A few months ago, I was on a flight to the UK when I noticed the guy sitting a few rows away had a tattoo of Saitama from One Punch Man on his arm. It was easily one of the coolest anime tattoos I’d ever seen. Bold, clean, instantly recognizable. I genuinely wanted to walk over and say something. But, well, I’m Japanese, and striking up a conversation with a stranger on a plane just isn’t really in our DNA. So I stayed in my seat and said nothing.
That moment stuck with me, though. It got me thinking: what other anime and manga tattoos are out there that are cool enough to break through my natural reserve and actually make me start a conversation? Not just “nice tattoo” cool. I mean the kind that makes you think this person gets it the second you see it.
So here’s my ranking. These aren’t necessarily the most popular characters or the most technically impressive tattoo designs. They’re the ones with just the right mix of iconic imagery, personality, and a little bit of humor that would make me break my own rule and say hello.
Honorable Mentions (Too Hardcore, or Just Not Quite Right)
Before we get to the ranking, a few characters that came close but didn’t make the cut, for different reasons.
Zodd (Berserk) and Danzo’s stolen Sharingan arm (Naruto) are both undeniably badass tattoo material, but they lean a little too dark and intense for what I’m going for here. I love bold and hardcore designs, but past a certain point they stop feeling approachable and start feeling like something I’d rather not make eye contact with. For this list, I wanted tattoos with a sense of humor, not just raw intimidation.
Ryuk (Death Note) is another one that’s visually perfect for a tattoo. That lanky, grinning shinigami practically designs itself for skin. But honestly, I don’t think I’d talk to someone with a Ryuk tattoo. There’s just something about death gods that keeps me at a polite distance.
Sakuragi Hanamichi (Slam Dunk), even in a softer, more stylized art form, didn’t quite make the ranking either. Great character, but not a “let’s be friends” kind of tattoo for me.
Now, onto the actual ranking. Counting down from 10.
10. Zetton (Ultraman)
Not anime or manga, technically, but Ultraman is such a core part of Japanese pop culture that it earns a spot. There are dozens of iconic Ultraman monsters to choose from, and most overseas fans, if they know Ultraman at all, would probably go with something more obvious. Zetton holds a special place in tokusatsu history as the one monster that actually defeated the original Ultraman. A genuinely deep-cut pick, especially for an American fan. If I saw that on someone, I’d immediately assume they know their stuff far beyond the surface level, and that alone would make me want to strike up a conversation.
9. Kamaji (Spirited Away)
Kamaji, the six-armed boiler room spirit from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, paired with his line “Engacho” would be such a specific, deep-cut choice. It’s the kind of tattoo that only someone who really knows Ghibli beyond just Totoro would pick, and that specificity is exactly what makes it cool.
8. Perman’s Badge
Fujiko F. Fujio, the creator of Doraemon, also created Perman, a classic that most non-Japanese fans have probably never heard of. If I saw a foreigner with Perman’s badge symbol tattooed on their arm, I’d be floored. It would mean they’d gone deep into Japanese manga history, way past the obvious picks.
7. Shiro (Crayon Shin-chan)
Tattoo culture in Japan still carries some heavy baggage. Historically associated with yakuza, and often met with a bit of fear or hesitation. But a small, simple, unmistakably cute tattoo of Shiro tucked somewhere on the arm hits differently. It’s disarming. There’s something genuinely heartwarming about seeing a design that’s just… adorable, no edge required.
6. Nodame (Nodame Cantabile)
The scene of Nodame eating with that ridiculous “gyabo” face is one of the funniest, most human moments in the series. Nodame Cantabile is a masterpiece, especially for anyone who loves music, and this particular scene captures her chaotic charm perfectly. If I saw this on someone’s arm, I’d know immediately they had great taste.
5. Power (Chainsaw Man)
Power’s design has a rough, almost sketchy quality to it in the source material, which actually makes her perfect for a tattoo. Unlike a character that demands perfect linework to look right, Power’s messy energy means even an imperfect tattoo would still read as unmistakably her. That’s a rare and clever quality in a tattoo subject.
4. Oolong (Dragon Ball)
The scene of Oolong wishing for a pair of girls’ underwear from Shenron is peak comedy. Completely absurd, a little embarrassing, and unforgettable. A tattoo built around this moment says a lot about someone’s sense of humor, in the best way.
3. Gengar (Pokémon)
Gengar edges out Pikachu here for one simple reason: everyone loves Pikachu, but a Gengar tattoo signals real taste. It’s sleek, a little mischievous, and the deep purple color would look striking as ink. It’s the kind of Pokémon pick that says you went beyond the mascot.
2. Makkuro Kurosuke (My Neighbor Totoro)
Little soot sprites scattered across an arm, three, four, five of them, popping up one after another, would be such a playful, unexpected design. It’s whimsical without trying too hard, and it shows a genuine love for Ghibli that goes beyond the obvious Totoro-face tattoo.
1. Saitama (One Punch Man)
And of course, the one that started it all. Saitama’s design is simple, bold, and instantly recognizable, exactly the qualities that make for a great tattoo in the first place. It’s the reason this whole list exists, and it’s still the tattoo I think about most from that flight to the UK.
That’s my list. If you’ve got a tattoo like any of these, or you’re thinking about getting one, I’d genuinely love to hear about it. Unlike on that plane, I promise I’ll actually say something this time.