10 best anime characters like Neji Hyuga from Naruto

Neji Hyuga is one of the most popular characters in the hit anime series Naruto. A prodigy of the Hyuga Clan, Neji possesses powerful Byakugan visual jutsu, immense taijutsu skills, and a keen intellect. His solemn, stoic nature and tragic backstory as a member of the Hyuga clan's Branch House make him an intriguing and complex figure.

For Neji Hyuga fans, finding other anime characters who share similar qualities can be challenging. In this article, we will explore 10 of the best anime characters with personalities, abilities, and stories that parallel Neji Hyuga's in impactful ways.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any particular order.

Mikasa Ackerman, Killua Zoldyck, and 8 anime characters like Neji Hyuga

1) Mikasa Ackerman - Attack on Titan

Mikasa Ackerman (Image via Wit Studio / MAPPA)

Cool, level-headed, and highly skilled in combat, Mikasa Ackerman shares multiple traits with Neji Hyuga. Like Neji, Mikasa experienced tragedy at a young age when her parents were murdered.

As a member of a rare bloodline with unique abilities, the Ackermans, she also understands Neji's struggles as a Branch House member. Physically gifted and hailed as a prodigy from youth, Mikasa displays advanced talent in using Vertical Maneuvering Equipment to take down Titans with graceful lethality.

Her mastery of swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat makes her an unparalleled soldier, much like Neji's revered taijutsu and Eight Trigrams skills. Though largely solemn, Mikasa shows caring devotion toward her friends, especially Eren, revealing a softer side behind her tough exterior.

2) Android 16 - Dragon Ball Z

The gentle Android 16 from Dragon Ball Z has several surprising similarities to Neji Hyuga. As an artificial being created for combat, 16 was programmed to be a fighter of supreme skill. His advanced sensors and scanning abilities are somewhat similar to Neji's all-seeing Byakugan eyes.

However, 16 wished to live peacefully and not according to his design as a weapon. This parallels Neji's desire to forge his destiny outside of the Branch Family's servitude. Tragically, 16 was destroyed in battle while trying to protect his friends.

However, his death was impactful enough for Gohan to unleash his hidden power to defeat Cell. In this way, 16 sacrificed himself to change the fate of others, much like Neji did to save Hinata and Naruto during the Shinobi War.

3) Killua Zoldyck - Hunter x Hunter

Killua Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter matches several aspects of Neji Hyuga's character. As members of the elite assassin and shinobi families, respectively, Neji and Killua were raised from birth to be skilled fighters. Both faced the burdens of expectations and destiny imposed on them by their clans.

However, through new friendships, they slowly forged their own paths and found meaning beyond what their families dictated for them. In combat, Killua displays speed, agility, and precision on par with Neji when utilizing his lightning-fast assassin techniques or Nen abilities.

With his heightened physical reflexes and sharp analytic mind, Killua can instantly scan opponents for weaknesses, much like Neji discerns foes' vulnerabilities using his Byakugan.

4) Sasuke Uchiha - Naruto

As another popular Naruto character, Sasuke Uchiha shares several similarities with Neji Hyuga, despite their very different natures and combat styles.

Hailing from a prominent shinobi clan with a doujutsu, Kekkei Genkai (Sharingan), Sasuke possesses visual powers rivaling Neji's Byakugan. Early on, Sasuke also struggles with anger and survivor's guilt from the tragedy suffered by the Uchiha Clan.

Over time, though, Sasuke begins to forge bonds of friendship in Team 7, much like how Neji formed connections with Team Guy to overcome rigid views of destiny and duty. Ultimately, both gain greater purpose by putting the well-being of trusted companions before themselves.

5) Jin - Samurai Champloo

Jin from Samurai Champloo shares some intriguing personality similarities with Neji Hyuga. As a wandering rōnin, Jin keeps to himself initially and rarely smiles. His silent, private nature is reminiscent of Neji's own solemn demeanor early on in the Naruto series.

However, there was no shortage of similarities during the battle. Jin displays incredibly advanced swordsmanship skills, moving with lightning speed and fluidity to cut down foes with minimal effort. This mirrors Neji's graceful yet lethal combat using Juuken (Gentle Fist) techniques or Eight Trigrams Palms with the Byakugan.

Jin also carries out missions with cold efficiency when needed, much like the Hyuga Clan members' duties. However, behind Jin's steely exterior lies a compassionate heart devoted to helping those in need.

