And when I say “role-model” I do not mean “be absent for years on end and give your son’s enemy a Senzu bean”. I mean those fathers that really help build up their children and have the best intentions at heart with no malice or manipulations to reach their goals through their offspring, Endeavor. So here are my picks for all the best dads in anime! I’ll also include father & paternal figures where the biological dad isn’t in the picture. I mean, any man can become a father, right?
20. Orsi Orfai
Anime: Black Clover I really do love Orsi. He’s just one of those goofy dads where you can see that his heart is made out of pure gold. Although he isn’t their biological father, he treats Aska, Yuno, and all the other children like they’re truly his flesh and blood. I find it very touching that both of our wizard big boys still keeps in touch with Orsi and the others back at home. And whenever they come to visit my heart is filled with anime warmth. I mean, just look at how proud he is of his boys. Even though he might have had his doubts about Asta making it big, he still showed support.
19. Shirou Fujimoto
Anime: Ao no Exorcist While we’re on the topic of clergymen(their title is literally Father) let’s talk about Shirou. Spoiler warning here so skip ahead if you must! Shirou was not only a caring and loving individual, but he was also extremely successful, powerful, and influential. He was hailed as the best Exorcist in the entire world. And yet he cared so deeply about Rin that after a big fight with his adopted son Shirou, he couldn’t keep his composure and ended up getting possessed. Even in that state he chose to sacrifice himself so that his dear children remain unharmed. Truly an epic person, father and Father.
18. Joseph Joestar
Anime: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders A bit more goofy than the rest of the JoJo family, but still just as caring. When he hears that his dear daughter is in danger, Joseph sets out on a grand adventure with his grandson in the search for a cure. He’s by far the weakest in the group, but always tries to give everyone advice and keep them on the right track. Even to the extent of being a key element in the defeat of Dio. And even the stone cold Joutarou couldn’t help but love the old geezer, as we see how deep those feelings are at the beginning of the final battle with Dio.
17. Naruto Uzumaki
Anime: Boruto Boruto himself is still in denial about it, but Naruto is a pretty kickass father. Even though Naruto never knew what it meant to have parents, it’s obvious that he does his best to set his children down the right path. Eben if that means exposing their faults. Sure, he’s extremely busy and can’t always make it to big events, sometimes resorting to shadow clones to fill in for him… but the man is a Hokage. And he’s almost single-handedly responsible for world peace. So regardless of what Boruto might say, Naruto gets an A+ in my book. Sasuke still needs more training though.
16. Kouhei Inuzuka
Anime: Sweetness & Lightning Being a single parent is no easy task. Especially if you still have to provide and put some bread on the table. Despite his busy schedule, Kouhei still tries his hardest to spend as much time with his daughter as he can. But unfortunately, he doesn’t have the time to give her the experience of a nice home cooked meal all that often. But through the power of anime he meets Kotori, and before long the three of them start cooking up some delicious food and eating together. It might be a juggling act, but Kouhei is doing his best.
15. Tomomi Masaoka
Anime: Psycho-Pass The parent-child relationship can really get tricky once both parties have entered adulthood. Even more so if the two have different ideologies. That’s the case with Tomomi and his boy. Both cops, but with very different positions. And even though his son showed open hostility and wasn’t grateful at all, Tomomi always stuck around and tried to give a helping hand. Some spoilers here: Even in the last moments of his life, Tomomi wanted nothing more than for his son to keep on living and to find happiness. He didn’t care about the mission or his own life, only his son. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
14. Jouichirou Yukihira
Anime: Food Wars! Whether we like it or not, our parents leave a deep imprint on our personality. And in the case of Jouichirou and Yukihira, that imprint was pure passion. It’s normal that a chef’s son would also find a fondness for cooking. But Youichirou really upped the stakes by constantly challenging his son, as well as encouraging him. Even in elite tournaments Yukihira can hold his ground because his father poured so much knowledge and time into his little boy. Take notes people, this is how you raise a genius.
13. Thors
Anime: Vinland Saga I feel like by today’s standards, Thors is a very good father. But by Viking standards he’s an amazing one. This is because Thors was quite arguably the strongest warrior the earth had seen, taking down foe after foe. But instead of continuing down this path of blood and glory, Thors ditches that life behind him and devotes himself entirely to his family. Fair spoiler warning: even with his dying breath, he wanted nothing more than for his boy to live on and find happiness.
12. Maes Hughes
Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood God damn it Maes, you lovable goofball. Why did you have to play with my heart like that? Maes was such a fun and loving character, always ready to crack a joke or lovingly kidnap someone as a sign of hospitality. But more than anything he loved talking about his wife and his daughter. To the point where I as a viewer felt pressured into getting married. He just made it all look so magical, with how much passion he talked about his loved ones. But then someone had to go and ruin it all!
