October 1st marks Megane no Hi—Glasses Day—in Japan, a fitting occasion to celebrate characters whose eyewear defines their silhouette, aesthetic, and narrative identity. To mark the date, popular Japanese outlet Anime! Anime! conducted its annual reader survey asking fans to vote for their favorite anime characters who wear glasses. Running from September 29 to October 1, the poll garnered 146 responses, capturing a diverse demographic of passionate enthusiasts.
Securing first place with roughly 10 percent of the total vote, Gintama's Shinpachi Shimura claimed the crown for the sixth consecutive year. Fans frequently cited the running gag of his glasses essentially acting as his true physical body, while his emotional growth under Gintoki Sakata's guidance earned genuine praise. The franchise continues to captivate audiences, bolstered by ongoing screenings of the special revival edition of Gintama -The Movie: The Chapter of Yoshiwara in Flames-.
Iconic Detectives and Magical Girls
Taking the second position with approximately 6 percent of the vote, Detective Conan protagonist Conan Edogawa maintained his perennial runner-up status for the fourth straight year. His signature oversized black-rimmed frames, equipped with Professor Agasa's brilliant gadgetry including tracking and wiretapping systems, remain an indelible symbol of deductive brilliance.
Meanwhile, the newly released Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie -Walpurgisnawacht: Rising- propelled mysterious newcomer 'Girl A' into the third position with 4 percent of the vote. Fans noted the striking thematic parallel between her spectacles and Homura Akemi's classic magical girl days, further amplified by Homura and Lilac also placing prominently in the top rankings.
Fan Favorites Across Genres
Rounding out the upper tiers of the survey were other celebrated figures, including My Hero Academia's hyper-diligent class representative Tenya Iida—known for keeping an entire drawer of identical backup spectacles—alongside Crayon Shin-chan's mild-mannered teacher Masumi Ageo and Ojamajo Doremi and Aikatsu Stars! veterans.
Whether defining a character's entire existence or providing a stark, dramatic contrast when removed, eyewear remains one of the most expressive design elements in animation history. The complete top ten rankings offer a fascinating look at enduring fan favorites and fresh theatrical breakout stars alike.
