10 anime characters who rarely show any emotion

Anime characters are usually known for expressing their feelings and having strong personalities. However, some anime characters are exactly the opposite as they show almost no visible emotion.

This could be traced back to past trauma or their inherent quiet nature. These characters usually conceal their profound internal battles or intricacies behind an externally unemotional facade.

These characters make strong impressions on viewers due to their quiet and mysterious style. They move around in their world with a kind of cool distance, which doesn't mean they lack feelings but instead intentionally suppress them. It also creates an interesting dynamic within the storylines.

Disclaimer: This list is ranked in no particular order and contains the writer's opinion.

Itachi Uchiha, Violet Evergarden, and 8 other anime characters who rarely show any emotion

1) Shigeo Kageyama - Mob Psycho 100

Shigeo Kageyama as seen in anime (Image via Studio Bones)

Shigeo Mob Kageyama, the main character in Mob Psycho 100, is a strong psychic who rarely displays emotion. He purposely acts this way to control his great powers. Mob discovered at an early age that if he let his emotions get too intense, it triggered severe psychic abilities from within him.

For that, he tries to keep himself calm, regardless of what’s going on around him. This emotional constraint can make the aggressor seem distant and uninvolved, even in situations that would normally lead to aggressive reactions.

In the fight against Teruki Hanazawa, Mob is badly beaten, but he manages to remain calm and unaffected, not fighting back until he's fully reached his limit.

2) Saitama - One Punch Man

Saitama as seen in anime (Image via Madhouse)

Saitama, the main character of One Punch Man, is a hero who has become so strong that he can win against any enemy with just one hit. This extreme power makes him always feel bored and uninterested because nothing can truly test his abilities. He almost constantly appears to be unenthusiastic or indifferent about everything due to this unmatched might and lack of challenges.

Saitama, who does not feel excited about fighting anymore or afraid of losing, rarely displays feelings. An example is when he fought with Boros, an alien that arrives on Earth to find a challenging adversary.

Even though Boros shows remarkable power and persistence in the fight, Saitama stays mostly unconcerned throughout it all. Not show much reaction even when Boros uses his strongest moves.

3) Saiki Kusuo - The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

Saiki Kusuo as seen in anime (Image via J.C.Staff)

Saiki Kusuo from The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., has many psychic powers from telepathy to teleportation. He can also fly and teleport. However, he doesn't show much emotion often. He always keeps a straight face and seems uninterested in most things around him.

The reason for him not displaying emotions is to maintain a normal, calm life free from any troubles that his abilities could cause. Even in situations full of chaos where his powers could easily overpower others, Saiki stays calm and collected. He usually sees having powers as somewhat bothersome instead of being grateful for them.

Saiki's unemotional attitude is shown in a scene where his schoolmates prepare a surprise birthday party for him. Many people would feel sentimental about this, but Saiki considers it as another disturbance and acts with no expression.

4) Byakuya Kuchiki - Bleach

Byakuya Kuchiki as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Byakuya Kuchiki from Bleach acts as the calm captain of the 6th Division within Gotei 13. Byakuya is famous for his steady composure. He rarely shows any emotion and always sticks to his duties along with the rules of Soul Society.

This lack of emotions reflects his noble family background, where it's essential to keep up a high status no matter what happens or how difficult situations are encountered.

One scene that shows Byakuya's emotionlessness is his fight with Rukia Kuchiki, his adopted sister when she gets assigned for execution. Even though he loves Rukia very much but keeps it inside himself. Byakuya stays without any expression and is dedicated to his obligation, following the law even when it opposes what he feels in his heart.

5) Itachi Uchiha - Naruto

Itachi Uchiha as seen in anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Itachi Uchiha in Naruto, bears the weight of hiding the tragic secret about his assignment. It's rare for fans to see emotions on Itachi's face, constantly keeping a composed and unreadable face even during very severe instances. This loss of emotional expression is intentional, he hides his real emotions to protect Sasuke and additionally to hold up appearances as a villain.

