a symbol of the protagonists’ courage, determination, and evolution, as they use it to fight against the oppressive Spiral King and his army of Beastmen and explore the universe and its mysteries.
The Scissor Blade (Kill la Kill)
The Scissor Blade is the weapon of choice of Ryuko Matoi, the hot-blooded and rebellious heroine of Kill la Kill, a stylish and over-the-top anime that parodies and subverts the genre’s tropes. It is half of a giant pair of scissors that can cut through the powerful and sentient uniforms known as Life Fibers, which grant their wearers enhanced abilities.
The Straw Hat Jolly Roger (One Piece)
The Straw Hat Jolly Roger is the pirate flag of the Straw Hat Pirates, the crew of Monkey D. Luffy and his friends in One Piece. It is a skull with a straw hat on top, crossed by two bones. The flag is a variation of the traditional Jolly Roger, symbolising piracy and freedom.
The Straw Hat Jolly Roger is a symbol of the crew’s loyalty, friendship, and adventure as they sail across the Grand Line, the most dangerous and exciting sea in the world, in search of the One Piece and their dreams.
The Elric Brothers’ Coat of Arms (Fullmetal Alchemist)
The Elric Brothers’ Coat of Arms is the personal emblem of Edward and Alphonse Elric, the main characters of Fullmetal Alchemist. It is a cross with a snake wrapped around it and a crown and a wing on each side. The coat of arms is a symbol of the brothers’ alchemical heritage, as it is based on the Caduceus, the staff of Hermes, the god of alchemy in Greek mythology.
The NERV Logo (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
The NERV Logo is the insignia of NERV. This paramilitary organization is responsible for fighting against the Angels, the mysterious and monstrous beings that threaten to destroy humanity in Neon Genesis Evangelion. It is a stylized version of the fig leaf, which is a symbol of modesty and shame in the Bible, with the word “NERV” written below it.
The Soul Reaper Badge (Bleach)
The Soul Reaper Badge is a device that is given to Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist of Bleach, by Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper who transfers her powers to him after being injured by a Hollow, a corrupted soul that preys on the living and the dead.
The badge allows Ichigo to separate his soul from his body and transform into a Soul Reaper, a warrior who protects the balance between the human world and the Soul Society, the afterlife realm.
Questions
What are anime symbols?
Anime symbols are objects, images, or actions representing something else in anime. They can have cultural, emotional, or thematic significance, and they can help the audience understand the story and the characters better.
Why are anime symbols important?
Anime symbols are important because they enhance the narratives, add layers of meaning, and communicate the vision and values of the anime creators. They can also create connections between different anime series or genres and evoke feelings and emotions in the viewers.
