Anime Characters and Silver Hair
Silver haired anime characters are usually some very stand-out characters – spunky, intelligent, otherworldly, etc. It isn’t uncommon for an extraordinary character – whether protagonist or antagonist – to be silver-haired. For the sake of narrowing down the confusion, some of the characters mentioned may have hair up for debate – is it really silver hair, or is it white/grey? So, we are including characters that could be considered white or grey haired, as well.
Some of my favorite characters fall into this category, which makes this one of the easiest lists I’ve ever created.
1. InuYasha – InuYasha
The first anime crush for many my age, InuYasha is the main character and the hero. Cocky, strong – even for a half demon, InuYasha is also loyal to his friends, as well as protecting the innocent from the demon Naraku. This is a 180 from the InuYasha you’re introduced to at the very beginning of the series, who was selfish and only wanted the Shikon jewel to turn himself into a full demon.
2. Towa Higurashi – Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon
Since we’re talking about InuYasha characters, let’s talk about InuYasha’s niece, who first appears in the anime Yashahime. Towa Higurashi is the daughter of InuYasha’s older half brother, Sesshomaru (also a candidate for this list, though I left him off because his family is already taking over the first two spots), and Rin – a human. She fell through time and was raised by the Higurashi family. Her fighting spirit and inhuman strength end up leading her back to her old home – and her long lost sister, Setsuna.
3. Kaneki – Tokyo Ghoul
The main character of Tokyo Ghoul, Ken Kaneki starts out as a normal human, and with black hair. But after he becomes a ghoul, and his transformation grows, his hair turns from black to a silver/white color, representing his further descent into becoming a ghoul and disconnecting from his original life.
4. Rui – Demon Slayer
Rui is one of the Twelve Kizuki (specifically, he is Lower Rank Five), and in Demon Slayer, he’s one of the first ridiculously powerful demons Tanjiro really goes up against. His backstory, while tragic, is not enough to spare him from the Demon Slayer Corps, especially with his body count.
5. Decim – Death Parade
Fairly emotionless and cold throughout most of the series, Decim is an extremely powerful entity that decides which dead souls deserve reincarnation, and which deserve the void. Decim is different, though, than his fellow arbiters, and the particular situation we witness throughout Death Parade further explains why he’s so different – but we can’t dive much into that because of spoilers.
6. Aru Akise – Future Diary
Brilliant, one of the few non-diary users that could stand up to one, and a sharp detective mind – Akise is my favorite Future Diary character. One of several on this list that falls into the category of “brilliant detective.”
7. Jean Pierre Polnareff – Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
The user of the stand Silver Chariot, Polnareff is a villain-turned-ally for Jotaro in Stardust Crusaders. Usually wandering into trouble, and a bit niave, he’s still a powerful stand user. He’s motivated heavily by revenge, wanting to hunt down the stand user that murdered his sister.
8. Kakashi – Naruto
Everyone’s favorite loveable ninja sensei, Kakashi is a fan favorite amongst many Naruto fans – myself included. Witty, ridiculously powerful, and full of mystery, Kakashi is Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura’s teacher, and ends up in the middle of messes right alongside them. Though many could argue that a lot of the troubles they face in Naruto end up being because of Kakashi.
9. Gojo – Jujutsu Kaisen
Frequently compared to Kakashi from Naruto, Gojo is also the teacher overseeing three students – three somewhat similar students – with silvery white hair, face covering, and a whole lot of charm. He’s funny, a ridiculously powerful Jujutsu sorcerer, and cares about the students under his care.
10. Akira Hayama – Food Wars
The spice boy, Akira is one of the top students at Totsuki Academy. So good, in fact, he rapidly joins the rank of the top ten students, usually reserved for second and third years. Both a friend and rival to main character, Soma, Akira is ridiculously skilled with spices, and has an incredible sense of smell that aids him in his mastery over the aroma and flavors of his dishes.
11. Kirigiri – Danganronpa
She’s cold, mysterious, and incredibly sharp. One of the main characters of Danganronpa, and one with a curious past that connects her to Hope’s Peak Academy, Kirigiri is a sleuth – one could even say the Ultimate Detective – and is critical to uncovering the mysteries within the series.
12. Irisviel von Einzbern – Fate/Zero
A homunculus, mother, and wife, Irisviel is also a mage and stands in as the Master of Saber, her husband’s Servant in the Holy Grail War. Loyal to the vision her husband wants to pursue for the world, Irisviel is ready and willing to risk herself to see that vision brought to life. Her kindness and pure-heart makes Saber extremely loyal and devoted to her, despite they fact that she isn’t her true master.
