Left-handed characters in anime often bring something unique to the screen, whether it is a subtle trait revealed through daily habits, a tactical advantage in competitive sports, or a crucial plot point that drives the narrative forward. Celebrating Left-Hander's Day on August 13th, the Japanese entertainment portal Anime! Anime! published the results of its reader poll asking fans to vote for their favorite southpaw anime characters.
The Top Spots
Claiming the joint first place crown with roughly 11 percent of the total vote are Shuichi Akai from Detective Conan and Ryoma Echizen from The Prince of Tennis. Akai, the formidable FBI sniper pursued relentlessly by the Black Organization, resonated deeply with voters who highlighted his signature left-handed rifle trigger discipline and how his handedness ties directly into narrative twists involving his disguised persona, Subaru Okiya.
Sharing the top tier is Ryoma Echizen, the prodigy tennis player whose blistering southpaw techniques have captivated audiences for decades. Fans noted his enduring popularity as the series approaches new animated adaptations, praising his ability to maintain high-level play with both hands while anchoring the franchise's legendary status in sports anime history.
Powerhouse Strikers and Icons
Securing the third position is Wakatoshi Ushijima from Haikyu!!, whose devastating left-handed spikes present an entirely different rotational vector and trajectory for opposing defenses, proving instrumental to Shiratorizawa's dominance. Other notable fan favorites making the top ten include Mio Akiyama from K-On!, Nanoha Takamachi from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, demonstrating the broad appeal of southpaw characters across action, music, and fantasy genres.
The complete top ten ranking highlights the diverse ways animators and creators integrate left-handed traits into character design, transforming simple biological details into memorable visual signatures that define iconic heroes and rivals alike.