11. All Might
Anime: My Hero Academia This one might seem like a stretch, as All Might is primarily Midoriya’s teacher. However, once the dorms were introduced, he does vow to raise Midoriya. So I’m counting it as legal guardian. Plus, I just love this guy. The reason he was the symbol of peace wasn’t just him immense power, but also because he had so much charisma and such a loving heart. Every scene where Midoriya is alone with All Might is a pure tear jerker. All Might constantly shows how proud he is and always tries to lift young Midorya upwards so that he can become the greatest hero ever.
10. Hajime Tsunashi
Anime: I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying Although the child is yet to be born, I already know Hajime is going to be a kickass father. He and his wife already have such a loving and healthy relationship that I find it hard to believe they won’t love their child with every inch of their being. Sure, they get into fights here and there. But they always come out the other side more understanding than when they came in. Plus, the man writes anime reviews for a living. I have to route for my own team, don’t I?
9. Bols
Anime: Akame ga Kill! Is Bols a good person? Not really, he has way too many corpses in his closet for that. But is he a good father? Surprisingly, yes. In the few scenes where we get to see him with his family, we see that he values them more than life itself. And that he’s nothing but kind and loving towards them. And even though his appearance might lead us to believe otherwise, Bols is quite the soft family man, wanting nothing more than to return home to his daughter and wife and enjoy spending time together.
8. Nanashi
Anime: Sword of the Stranger Since it’s a movie we’re talking about here, and a movie filled with battle and death no less, we don’t see too much of Nanashi and the young boy Kotarou. Yet still they managed to leave such a lasting impression on me. Even though it started off as a job, seeing Nanashi joking with Kotarou (or playing with Tobimaru) was so precious. He taught him the joys of riding. And risked his life in order to save the young boy he had only recently met. And their banter is top notch, loving yet hilarious.
7. Soichiro Yagami
Anime: Death Note This show would have honestly been a lot shorter and duller had this man not been such an upstanding father. Sure, his parental instinct to protect his children caused tens of thousands of people to die a gruesome death. But it’s not like he could have predicted that. He claimed Light’s innocence through and through, even when he was the most clear and obvious suspect. Some might say this was bad parenting as he knew so little about his own son. But I say they don’t go over gods of death at parenting classes, so I am going to let it slide.
6. Jukai
Anime: Dororo Hyakkimaru’s biological father, although a good leader, was a terrible father who sacrificed his son in order for his country to prosper. Jukai, on the other hand, was quite the sinful man in his youth. And yet has given Hyakkimaru life, a body, a name, and love. There’s no question who of the two has the right to call themselves his father. In truth, Jukai became scared of what he had brought back from the dead. But even then, he never stopped caring. Even in his last moments he wished happiness upon the cursed baby he had found so long ago.
5. Krillin
Anime: Dragon Ball Z In my opinion, Krillin is the only sensible father that came out of the Dragon Ball franchise. Sure, he might have died more times than a father, or any human for that matter… but he always seemed to be there for his daughter. Let’s also appreciate what he went through in order to get with Android 18 in the first place! Now that’s commitment. Not these Saiyan Chads who just sweep women off their feet and then train for half their life.
4. Minato Namikaze
Anime: Naruto: Shippuden Have you noticed how many of these entries end with “even in his last moment”? Well this one starts off like that. As Minato dies at the birth of his son. Of course, he did not die a coward’s death. He died protecting both his newborn boy and the village. And in flashbacks or inside of Kurama conversations (or that one time he was brought back to life) we see how much he cherishes Naruto, and how proud he is of the man he has become.
3. Yato
Anime: Noragami It’s wild how the show with the most realistic father-son dynamic is about gods. And said dynamic is between a god of destruction and his teenage weapon boy. But that’s anime for you! At first it’s obvious that Yato doesn’t really know how to connect with Yukine and form a meaningful bond. But as the show progressed, we could see their relationship flourish. Even though Yato is kind of a goofball whenever Yukine or the token mother character Iki was in danger, he would put his game face on and absolutely destroy his enemies.
2. Naofumi Iwatani
Anime: The Rising of the Shield Hero If we ignore how Naofumi first met Raphtalia and Filo, it’s quite the wholesome story. It’s unfortunate that Naofumi had to teach them how to fight so early. But he never behaved like a cruel master, rather a caring but demanding guardian. Getting them both treats, making sure that they’re always safe, and even having some fun here and there. That’s what it’s all about. And considering what their futures would have been had Naofumi not stepped in, it truly was a blessing for both parties.
1. Byakuya Ishigami
Anime: Dr. Stone Rarely do you see a person who holds their child in such high regard. Byakuya believes in his boy Senku to the very end, never wavering and never putting down his capabilities. And Byakuya put his money where his mouth is, quite literally, as he worked endlessly and even sold his car in order to buy Senku lab equipment. Totally knowing full well that he would one day be one of the very best. Even when everything seemed dire and humanity itself was at the edge of extinction, he believed his son would make it out alive. He left both educational insights, as well as a heart-warming message, all to his genius son from the future.
