What is “Otouto”? Japan’s Little Brother Anime Character Ranking (2023)

Otouto means “younger brother” in Japanese. Little brother characters in anime and manga are usually cute and energetic, though at times mischievous. Among the many lovely otouto characters, which are the most popular? Find out the latest 2023 ranking in Japan. 

Header Image : © 尾田栄一郎／集英社・フジテレビ・東映アニメーション

Table of Content

1. What does “Otouto” mean? 
2. AnimeAnime Best Otouto Character in Anime Ranking 2023
3. Other Noteworthy Little Brother and Brothers in Anime
4. Summary 

What does “Otouto” mean? 

“Otouto (弟)” is the Japanese word for “younger brother” or “little brother”. 

In the context of anime and manga, “Otouto” refers to a popular character archetype of a younger male sibling who is often depicted as cute, energetic, and sometimes mischievous. There are many anime and manga series that feature an "otouto" character, some of them are particularly popular. Their popularity depends on a variety of factors such as personality, backstory, and relationship with other characters in the series, particularly with other siblings. 

Some popular little brother anime and manga characters include Alphonse Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist, Okumura Yukio from Blue Exorcist, and Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece. 

While we’re at it, here are some Japanese vocabulary for other family members.

Japanese Vocabulary for Other Family Members 

• Grandfather : Ojii-san (おじいさん), Jii-san (じいさん), Ojii-chan (おじいちゃん), Jii-chan (じいちゃん), Sofu (祖父)

• Grandmother : Obaa-san (おばあさん), Baa-san (ばあさん), Obaa-san (おばあちゃん), Baa-chan (ばあちゃん), Sobo (祖母)

• Father : Otou-san (おとうさん), Otou-chan (おとうちゃん), Tou-san (とうさん), Tou-chan (とうちゃん), Chichi (父)

• Mother : Okaa-san (おかあさん), Okaa-chan (おかあちゃん), Kaa-san (かあさん), Kaa-chan (かあちゃん), Haha (母)

• Older Brother : Onii-san (おにいさん), Onii-chan (おにいちゃん), Nii-san (にいさん), Nii-chan (にいちゃん), Ani (兄)

• Older Sister : Onee-san (おねえさん), Onee-chan (おねえちゃん), Nee-san (ねえさん), Nee-chan (ねえちゃん), Ane (姉)

• Younger Sister : Imouto-san (いもうとさん), Imouto-chan (いもうとちゃん), Imouto (妹)

There are several ways to call a family member in Japanese depending on language formality. “Chan” is endearing, “San” is polite, and “Sama” is formal. Generally, you would call your own family member by “-chan” or “-san”, and refer to someone else’s family member only by “-san”. “-Sama” is rarely ever used.

Writer's Pick

Introducing Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan - What is it like in Kumamoto...

Life in Japan

A Second Home: Interview with Filipinos Living & Working in Kumamoto,...

Life in Japan

17 Tokyo Sakura Spots for Cherry Blossom Viewing

Travel in Japan

What is Kafunsho? Surviving Hay Fever in Japan

Life in Japan

[Company Spotlight: Skylark Holdings] JLPT N4 is Enough to Work at Fam...

Work in Japan

AnimeAnime Best Otouto Character in Anime Ranking 2023

In Japan, March 6th is Younger Brother’s Day -「弟の日 Otouto no Hi」. On this day every year since 2019, AnimeAnime releases the year’s ranking for most popular Otouto characters as voted by fans. 

Without further ado, let’s look at the Best Otouto Characters in Anime for this year of 2023 and why they were selected. 

※ Spoiler Alert : Reasons for why these characters are selected may include spoilers. 

1st : One Piece - Monkey D. Luffy (Ranked 3rd in 2022)

© 尾田栄一郎／2022「ワンピース」製作委員会

Luffy is the youngest sworn brother to Portgas D. Ace and Sabo. Typical of a youngest sibling, Luffy is loud, energetic, and mischievous but no less endearing to his brothers who are always looking out for him. When Ace meets with Luffy’s pirate crew, he asks them to keep an eye out for his younger brother. 

Why did Luffy come in first this year? 
Luffy has always ranked highly in AnimeAnime’s younger brother rankings, coming in 3rd last year, but was boosted to 1st this year thanks to the release of the heavily acclaimed One Piece Film: Red that also shone the spotlight on the brother’s relationship. 

Why is Luffy a great younger brother?
Because of his efforts to rescue Ace from his public execution sentence. He puts finding his separated crew on hold in favour of saving his brother. It was an incredibly touching arc, the finale of which was moving and incredibly heartbreaking at the same time. Luffy’s friendship with Uta in the One Piece Film: Red worked to make the brotherly bond between Ace and Luffy all the more important. 

2nd : Fullmetal Alchemist - Alphonse Elric (Ranked 1st in 2022)

© 荒川弘／スクウェアエニックス・毎日放送・アニプレックス・ボンズ・電通2003

Alphonse is the younger of the Elric brothers who are on a journey to restore their bodies. The relationship between the brothers is one of the best sibling relationships in anime history. The brothers have gone through a lot together and are always there for each other. 

Why is Alphonse a great younger brother? 
Because he is a kind brother. Despite his hulking metal body, Alphonse can only be described as a lovely younger brother. His calm soft demeanour in contrast to his brother’s abrasiveness brings balance to their relationship. Alphonse is always kind to the people he meets on their travels, and his childish side (like hiding cats inside himself) in contrast with his maturity makes him all the more lovelier. 

