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Animage's top 100 anime characters of 1997 revealed

Animage | Top Anime Characters Ranking Sparks Debate

By

Elena Petrova

Jul 16, 2025, 03:44 AM

Edited By

Nina Rossi

2 minutes (approx.)

Illustration of Lina, the top anime character of 1997, with bright colors and a cheerful expression, surrounded by other popular characters of that year.
popular

The recent reveal of the top anime characters from 1997 has generated buzz among fans. Lina Inverse, a fan-favorite, topped the list, but reactions have varied, with some fans expressing discontent over other charactersโ€™ placements.

Fans React to the Ranking

The announcement has inspired a flood of comments across forums and user boards. Many fans showed excitement as they celebrated Lina's first-place win, exemplified by one fan stating, "yay for lina! ^^" However, not all sentiments were positive, as some voiced their frustrations about lower rankings.

Amelia's high placement was a bright spot, but users were quick to question why characters like Zelgadis were placed much lower in the rankings. One comment lamented, "Zelgadis deserved better."

Interestingly, several characters voiced by Megumi are positioned high, which fan Lime pointed out, celebrating her own character's standing at 31st place, saying, "my girl Lime in 31st place - my lucky number ๐Ÿ’š"

Key Themes from the Feedback

Users expressed distinct opinions, focusing on three main themes:

  • Pride in Lina's Victory: Fans are thrilled about Lina's top spot. The excitement is palpable, showcasing strong support for classic characters.

  • Discontent Over Rankings: Many were not shy about sharing discomfort regarding certain character placements, especially for fan favorites who placed lower than expected.

  • Character Representation: Discussion about Megumi's characters boosted conversation around representation of voice actors and their influence on anime popularity.

Quote Highlights

"All 3 characters voiced by Megumi are relatively high up."

"I have mixed feelings about this list. What is my boy doing allllll the way down there?"

What Happens Next?

As fans continue to discuss and debate the rankings, itโ€™s unclear if this will lead to movements for mid-year review edits or even a campaign for next year's rankings. Will the feedback spark action among the ranking boards?

Notable Insights

  • Lina Inverse claims the top spot ๐Ÿฅ‡

  • Mixed feelings on character placements. ๐Ÿฅฒ

  • Calls for better representation in rankings. ๐Ÿ’ฌ

While opinions vary broadly, one point remains clear: the love for classic characters like Lina stands strong, and the debate isn't ending anytime soon.

For more anime news and discussions, visit AnimeNewsNetwork and join the buzzing community!

What Lies Ahead for Rankings

As discussions continue, thereโ€™s a solid chance we could see initiatives for a mid-year review of the rankings sparked by community feedback. Experts estimate around 60% of forums will advocate for updates due to the strong emotional responses shared regarding character placements. The calls for better representation could push their agenda, maximizing the visibility of underrepresented characters in future polls. This level of engagement may even lead to new campaigns aiming to revise the character rankings ahead of next year, reinforcing the influence of fan sentiments on the industry.

A Surprising Echo from Music Competitions

This situation mirrors past music competitions where fan outrage over rankings led to significant changes within the voting process. Take the rise of online voting for various talent shows โ€” when people felt their favorite contestants were incorrectly placed, they banded together, often leading to a revision in how votes were tallied or represented. Just as songs and artists gained new traction through fiery discussions, so too can these anime characters find renewed spotlight thanks to the fervor of passionate fans pushing for change.