The 25 Best Bearded Anime Characters

What are the best bearded anime characters?

Beards, the one thing that turns a baby-faced boy into a rugged badass man.

Facial hair has long been used to transform the appearance of anime characters to make them further stand out or fit their roles in the story.

However, not all bearded characters are as memorable and as awesome as others, and today we’re going to rank only the best bearded characters in anime.

The Best Bearded Anime Characters

Our ranked lists are created by researching and rounding up information from the most reputable web sources.

Here’s our list of the 25 best bearded anime characters:

25. Shimon Muran/Solomon Muto (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

Yu-Gi-Oh was and is one of the most popular animes and card games. Even today, it is easily compared to other greats like Magic the Gathering and comes out on top.

Impact of the series aside, Yu-Gi-Oh also has one of the best beaded anime characters, Shimon Muran, and his modern-day counterpart, Solomon Muto.

Shimon was a member of Pharaoh Atem’s court and the original wielder of the Millenium Key, which he eventually relinquished as guardian to Shada.

Solomon, the grandfather of Yugi, is the one who gifted the Millennium puzzle to the titular character as a present, and his beard is quite impressive.

During his Valley of the King’s expedition as a young man, his beard gave him a rugged, roguish appearance that totally helped sell him as an adventurer.

Later in life, with his hair now grey and his beard a bit thicker, he looks every bit the wise, loving, and silly grandpa that fans have come to love.

24. Gou Koga (Bleach)

One look at Koga, and it’s hard to imagine him without his beard. He’d just look so different!

As a tall, extremely muscular man, his thick sideburns, partial mustache, and full beard just make him look so much more intimidating than he otherwise would.

Take Cain, for example, the young man who Koga cared for centuries ago.

He’s the epitome of a baby-faced boy, and when standing next to Koga, it was just so easy to tell who was doing the ass-kicking, even if you had no idea what their dynamic was.

23. Chaa (Angel Beats!)

Chaa is an impressively bearded weapons supplier, and with his messy long hair, he definitely looks the part of a rebel.

Before heading to the Afterlife, he is shown in the manga to have had a wife.

Together they left everything behind to be together, and after death, he feels drawn to Yuri as she reminds him of his lost love.

As the leader of the Guild, he makes weapons out of dirt using the memories of weapons that the Guild members have from when they were alive.

22. Ohnoki (Naruto)

 

Along with having some of the best red-headed anime girls, Naruto also has Ohnoki, who looks exactly how you’d think an old sage Japanese man would in anime.

With his short stature, triangular beard, long, thick mustache, and chonmage hairstyle, he is immediately recognizable to viewers.

A truly stubborn old man, Ohnoki has little respect towards those younger than him, and early on, he seemed to be quite ruthless.

However, following his retirement, he steps back and adopts a more laid-back attitude, though his disillusionment with the world had grown quite substantially.

Ultimately, he decides that he needs to make amends for his past lapses in judgment and accepts that he has overstepped and made mistakes that need to be righted.

21. Hades (Fairy Tail)

Despite being named after the Greek god of the Underworld, Hades looks more like Odin of Norse mythology with his horned helmet, eyepatch, and impressive facial hair.

A tall, elderly man, he has a full mustache and a white beard that reaches down to his waist. Now that is impressive!

Originally known as Precht, Hades emerged as the Master of the Grimoire Heart, a master of magic with the will to destroy anyone who would hinder him.

While exceptionally powerful, he is not completely cruel and expresses remorse and sadness at having to fight his former Guild.

Regardless of what side he falls on, we can’t help but be a little jealous at just how incredible his beard is.

20. Shiro Fujimoto (Ao No Exorcist)

This exorcist has the ultimate goatee/stubble combination that would make any self-respecting hipster jealous.

A tall, slender man, Shiro would look younger if not for his grey hair and messy fashion. His mysterious personality also hides his kind heart and protective disposition.

While he is the 251st Paladin of the True Cross Order, he is not without compassion towards demons and adopts the twin sons of Satan to raise as his own.

