The world of anime is full of iconic characters, worlds, and even iconic anime eyes that are so unique, memorable, and impressive that every anime fan worth their salt can easily recognize them. The same thing is true when it comes to anime tattoos. There are many female and male anime characters who proudly wear their iconic ink and inspire fans to get their own versions.
In anime, characters have tattoos for many reasons. Some strong anime characters can gain extra power thanks to their tattoos. However, sometimes, these tattoos have emotional significance just like tattoos do in real life.
September 30, 2024, Updated by Hamza Haque: An easy way to personalize a character in anime is to give them defining features A recognizable scarAn unusual hair color, or even a unique tattoo. Some tattoos go beyond the mundane and become as much a part of the character as their signature hair and clothing.
14 Medusa
Soul Eater
Medusa is one of the most feared and hated characters Soul Eater Which is the best and most magical Tattoos in anime. This fabulously wicked witch is also Crona's mother and is never afraid to use her powers and manipulation skills to defeat and kill her enemies.
She was the most powerful witch in the series and due to her unique magic and tattoos she was able to easily fight over a thousand snakes inside her body. Soul Eater. Medusa had a giant snake tattooed on her arm and was able to come to life and become deadly arrows and blades. Soul EaterThe story followed a group of students who were studying to become ghost hunters.
13 Renji Abrai
Bleach
Renji Abrai was the most confident and brave fighter of the 11th Division. He took his training seriously, and he was working hard to become the best in his division and even surpass his own captain. Although he often covered his tattoos, he was proud of them.
Some of Renji's most iconic Anime Tattoo that Bleach Fans often like to receive thanks to their simple yet elegant design. His upper body and part of his forehead are covered with tribal tattoos. BleachThe story follows young Ichigo as he embarks on a journey to become a powerful Soul Reaper.
12 Gara
Naruto
Gaara is one of the most popular characters Naruto With an incredibly recognizable, large red tattoo on the left side of his forehead. During the Chuunin Exam Arc—when Gaara was first introduced—audiences were teased with this mysterious tattoo, with Gaara's face not fully visible, priming his introduction with this defining feature.
Gaara's tattoo is the character for the word 'I', which means 'love' or 'loving only oneself'. As it is later revealed, this tattoo is Gaara's way of announcing to the world that he only loves himself and no one else is important to him. This realization occurs to him when he is very young and faces an assassination attempt by someone he considers a close friend. Gaara still has this tattoo after his redemption arc, perhaps as a reminder of who he was and how far he's come.
11 Nami
a piece
Nami is an original member of the Straw Hat team and one of the main characters a piece. Aside from her red hair and insatiable greed, her biggest defining feature is the blue tattoo on her upper arm, near her shoulder. When Luffy and Zoro first meet Nami, they see this tattoo and later refer to it to search and find her when she ditches them. Initially, this tattoo serves as a cruel reminder to Nami from Arlong that she is forever in his grasp. After the events of the East Blue Saga, where Luffy puts Arlong in the trash and Nami is finally freed from this monster, she gets this tattoo changed, not only as a sign of her freedom but as a reminder of who is dearest to her. the heart The new tattoo is in the shape of an orange pinwheel hanging from the top. The orange represents her mother's garden, a place incredibly important to Nami, and the pinwheel represents Genzo, the sheriff of Kokoyashi Village, and her father figure who cares for her after Belmere's death.
10 Natsu
Fairy Tail
Natsu Dragneel, the main character Fairy TailHe has an iconic tattoo in the shape of a red dragon on his upper right arm. More than just a cosmetic accessory, Natsu's tattoo serves as a seal for Igneel's power.
Every time Natsu is in a tough spot facing a tough enemy and really needs to break free, he opens this tattoo and unleashes the power within to gain vital strength. For fans of Fairy TailNatsu's tattoo is as iconic as Ash Ketchum's cap-twirling motion, signaling that the fun is about to begin.
9 Tatsumi Oga
Beelzebub
Although Tatsumi Oga is only a high school student, he already has to learn how to be a father to Beelzebub IV who happens to be the child of a monster. As Oga was a very cruel and often sadistic character, he was happy when he found out that Beelzebub could help him easily defeat his enemies.
One day Oga mysteriously finds a powerful Zebul spell tattooed on his right arm. This tattoo was a seal that signified the pact between Oga and Beelzebub and thanks to it, Oga was able to access an increasing amount of demonic powers the more he fought. While Oga's tattoo was small, it quickly became one of the most popular Anime Tattoo That much Beelzebub Fans like to tattoo themselves.
