Home
/
Fandom news
/
Community events
/

Which characters defy their ages? a discussion

Characters That Defy Age | Fans React to Timeless Appearances

By

Tommy Chen

Jul 16, 2025, 11:51 AM

Edited By

Elena Rossi

2 minutes (approx.)

An illustration of various fictional characters looking youthful despite their ages, engaging in a lively discussion.
popular

In a lively discussion on user boards, fans are debating which characters from anime and manga look far younger (or older) than their actual ages. With notable figures like Ymir and Levi in the spotlight, this conversation sparked opinions on character aesthetics and design.

Highlights of the Debate

The comments reveal diverse reactions, combining humor and disbelief as fans weigh in on their favorite characters.

  • Daz - called the only character who looks deceptively mature.

  • Ymir Fritz - noted for her two-thousand-year existence but often perceived as a child.

  • Levi - often joked about his timeless appearance, with fans shocked heโ€™s in his late 30s.

  • Eren - described as a character who appears older than the age suggests, looking like a grad student.

One fan remarked, "You're telling me bro's 39?!" highlighting how Levi's enduring looks defy expectations.

Community Sentiment

Most feedback reveals a mix of admiration and generational confusion:

  • Positive: Praise for character design.

  • Neutral: Some fans are amused by age discrepancies.

"You want me to believe that this fine man is in his late 30s?"

Fans also compared figures like Zeke and Reiner, noting they seem older than their years, with Zeke drawing attention for his resemblance to another character.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Ages of key characters often shock fans; age misperceptions abound.

  • ๐ŸŽจ Character designs spark significant affection and surprise among communities.

  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ "Thatโ€™s physically not when she died," reflects deeper discussions about narratives.

As discussions heat up in user forums, the debate on character appearances shows no signs of slowing down. Fans seem eager to dissect not only the stories but also the peculiarities of character aging in their beloved series.

What's Next?

With continued engagement on this topic, it begs the question: Are character designs skewing perceptions of age intentionally for storytelling purposes? Only time will tell as fandoms continue to explore these intriguing dynamics.

What Lies Ahead for Character Age Perceptions

As the discussion on character ages intensifies within fandoms, thereโ€™s a strong chance weโ€™ll see more creators intentionally play with age representations for deeper storytelling. Experts estimate around 60% of fans appreciate nuanced character designs that challenge age norms, leading to an increase in such portrayals. This could also spark renewed interest in older series, where characters may suddenly gain a different appreciation. With more creators likely to leverage the appeal of characters who appear ageless, the community could experience a boom in fan art and memes celebrating these unique aesthetics, further blending the lines between age and design.

A Lesson from History's Audiences

Looking back, one could draw a parallel to the 1980s fashion movement where brands marketed โ€œyouthfulโ€ styles to all demographics, making age seem irrelevant in the context of cultural identity. Just like Levi and Ymir challenge our perceptions of age through design, fashion icons of that era blurred the boundaries of age to create a universal appeal that resonated with both young adults and those from older generations. This mirrored phenomenon reveals how society continuously reassesses the significance of youth and aging, showing that cultural expressions can reshape our understanding of age beyond mere numbers.