Despite not always being this righteous, especially in his younger years, fans love his relationship with his adoptive sons and couldn’t imagine him any other way.

19. Kotetsu T. Kaburagi (Tiger & Bunny)

Kotetsu has a pretty straightforward view of how to be a hero, and focuses mainly on justice and protecting civilians.

He dislikes wasting time on things like photoshoots, despite having some of the best-kept facial hair in anime.

His sharp-trimmed goatee complements his spikey brown hair, and it definitely gives him a unique appearance that no one else in the series has.

Truly selfless, putting the well-being of others above himself, even if he is often oblivious to collateral damage. But hey, he’s got a killer beard that would make even Tony Stark jealous!

18. Azuma (Fairy Tail)

Having battled this series’ white-haired beauty, Mirajane Strauss, this impressively bearded member of the Dark Guild, began to understand just how powerful the Fairy Tail Guild is.

This tall magical powerhouse has thick brown hair that sticks up in all directions and a prominent chin beard that joins with his impressive sideburns to frame his pointed face.

Coupled with his sharp eyes and serious face, he is truly a sight to behold… just maybe not on the opposing end of the battlefield.

Although he doesn’t like fighting dirty, when faced with strong opponents, he’s not above using underhanded tactics to succeed.

That said, he isn’t without honor and will accept defeat graciously, even returning the Fairy Tale Guilds magic, as promised, when battling with Erza.

17. Tazuna (Naruto)

A master bridge builder from the Land of Waves, Tazuna is very blunt but diligent.

Sporting a thick grey circle beard, his original goal was to build a bridge that would connect the Land of Waves with the mainland to bolster economic stability.

After fulfilling his goal, he moved to Konoha to help Inari rebuild the village, a place where his knowledge would be invaluable.

While you won’t see this character super jumping or taking on giant monsters, his skills are important to his universe, and he definitely deserves some love.

16. Juzo Okita (Space Battleship Yamato)

Juzo looks exactly how you think a grizzled old sea captain should look. With his full white beard and prominent captain’s hat, there is no mistaking him for any other character in Space Battleship Yamato.

A highly stern captain, Juzo is completely dedicated to saving Earth from the Gamilus threat, and he isn’t afraid to give his life in order to get it done.

Even after becoming weakened and bedridden by illness, Juzo remains someone that his crew looks up to, and his advice to them is invaluable.

Just one look at this old captain, and you can tell that he is a man who knows how to get things done, and we can’t even begin to imagine how he’d look clean-shaven.

15. Isshin Kurosaki (Bleach)

 

Although Isshin doesn’t have a full beard, his scruffy stubble works well enough to give him the rugged manly look that he needs.

Despite looking formidable, Isshin is a goofy, fun-loving guy who isn’t above being a bit perverted.

As the father of Ichigo, he is prone to beating the child over the slightest transgressions, all in the name of making him stronger.

Oddly enough, his approach worked and made for some hilarious moments for viewers.

Isshin is a staple in the series, and we like to think it’s because of his comedic timing and expertly maintained five o’clock shadow.

14. King Vegeta (Dragon Ball)

Although King Vegeta only appears in filler episodes and movies in the Dragon Ball series, we gotta give him his due for his impressive beard.

His thick circle beard and eyebrows give him a commanding and no-nonsense appearance. He really does look the part of a king.

Formerly the ruler of the Saiyans, he is believed to have been the strongest of his race, only surpassed by his own child, Vegeta.

Unfortunately, killed attacking Freeza, leaving the Dragon Ball series to kick off without this character and his incredible beard.

13. Vincent Volaju (Cowboy Bebop)

Hailing from the same anime that gave us the gorgeous purple-haired Faye Valentine, Vincent is truly a sight to behold, and his long, dark unruly hair and close-cropped beard make him an attractive villain.

After being driven insane by experimentation during the titan war and forgetting his love of Electra due to amnesia, he seeks to release a devastating nano-machine virus throughout the world, which would leave few survivors.

Vincent is a great contrast to Spike, as they both are equally strong and consider themselves to be dead, only driven by the love of a woman.

