Maybe it's because he's the emperor. Maybe it's because he's the last of the gentlemen. Maybe it's because he fights for the woman -- yeah, yeah, all ditzy schoolgirl priestesses aside -- he loves by the power of his sword, by the power of his heart, by the power of everything at his command. A little egotism is Hotohori's only flaw, sure, but who can blame him? He is right, after all. This fellow is handsome as all get out. Honorable, gentlemanly, loyal, poetic, romantic, powerful, and dead sexy in dress robes? Hotohori is my secretly-romantic heart's idea of the somewhat right fella. Small wonder, then, that he's earned himself the not-so-numerical head spot of my animefella favorites.

Spike Spiegel, Cowboy Bebop

Lord, I love this series. Spike is highly responsible for that. I like to think of him as a kind of new-age James Dean. And in the words of a friend, "How long are those legs?" Spike practically defines what it means to be a beat, angsty, amusing kick-butt jazz cowboy. He hides his good heart under a veil of . . . of what? I've yet to figure out Spike's mysterious jazz-driven aura. And I like it that way. He is definitely one interesting, philosophical, and yes, even romantic guy. Better yet, Spike and jazz go together like . . . bread and butter. Or something like that. Anyway, bonus points for him.

Gene Starwind, Outlaw Star

Gene is one of my favorite anime bishonen for many a reason. He is street smart and able to kick tail when required. And even though Gene maintains an outlaw's scarred facade, his character still contains such hidden sweetness that one can barely restrain oneself from popping through the screen to give this spiffy drawing a hug. And he hooks up with Melfina too, because Gene knows a good anime melon when he meets one. As do I.

Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Trigun

The moment I saw this cross-bearing and fashionably black-swathed gentleman, I clapped my hands once and declared, "Yessirree, I feel another favorite coming on." Wolfwood is everything I love about boynime. He's funny, he's good-hearted, he treats good people well, he's attractive, and eventually he's even noble. Plus, his best friend is Vash the Stampede. So if you magically became an animated person and you magically hung out with Wolfwood, you could also hang out with magical Vash. That's two funny-noble-admirable-cute bishies for the love of one. What more could an anime fangirl ask for?

Inuyasha, Inuyasha

He's grumbly, he's comely, he amuses me. Inuyasha's bark is worse than his bite, because underneath his brusque exterior lies a heart of gold. Of course, seeing as real fronting growlers are intolerable jerks, Inuyasha's brand of lovably moody charm can only be charming in animated life. Trust me on that one. But don't ask me why. In any case, methinks Kagome had the right idea in the first episode. I'd like to tweak Inuyasha's demon puppy ears too.

Lantis, Magic Knight Rayearth

There is definitely something intriguing and delicious about broad-shouldered, brooding male anime characters. Lantis is both of these. He has a thoughtful nature, he has the sense to protect and appreciate Hikaru's innocence and noble heart, and he kicks a goodly amount of villainous butt with a giant Cloud-esque sword. Besides, Lantis and his brother Zagato bring new meaning to the term "brotherly goodness."

Kaoru Miki, Shoujo Kakumei Utena

Any shy, bookish type will inevitably turn out to be one of my favorite anime characters. So what if Miki's a little young? (I always forget the Utena crowd are so young. They sure don't act or even remotely look like they're in junior high.) Miki is a musician, a poet, and shyly romantic-minded. He is an artist and a gentleman. 'Nuff said.

Touga Kiryuu, Shoujo Kakumei Utena

Fine, fine, I shouldn't like Touga. What can I say? So I'm a victim to charm, to persistence, to gorgeous hair. Only this once, thanksmuch. If I wielded Utena's pen, I would be making some serious changes to Touga's very essence: he would both realize his love for Utena and thus defend her from the Akiodevilman. (And of course, Movie Touga is a much better example of this than Series Touga.) A drawing this gorgeous just deserves better.

Tasuki, Fushigi Yugi

Now, who doesn't love a bandit? Tasuki is gorgeous and never fails to make me laugh. He is my second-favorite of the Suzaku Seven. (My SS list: Hotohori, Tasuki, Nuriko, Chichiri, Tamahome, Mitsukake, and Chiriko.) In my never-humble opinion, Tasuki's heroic qualities outweigh his melocomedic temper, thus giving him both the strength to reclaim his position as bandit leader and then the nobility to take a higher road for Miaka's protection. Plus, Tasuki and I both exhibit anger when first faced with sad endings. Tasuki can save me from a perverted old tyrant anytime.

Zelgadis, The Slayers

Zel virtually defines the strong, silent type. Although I haven't yet seen enough of the series to fully gather every realm and whim of his tortured half-golem psyche, Zel's very influential presence makes me want to see more.

Zechs Merquise, Gundam Wing

To begin with, Colonel Zechs is very well drawn. That heroic hair, those French Revolutionary clothes, those roguish boots . . . He just needs to take off that stupid pigeon-beak helmet once and awhile. Zechs is philosophical without being overbearing. (Cough unlike Treize cough.) And consequently, Zechs is practically the only legal age guy on the show. Noin and he seem made for each other, too, but somehow I don't fully buy it. Zechs deserves a better romance, methinks. Zechs deserves somebody who thinks as deeply as he does. Ahem.

Akio Ohtori, Shoujo Kakumei Utena

Okay. I honestly don't know why I'm listing Akio here. Akio is the devil, and everybody knows this. Akio is a contradiction, a mystery, a demon, a sicko, a psycho, and well, just one damn sexy drawing. He is certainly one of the most fascinating anime characters I've ever happened across, be they evil incarnate or not. So in a way, and almost grudgingly, I suppose such an overwhelmingly amazing villain merits some kind of notation. Thus Akio has foisted his way into my favorites as the extra man out. I mean, the extra man in. Now my numbers are unequal. Curse you, Akio. You're one sick favorite fiend.

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