Delinquency is truly a complex, multifaceted notion. On the surface, it could be dismissed as dangerous, thuggish and detrimental to society; little more than a bunch of anti-establishment no-hopers who will snatch your money and your dreams in one fell swoop.

 

Exploring its layers, however, reveals qualities more consistent with a benevolent hero, such as fearsome loyalty and a strict honor code. I’m not suggesting that every delinquent is a misunderstood, tortured soul, and yet, to paint them all with the broad brush of negativity would be equally as unjust.

 

So that’s why I’ve assembled this lineup of anime’s most fearsome delinquents to help prove that they’re really not all that bad after all. If possible, try to read quickly, because I’m not sure how long I can keep them all contained in one place!!

 

If you’re a Crunchyroll veteran, you might recall a previous article that ranked delinquents, which you can read at the link below. Take note: there will be no repeat candidates.

 

 

RELATED: Our Top 5 Favorite Anime Delinquents

 

 

Yusuke Urameshi (Yu Yu Hakusho)

 

 

 

 

Yusuke Urameshi is to delinquents what Goku is to ravenous alien fighting enthusiasts, so his immediate inclusion was a must.

 

Right from the early stages of Yu Yu Hakusho, it is made clear that his notorious reputation does not come at the cost of selfless courage. He will fearlessly throw himself into any dangerous situation to protect those in need, figuring out the details of what kind of mess he is in as he goes along. Sometimes, he just straight up dies, so he could stand to be a little more cautious.

 

 

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The only drawback to anointing Yusuke as top delinquent is that it means his rival and equally qualified troublemaker, Kazuma Kuwabara, only receives a token mention. He need not feel slighted, as he himself was previously included in another distinguished Crunchyroll article that suggested anime characters Kirby should eat.

 

Congratulations, Kuwabara, that’s quite the honor!

 

 

Okuyasu Nijimura (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

 

 

 

 

If you were asked to draw an illustration of the prototypical delinquent, you may well end up with a picture that looks exactly like Okuyasu. Feel free to give it to him afterward, he might actually be flattered.

 

Upon meeting Okuyasu, he will likely intimidate you with his impressive physique and trademark scowl. His primary instinct is usually to be on the offensive, preempting potential conflicts by taking the initiative and striking early.

 

Fear not; despite the sheer scope of his Stand, he never really figures out how to use it properly, so that strike may well be less than devastating. There’s no beating around the bush here, he is not winning any awards for his mental acumen.

 

Just getting to know him for a few minutes reveals a lovable goofball who mostly just wants to hang out with his friends and get up to lighthearted chicanery. Once you get past that frosty first impression, you’ll have an ally for life, and the perfect partner to share a nice Italian meal with. …If you know, you know.

 

 

Chika Kudo (Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life)

 

 

 

 

If passion was an Olympic sport, this guy would have more medals around his neck than Michael Phelps. Kudo is not adept at making acquaintances due to his aloof disposition, causing many to write him off without a second thought.

 

Their loss, really. He is quick to stand up for his friends and the things he loves, chief among them being the koto. Japan’s national instrument has been a staple of the country for over 1,000 years, and thanks to his late grandfather, Kudo was able to channel his emotions into its beautiful sounds.

 

I mentioned before how delinquents are often misunderstood. This is something he has had to deal with at almost every turn. He could be partly to blame, with his somewhat misguided attempts at dealing with his peers. He’s under the impression that almost any problem can be crushed with willpower as long as you try hard enough — finesse is not a word in this young man’s dictionary.

 

 

Takemichi Hanagaki (Tokyo Revengers)

 

 

 

 

When we last listed our favorite anime delinquents, Takemichi’s comrade Mikey received his moment in the sun. And it makes perfect sense, too, as he embodies everything about the idea of delinquency.

 

As for Takemichi, his ascension into the upper echelons is much more circuitous. He has no natural skills as a brawler, with a strike-to-blow ratio somewhere in the realm of 1,000 to 1. He just keeps on taking a beating, he’ll make a whole lot of mistakes along the way and his fashion sense is simply nonexistent. He’s not the most stoic of figures, to be sure.

 

 

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His true strength lies in his tenacity. No matter how overmatched he is he will never quit, inspiring his allies with his grit and determination. He challenges his very future by returning to repair the fractured past, ready to take on Tokyo’s deadliest criminals. He proves that it’s ok to keep on crying just as long as you keep on trying.

 

 

Aoi Todo (JUJUTSU KAISEN)

 

 

 

Todo doesn’t fit the mold of delinquency quite as snugly as the other entrants on the list (possibly because he’s a big dude and finding anything his size would be a nightmare), but when you contemplate his personality traits, it actually ends up making sense.

 

He is defiant, single-minded and stubborn. If he likes you, he likes you a lot and you’re suddenly his sibling. Welcome to the family! If he dislikes you he will probably thrash you out of principle. And if you dare stand between him and his idol-filled schedule? Forget about it, you are going to be exploded into a thousand tiny pieces.

 

Don’t let this fool you, though, as he is one of the most intelligent combatants amongst his peers, with an unrivaled battling strategy and a surprisingly reflective worldview. Get on his good side and you’ll grow as a fighter and a human being. Maybe don’t take him out to see a stage play, as his thunderous applause could potentially send you to the other side of the theater.

