I’ve always been keen to see anime get more diverse with its characters. Like, no matter what you say, seeing a plus size character or a dark skinned character be the main protagonist, does matter to a lot of the fans watching. Because seeing someone that looks like you or maybe has the same speech impediments means you relate more to the story. And surprisingly, there’s quite a lot of anime out there that have main characters that are mute. 

In a medium so dependent on its audio and visual output, the fact that these mute main characters not only get a spotlight, but are actually well written? That’s genuinely something to root for. Diversity enriches the anime viewing experience, so why not do it? Especially now that anime has become so much bigger than just Japan. It’s a worldwide phenomenon, and globalization means that the audience is much more varied. 

So, catering to said audience isn’t a bad idea, because ultimately it means more experimentation and creative freedom. An anime that gets brought up a lot when discussing main characters that are mute is Komi Can’t Communicate, but there are so many more for you to experience. So, here are our top 6 picks for anime with mute main characters in another round of Get Ranked! 

6. Akira Oono – Hi-Score Girl

We’re starting off with a gamer girl, because I said so. Okay but jokes aside, Akira Oono is such a treat in Hi-Score Girl. She’s the main rival of the protagonist, Haruo Yaguchi, and an absolute princess. She’s pretty privileged and has the resources to be great at everything.

Except she chooses to put her focus into gaming. And because she never says a word, all of her emotions come out through her intense expressions. 

5. Shoko Komi – Komi Can’t Communicate

I think Komi Can’t Communicate deserves all the popularity it has gotten lately. Like, I missed cute high school anime with low stakes and Komi Can’t Communicate delivers on it. Plus, Komi Shoko just happens to be a character you instantly want to hug.

Her anxiety regarding making friends is so palpable, no wonder she can’t reach out. But this also lands her in super funny situations that ultimately end up working out. Like, she happens to be a character with amazing comedic timing.

4. Hyakkimaru – Dororo

As much as I like slice-of-life anime, there is something so special seeing a differently abled person play the hero in a fantastical story.

Dororo is a dark fantasy anime that stars Hyakkimaru, a child that was sold to demons by his own father and left disabled when they cursed him.

Now, he survives to get revenge from those very demons, regaining some of his senses thanks to the prosthetics his adoptive guardian made him. 

3. Celty Sturluson – Durarara!!

Say what you will, Miss Celty Sturluson was an icon. With her little cat eared helmet and sweet motorbike, Celty became somewhat of an urban legend in the world of Durarara!!

However, ‘The Black Rider’ mostly communicates with people using her cellphone to either text or type out sentences in person. Why? Because Celty is actually a Dullahan, a headless mythical creature from Irish folklore.

2. Nanako Yukishiro – Senryu Girl

Senryu Girl is already so underrated and so is its protagonist, Nanako Yukishiro. Nanako is absolutely adorable, you can’t help but fall a little in love with her.

Despite how normal she appears from a distance, Nanako actually has the same issue as Komi, which is an anxiety disorder so intense that it literally causes her to be mute.

But how does she get around this issue? By using Senryu poetry to communicate and get her emotions across!

1. Shoko Nishimiya – A Silent Voice

Of course, A Silent Voice was going to be on this list. Shoko Nishimiya deserves the world and while she might have forgiven Shoya Ishida, I never did. Shoko was a literal child, she did not deserve the bullying she got for being mute.

But her unwavering kindness and gentle soul are what end up changing Shoya for the better when they meet again in high school, helping him by lending a hand in friendship. Shoko is so emotive, without even saying a word. 

Anime is becoming more inclusive, so it was only a matter of time before we saw it showcase differently abled people. There’s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to representation, but at least it’s a start!