Anime often uses academic settings as a backdrop for the adventures of young protagonists. From high school to university, these settings allow viewers to see characters face personal and intellectual challenges. Some of the brightest minds in anime are also the most capable, using their academic prowess to navigate complex plots and outwit powerful foes. Here are five of the most intelligent student characters in anime.
1. Lelouch vi Britannia
Series: Code Geass
Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama (Japanese), Johnny Yong Bosch (English)
Lelouch vi Britannia begins his journey in Code Geass as a brilliant but disengaged student, more interested in chess than academics. His strategic genius is evident early on, as he regularly defeats wealthy elites in high-stakes chess matches, often gambling on his victories. Once he gains the power of Geass, which allows him to command anyone to do his bidding, Lelouch sets his sights on dismantling the oppressive Britannian Empire.
Lelouch’s intelligence extends far beyond his supernatural abilities. He routinely outsmarts his enemies by planning several steps ahead, even predicting his opponents’ dialogue and orchestrating distractions while secretly advancing his schemes. One of his greatest triumphs is convincing the world he’s a tyrant, only to orchestrate his own downfall in a bid for lasting peace—a final gambit that showcases his extraordinary intellect and strategic brilliance.
2. Yuichi Katagiri
Series: Tomodachi Game
Voiced by: Chiaki Kobayashi (Japanese), David Matranga (English)
At first glance, Yuichi Katagiri from Tomodachi Game seems like an ordinary, even underachieving student. However, when he and his classmates are forced into a psychological game of betrayal and survival, Yuichi reveals himself to be a cunning manipulator. Despite appearing lethargic in class, his sharp mind is always at work, using every situation to his advantage.
Yuichi’s intelligence isn’t based on academic achievements but rather his ability to outwit and outmaneuver opponents, regardless of their skills or expertise. His experiences have shaped him into a tactical genius, capable of predicting his enemies’ moves and setting traps that allow him to climb to the top of the game, all while working to dismantle the corrupt system.
3. Light Yagami
Series: Death Note
Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano (Japanese), Brad Swaile (English)
Light Yagami is perhaps the most iconic example of a genius student in anime. Before he ever encounters the Death Note, Light is already one of Japan’s top students, excelling in every academic field. When he gains the ability to kill anyone whose name he writes in the Death Note, Light sets out on a self-righteous mission to rid the world of criminals and establish himself as a god-like figure.
Light’s intelligence is so advanced that he manages to evade the world’s best detectives, including L, while infiltrating law enforcement and manipulating those around him. Even when L suspects Light of being the infamous “Kira,” Light’s wit and planning are enough to avoid detection for years. If not for his eventual hubris, Light may have succeeded in his dark, calculated ambitions.
4. Saiki Kusuo
Series: The Disastrous Life of Saiki K
Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya (Japanese), Jerry Jewell (English)
Though The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is largely a comedic series, its titular character, Saiki Kusuo, is a quiet genius by virtue of his immense psychic abilities. Saiki’s intelligence comes not from academic pursuit but from his extraordinary powers, which allow him to read minds, see the future, and manipulate reality itself. However, his brilliance is often overshadowed by his desire to live a quiet, ordinary life.
Despite his indifference to school, Saiki can score perfectly on any test without much effort, as he can literally read the thoughts of those around him. While his intelligence is mainly used to solve the ridiculous problems of his friends, Saiki’s potential for greatness is undeniable, even if he chooses to remain in the background.
5. Kiyotaka Ayanokoji
Series: Classroom of the Elite
Voiced by: Shoya Chiba (Japanese), Justin Briner (English)
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji of Classroom of the Elite is a calculated and reserved prodigy who hides his true capabilities. A former student of the White Room, a secretive facility designed to train future leaders, Ayanokoji possesses near-perfect memory and a sharp intellect that allows him to excel at anything he sets his mind to. Despite this, he deliberately downplays his abilities, blending in with his peers.
Ayanokoji’s brilliance lies in his ability to devise complex plans, anticipating every potential outcome and creating contingencies for any failure. He is always several steps ahead of his opponents, carefully manipulating events without ever drawing attention to himself. In the competitive environment of Advanced Nurturing High School, Ayanokoji proves time and again that his intelligence is unmatched, even when he’s barely trying.
These five characters demonstrate the wide range of intelligence that anime protagonists can possess, whether through academic success, strategic brilliance, or supernatural abilities. Their intellect shapes the world around them, leading to some of the most gripping and unpredictable narratives in anime.
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