Top 9 Senpai We Wish Would Notice Us

In the world of anime, the term "senpai" is more than it seems to most. It is a term of affection that is supposed to indicate someone who came before, as well as someone who works hard to take care of others who will one day play the same role.

To help you better answer the question of "who or what is a senpai?" we've compiled a list of the top nine anime senpais that we love. And here they are.

1. Shingo Kinjou (Yowamushi Pedal)

Kinjou is an experienced and rational young man who strongly cares about the Sohoku Bicycle Club. He backs and motivates the group in all of their activities, even when they are at their weakest, and he has faith in the potential that the young first-years have to offer. He feels that as the ace, it is his responsibility to carry the hopes and ambitions of the club's other members to the end.

Amongst all the third-year seniors in Sohoku High, aside from being Captain of the team, Kinjou has shown himself to be an iconic senpai. At first, he comes off as harsh but later gains the love and respect of the first years as they see that he's after their development.

2. Levi Ackermann (Attack on Titan)

A huge salute to this soldier!! You might think that because he is the Squad Captain of the Special Operations Squad, he has to watch out for his soldiers. But aside from being a Captain, Levi is one person you can always count on to have your back and look up to. 

Of course, Levi is probably the most unfriendly, blunt, irritating and coldest person you'd ever meet. He indeed has a deep sense of empathy and morality. He may not show it as much as Hange does, but none worries about others as much as Levi does (probably not even Commander Erwin). And he's shown himself to possess excellent leadership, swordsmanship and tactical skills.

3. Satoshi Ishiki (Shokugeki no Souma)

We all know there are unique characters from the Food Wars series, and among the few could-be-senpais, Ishiki-chan is someone you would love. He doesn't come off as a serious or role model type. You wouldn't even know he's a member of the school's Elite Ten Council.

Ishiki is a playful and silly senpai but would never tolerate anyone looking down or bullying his fellow residents, so much so he gave up his seat at the Council to defend them. He even was a significant motivator to his fellow residents when they had to defend the Dorm against the Council's decree.

4. Takigawa Chris Yu (Diamond no Ace)

When asked about Chris' personality, Miyuki ended his description of his senpai with "leading the team to win. That's Chris-senpai's style of baseball." After a shoulder injury turned him from starting catcher to team manager, Sawamura nicknamed him "Shisho" (meaning Master or Mentor).

Whenever anyone asks, "what does senpai mean?" you have to think about "Chris", and you'll get the exact definition of the word senpai. Chris is a stickler about baseball, and as long as there's a glimmer of hope left, he won't give up on it. All the school baseball team students respect and admire him despite not being on the team.

5. Mirio Togata (My Hero Academia)

For someone that holds a record of smiling for over 98% of the time in the MHA series, Mirio seems more of a clown than a senpai. And, of course, he often makes a fool of himself just so his colleagues could have a good time and laugh, but why do others (characters and fans) warm up to him?

For a Quirkless character who got one by chance, Mirio's story inspires others. And seeing how well he takes on formidable enemies without batting an eye and with the smile never leaving his face is something the junior students admire, making him a favorite senpai to most.

6. Daichi Saramura (Haikyuu!!)

Daichi is a highly compassionate and responsible captain who never puts himself before his squad. He is also incredibly understanding and supportive, but when he becomes furious, he can be very frightening; nevertheless, he only reveals this part of himself when it is essential. 

Whenever his teammates act up, he takes on a somewhat authoritarian stance, as seen when he sent Kageyama and Hinata out of the gym because they disputed and objected to him.

Despite this, his actions have never been done in a way that was not looking out for the best interests of the squad, because of his unwavering commitment to his team and his ability to lead them, his teammates respect and fear him equally.

7. Takamura Mamoru (Hajime no Ippo)

One of Mamoru's funny yet less admirable traits is his perverted nature. He fancies himself as a ladies' man. This made him pull off a stunt that got his story and face into the newspaper when he humiliated himself in front of a woman.

But looking past that part of him, Mamoru does not just despise those who prey on the weak, but he despises those who stand by and do nothing when the helpless are being picked on. Although he is known for playing jokes on fellow boxers at the gym, he is held in high regard. He is credited for inspiring Aoki, Kimura, and Ippo to take up the sport.

And asides from his perverted nature, his emphatic and significant brotherly characteristics make him worthy of being someone's senpai.

8. Bruno Bucciarati (Jojo's Bizarre Adventures)

In JBA, Bruno Bucciarati is initially shown as a sneaky mobster. Still, it is soon made clear that he is a virtuous and incredibly dedicated guy who is also rather ruthless.

The qualities of justice and natural kindness that stand out the most in Bucciarati's character are the two that he possesses. Bruno is committed to acting in the most honorable way possible, even if it means jeopardizing his life.

Bruno's personality and actions have earned him the respect of others, even though he is a mobster and shouldn't be a good person. But he is!! He is pretty much the mentor you probably never dreamt of!

9. Aoi Todo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Aoi Todo is a one-of-a-kind individual with an outlandish outlook on life. In the eyes of his peers, he might appear to be nothing more than a combat-crazed meathead because he enjoys posturing and flashing forth his muscles.