What is “oniichan”? Introducing the Best Oniichan in Anime (2023)

“Baka”, “oniichan”, “nani?!” are common words to pick up when watching anime. In this article, we focus on “oniichan” which is the Japanese word for “big brother”. We also introduce the best oniichan that have appeared in anime. 

Header Image Source: https://kimetsu.com/

First Published: 2023/02/10
Updated: 2023/06/06

Table of Contents

1. What does “oniichan” mean? 
2. AnimeAnime Best Oniichan in Anime Ranking 2023
3. AnimeAnime Best Oniichan in Anime Ranking 2022
4. Other Oniichan in Anime 
5. Summary

What does “oniichan” mean? 

There are several ways to call someone “big brother” in Japanese, the difference being the formality of the language. 

• Onii-chan (お兄ちゃん) : the usage of the suffix “-chan” is used to call someone affectionately, and so it is considered as informal speech. 

• Onii-san (お兄さん) : using the suffix “-san” makes it more formal. 

• Onii-sama (お兄様), Ani (兄), Aniue (兄上), and Aniki (兄貴) : formal and polite forms that are not commonly used.

Removing the “o-” from “onii-chan” and “onii-san” to make it “nii-san” and “nii-chan” can also be used to talk about younger men informally. 

And, in case you are wondering, younger brother is called “otouto (弟)” in Japanese, older sister is called “ane (姉)”, and younger sister is called "imouto (妹)".

If you are unfamiliar with Japanese honorifics or suffixes, try reading <San? Kun? Chan? Learn Which Japanese Suffix You Should Use to Call Someone> to familiarize yourself with them. 

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AnimeAnime Best Oniichan in Anime Ranking 2023

兄の日 (ani no hi), aka Older Brother’s Day, is set on June 6 in Japan. This is because the date falls in the middle of the Gemini horoscope period which is from May 21 to June 21. The symbol of the Gemini horoscope is the pair of twin brothers Castor and Pollux, known together as the Dioscuri from Greek mythology. The numbers 6 and 6 (from June 6 - 6/6) represent the older and younger brother respectively. 

On June 6th, Older Brother’s Day every year, Japanese AnimeAnime website releases the results for the survey - “兄キャラと言えば？(ani-chara to ieba?) - Speaking of older brother characters?”. The survey asks readers who they think is the best oniichan character in anime and manga. In other words, who are the most popular oniichan characters of the year?

Here are the results for the Top 5 Oniichan in 2023 by AnimeAnime. 

※ Spoilers from hereon! 

1. Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) - Kamado Tanjirou

Source: https://kimetsu.com/anime/katanakajinosatohen/

Your big brother will protect you no matter what!
- Kamado Tanjirou

Kamado Tanjirou (竈門炭治郎) from hit anime Kimetsu no Yaiba comes in first this year. Tanjirou is a loving and hardworking brother who spares no effort to change his younger sister, Nezuko, back to a human. From the Entertainment District Arc onwards, we are getting more joint battle scenes where the siblings fight enemies and protect each other. These scenes in particular truly convey the love and trust they have in each other. 

2. ONE PIECE - Portgas D. Ace

Source: https://one-piece.com/

Thank you… for loving me.
- Portgas D. Ace

Ace makes a comeback to second place in the rankings this year. Although not related by blood to Luffy, the bond between the brothers is a true one. One of ONE PIECE’s most memorable and best quotes is Ace’s final words to Luffy before his death. Ace will forever be remembered as a beloved character, special in the hearts of many fans. 

3. NARUTO - Uchiha Itachi 

Source: https://naruto-official.com/

You don’t ever have to forgive me. No matter what you decide to do hereon, I will always love you.
- Utachi Itachi 

Uchiha Itachi (うちはイタチ) who ranked 4th last year has moved up a spot this year. As we remember it, Itachi was an older brother who was prepared to lose his life for the sake of his younger brother. He lived a life of self-sacrifice, choosing to protect his only little brother and the village even if it cost him everything. He thought himself deserving of Sasuke’s hatred but who could come to hate him after everything came to light. A long-time fan favourite character in Naruto as well as as an oniichan character. 

4. Bungou Stray Dogs - Tanizaki Juunichirou

Source: http://bungo-stray-dogs.jp/

If it's for Naomi, I'd gladly burn the world. 
- Tanizaki Junichirou

A newcomer to the upper ranks is Tanizaki Junichirou (谷崎 潤一郎) from Bungou Stray Dogs. Tanizaki is part of the Armed Detective Agency. His ability is called “細雪 (sasame yuki) - Light Snow” that can create illusions. He is the older brother to Naomi who is an office staff in the same Agency. He is very protective of his younger sister. The siblings have a close relationship and are usually always together with Naomi clinging to her older brother. 

5. Fullmetal Alchemist - Edward Elric 

PR Times

Whether it be an arm, or a leg, or even my heart you can take it!! So give him back... HE'S MY LITTLE BROTHER AND HE'S ALL I HAVE LEFT!!!
- Edward Elric

Edward is the older brother of Alphonse, and the protagonist of Fullmetal Alchemist. The bond between the brothers is a strong one having gone through a lot together and always being there for each other. The brothers' antics when around their Master is also funny, and reminds viewers once again that they are, at heart, still young kids. 

