When October 20 rolls around in Japan, it marks official Hair Day—a clever wordplay on 'to (10) hatsu (20)'—prompting fans to reflect on memorable character designs across anime and gaming. Among the most striking silhouettes in animated media are characters sporting shaved heads, or bozu. Whether adopted for athletic dedication, rigorous martial arts training, or as a humorous mark of contrition, a clean-shaved head puts facial structure and personality front and center.
To celebrate the occasion, major Japanese pop-culture outlet Anime! Anime! conducted a comprehensive reader poll asking fans to crown their favorite shaved-head character. Running from October 7 to October 13, the survey captured a nearly even gender split, showcasing widespread engagement across multiple generations of viewers.
The Karasuno Enforcer Takes the Crown
Securing the coveted #1 position with roughly 17 percent of the total vote is Ryunosuke Tanaka from Haruichi Furudate's volleyball masterpiece Haikyu!!. Known affectionately as Karasuno High's dependable wing spiker and fierce enforcer, Tanaka pairs an intimidating sharp-eyed glare with unwavering loyalty to his teammates. Fans highlighted his endearing duality—balancing a tough exterior with a deeply caring senior mindset, alongside nostalgic nods to vice-captain Sugawara playfully rubbing his newly shorn head.
Meanwhile, evergreen household names and modern icons rounded out the top tier. Longtime television staple Katsuo Isono from Sazae-san claimed the #2 spot, reminding audiences of the enduring legacy behind the 80-year-old franchise. Securing #3 was Akira Toriyama’s legendary martial artist Krillin from Dragon Bowl, celebrated for his lifelong bond with Goku and his memorable temporary pivot to growing hair later in life.
