Most anime characters are just about powers and strength. They try to get stronger and stronger to conquer the world. But only a few characters are potent enough to rule the world with just one thing, their brain. No swords, no magic, no Kamehameha, or destructive power in the punch like Saitama, yet these characters are hard to deal with because of their supreme IQ level. Let's get introduced to some of the smartest anime characters of all time.
10. Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
It would be completely fair to start the list with a science nerd. Senku Ishigami is believed to possess an IQ of 180 to 200, making him a highly gifted being. He holds a profound knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, physics, biology, and all other subjects. Using his wide sense of knowledge, Senku has proved himself to be the savior of humanity multiple times.
9. Shikamaru (Naruto)
Naruto fans know that when it comes to intelligence, there's no match for Shikamaru. Although he's the laziest one out of all the characters, there's no one better who could strategize a battle. Where most Naruto characters have a thirst for more power, Shikamaru never actually had that kind of intense training. He's not a weakling either, but what helps him survive in the Naruto world is his great intelligence.
8. Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Classroom of the Elite)
Who could intentionally score exactly fifty out of a hundred on each of the tests? A person like Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, a guy with a genius brain. Kiyotaka's observational skills might actually terrify you, and that's the reason why he is easily able to deduce his opponent's plans. Despite being an introvert, he has such manipulative skills that he can easily make anyone do what he wants. He's a master when it comes to hiding his motives and bluffing with someone.
7. Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan)
Erwin Smith knew that if there was someone who could replace him to lead the Survey Corps, then it would be Armin. He may not have been that good with the ODM Gear, but he was one hell of a strategist. If it wasn't for Armin, the Trost couldn't have been saved with a giant rock. He was the one to figure out Annie's true identity; he smartly figured out Reiner's hiding spot inside the wall, and he was the keen reason why the team was able to defeat Bertholdt. In almost every great mission, Armin's brain had been the biggest asset for the team.
6. Meruem (Hunter X Hunter)
Immense power meets high intellect, and we get a villain who's literally impossible to defeat. Interestingly, Meruem was just 40 days old when he fought Netero, and at that time, he was the most intelligent being alive in the Hunter X Hunter universe. The ant king always desired more and more knowledge and his grasping skills far surpassed an average human. While learning the new board games, it was just a matter of time before he defeated the national champions.
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5. Koro-Sensei (Assassination Classroom)
The list of smartest anime characters will always remain incomplete without Koro-Sensei. This guy transformed a bunch of losers into the most elite students. He accepted his students for what they were, extracted their hidden talent, nurtured them, and most importantly, made them believe in themselves. At every point, he turned out to be the greatest teacher. Koro-Sensei himself had a vast sea of knowledge and shared it with his students as well. His teaching style killed the old cliche methods; instead, he insisted on learning with activities and practical knowledge.
4. Lelouch Lamparogue (Code Geass)
Only a gifted intellect can use the tactics that this guy uses to defeat the Britannian empire in the series. Lelouch is a pure genius who excels everyone in reading the minds of the people. He knows when to make a perfect move, and he's always a few steps ahead of his enemy. What makes him even more dangerous for his enemies is that he never steps back from sacrificing his army or even the civilians to achieve victory.
3. Light Yagami (Death Note)
If it wasn't for Light and his intelligence, Death Note wouldn't have been a legendary show. Light never failed to impress us with his great moves. From hiding Death Note inside the chips packet to creating minions like Takada and Mikami and using Misa Amane for his own good, this guy knew how to play his cards right. There have been times when L was close to exposing his true identity, but every single time, Light was able to make a perfect escape.
2. Johan Liebert (Monster)
At least Light Yagami had the power of Death Note to make his plan of the perfect world work. But when it comes to Johan, he is a living monster who can sway anyone to follow his commands as if there were some hypnotic powers in his words. Even when Johan seems to face trouble (which hardly happens), it turns out that it was his plan all along. At the end of the series, the viewers are left to judge for themselves, what Johan wanted all along, did he succeed or not, what happened to him, and it's even the question if he was a villain or not.
1. Near (Death Note)
It was hard to choose if L should take the first place in the list of smartest anime characters or Near, and it seemed fair to choose the latter one, given he was the one to bring Kira's reign of terror to an end. Light had everything by his side to make him more powerful; Death Note, a loving girlfriend who is ready to die for him, and servents like Mikami and Takada. On the contrary, Near had nothing, except for a trusted team and the knowledge of Light being Kira. But, despite everything being unfavorable for him, Near somehow manages to break Light and expose his Kira identity.