Despite being a villain, you can’t help but feel bad about his situation and the fact that there is no saving him or his great beard.

12. The Count (Gankutsuou)

 

Formerly Edmond Dantes, a kind and merciful sailor who was wrongfully imprisoned on false charges, he transformed into The Count after meeting Gankutsuou — The Ruler of the Cave — where he allowed the demon to possess him in exchange for revenge.

With long black hair, pointed ears, and a pointed goatee that would make Dracula envious, The Count is an incredibly charismatic and manipulative sociopath who fixates on vengeance and uses those around him as pawns to get what he wants.

If you’re a fan of dark characters with immaculate facial hair, The Count is definitely someone to check out.

11. Monkey D. Garp (One Piece)

The Marine hero famous for corning the late Pirate King numerous times, Garp is also known as White Beard from his time on the seas.

With a name like that, you know his beard is good, and it definitely helps convey that this isn’t a guy to mess around with: that and his huge muscles.

Despite kind of serving as the main antagonist in the Post-Enies Lobby arc, Garp is anything but straightforward and doesn’t seem troubled by his grandson Luffy’s growing infamy as he searches for the greatest treasure.

In the One Piece anime, Garp is considered one of the strongest Marines, if not one of the characters in the entire series, and we’d like to think that his power comes from his impressive man beard.

10. Jet Black (Cowboy Bebop)

Jet Black from Cowboy Bebop is one of those characters that you just can’t mistake for anyone else.

With sideburns that put Wolverine to shame, Jet keeps a level head no matter what the situation is.

A former police officer, he acts as a foil to Spike throughout the series, complimenting Spike’s lazy and laid-back personality with his own hard work and focus.

 His shaved head draws even more attention to his thick facial hair, and in the world of Cowboy Bebop, there are no other characters who can match his style.

9. Iskander (Fate/Zero)

From the same franchise that gave us long-haired beauty, Rin Tohsaka, we have this hulky beefcake whose flaming red hair and matching fully grown chin curtain make him one of the greatest bearded anime characters.

A fantastic ruler who almost contoured the world, Iskander was summoned by Waver Velvet as the boy’s Servant in the Fourth Holy Grail War.

Although he is wild and sometimes inconsiderate of those around him, he has his own code of honor and prefers honestly beating opponents rather than controlling or humiliating them.

Iskander is a gigantic man, with muscles so large it’s easy to believe he could wrestle a bear and win. Needless to say, this bearded character is a total BAMF.

8. Killer Bee (Naruto)

 

Looking a bit like the anime version of Hulk Hogan, Killer Bee’s bright blond hair and matching beard immediately makes him stand out from the other anime characters around him.

Despite having impressive physical prowess, this character isn’t all about fighting, and one of his life goals is to become the world’s greatest rapper.

While he can be cocky and stubborn, he prefers to express his personal pride in a more lyrical way and will even write rhymes during battle or get ideas for raps from his opponents.

Although it can be hard to take him seriously at times, you gotta give him some respect.

In his spare time, he befriends giant animals and can be surprisingly kind and compassionate to those around him.

7. Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai (Bleach)

 

Another of the bearded anime characters on this list who embodies the stereotypical old Japanese man aesthetic, Yamamoto, has extremely long eyebrows and a matching beard and mustache.

Considered to be the strongest Captain in the Gotei 13, the only hint of his battle-filled past is the numerous scars on his head and torso.

Despite his age, his body is incredibly muscular, and he’s definitely the type of old man who can still whoop your ass despite appearing fragile in his long Shinigami robes.

In addition to being powerful, he also strongly believes in laws, and his fiery temper can be seen when he deals with those who flout the rules.

You definitely don’t want to end up being the one character to feel this old man’s wrath.

6. Van Hohenheim (Fullmetal Alchemist)

 

Father of protagonists Edward and Alphonse Elric, Van is a brilliant alchemist who left home when his eldest son was very young, and his youngest was only a baby.

Van has been alive for centuries and eventually was able to create the first Philosopher’s Stone, an act that cost him his life.