3rd : Blue Lock - Itoshi Rin (NEW!!)

First time appearance in AnimeAnime’s rankings thanks to the anime release in 2022. 

Rin is the younger brother of Itoshi Sae in the recently popular football series Blue Lock. Even in the world of Blue Lock, Rin is considered to be a player with overwhelming abilities. He first started playing football due to his older brother’s influence. He looked up to his brother and dreamed of becoming a football player. However, after a falling out between the brothers, he now wants to crush his brother in football. 

Why is Rin a popular younger brother? 
Because of his complicated relationship with his older brother Sae. Rin’s ambivalent attitude when faced with his brother is a mix of hatred and respect that is big in contrast to his adoration during childhood.

4th : Naruto - Uchiha Sasuke

Sasuke is the one of the last surviving members of the Uchiha clan in Konoha Village after the clan’s massacre carried out by his older brother Itachi. The brother’s had a close relationship before everything came to pass, and Itachi shows affection to Sasuke with forehead pokes. 

Why is Uchiha Sasuke a popular otouto?
Similar to why Rin in IDOLiSH7 is popular, the charm of the Uchiha brother’s relationship is their complicated backstory and on Sasuke’s part, the mix of love he experienced during childhood and the hatred and urge for revenge after the betrayal. 

After the truth of Itachi’s actions are revealed, ending with the bittersweet final forehead poke, Sasuke is driven to avenge his brother. In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Sasuke has picked up his brother’s habit of poking foreheads as a sign of affection. 

5th : IDOLiSH7 - Nanase Riku (Ranked 1st in 2022)

Riku is the younger twin brother of Kujo Ten. He is the centre member of idol group IDOLiSH7, and known for his innocent and energetic disposition despite being sickly. 

Why is Nanase Riku a loveable younger brother?
Despite being estranged from his older brother who abandoned the family, he still affectionately calls his brother by “Ten-nii” and his reason for joining the idol industry is to find out why his brother left. He is also the “otouto” type character within the idol group adored by his idol mate.s 

Rankings 6th to 10th

6th : Shinonome Akito (Hatsune Miku: Colourful Stage!)

7th : Luigi (Super Mario Brothers)

8th : Tsukishima Kei (Haikyuu!!)

9th : Yamada Saburou (Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle)

10th : Shinazugawa Genya (Demon Slayer)

※ AnimeAnime, “弟”キャラといえば？ 3位「ブルーロック」糸師凛、2位「鋼の錬金術師」アル、1位は…＜23年版＞”

Other Noteworthy Little Brother and Brothers in Anime

What are other popular little brother anime characters there are? Here are some popular ones to know. 

Gintama - Shimura Shinpachi 

Shinpachi is the younger brother of Shimura Tae. The only family members left in the Shimura family, the siblings are very close to each other, so much so that Gintoki occasionally comments about Shinpachi having a sister complex. Tae, who raised Shinpachi after their parent’s death, can be overprotective of him. Meanwhile, Shinpachi is concerned about the Gorilla (Kondou) who is in love with his sister. 

Haikyuu! - Tsukishima Kei 

© 古舘春一／集英社・「ハイキュー!!」製作委員会・MBS

Unexpectedly, the cold and surly middle blocker Tsukishima is actually a younger brother. He is the younger brother to Tsukishima Akiteru, an alumnus of the same high school Karasuno. As a child, Kei was a cute younger brother who adored and looked up to his older brother who inspired him to pick up volleyball. However, the relationship between the brothers became distant and Kei also changed a lot, becoming aloof and refusing to try in fear of failure, after a certain incident. 

Gakuen Babysitters - Kashima Kotarou

Gakuen Babysitters is an “iyashi-kei (healing)” type anime about babysitting. Kashima Kotarou, younger brother to Kashima Ryuiichi, is not the only “otouto” character in the anime but he certainly is the cutest! With chubby cheeks and body, a blank stare, and an adorable voice, Kotarou loves his big brother very much. By far, my most favourite scene in the anime is when Kotarou goes on his “first errand” to deliver his brother’s forgotten bento. 

Yu-Gi-Oh! - Kaiba Mokuba

© 高橋和希 スタジオ・ダイス／集英社・テレビ東京・ＮＡＳ

Mokuba is Kaiba Seto’s younger brother. Arrogant and egocentric Seto is only nice and affectionate towards his younger brother. Mokuba calls Seto by “Onii-sama” which is indicative of how he respects his older brother who is an exceptional duelist. Both brothers care for each other very much. As orphaned children, Seto promises to protect his brother at all costs and wins a chess match to get them adopted together. Mokuba is no less protective of his brother, going to great lengths to avenge his older brother’s defeat at the hands of Yugi. 

Uchuu Kyoudai (Space Brothers) - Nanba Hibito 

Uchuu Kyoudai is an underrated hidden masterpiece of an anime to the rest of the world but was very popular in Japan when released. Nanba Mutta and Nanba Hibito are the main characters of Uchuu Kyoudai, an anime about chasing one’s dreams. Hibito has a lot of respect for his older brother, and is supportive and encouraging of his brother’s dreams to become an astronaut. 

Summary

“Otouto” means “younger brother” or “little brother” in Japanese. Otouto characters are marked by their cute, energetic, and sometimes mischievous qualities, though there are some that do not fit this criteria. There are plenty of other otouto characters in anime and manga like Killua Zoldyck from Hunter X Hunter, Okumura Yukio from Blue Exorcist, Fushiguro Megumi from Jujutsu Kaisen, and more. Which is your favourite “Otouto” character?