One important time where Itachi's lack of emotion is noticeable occurs in his final battle with Sasuke. While this meeting is full of feelings, Itachi keeps a steady manner. Only at the end does he reveal his genuine intentions by touching Sasuke’s forehead – a gesture from their early days as siblings. This makes Itachi one of the anime characters who rarely show any emotions.

6) L Lawliet - Death Note

L from Death Note is a smart and mysterious detective. In the story, he stays steady and thoughtful without showing his feelings often even when situations get tense. The quiet part of him is very important, as it helps him to concentrate on tough matters without being emotional

An instance of L's emotions is when he faces Yagami and questions him about being Kira. In this tense situation, L keeps his cool, displaying hardly any amusement or suspicion.

7) Violet Evergarden - Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden as seen in anime (Image via Kyoto Animation)

Violet Evergarden was a soldier when she was still only a kid. She finds it very hard to understand emotions and express them because of her learning in the military.

At first, people identify Violet as someone with a robotic personality because this is how she behaved for many years during battles, where showing emotions could have endangered lives.

Her story begins when she starts her job as an Auto Memory Doll, the one who writes letters that carry other people's deep emotions. Even with Violet understanding more about human feelings, she often seems emotionally restrained, similar to other anime characters on the list.

8) Houtarou Oreki - Hyouka

Houtarou Oreki as seen in anime (Image via Kyoto Animation)

Hyouka's main character, Houtarou Oreki, is famous for his disinterested and emotionless manner. He lives by a less-is-more rule, saving energy and staying away from unnecessary thrills.

The way Oreki doesn't show emotions is purposeful, he likes to be distant and keep his energy preserved. He sees the showing of feelings as a waste. Fans can observe this stoic response in his involvement with the Classic Literature Club's different mysteries and other regular occurrences, making him one of the anime characters who rarely show emotions.

9) Levi Ackerman - Attack on Titan

Levi Ackerman as seen in anime (Image via MAPPA)

Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan is known for his emotionally unexpressed nature. He keeps a composed appearance even in very serious circumstances. His emotional detachment is likely a result of growing up in tough conditions, as well as the constant duly duties he has to perform all the time.

When Levi and his squad fight the Female Titan, even after experiencing extreme danger and losing many of their friends, Levi keeps a steady and non-emotional attitude. This shows his strong determination as he does not let emotions sway his actions.

He doesn't display much emotion, but it is not cold. Rather, he handles his feelings with discipline to make tough choices accurately. This emotional control enhances his image of power and dependability, which makes him a strong and interesting character in the show.

10) Aoyama - Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun

Aoyama as seen in anime (Image via Studio Hibari)

Aoyama from Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun is well-known for his distant and strange behavior. This comes from a strong commitment to cleanliness. Even when things are very disorderly around him, Aoyama rarely shows true feelings. In regard to social situations or sudden issues, Aoyama reacts calmly.

In a situation, he is managing an unexpected mess at school in a cool manner – just cleaning it up and not reacting much. It's more due to his cleanliness habit than showing big emotions.

This self-control can sometimes make people confused. Aoyama has the special ability to stay unaffected and systematic even when things get tough, marking him one of the anime characters who show fewer emotions.

Final thoughts

Anime characters who rarely exhibit emotions, and their reserved tendencies commonly form an interesting contrast with other anime characters who are more expressive. These figures that appear unemotional frequently possess intricate inner worlds concealed beneath calm exteriors, adding a captivating element of complexity to their narratives.

Itachi Uchiha is a good example of these anime characters, keeping his pain secret and being devoted to his brother. Violet Evergarden also fits in because she comes from the military and her past affects how she acts restrainedly.

L's character too, who detaches himself emotionally to better use deduction skills can be seen embodying this archetype of anime characters who rarely show emotions.

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Edited by Ameen Fatima