The world of anime is filled with iconic characters, worlds, and even iconic anime eyes that are so unique, memorable, and impactful that any anime fan worth their salt can easily recognize them. The same is true when it comes to anime tattoos. There are many female and male anime characters who proudly wear their iconic ink and even inspire fans to get their very own versions.
In anime, characters have tattoos for many reasons. Some of the strongest anime characters can even gain extra power thanks to their tattoos. But sometimes these tattoos have an emotional meaning in much the same way that tattoos often do in real life.
Updated September 30, 2024 by Hamza Haq: An easy way to individualize a character in an anime is by giving them defining features like one recognizable scaran unusual hair color, or even a unique tattoo. Some tattoos go beyond the mundane and become as much a part of a character as their signature hairstyles and clothing.
14 Medusa
Soul Eater
Medusa is one of the most terrifying and despicable characters in the Soul Eater which happens to have one of the coolest and most magical tattoos in anime. This brilliantly evil witch is also Crona's mother and was never afraid to use her powers and manipulation skills to defeat and kill her enemies.
She was the most powerful witch in the series and thanks to her unique magic and tattoo, she was also able to control over a thousand snakes in her body to easily fight the strongest demon weapons in Soul Eater. Medusa had a giant snake tattoo that was all over her arms and could come to life and become deadly arrows and blades. Soul EaterThe story followed a group of students studying to become demon hunters.
13 Renji Abarai
Whiten
Renji Abarai was one of the most confident and courageous fighters in the 11th Division. He took his training seriously, and he worked hard to become the best in his division and even surpass his own captain. Although he often covered his tattoos, he was proud of them.
Renji has some of the most iconic anime tattoos to Whiten fans often like to get themselves thanks to its simple yet elegant design. He has most of his upper body and some parts of his forehead covered with tribal tattoos. WhitenThe story follows young Ichigo as he embarks on a journey to become a powerful soul reaper.
12 Gaara
Naruto
Gaara is one of the most famous characters in the Naruto with an incredibly recognizable, large red tattoo on the left side of his forehead. During the Chuunin Exam Arc – when Gaara was first introduced – viewers were teased with this enigmatic tattoo, which did not fully show Gaara's face, setting up his introduction with this defining trait.
Gaara's tattoo is the character for the word 'ai', which means 'love' or 'to love only oneself'. As it is later revealed, this tattoo is Gaara's way of announcing to the world that he only loves himself and that nothing and no one means more to him. This realization comes to him when he is very young and faces an assassination attempt by someone he considers a close friend. Gaara keeps this tattoo even after his redemption arc, perhaps as a reminder of who he used to be and how far he's come.
11 Namie
One Piece
Nami is an original member of the Straw Hat team and one of the main characters in One Piece. Aside from her red hair and insatiable greed, her biggest distinguishing feature is a blue tattoo on her upper arm, near her shoulder. When Luffy and Zoro first meet Nami, they notice this tattoo and later refer to it to try to find her when she leaves them. Initially, this tattoo serves as a cruel reminder from Arlong to Nami that she is forever in his grasp. After the events of the East Blue Saga, where Luffy puts Arlong in the dirt and Nami is finally freed from this monster, she changes this tattoo, not only as a sign of her freedom but as a reminder of who she holds most dear to her heart. The new tattoo is in the shape of a pinwheel with an orange hanging from the top. The orange represents her mother's garden, a place incredibly meaningful to Nami, and the pinwheel represents Genzo, the sheriff of Cocoyashi Village, and her father figure who took care of her after Bellmere's passing.
10 Natsu
Fairy Tail
Natsu Dragneel, the protagonist of Fairy Tailhas an iconic tattoo on the upper part of his right arm in the form of a red dragon. More than just a cosmetic accessory, Natsu's tattoo acts as a seal for Igneel's power.
Whenever Natsu is in a tight spot when he faces a tough enemy and really needs to let loose, he unlocks this tattoo and unleashes the power within him to gain significant power. For fans of Fairy TailNatsu's tattoo is as iconic as Ash Ketchum's lid-twisting move, indicating that the fun is just about to begin.
9 Tatsumi Oga
Beelzebub
Even though Tatsumi Oga is only a high school student, he already has to learn to be a father to Beelzebub IV who happens to be a demon baby. Since Oga is a rather cruel and often sadistic character, he was happy when he found out that Beelzebub could help him defeat his enemies more easily.