 

 

Saki Nikaido (ZOMBIE LAND SAGA)

 

 

 

 

Ever wondered what it would be like if a lifelong delinquent underwent a late-stage career change? Look no further than Saki, who begrudgingly accepted a post-mortem entry into the thrilling world of idol performance.

 

Simultaneously enthusiastic and uncooperative, Saki disrupts matters with her own unique perspective on any given situation. Sometimes, this candor pays great dividends, motivating her colleagues and pushing them toward new boundaries. Other times, she drives wedges into camaraderie so deep it could possibly fell even the most fervent of zombies.

 

 

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Despite her tough-as-nails veneer, she’s actually a passionate supporter of the people she cares about, giving her all in any given situation. Sure, she prefers for things to be done her way; loud, aggressive, and brandishing as much kanji as possible. But she knows when to defer to the wisdom of others, offering a democratic solution to ensure the best result.

 

We can only assume Todo would be deeply honored to meet her, seeing as she’s an idol and all.

 

 

Metal Bat (One-Punch Man)

 

 

Image via Hulu

 

 

When your whole branding revolves around the very notion that you’re a punk, you know you automatically qualify for a listing of delinquents. That’s Metal Bat for you, a pompadoured ruffian wielding a steel baseball bat. Kind of has to have a bat with a name like that, doesn’t he?

 

Compared to some of the other customers here, Metal Bat is a lot more cooperative and levelheaded, in line with his role as an S-Class Hero. Make no mistake, he’s still brash and has a tendency to smash things before asking questions; he just also happens to be a softie whose devotion to his younger sister drives him to never give up, no matter the odds.

 

The angrier he gets, the more his abilities increase in battle. As such, I’d suggest calm and therapeutic outings that will reduce your chances of receiving a broken jaw. It goes without saying, do not even think of playing Dark Souls with this man.

 

 

Eikichi Onizuka (GTO – The Animation)

 

 

 

 

One of the most enduring bad boys of manga, Eikichi Onizuka has had quite the journey over more than three decades of publication.

 

Early on, he was characterized as a knuckleheaded biker, trying to impress the ladies while displaying a distinct lack of tact. Over the years, he would mature and grow into a knuckleheaded teacher who tried to impress the ladies while displaying a distinct lack of tact…OK, so it wasn’t a tectonic personality shift, but his heart stayed in the right place, mostly.

 

Because he’s seen and done it all on the wrong side of the law, Onizuka makes for the perfect role model for young delinquents. Although his methods are a little on the strange side, the results speak for themselves. They learn… the hard way.

 

Additionally, his Japanese voice actor, Wataru Takagi, has already appeared previously on this list: he also portrays Okuyasu Nijimura! If that doesn’t anoint him as the true king of delinquency, I don’t know what would.

 

 

Ryu Yamada (Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches)

 

 

 

 

Poor old Yamada is one of those folks who always seems to find himself unwittingly pulled into mischief. As much as he’d like to keep to himself and let the world pass him by while he expounds minimal effort, he somehow attracts trouble like a magnet.

 

He’s occasionally considerate or even thoughtful — if not blunt and short-tempered — and holds a most unexpected talent; capable of switching bodies with anyone he has kissed. It’s obviously a rather intimate way to go about implementing such magic, so you may or may not prefer to witness it firsthand.

 

When you think about it, if Yamada can swap bodies with whoever he kisses, that theoretically means he could populate anyone’s body across all of anime. You know what that means? Every single character ever created could actually be Yamada in disguise right now, ergo all of them might possibly be a delinquent. Golly, this list may take a while if it has to be expanded to include literally everyone.

 

 

Kyoko Honda (Fruits Basket)

 

 

 

 

If the preceding entrants have had something in common, it’s that their tales are lighthearted and fun — aside from Takemichi having to watch his loved ones die repeatedly, of course.

 

Kyoko Honda’s story is much more tragic than that, as her delinquency stemmed from a childhood bereft of love and a society that labeled her as an outcast before she ever had a chance to choose her own path in life.

 

 

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Her adolescence would be defined by her self-destructive tendencies until she finally found the affection that had so eluded her. Then, when she, at last, has all of the things she deserved, it’s taken from her in an instant, robbing her of her chance to have a fairytale ending.

 

The only saving grace is that her daughter Tohru would bring all of the light and joy that life seemed so intent on stealing away from her. Kyoko is truly a fighter, in more ways than one.

 

 

BONUS: Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)

 

 

 

What’s this? A top 10 list has a surprise eleventh entrant, and it’s a character who is practically the antithesis of everything we know and love about delinquents? Yikes, I feel like I’m about to get pummeled by an angry mob for this one!!

 

Yes, it’s true that Deku would make for a lousy hoodlum, and it is for this very reason he receives special mention. His infamous attempt at dabbling in the realm of the rebellious came while he was disguised during a covert mission in Kamino. In an effort to conceal his identity, Midoriya channeled his inner punk by frowning and shouting threats at passersby.

 

It’s entirely unconvincing, and draws even more attention than it would have if he wore a large sign on his chest that stated “I’M MIDORIYA THE HERO.” But darn it, he’s trying his best, and for that, he gets a glorious participation award. A+ for effort, Deku.

 

Is this really the same kid who is now embracing his vigilante spirit in My Hero Academia’s sixth season? Perhaps before it’s all said and done, Izuku might earn his place in the hallowed halls of delinquency, after all…

 

Do you have any other delinquents in mind who should smash their way into this list? Leave a comment below, and remember… You can’t end a good party without someone on the floor.