8 Revy
black lagoon
Revy is black lagoonMerciless protector. No matter what threat his team is facing, Revy is there to take down their enemy, often in a very sad way. While she is certainly tough, she also has a fun and humorous side that she shows to those she deems worthy.
Her iconic and large upper right arm tribal tattoo fits perfectly with her explosive and larger than life personality. Revy's tattoo covers most of his arm and it goes all the way down to his neck. Despite its substantial size, it is one of the most popular tattoos that both male and female anime fans get these days.
7 Uta
Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo GhoulThe fan-favorite mask designer has some pretty iconic tattoos. Some things are different Tokyo Ghoul The manga compared to the anime, but the same artistic flair that fans fell in love with remained. Though soft-spoken, he often showed his sad and hostile side.
The most beloved member of the Jokers had several tattoos covering his arms and hands, as well as a giant sun tattoo that covered the left side of his chest. However, of course, Uta's most iconic tattoo is on her neck. This is a Latin quote that represents the conflicted relationship that demons have with humans.
6 Gray Fullbuster
Fairy Tail
Gray has a cold personality and was one of the most powerful characters Fairy Tail. Not only that, but he is one of the most iconic anime characters with ice powers. Gray's magical ability was Ice-Make which allowed him to create and manipulate ice at will.
He received his powerful ice maker magic from his father, and that's when he also got his tattoo on his right arm that symbolizes magic. This is not only a famous tattoo, but it is one of the most popular for it Fairy Tail The fans to be inscribed on their own.
5 Meliodas
The Seven Deadly Sins
The most powerful character in The Seven Deadly Sins The series was also a fan favorite. Melodias had exceptional physical and magical combat skills that helped her defeat even the most powerful enemies.
The dragon tattoo on his arm has a deep meaning for him. Melodius' tattoo is a dragon eating its own tail, ouroboros, and is an ancient symbol representing eternity. It symbolizes Melodia's curse, immortality. This is one of the anime tattoos that many fans can easily come across in real life, especially if they visit anime conventions.
4 Portgas D. Ace
a piece
one a pieceThe most respected anime characters of the series had the most iconic tattoos. Luffy's loving and brave big brother was always there to save the day and face the most powerful enemies.
Ace had two now-iconic tattoos, each with their own significance. Bigger was the large Whitebeard symbol on his back that represented his time with the Whitebeard Pirates. However, his most famous tattoo is on his left arm and reads “ASCE” with an S crossed out. This tattoo had even greater significance because S was a tribute to his sworn brother.
3 Tatsu
The Way of the Housewife
The Way of the Housewife Anime gave fans the world's funniest former Yakuza gang member, Tatsu. Although Tatsu looks and speaks in a seriously menacing manner, he has, in fact, happily given up his violent days to be a loving and caring husband to Miku. There are many things that make Tatsu a unique character and the giant dragon tattoo on his back is definitely one of those things. It is a rising dragon and is connected to the meaning of his name as well as his yakuza past.
This tattoo is not only iconic because of its gorgeous design that was inspired by traditional Japanese woodblocks but also because of its authenticity. It actually looks like a tattoo that a real life yakuza would wear. So much so that the Chinese government even censored the series and removed Tatsu's tattoos, helping him become one of the most famous and iconic anime tattoos.
2 the bastard
Gurren Lagann
Kamina is not just one of the best Gurren Lagann characters but he also has some of the best anime tattoos of all time. He is the brave and often resilient founder and leader of Team Gurren. He is also one of the most beloved Anime characters with tattoos Both his arms as well as his shoulders and back.
Kamina is a hot-headed and often arrogant character so his large and flashy tattoos perfectly match his charismatic personality. Gurren Lagann Set in a dystopian future in which mankind lives in isolated villages underground, however, two teenagers, Simon and Kamina, plan to finally go to the surface once again.
1 stain
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Scar was one of the most powerful alchemists Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. He got most of his tattoos because of the bloodiest war, during which he was an Ishvalan warrior-monk who was completely consumed by hatred after his homeland was destroyed and most of the people, including his family, were killed.
After Scar is seriously injured and loses his arm, his talented alchemist brother transfers his own. His brother knew he would die and decided to save Scar from the same belief. For this reason, Scar's tattoos are easily one of the most recognizable and most powerful tattoos in all of the anime world.