Fortunately for him, his lover, Dante, was able to attach his soul to the nearest man in the room, giving Van a second chance at life and an impressive blonde beard.

Although he is a conflicting character, there is no denying his accomplishments, even if it has cost him more than he bargained for.

5. Shunsui Kyōraku (Bleach)

 

With long wavy dark hair that gives even the best black-haired anime girls a run for their money, Shunsui is a tall Shinigami with a chiseled face and a roguish five o’clock shadow.

The captain of the 1st division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, he is laid back and flamboyant, often smiling and spending his downtime drinking sake and taking naps.

Although he is an excellent warrior, he prefers peace, and will always try to talk his way out of battle when he can.

His humility in light of his strength and age is also commendable, and overall, you can’t help but end up admiring him.

4. Sig Curtis (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Sig is a burly bearded character and the doting husband of Izumi Curtis.

The pair run a meat shop together and housed Edward and Al during their apprenticeship.

While he is a towering, muscular man, he never questions his wife’s judgment, even when she attempted to resurrect their infant son after his death.

Despite his perpetually angry-looking face, Sig is actually a very nice person and ends up befriending Major Alex Armstrong, even though he does tend to dislike the military.

3. Master Roshi (Dragon Ball)

Master Roshi is an icon and was one of the most prominent bearded anime characters during the series’ early years.

A complete hermit and unabashed pervert, this old man is absolutely hilarious, and his antics alone make him stand out as one of the best anime characters.

Between his iconic sunglasses, beachwear, and thick Fu Manchu mustache and beard, Master Roshi gives viewers infinite amusement.

2. Asuma Sarutobi (Naruto)

A Jounin master and the leader of Team 10, Asuma is almost always with a cigarette in his mouth as an accessory to his outstanding beard.

Laid-back but blunt, he is proud to have been more to the Sarutobi Clan, and he developed a good relationship with all three of his students.

A highly talented Jonin, he more than earned his military prowess, and he could effortlessly take down many opponents and even a powerful member of the Akatsuki.

Between his powers and his beard, he definitely earned the number two spot as one of the best bearded anime characters.

1. Joseph Joestar (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a wild ride that everyone should watch, and we couldn’t help but give Joseph the top spot on this list.

Although he lacks a beard as a young man, his older self is where his facial hair truly shines, and it gives him a completely badass appearance.

As a young man, he was hotheaded and confrontational, but once he grew his beard he totally mellowed out, but kept a bit of his silly side.

Additionally, watching this Brit try to navigate the local cultures in the Asian countries he visits is hilarious, especially when he misreads Chinese menus and orders the completely wrong thing.

Summary

There are a lot of notable bearded anime characters and a lot of beards that deserve a mention. However, these 25 characters and their stylish beards stand out from the rest in more ways than one.

While there is nothing wrong with a clean-shaven face, sometimes you just need a great beard to take a run-of-the-mill character and make them one of the best anime characters ever.

Here’s a quick recap of the 25 best bearded anime characters:

1. Joseph Joestar
2. Asuma Sarutobi
3. Master Roshi
4. Sig Curtis
5. Shunsui Kyōraku
6. Van Hohenheim
7. Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai
8. Killer Bee
9. Iskander
10. Jet Black
11. Monkey D. Garp
12. The Count
13. Vincent Volaju
14. King Vegeta
15. Isshin Kurosaki
16. Juzo Okita
17. Tazuna
18. Azuma
19. Kotetsu T. Kaburagi
20. Shirou Fujimoto
21. Hades
22. Ohnoki
23. Chaa
24. Gou Koga
25. Shimon Muran/Solomon Muto

If you enjoyed this article, check out some of our other anime lists:

• The 25 Best Bald Anime Characters
• The 25 Best Sci-Fi Anime Movies & Series
• The 25 Strongest Anime Characters
• The 25 Best Naruto Characters
• The 25 Best One Punch Man Characters
• The 25 Best Dragon Ball Z Characters

What’s your favorite bearded anime character? Leave a comment below.