One day, Oga mysteriously finds the powerful Zebul Spell tattoo on his right hand. This tattoo was a seal that signified the contract between Oga and Beelzebub and thanks to it, Oga could access an increasing amount of demonic powers the more he fought. While Oga's tattoo is small, it quickly became one of the most popular anime tattoos so many Beelzebub fans love to tattoo themselves.
8 Revue
Black lagoon
Review is Black lagoons merciless protector. No matter what danger her team faces, Revy is there to take down their enemy, often in rather sadistic ways. Although she is indeed tough, she also has a fun and even humorous side that she shows to those she deems worthy.
Her iconic and substantial tribal tattoo on her upper right arm goes perfectly with her explosive and bigger personality. Revy's tattoo covers most of her arm and it reaches up to her neck. Despite its considerable size, it is one of the most popular tattoos that both male and female anime fans get to this day.
7 Uta
Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghouls fan-favorite mask designer has some pretty iconic tattoos. Some things are different in Tokyo Ghoul manga compared to the anime, but Uta remained the same artistic ghoul that fans fell in love with. While Uta was soft-spoken, he also often showed his sadistic and hostile side.
The most beloved member of the Clowns had numerous tattoos covering his arms and hands, as well as a giant sun tattoo covering the left side of his chest. But arguably Uta's most iconic tattoo is the one on his neck. It is a Latin quote that represents the conflicted relationship that ghouls have with humans.
6 Gray Fullbuster
Fairy Tail
Gray has a cold personality and he was one of the most powerful characters in Fairy Tail. Not only that, he is also one of the most iconic anime characters with ice powers. Gray's magical ability was Ice-Make which allowed him to create and manipulate ice at will.
He got his powerful ice maker magic from his father, and that's when he also got his tattoo on his right arm that symbolizes the magic. It is not only a well-known tattoo, but it is also one of the most popular for Fairy Tail fans to paint themselves.
5 Meliodas
The Seven Deadly Sins
The most powerful character in The Seven Deadly Sins The series was also a fan favorite. Melodias had exceptional physical and magical combat skills that helped him defeat even the mightiest of enemies.
The dragon tattoo on his arm has deep meaning to him. Melodia's tattoo is a dragon eating its own tail called Ouroboros, and it is an ancient symbol representing infinity. It is a symbol of Melodia's curse, immortality. It is one of those anime tattoos that most fans can easily come across in real life, especially if they attend anime conventions.
4 Gate gas D. Ace
One Piece
One of One PieceThe most revered anime characters had the most iconic tattoo in the series. Luffy's loving and brave big brother was always there to save the day and face even the most powerful enemies.
Ace had two now iconic tattoos, each with its own meaning. The larger one was a large Whitebeard symbol on his back representing his time with the Whitebeard Pirates. But his most famous tattoo was on his left arm and reads “ASCE” with the S crossed out. This tattoo had an even greater meaning as the S was a tribute to his sworn brother.
3 Tatsu
The houseman's way
The houseman's way gave anime fans the world's funniest ex-Yakuza gang member, Tatsu. While Tatsu looks and even talks in a seriously menacing manner, he has actually happily left his violent days behind to be a loving and caring husband to Miku. There are many things that make Tatsu a unique character and the giant dragon tattoo on his back is certainly one of those things. It's a traveling dragon and it has a connection to the meaning of his name as well as his Yakuza past.
This tattoo is not only iconic because of its gorgeous design that was inspired by traditional Japanese wood block but also because of its authenticity. It actually looks like a tattoo that an actual Yakuza would wear. So much so that the Chinese government even censored the series and removed Tatsu's tattoos, helping it become one of the most famous and iconic anime tattoos.
2 Fireplace
Gurren Lagann
Kamina is not only one of the best Gurren Lagann characters but he also has one of the coolest anime tattoos of all time. He is the brave and often cocky founder and leader of Team Gurren. He is also one of the most loved anime characters with tattoos on both his arms as well as shoulders and back.
Kamina is a hot-headed and often arrogant character so his large and flashy tattoos perfectly match his charismatic personality. Gurren Lagann takes place in a dystopian future where humanity lives in isolated villages underground, but two teenagers, Simon and Kamina have plans to finally go back to the surface.
1 Scar
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Scar was one of the most powerful alchemists in the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. He got most of his tattoos because of the bloodiest war, during which he was an Ishvalan warrior-monk who was completely consumed by hatred after his homeland was destroyed and most of his people, including his family, were murdered.
After Scar was seriously injured and lost his arm, his gifted alchemist brother transferred his own to him. His brother knew he was going to die and decided to save Scar from the same belief. For this reason, Scar's tattoos are easily among the most recognizable and the most powerful tattoos in the entire anime world.
