Lions have been a symbol of strength, courage, and royalty for centuries. It’s no surprise that anime has also embraced the regal nature of these majestic creatures and featured them as prominent characters in many popular series.
From brave warriors to loyal companions, anime lions have captured our hearts and inspired us with their determination and bravery. In this blog post, we have compiled a list of 17 of the best anime lion characters that have made a mark on the industry.
Whether they are fierce beasts or gentle giants, these characters are sure to leave a lasting impression on any anime fan. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of anime lions! 15.
15. Elsa
Anime: Brand New Animal
Elsa is a lioness Beastman and a follower of Gram Grandma. She possesses an athletic physique, fair skin, short strawberry-blonde hair, and striking golden eyes.
Elsa is devoted to Gram Grandma, but she is also depicted as a brutal, unscrupulous, and merciless woman.
She is willing to cause harm to others, even minors like Michiru, if it serves her own interests or if ordered to do so by Gram Grandma.
Elsa’s violent and amoral nature makes her a formidable adversary and a danger to those who cross her path.
14. Mu-chan
Anime: Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya
Mu-chan is a character from The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya anime, and he is Mikuru’s pet infinity lion. He has a yellow body and an orange mane, and he resembles a typical lion in appearance.
Mu-chan first appeared when Yuki transformed Mikuru’s “magic lamp” into a real one using her powers. He can sometimes be seen as Mikuru’s scarf, and she often pets and plays with him.
Mu-chan’s existence is a result of Haruhi’s belief that infinity lions, along with rabbits, lived on the moon. This belief became a reality, and Mu-chan is now a part of the series canon.
Despite his unusual origin, Mu-chan has become a beloved character among fans of the series.
13. Lion
Anime: Polar Bear
Lion is a busy professional who manages to balance work and social life. He is known for his impeccable style, often seen wearing a black suit jacket with a white dress shirt and a green tie.
Despite his demanding job, he values his friendships and makes time for his closest companions, Tiger and Wolf. Lion is a regular patron at Bar the Grizzly, where he enjoys spending time with his friends.
He is mature, well-mannered, and responsible, which has helped him excel in his career. Lion’s job requires frequent travel and meeting with customers, but he still tries his best to support his friends in pursuing their dreams.
Overall, Lion is a dedicated individual who prioritizes both his professional and personal life.
12. Leon
Anime: Ace Attorney
In the anime Ace Attorney, Léon was a lion who performed with Regina Berry, the daughter of the owner of the Berry Big Circus.
One day, an accident occurred during their performance, putting another performer named Bat into a coma. In the aftermath, Léon was put down by the ringmaster.
However, suspicion arose that the real cause of the accident was not Léon’s behavior but instead foul play by someone else. This led to a trial in a court where the truth was ultimately revealed and justice was served.
11. Lion
Anime: Kemono Friends
Lion, the leader of Team Lion in Kemono Friends, is a character with two distinct personalities.
On one hand, she portrays herself as almighty, tough, cold, and prideful towards her pride members, often engaging in a competitive relationship with Moose.
On the other hand, once there is no one around, Lion lets down her guard and transforms into a completely different character.
She becomes lax, lazy, playful, and kind, revealing a softer and more vulnerable side to her personality. This contrast in her behavior makes Lion a complex character, adding depth and intrigue to her role as the leader of Team Lion.
10. Willy FOG
Anime: 80 Days Around the World With Willy Fog
Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals in 1872 London, Willy Fog is an upright British gentleman who is used to his sedentary lifestyle, much to the delight of his new servants, Rigodon and Tico.
However, Fog is soon challenged to make an extraordinary wager on behalf of a friend: to circumnavigate the world in just 80 days.
With little more than a satchel full of money, Fog and his companions embark on a journey, unaware that they are being pursued by Scotland Yard detectives Dix and Bully, who suspect Fog of a bank robbery.
Moreover, they are also being shadowed by Transfer, a villainous master of disguise commissioned to disrupt their journey by Fog’s enemies.
Nonetheless, Fog is determined to succeed, encountering danger and making new friends, including the gracious Princess Romy, on an adventure unlike any other.
9. King
Anime: Nadia: Secret Of Blue Water
King is a loyal and adorable gray and white lion cub with big ears, who wears a red bandana around his neck and golden rings around the base of his tail.
He is very attached to his mistress Nadia and occasionally gets jealous when she interacts with Jean. However, he is also very fond of Marie and often plays with her.
King has a penchant for being melodramatic, running away when Jean and Nadia finally kiss. He also behaves like any feline would, unafraid to use his claws to express himself and get into trouble.
But through it all, King remains fiercely loyal to his friends and is always there to protect them when needed.
