Underrated Filipino Characters In Anime
Descriptions
In anime, it's most likely that over half of the characters on screen would be Japanese, or were partly of Japanese descent. Japan is largely homogenous; if the anime was centered around Japanese schools, communities, or cultures, it was rare to see a character who was not Japanese. It's even rarer to find characters who were not East Asian.
Filipinos are the third-largest community in Japan. Despite that, they are rarely included in anime and other forms of Japanese fiction. That does not mean there are zero Filipino characters in anime, however. Though uncommon, Filipino characters are gradually becoming a bigger presence in anime, leading to more representation for the community.
Updated on August 22, 2023 by Angelo Delos Trinos: Generally speaking, the number of Filipino characters in mainstream fiction has been increasing. This is especially true for anime, where it's slowly becoming common to see at least one prominent Filipino anime character in the cast. This list was updated to include more Filipino anime characters from old and new titles.
15 The Maganac Corps
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing's Maganac Corps hailed from the Middle East. But based on their etymology and basis, the Maganac Corps could be Filipino. This was thanks to their name, which was a loose translation of the Filipino word for "family relative." They were also reportedly inspired by overseas Filipino workers based in the Middle East.
Given the Gundam franchise's diverse and multinational approach to its characters, it would make sense that the Maganac Corps would include some Filipino pilots in their ranks. Although Gundam Wing never confirmed or denied that the Maganac Corps were Filipino anime characters, it's been widely considered as fact by Filipino fans.
14 The Verdugo
Marvel Anime: Blade
Marvel Anime: Blade expanded Blade's adventures by having him travel around the world to meet fellow vampire slayers, and kill other countries' vampires. When he visited the Philippines, he fought an Aswang horde with the help of The Verdugo. Blade's Filipino allies included Hagibis, Lupit, and Cimarron (pictured above, from left to right).
Where most Filipino anime characters were based on the country's current events and norms, Marvel Anime: Bladenotably took a historical approach. The Verdugo drew inspiration from the Philippines' indigenous people and cultures, and they fought monsters from local folklore. Their name also literally meant "executioner" in English.
13 Ayumu Mutoh
Japan Sinks: 2020
Ayumu Mutoh was a 14-year-old half-Filipino, half-Japanese student from Japan Sinks: 2020. She was an extremely talented track and field runner, and was even expected to represent Japan in four years. Ayumu had an immense love for her family, and this was put to the test when Japan was struck by a cataclysmic earthquake.
After a second earthquake, she rushed home to find her younger brother, Go. When she found her father, she panicked as she was still unable to find her brother. When a neighbor emerged with Go, Ayumu was worried that he injured his eyes and was relieved that he only sustained minor injuries.
12 Boy Allade
Hajime no Ippo
Boy Allade was a professional lightweight boxer from the Philippines. He appeared in Hajime no Ippo's first season. The lightweight boxer was a semifinalist in the "Something Will Happen?!" event, where he fought against Aoki Masaru. Boy lost the match two minutes into round three, and did not make another appearance in the series.
Even if Boy was never seen later, he deserves some credit for putting up a fight. More importantly, Boy represented a group of people who were criminally underrepresented in anime. Hajime no Ippo could very well have the most number of Filipino anime characters onscreen, and this gave Boy's one-off appearance more meaning than expected.
11 Bren Park
Barangay 143
Barangay 143 was a Filipino anime made in tandem with Japanese animation studios. With that in mind, it was unsurprising that most of the cast were Filipino anime characters, and that the show was set in the country's capital of Manila. Other characters were at least part Filipino, or were of full Filipino descent.
The main character, Bren Park, was previously a member of the Korea U-19 National Basketball Team. However, he was forced to quit. When he discovered that he was actually half-Filipino, he traveled to the Philippines to look for his father. There, he joined Barangay 143's local basketball team, the Puzakals.
10 Izana Kurokawa
Tokyo Revengers
Izana Kurokawa was a half-Filipino, half-Japanese gang leader from Tokyo Revengers. He was the boss of the Eighth Generation Black Dragon, and the leader of the Tokyo Manji Gang. He was adopted by the Sano family. Unlike most Filipino anime characters who are often depicted positively, the underwhelming Tokyo Revengers' Izana was a ruthless villain.
Izana was cold and cruel. Since his childhood was defined by helplessness, he strived for power at all costs when he grew up. Despite wanting a family, Izana treated his subordinates like tools that he could throw out once they served their purpose. He also had no problem taking down anyone in his way, even if they were friends.
9 Susan Reyes
High School Fleet: The Movie
High School Fleet: The Movie introduced the Harekaze II's crew to a bunch of new people, with Susan "Sue" Reyes being the most prominent. Sue was the movie's heart. She was tricked by a cruel pirate into helping him, and she redeemed herself by helping the heroes save the day. She was also clearly a Filipino anime character.