One could argue that Edward is not a good big brother, having caused the predicament that the brothers are now in - Edward with automail prosthetics and Alphonse losing his body. However, Edward did not hesitate to sacrifice a limb to bring back his brother’s soul and bind it to a suit of armour. He is also entirely focused on restoring Alphonse back to normal, paying no mind, and sometimes even neglecting, his own body. 

AnimeAnime Best Oniichan in Anime Ranking 2022

Here are the results for the Top 5 Oniichan in Anime by AnimeAnime in 2022.

1. Gintama - Kamui

With an approval rating of 8%, Kamui (神威) from Gintama was voted the No.1 Best Oniichan in anime. Kamui is the older brother of Kagura, Gintama’s heroine and one of the main protagonists. Kamui is a complex character, who though being an antagonist in Gintama that always looks down on Kagura for being weak, has a protective streak over his sister saving her from dangerous situations and passing the opportunity to kill her many times. 

2. Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) - Kamado Tanjirou

©吾峠呼世晴／集英社・アニプレックス・ufotable

Coming in second is Kamado Tanjirou (竈門炭治郎) from hit anime Demon Slayer. Tanjirou is the eldest son in the Kamado family, the older brother to his 5 younger siblings. After the slaughter of his entire family, except Nezuko who had been turned into a demon, Tanjirou’s main goal is to find a remedy to turn Nezuko back to human. It is easy to see how Tanjirou became a top ranking oniichan considering the anime’s entire premise is about him doing his best for his sister, and how Nezuko reciprocates despite having been turned into a demon. She is no less protective over Tanjirou than he is over her.

3. Hypnosismic Division Rap Battle - Yamada Ichiro

PR Times

Yamada Ichiro (山田 一郎) is the leader of rap group “Buster Bros!!!”. He is the oldest son in his family with 3 younger siblings. Despite being 19 years old, he takes care of his siblings and still works. He is greatly admired by everyone for how well he takes care of them. 

4. Naruto - Uchiha Itachi 

Source: https://naruto-official.com/

Uchiha Itachi (うちはイタチ), older brother to Sasuke, is one of the most famous characters in Naruto that is loved by fans all around the world. A skilled and powerful shinobi, he dedicated his life to protecting his brother and village even at the cost of his own reputation and life. A poke on the forehead is Itachi’s way of showing affection to his younger brother. According to fans, he is a role model for loyalty, and a brother anyone would be proud to have. 

5. Detective Conan - Akai Shuichi

©2023 青山剛昌／名探偵コナン製作委員会

Akai Shuichi (赤井 秀一) is from one of the most beloved Japanese animes, Detective Conan. He is the older brother of Shukichi Haneda and Masumi Sera. Shuichi’s charm as an older brother is his ability to protect his sister whilst hiding his identity. As a special agent, he protects her from afar, a “silent protector hiding in the shadows”.

Other Oniichan in Anime 

There are many other oniichan characters in anime. Though they did not rank in the Top 5 of best oniichan, they are surely thought of as the best older brother characters by fans, and of course their own younger siblings. Here are some oniichan characters that I find highly worth mentioning.

The Irregular at Magic High School - Shiba Tatsuya

PR Times

Shiba Tatsuya (司波 達也) is one of the most OP (overpowered) characters in anime, and the beloved older brother of Shiba Miyuki. The siblings’ relationship is a focal point of the anime, with many characters pointing out that they’re as close as lovers. Miyuki calls Tatsuya by “onii-sama” as a term of endearment and respect. 

In the series’ Reminiscence Arc, we get a glimpse into Tatsuya and Miyuki’s past when Miyuki was still uncomfortable to be around Tatsuya. It offers a glimpse at Tatsuya’s mysterious background and how the siblings’ relationship developed. 

Himouto! Umaru-chan - Doma Taihei 

Doma Taihei (土間 大平) is the older brother of protagonist Umaru-chan. Taihei can only be described as a “saint class” oniichan. He has endless patience for Umaru-chan’s lazy antics and whining. Taihei is the perfect older brother, or househusband, that is skilled in household chores. At times, he worries about Umaru-chan’s future and is concerned that he is spoiling her. He sometimes lectures Umaru-chan on her laziness, but at the end of the day can’t help but give in to her. 

Cardcaptor Sakura - Kinomoto Touya

Animate Times

Kinomoto Touya (木之本 桃矢) is the older brother of protagonist, Sakura. Touya loves to tease Sakura, constantly calling her a monster and making fun of her. He finds out about Sakura’s hidden identity as the cardcaptor but keeps it to himself, choosing instead to watch out for her in secret. He dislikes Syaoran who made a bad first impression, but later comes to accept him grudgingly as Sakura’s dear friend.

Summary

Oniichan means big brother in Japanese. There are many other great oniichan characters in anime, like Kashima Ryuichi from Gakuen Babysitters, Sora from No Game No Life, Kuchiki Byakuya & Kurosaki Ichigo from Bleach, Killua Zoldyk from Hunter X Hunter, and more. The more anime you watch the more great characters you will encounter, so don't stop, I know I won't.