13. Near – Death Note
The successor to L’s legacy, a gifted orphan, and the next massive threat to Light in the series. Near is brilliant and in many ways, feels like L all over again. Though he spends four years gathering evidence on Light after taking over before Light even realizes someone has taken up L’s work.
14. Shiro – Deadman Wonderland
One of the main characters of the series, and childhood friend of Ganta, Shiro is skilled in hand to hand combat. She has an alter ego called the Wretched Egg, which developed as a way to cope with her suffering after being experimented on. Despite all that, she’s a bubbly girl that loves sweets.
15. Undertaker – Black Butler
A seceded Grim Reaper, the Undertaker is a stitched up, silver haired eccentric character in the series. He’s frequently in all black with a crooked top hat. He examines corpses for information because it amuses him, and it proves useful for those that need his assistance. He is loyal to the Phantomhive – so loyal, in fact, he left the Grim Reaper Dispatch to focus on attempting to resurrect the dead Phantomhives.
16. Soul – Soul Eater
The death scythe of his meister, Maka, who is also the daughter of Spirit – the death scythe of Death himself. Soul is the main protagonist of the series. He’s a shape-shifting weapon that Maka can wield. Easily frustrated, though frequently laid back, Soul is a bit of a grump at times. Despite this, he’s extremely protective of Maka.
17. Ginko – Mushishi
Ginko is the main character of the series, who goes around solving mushi cases. Originally, he was born with black hair, but after an incident with a mushi, his hair became white. He’s a wanderer, clever, and laid back.
18. Atsushi Nakajima – Bungo Stray Dogs
Atsushi is the protagonist of the show, and comes to meet and join the Armed Detective Agency after some instances that lead him to believe he is being hunted. Later, you learn he has the ability Beast Beneath the Moonlight. An orphan, the detectives become a home and family to Atsushi rather quickly.
19. Norman – The Promised Neverland
One of the oldest, as well as one of the brightest, of the orphans, Norman is a character you immediately love. He’s clever, considerate, and selfless when it comes to the other children. The events of The Promised Neverland could have never played out as the did without his influence and intelligence.
20. Fushi – To Your Eternity
Fushi is an orb that was placed on earth, and transforms and adapts every time he receives significant stimulation. Going from orb to stone to wolf, to a bear god, and even multiple human forms – Fushi has many forms and many faces. But the main form throughout the anime that we see is the silver haired boy that once owned the wolf that Fushi took the form of. When the boy dies, or “becomes empty”, as Fushi calls is, it ups Fushi, resulting in stimulation, and giving Fushi the ability to transform into the boy’s human form.
21. Eri – My Hero Academia
A timid girl introduced in Season 4 of My Hero Academia, Eri has incredibly destructive powers that are difficult for her to control on her own. She was abused for some time by Overhaul, experimented on, and held captive. Only after being rescued by the heroes, and being able to use her power for good in Deku’s fight against Overhaul, was she able to realize that maybe she could do something else with her powers.
22. Juusou Suzuya – Tokyo Ghoul
Since each season of Tokyo Ghoul is a bit different, I’ll slide a second Tokyo Ghoul character in that’s more prominent in seasons two and three – Juusou Suzuya. Special Class Ghoul Investigator, and one of the best that they have, Suzuya is an unsettling combination of childish and violent.
23. Siesta – The Detective is Already Dead
Yes, this show is very new, but I loved Siesta immediately and had to put her on this list. The Legendary Detective, as she’s often referred to, is abnormally brilliant, incredibly fast, and skilled when it comes to combat – even though she looks like she’s nothing more than a young girl. She grows on your rather quickly as a character, and definitely on her new partner, in just a single episode.
24. Shiro – No Game No Life
In a previous list of red-haired anime characters, I mentioned Sora. So it only seemed appropriate that for the silver haired list, I mention his step sister – Shiro. The more calm and level headed of the two siblings. She struggles with emotions and understanding behaviors. However, she’s brilliant and even considered a genius, as well as a master of chess.
25. Sho Kusakabe – Fire Force
The Seriously Real Angel, Sho was kidnapped as a baby by the White Clad, and raised to become their leader. Fourth generation pyrokinetic and younger brother of the show’s main character, Shinra. The two are on opposing forces until Sho regains his memories and learns about his past, before rebelling against the White Clad and joining his brother.
Want more Anime Articles?
RELATED ARTICLES:
1. 21 Most Depressed Anime Characters
2. 31 Anime Characters with Red Hair
3. Dorohedoro – The Manga Behind The Best Anime Of 2020