Sue's surname was incredibly common in the Philippines, her favorite pastime was stated to be the Filipino climbing game palo sebo, and her birthday was the country's Independence Day (June 12). Sue was one of the few Filipino anime characters to have a complex backstory and a full-fledged redemption arc.
8 Tarou Sekiutsu
Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei
Tarou Sekiutsu from Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei was also referred to as "Sekiutsu Maria Tarou." She was an illegal immigrant from an unspecified country in Asia. Though unconfirmed, there are several hints that she was Filipino.
Her real name has Hispanic origins, and was common in the Philippines. Her features were also very Filipino. Additionally, she hailed from a war-torn Asian country where public order was unorganized. She was only able to attend school in Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei because she purchased a birth certificate from a male classmate.
7 Angelo
Charlotte
In Charlotte, Yuu Otosaka coped with his grief by using his ability, Plunder, to take away other people's magic. One of his first stops was in the Philippines, where he found a kid named Angelo and robbed his powers. Angelo only had one scene, but this was more than enough to make him a hit Filipino anime character among Filipino fans.
Filipino fans praised Angelo's hairstyle, mannerisms, and fashion for being accurate depictions of a typical Filipino youth. The only "gripe" they had was with his almost-perfect English. The language was taught and spoken in the country, but the once-promising Charlotte's version was too uncanny and polite. Fans had fun joking about this online.
6 Irene
Darker than Black
Irene was a host from Darker than Black. She hailed from the Philippines, but it is unknown from which specific part of the country. She moved to Japan to make money, and sends money back to her family every month. She enjoys drinking, even early in the morning—much to the disdain of her landlord, Misuzu Oyama.
Despite her carefree attitude and love of partying with friends, Irene was mature and practical. She stated that she found her job as a host to be easy. Since her Japanese clients were rich, she reaped some good benefits. Irene was just one of many Filipino anime characters to be depicted as an overseas worker, which was very much true to life.
5 Morris West
Hajime no Ippo
Morris West was a middleweight boxer from the Philippines. He appeared in Hajime no Ippo's second season. He fought against Takamura Mamoru during the "APOCALYPSE NOW" event. While he appeared to have the upper hand at the beginning, he ultimately lost the match.
Morris was calm and self-assured, but arrogant. He believed that he was already the champion, and this caused him to massively underestimate Takamura. Morris wasn't the only Filipino boxer in Hajime no Ippo. Given the country's love of the sport, the Philippines' looming presence in the boxing anime shouldn't be that surprising.
4 Shirley
Fate/Zero
Shirley was a bright Filipino who was a native of Alimango Island from the Fate/Zero series. Despite coming from a poor background, she was able to learn and write. Thanks to her inquisitive nature, Shirley was able to earn a Master's Degree at just 13-years-old. She later picked up magecraft after working for the Emiya household.
When introduced in the Fate prequel Fate/Zero, Shirley was an intelligent teenager. She was cheerful and gentle. However, she becomes a Dead Apostle after drinking a failed immortality experiment. She became a vampire (or in Filipino folklore, an "aswang"), turned the people in her town into ghouls, and was presumed to have been killed by the Church's agents.
3 Mari Mutoh
Japan Sinks: 2020
Mari Mutoh was one of the major characters in Japan Sinks: 2020. She was a 42-year-old woman who was from Cebu City, Philippines. She married the Japanese lights engineer Koichiro Mutoh, and had two children with him: Ayumu and Go. Back in the Philippines, Mari Mutoh was a talented swimmer. When she retired, she started working in a resort hotel.
With her new career, she was given the opportunity to travel the world. In Japan Sinks: 2020, Mari faced racism, such as the time when a woman refused to let her borrow her phone due to her skin color. Mari was one of the few Filipino anime characters who faced and overcame the kind of real-life discrimination that's sadly familiar to many Filipinos.
2 Kiki Rosita
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team eschewed Gundam tradition by being set on Earth instead of space. Specifically, it was set in an unnamed South East Asian country. Fans, however, inferred that the anime was set in the Philippines. This was mostly thanks to Kiki Rosita, who many fans believe to be Filipino due to her name.
Kiki was part of the local resistance force who fought both the Earth Federation and Zeon. She was notably principled, strong-willed, and fiercely independent. The 08th MS Team never confirmed if Kiki was a Filipino anime character and rebel fighting for the Philippines' independence or not, but Filipino fans consider her to be Filipino.
1 Sucy Manbavaran
Little Witch Academia
Not only was Sucy Manbavaran a Filipino student in Little Witch Academia, but she was also one of the main characters. Her character design pays homage to her Filipino heritage; her broom resembles a walis tambo, a soft broom often used in the Philippines.
Sucy Manbavaran was calm, aloof, and considered creepy by the other characters in the Little Witch Academia universe due to her cold demeanor and preference for foul-smelling potions. Despite that, she was kind. Sucy deeply cared for her friends, Akko and Lotte. When she wasn't causing mayhem, Sucy likes yoga and meditating.
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