8. Lion-O
Anime: Thundercats
Lion-O is a prominent character in the Thundercats series, serving as the leader and hereditary “Lord of the ThunderCats.”
As a Thunderian male, he boasts a muscular physique, ginger-orange eyes, and moderately-long, wavy scarlet-red hair.
Though fully grown, Lion-O arrived on Third Earth as an adult in a child’s body, leading to immaturity and headstrong behavior.
Despite this, Lion-O was determined to mature and grow into his role as leader of the ThunderCats, a difficult process that took time to accomplish.
Throughout his adventures on Third Earth and New Thundera, Lion-O leads his friends and followers in various battles, demonstrating his strength, courage, and loyalty to those he cares about.
7. Tigerson
Anime: The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter
Tigerson is a formidable black lion in The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter. His impressive physique boasts a muscular build and a thick black mane, as well as a tail that swings with confidence.
His size dwarfs that of normal lions, making him a formidable ally. Tigerson is easily recognizable by the tulip on his forehead, which is a visual indicator of his health.
If the tulip is damaged or severed, Tigerson’s power will be greatly diminished. Despite his imposing appearance, Tigerson is a loyal friend who always keeps his promises. His courage and strength make him a valuable ally in any adventure.
6. Pop
Anime: Smile Pretty Cure
Pop is a charming lion-like fairy, and a secondary mascot in the anime series Smile Pretty Cure! His main mission is to pass on the Decor Décor to the Cures, which they need to collect the Cure Decor pieces.
Pop arrived on Earth shortly after his little sister, Candy, and has a friendly personality. He is a miniature lion with a bushy, fox-like tail, and mainly pale orange fur with an orange mane and tail.
Pop has a playful demeanor and is always willing to help the girls on their journey to defeat the evil forces of the Bad End Kingdom. His cheerful attitude and supportive nature make him a beloved character among fans of the show.
5. Leo
Anime: Jungle Emperor Leo
Leo is the son of Caesar and Snowene and the protagonist of the anime series “Jungle Emperor Leo.” He is a white lion with blue eyes, black-tipped ears, and a tail.
Kimba is a character with unwavering moral principles and a strong heart. He firmly believes that there could be peace between humans and animals if they could only understand each other.
Kimba is known for his bravery, kindness, and honorable nature. He is a jolly and steadfast character who stands up for his beliefs, even if it means risking his own life.
4. Georg CARMINE
Anime: How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
Georg Carmine is a formidable lion-faced beastman in How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom. He stands nearly two meters tall and has a muscular, battle-hardened build.
His imposing appearance exudes strength and experience, and his scarred left cheek adds to his fierce image. Despite being fifty years old, Georg looks as formidable as ever, and his mere presence is enough to make the atmosphere tense.
As a warrior, he is well-versed in combat and tactics, making him an invaluable asset to any team. Georg’s loyalty and dedication to his allies are unwavering, and his ferocity in battle is unmatched.
3. Ibuki
Anime: Beastars
Ibuki, a Maasai lion in his mid-thirties, is a prominent character in the anime series Beastars.
With an athletic build, light golden-yellow fur, a light brown mane, and sharp, slanted eyes with small black pupils, Ibuki is a formidable presence on the screen.
The tattoos on the left side of his body serve as a reminder of his troubled past as a child, where he was almost used for making hyper-drugs.
Ibuki is portrayed as an intelligent and loyal character who is protective of his boss and comrades. He is especially caring towards Louis, but never oversteps his boundaries as Louis’s subordinate.
Despite his strength, Ibuki has hidden insecurities, a result of the ideology of the former boss of the Shishigumi.
2. Richie
Anime: One Piece
Richie, the pet lion of Mohji, is one of the many fascinating characters in the anime series One Piece. As part of the Buggy Pirates, he is known for his fierce expressions during confrontations and battles.
Despite his fearsome appearance, Richie can be a goofball and show a friendly side when not engaged in combat. Interestingly, his eye colors tend to change from white to scarlet red sclerae or vice versa, depending on his mood.
When Richie is in a friendly or comedic mood, his eyes are white, but they turn red when he is in a vicious or enraged state. Richie’s unique personality and appearance make him a memorable character in the anime series.
1. Leomon
Anime: Digimon Adventure
Leomon was one of the first friendly Digimon that the DigiDestined encountered on File Island, although it was under difficult circumstances.
He was being mind-controlled by Devimon, a villainous Digimon who was seeking to destroy the DigiDestined and take control of the Digital World.
Despite being forced to fight against the DigiDestined, Leomon maintained his sense of honor and loyalty and eventually broke free of Devimon’s control.
From that point on, he became a valuable ally to the DigiDestined, using his powerful physical abilities and his wise counsel to help them on their quest.