6) Sesshomaru - Inuyasha

The powerful dog demon Sesshomaru from Inuyasha has several Neji Hyuga-like attributes layered within his icy, arrogant exterior. As the heir to the mighty Inu no Taisho, Sesshomaru wields incredible demonic power and combative skills with grace and precision.

His preference for detached analysis over emotional decisions mirrors Neji's cool, intellectual approach to situations. Over time, Sesshomaru's journeys with his young human ward Rin also bring out a more caring side, much like how Neji's rigidity softened through his friendship with Rock Lee and Tenten.

In combat, Sesshomaru moves faster than the eye can see when wielding poisonous claws and his Tenseiga sword. His refined, ruthless fighting style is strongly reminiscent of Neji's lethal use of Juuken taijutsu.

7) Levi Ackerman - Attack on Titan

Levi Ackerman (Image via Wit Studio / MAPPA)

Levi Ackerman, Humanity's Strongest Soldier from Attack on Titan, has significant parallels to elite shinobi prodigy Neji Hyuga. Levi's status as the strongest of an elite bloodline, the Ackerman clan, mirrors the Hyuga's Branch House/Main House divide that Neji bitterly resented in his youth.

Levi also projects a solemn, no-nonsense exterior and rarely displays emotion. However, he is extremely devoted to his fellow Scout comrades, forging meaningful bonds of loyalty and sacrifice much like Neji did over time.

In combat, Levi displays prodigy-level mastery of Vertical Maneuvering Equipment to dispatch Titans with incredible speed, efficiency, and grace. His blinding spins and mid-air acrobatics demonstrate immense bodily control, similar to Neji's fluidity when utilizing Juuken and Eight Trigrams techniques.

8) Hiei - Yu Yu Hakusho

The fire demon Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho makes for a great match to Neji Hyuga in terms of personality and power. Aloof and brooding, Hiei prefers solitude and rarely speaks.

His cold exterior masks an honorable spirit devoted to using his immense skills to protect his sister Yukina, much like how Neji applied his talents in service of the Main House despite his resentments. Hiei's mastery of his demonic fire powers allows him to launch flaming attacks with lightning speed and precision cuts.

This mirrors Neji's similar swiftness and accuracy with the Eight Trigrams Palms techniques. Hiei's Jagan Eye implant also grants him telepathic and remote viewing abilities, which offer unique advantages, though different from the Byakugan's visual prowess.

9) Takashi Komuro - Highschool of the Dead

Takashi Komuro from Highschool of the Dead matches Neji Hyuga surprisingly well in terms of combat skill and leadership capability. Takashi is hailed as a kendo prodigy with natural athletic gifts that make him a highly skilled fighter, much like Neji's reputation as a genius even amongst the Hyuga Clan's powerful shinobi.

Thrusting unexpectedly into a leadership role after a zombie outbreak, Takashi displays keen observation and decision-making abilities to guide his friends' survival. This parallels how Neji assumes responsibility for directing Team Guy's battles using his Byakugan assessment and strategic planning.

While more emotional than the stoic Hyuga, Takashi has a similar selfless devotion toward protecting his cherished comrades in times of crisis.

10) Lelouch Lamperouge - Code Geass

Lelouch Lamperouge serves as a strong personality match to Neji Hyuga in a few key ways. Both characters possess genius-level intellects that allow them to cunningly strategize and outmaneuver opponents with their mental acuity.

This aids their clairvoyant abilities to analyze combat situations and discern optimal responses, much like Neji's similar approach. While projecting cool detachment, they are driven by inner fires to upend corrupt power structures that have caused personal tragedy in their lives.

Both ultimately sacrifice themselves willingly for the greater good: Neji to thwart fate and protect Naruto and the Shinobi Alliance, and Lelouch to bring revolutionary change to Britannia.

Conclusion

Few anime characters can fully match the exact blend of visual powers, refined combat talents, and complex personalities that Neji Hyuga displays throughout Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden. However, these 10 characters come remarkably close in their own unique ways.

From prodigal talents and skills to overcoming clan burdens or finding purpose through companions, Neji Hyuga would find both common ground and intrigue in crossing fists or blades with these anime fighters.

Their shared solitary personalities yet unwavering devotion to those they care for also resonate strongly with Neji’s gradually revealed caring heart and selfless nature.